Facilities

The new library facilities at Loughton are linked with the University of Essex Southend and Colchester Campus libraries, which hold over one million books, microfilms, and 7300 current periodicals issues.

Alongside our own comprehensive collection of texts, books are delivered to Loughton via a regular courier service between the campuses.

Our new multi-million pound IT suite provides students with access to PCs, free internet access, printing and photocopiers. There is also wireless connectivity throughout the site.

Hatfields is home to 28 rehearsal studios including a dance studio, radio recording room and screening room:

• Courtyard Studios – six large rehearsal spaces
• Radio Studio – equipped for the recording of radio plays and voice-over work
• Orchard Studios – three additional rehearsal spaces
• Dance studio – first-class facilities for ballet, jazz and other movement work
• 14 additional studios for students to use (with more on the way!)
• Screening room – equipped with a large screen and stereo sound, used for lectures, guest speaker presentations and for screening films produced by our students

Roding House is a £1.3 million facility containing a number of state-of-the-art facilities:

• 10 rehearsal rooms
• Green room/café
• Sound recording studio
• Video editing suite
• Extensive costume department

The Corbett Theatre, named in honour of Harry H Corbett is a medieval tithe barn that was dismantled and transported to Hatfields in the 1960s. Renovated to include full technical facilities, tiered seating for 130 people and fitted dressing rooms, the theatre provides an excellent resource for public productions.

Lectures, rehearsals and technical classes also take place here, while the adjacent Bar and Café provides a social meeting point for students and staff.

Unit 4 is home to our Stage and Production Management Department with a large workshop, paint shop, prop shop, prop storage facilities and teaching spaces.

Loughton campus is ideally located just 30 minutes from one of the most diverse capital cities on the planet. Some of the best museums, art galleries, theatres and cinemas in the world are on your doorstep, hosting the latest work of the most prestigious artists from the UK, Europe and across the globe. 

From the National Gallery to the Tate modern and countless smaller private galleries, you're sure to find something you love. For something slightly closer to home, try the Theydon Gallery of Fine Art or the William Morris Gallery, located in Walthamstow in Morris's own family home, an impressive Georgian mansion built in the 1740s.

If you're a film buff, you’re just 20 mins from the Odeon Cinema South Woodford and 20 mins on the Central line from Stratford where you’ll find Westfield Stratford City with a variety of entertainment options from the Vue cinema and live music, to a ten pin bowling alley.

Whatever your flavour, there are plenty of options on and off campus to take a break, refuel your brain and tickle your taste buds .

Start by grabbing your breakfast at the SU Cafe in Hatfields House and check out their lunchtime meal deals. From sandwiches, salty snacks and scones to coffee, tea and alcoholic drinks, drop in any time between 8.30am and 8pm, have a bite and meet other students.

If you're in Roding House, you'll find refreshments in the Green Room and after classes have finished, why not hang out in the Corbett Theatre Bar?

If you fancy getting off campus for a while, The Plume of Feathers is the closest pub, just a 15 minute walk away on Church Hill. You'll also find a huge selection of cafes, restaurants and bars not far away on The Broadway and High Road in Loughton. 

Just play is our free sporting offer for students at Loughton, to help you improve your health, wellbeing and fitness as an actor in training. Whether you’re a beginner or you want to enhance your skills, Just Play provides sport classes and opportunities to all students. We have provided activities such as ballet, circuit-training, stage combat, kickboxing, yoga and more. Find out more by contacting suengagement@essex.ac.uk.

Loughton Leisure Centre has a swimming pool and a gym and offers a variety of workout classes.

Through our Students Union, we offer self-defence classes at a local boxing gym.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which hosted the 2012 summer Olympics, is just 20 minutes from campus, on the Central Line from Debden. There you will find the famous Aquatics Centre with its 50 metre swimming pool, diving pool and state-of-the-art gym, the Lee Valley Velo Park, Hockey and tennis Centre and the incredible Arcelormittal Orbit, the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide.

Our Loughton campus faith services page lists the facilities and services available for different faiths local to our Loughton campus and if you need further advice, please email our University Faith Centre at faithcentreadmin@essex.ac.uk