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University of Essex homepage Life Colchester Campus
Colchester Campus

Colchester Campus

At Essex there's so much going on that you could never leave campus and still find something new to do every day.

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A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

The world in one place

Home to over 10,000 students from more than 140 countries, our Colchester Campus is one of the most internationally diverse campuses on the planet - we are the world in one place.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.




Campus life

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How to get here Get to know the local area Take a virtual tour of the campus
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Chat to current Essex students

The best way to get to know Essex is by chatting to our current students. Whether you have questions about your course, accommodation, nightlife or anything else, why not ask our students and staff?

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A view of our Colchester Campus with the Albert Sloman Library in the foreground.

A view of our Colchester Campus with the Albert Sloman Library in the foreground.

Students enjoy a drink and a game of pool in Top Bar

Students enjoy a drink and a game of pool in Top Bar

A student places a painting in the ESCALA collection

A student places a painting in the ESCALA collection

International students hit the dance floor at The In-Between

International students hit the dance floor at The In-Between

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Essex Sport Arena

Inside Art Exchange gallery during an exhibition with a couple of visitors

Art Exchange Gallery

Quiet study space by the lake in the SSC

Silberrad Student Centre

Climbing wall

Climbing wall

Student practising with another student in the clinic by advising of using weights to build strength

Sports Therapy Clinic

group of students walking across Colchester Campus squares

group of students walking across Colchester Campus squares

Colleagues in Crumbs coffee shop serving customers on Colchester Campus

Colleagues in Crumbs coffee shop serving customers on Colchester Campus

Essex life at Colchester Campus squares

Essex life at Colchester Campus squares

Student studying in the library

Student studying in the library

A view across a lake at Wivenhoe Park

The Lakes at Wivenhoe Park - submitted by Sarika Singh

Portrait photo of Essex student, Iris Szabo
"I am proud of the Essex values of inclusivity and internationalism. I am a member of our Students’ Union. I lived in South Towers. I got lost on campus but I FoundMyWay. I took the Paternoster. I lost the notion of time in the library. I enjoyed a day by the lakes. It makes my day when I see Pebbles (our campus cat). I celebrate in the SU Bar. I sing at Milk It! I dance in Sub Zero. I grab coffee from Crumbs and popcorn chicken from Cantina. I celebrate National Romanian Day one day and discover other cultures the next. I backed the blades and danced the pole. I met amazing people and laughed along the way. I am Essex because of our amazing community of students, and a campus that I now call home."
Iris Szabo BA Global Studies and Modern Languages student
Student life
Your time at Essex will be full of opportunities to meet new people, try new things and develop new skills. Your success is at the heart of everything we do.
Student support
We know university life can throw up all kinds of concerns and questions. If you need some information, advice or support to succeed, stay healthy and happy, we've got it covered.
Supporting you with the cost of living
We believe no one should miss out on an Essex education. And, as the ongoing cost of living crisis is making life harder for students we want to ensure we do all we can to support all of our community.
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If we're your firm or insurance choice, now's the time to choose your accommodation

Applications for on-campus accommodation for October 2025 are now open. So if we're your firm or insurance choice university, it's time to make your application.

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