Moving into your new home
Accommodation arrivals information.
We can't wait to welcome you to your new home!
Check out the key collection information for your area, below.
Don't forget to only bring what you need and try to keep the number of people you bring with you to help you move, to a minimum.
Before you arrive and when you get here
- Download or print your arrivals pass (which is available at the end of your e-induction) to collect your key
- You can collect your keys from the start date of your contract. When you arrive, take your Arrivals pass to your designated key collection office (details below) where you will be given an envelope with a map (to show you where you need to go) and your key (fob).
Unless you have received agreement from our Accommodation Office for late arrival, we will be entitled (but not obliged) to terminate your contract for the Accommodation if you have not taken up residence within 7 days of the start of the Period of Stay. If your contract is not cancelled, you will remain liable for the rent for the whole contract period.
Kitchen and bedding packs (doubles only) available to buy from Essex Essentials. If you are an October start student, then you can order these and have them delivered to your room for your arrival (ordering deadline and terms apply). If you are ordering at any other time of the year, then these have to be collected, as arranged by Event Essex.
Event Essex (Square 2) opening times
- 9.00am to 7.00pm on Saturday 3 October
- 10.00am to 3.00pm on Sunday 4 October
Luggage
- Only bring what you need (leave other valuable items at home
- Make sure everything is securely packed and easy for you to transport, as staff are not able to help with your luggage
There will be trollies (stationed near car parks or receptions) available for you to use over the main Arrivals weekend (3-4 October). Please return them to the trolley park when you are finished, so they are available for other students to use. However, please park up, go get your keys, then collect your luggage and move in where possible, to ensure the key collection areas are kept as clear as possible.
Collecting luggage
If you are a returning student, and have luggage in storage on campus. Central stores will be open on the following days and times over the arrivals weekend for collection:
- 9am to 6pm on Saturday 3 October
- 10am to 3pm on Sunday 4 October
Luggage can be collected from room 4SA.2.1.
Travel and parking
Further information on how to get to the University can be found on our travelling to Colchester Campus page. Parking for new arrivals is available at University Quays (///roses.moved.forest). Parking for The Meadows, The Copse, and The Pastures is at the Capon Road temporary car park (///movie.agrees.soup) opposite the accommodation, and North Campus is in the North Towers car park (///under.jaws.riders) next to North Towers. Both these car parking areas are accessed via the Knowledge Gateway off of the A133. Parking for South Campus is in Valley Road Car Park (///stones.epic.arena) for South Towers and Car Park B (///pull.string.energetic), behind the gym, just off of Boundary Road for South Courts, from the A133 towards Wivenhoe.
/// Download what3words to help you find your way.
Google maps is also a good tool for finding your way to and around our campuses.
Parking charges will be suspended for the arrivals weekend 3 and 4 October.
Welcome week
As well as moving into you accommodation, we also have a wealth of advice to help you get started on your first few days on our welcome pages.
Collecting your keys
Arrivals key collection 2026-27
North Campus (North Towers, The Houses, and Wolfson Court)
Where to go
If you will be living in (The Houses, Wolfson Court or Tawney Tower) please follow these instructions:
Key collection on arrivals weekend 3-4 October 2026
Key collection is available from the 1st Floor of the Silberrad Student Centre from 9am to 7pm, on Saturday 3 October and from 10am to 3pm on Sunday 4 October. Outside of these hours over the weekend, they will be from Security at the Security and Safety Centre on Square 3.
Key collection from 5 October 2026
Key collection is available from the 1st Floor of the Silberrad Student Centre from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours your keys will be available to collect from the Security and Safety Centre on Square 3.
Directions to the Silberrad Student Centre
Please go to the 1st Floor of the Silberrad Student Centre on Square 5, next to the lake.
To get there, walk along along the North Causeway from the North car park (passed the Towers), and continue passed the Tony Rich Teaching centre (via stairs, lift, or step-free access), then under The Hex building to reach Square 4,which leads directly onto Square 5 on your left.
South Courts and South Towers
Where to go
If you will be living in South Courts (Rowhedge, Thaxted, Manningtree, Brightlingsea, Harwich, Alresford, Frinton, and Walton) or South Towers (Bertrand Russell and Eddington), please follow these instructions:
Key collection on arrivals weekend 3-4 October 2026
Key collection is available from the 1st Floor of the Silberrad Student Centre from 9am to 7pm, on Saturday 3 October and from 10am to 3pm on Sunday 4 October. Outside of these hours over the weekend, they will be from Security at the Security and Safety Centre on Square 3.
Key collection from 5 October 2026
Key collection is available from the 1st Floor of the Silberrad Student Centre from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours your keys will be available to collect from the Security and Safety Centre on Square 3.
Directions to the Silberrad Student Centre
Please go to the 1st Floor of the Silberrad Student Centre on Square 5, next to the lake.
To get there, follow the path that runs past the Sports Centre, and Sports Arena, continue on the path down past the silver Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall, to where the building sits, next to the lake.
The Meadows and The Copse
Where to go
If you will be living at The Meadows (Arber, Cole, Conway, Godwin, Tansley) or The Copse ( The Oaks, and The Poplars) on Campus, please go to the accommodation reception in The Poplars building at The Copse to collect your keys.
Key collection is available from 9am on the start of your contract, and then 24 hours a day. If the office is temporarily unmanned, please call Security on 07460373172 and they will come and assist you.
Driving and parking instructions
Sat Nav postcode: CO4 3ZT (The Copse)
Route: Turn off the A133 at the Knowledge Gateway traffic lights on the north of campus.
Parking: Parking for The Copse is at the top temporary car park, and the entrance is on the right, just after the traffic lights. Please note that this car park has a temporary gravel surface, which means the ground is uneven and is unsuitable for trollies. You will need to move your luggage from the car park to the pavement before getting a trolley.
Accommodation: The Copse is located on Capon road, which is via the 3rd exit on the roundabout as you come onto the north side of campus.
University Quays
Where to go
If you will be living at University Quays ( Hawkins, Matthews, and Sainty), please go to the University Quays accommodation office in Matthews Quay 1 to collect your keys.
Key collection on arrivals weekend 3-4 October 2026
Key collection during the main arrivals weekend will be available from the accommodation office, between 9.00am and 5.00pm each day. Outside of these hours, your keys will be available at the security office in Hawkins Quay 2. If the office is temporarily unmanned, please call security on 07460373172 and they will come and assist you.
Key collection from 5 October 2026
Key collection will be available between the hours of 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Outside of these hours, your keys will be available to collect from the security office in Hawkins Quay 2. If the office is temporarily unmanned, please call Security on 07460373172 and they will come and assist you.
For Sat Nav purposes, please use the postcode for University Quays, which is CO2 8GY.
The Pastures
Where to go
If you will be living at The Pastures on Campus (Briza, Foxtail, Leymus, and Woodeush), please go to the accommodation reception, which is located on the ground floor of The Saltmarsh building.
Please note, that there is not a lift in Woodrush House.
Key collection is available from 9am on the start of your contract, and then 24 hours a day. If the office is temporarily unmanned, please call Security on 07779872201 and they will come and assist you.
Driving and parking directions
Sat Nav postcode: CO4 3ZU (The Pastures Saltmarsh).
Route: Turn off the A133 at the Knowledge Gateway traffic lights onto the north of campus.
Roundabout: Take the 3rd exit onto Capon Road.
Parking: Use the Capon Road car park located opposite to The Pastures, but please note, this has a temporary gravel surface. This means it has uneven ground and is not suitable for luggage trollies. Please move your luggage to the pavement before getting a trolley.
Important information
- Where possible bring your belongings in suitcases with wheels so you're easily able to transport it to your accommodation
- You're not permitted to have any guests to stay for the first 2 weeks of your autumn term contract
- Please only bring one person with you where possible and arrange off campus accommodation for them.
Family member of a new student?
Are you a parent, guardian or family member? Here's some helpful information to put your minds at rest.
