Places to study at Colchester Campus

The Albert Sloman Library is open 24/7 during term time and has a wide range of learning resources; books, journals, British and foreign-newspapers, databases, microfilms and audio-visual materials. Quiet study areas are also available.

Study pods

Five individual study pods are available to book in the North wing on floor 2 and 3 individual study pods in the South wing on floor two.

Group study rooms

There are also four group study rooms available to book (one each on floors two-five) for between one and twelve people.

The library has a variety of study spaces that are available without the need to book on all floors of the building, including some for silent study on floor five.

Large open study space available 6pm – 9am 

Library lobbies floors two - five  

Desks available for study 24/7 during term time and 8am to 8pm during vacations.

Library Learning Room

Available as student study space unless booked for teaching. Check the screen by the door. 

The Learning Hub, on the ground floor, offers a variety of group and individual study areas, including 26 computers. The SU Creative Studios can be found to the rear of the Learning Hub.

Lab E (formerly the reading room), on the second floor, is an open study space from 6pm to 9am.

Individual study desks, group study spaces and soft and flexible seating offering study space 24/7. 

The lobbies on the first, second and third floors contain desks and study spaces. You can also find space inside room 3.03 on the ground floor. 

Study spaces are available on the first floor in rooms 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 and 1.10

• Find out which labs are now open on campus
• Download our app, Pocket Essex for IT lab availability and to find a computer

You can also use the collaborative study areas which house group study areas. These are:

• The Orangery (next to Zest)
• The Limehouse (5S3.4) 

Additional study space may be available in your department. Most departments also have a common room which is a great meeting space for you to use. They usually have tea and coffee making facilities, comfortable seating and some daily newspapers. You'll need to check with your department whether your common room is currently open. 

Contact your department to find out more. 

Postgraduate common room

Our dedicated Postgraduate common room can be found in 5.401, it's open daily and is easily accessible from the Mathematics entrance (2NE) off square 2.

Library postgraduate study room

The Postgraduate Reading Room is a spacious, modern and quiet study room, including desks and seats. It's next to the paternoster and you'll have to scan your student card to enter and exit the room.

There are 21 individual study spaces available to book in the Postgraduate Study Room, including 9 with PCs.

Don't worry! You can use our handy Find Your Way online map to find study spaces in:

• North Teaching Centre
• Tony Rich Teaching Centre 
• Albert Sloman Library
• 3.400 corridor

Overlooking Square 4, FUNc. is a dedicated social space for staff and students to study, meet friends, or have a work meeting. There's extra seating areas for lunches, either brought in from home or purchased on campus, and microwaves to heat up your food.

As a rule, any room that is not in use for teaching or does not have a prior booking is available for students to use as a study space. You will need to be courteous and leave promptly if the room is booked for teaching, but many rooms have a small display next to the door which will indicate any upcoming booking information.

Spaces which are available as dedicated study areas will be clearly marked with a notice on the door. This indicates that the space is available for student study 24/7. 

Some of our study spaces are located inside buildings where teaching or exams may be taking place. Please be considerate of others.