Short stay and vacation

How to apply for short stay accommodation

Applications for Colchester and Southend short-stay accommodation for 2022-23 are now closed. Applications for 2023-24 will open in April 2024.

If you need a room for a few days then we can offer short-stay accommodation bookings of 1 or more nights in Colchester and a minimum of 3 nights for our accommodation in Southend, during the summer term.      

Please note, that bedding is not included.

How to apply

Applications for revision and resit accommodation are now open.

Accommodation is available for you during the late summer revision and resit examinations period. We have rooms available the Towers and University Quays at our Colchester campus and in single ensuite rooms at University Square at our Southend campus.

You are welcome to book for one or more nights and the rooms are available between 16 August and 15 September 2023.

The last booking date for resit accommodation arrival is 13 September 2023.

Applications can be received Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm but may not be processed immediately, so please allow at least 3 working days to be processed. If you are planning on arriving over a weekend, please apply well in advance.

Bed linen and towel hire are included in the price of all rooms.

Apply for accommodation

Applications are now open.

• Revision and resit accommodation application 2023

Prices for vacation accommodation can be found on our Colchester and Southend pages.

Summer vacation accommodation is available for all registered students.

Applications for Colchester and Southend summer vacation accommodation are now closed. Applications for the 2023-24 academic year will open in April 2024.

Some students, such as the majority of postgraduate students and a small number of undergraduate students will have a letter of allocation to mid-September. Other students will be required to vacate their accommodation at the end of the academic year in July and make a vacation booking if they require accommodation over the summer.

Bookings will normally be subject to a minimum charge of three days.

If you require a booking that is for 29 nights or more, the tariff is set at a lower rate equivalent to the term time rent. In this case the same letting conditions apply as for students who have been resident all year, in particular, notice cannot be given once the keys are collected.

If you require a booking of 28 nights or less or you are uncertain about required dates, the short-term rate applies. In this case three days notice may be given. Any booking which commences on or after 11 September 2023 will be deemed a short-term booking.

Before making a booking ensure you read the Vacation Accommodation Terms and Conditions of Residence below.

Applications can be received Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but will not be processed immediately, so please allow at least 3 working days to be processed. If you are planning on arriving over the weekend, please apply well in advance.

Vacation accommodation Terms and Conditions of Residence (pdf.)

Apply for accommodation

Prices for vacation accommodation can be found on our Colchester and Southend pages.

Important Information

If you are currently living in our accommodation and have accommodation booked with us again for 2023-24. You will stay in your summer room until your term-time room is ready, you will not need to move out between contracts

If you are on the 5 week pre-sessional course in August and have booked our accommodation for 2023-24. You will hopefully be in your term-time room already, if not we will move you when your term-time room is ready

The last possible in date for vacation bookings is 11 September 2023.

If you're living in private accommodation you won't be able to move in until Tuesday 4 July 2023. If you're currently living in University accommodation your vacation booking will start at the end of your current contract and we will let you know when your summer room is ready.

Last possible out date is Monday 18 September 2023.

End of contract

All accommodation contracts end in mid-September to allow for cleaning and essential maintenance work to be completed. There can be no extensions of accommodation beyond this time.

However, if you are in University accommodation over the summer and have accommodation the following academic year you may remain in your current room until your term-time room is ready. You are not required to make an additional booking for this, as we will invoice you for this automatically in September. You will be expected to move as soon as you are notified in order that your vacation room can be prepared for new students arriving

Graduation applications for 2022-23 are now closed. Applications for 2023-24 will open in June 2024.

Before making a booking ensure you read the Vacation Accommodation Terms and Conditions of Residence.

We have single occupancy accommodation available for students during the Graduation period, if you would like to stay on our Colchester campus.

Graduation bookings are available from Monday 17 to Friday 21 July 2023. You are required to vacate your room by 10am on the final day of your booking.

Bedding and linen will be provided and are included in the price.

Why not make the most of your stay in Colchester and check out the exciting places you can visit or activities you can take part in with your family, whilst you are here for your Graduation.

Applications for Graduation accommodation are now closed.

Applications can be received Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but will not be processed immediately, so please allow at least 3 working days to be processed.

Residential accommodation is available for let during the summer vacation to groups and individuals who aren't students of the University, including accommodation for Graduation guests and family members.

You can book this accommodation through Event Essex.