Daily parking charges
Daily charges apply to all motor vehicles during term time, with the exception of:
- those with termly season tickets
- motorcycles
Parking charges apply from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays and Christmas Day.
Register your vehicle
When you register your vehicle, you can obtain discounted parking. You will have to make a payment each day when you park.
Unregistered vehicles must pay the full visitor rate.
All general permits expire on the 30 September each year. All termly permits expire at the end of each corresponding term.
Please note: all aspects of administration in relation your permit to park are undertaken via the University webpages.
How to pay the daily charge
| Type | Cost per hour | Full-day charge |
|---|---|---|
| Registered vehicles | 16p | £1.12 |
We have introduced a new cashless payment system for those who choose to pay each time they visit, which means you can pay for your parking online and will no longer have to pay in person at the machines. This new system will improve safety and offers a simplified way to pay for your parking. The new system has a minimum stay charge of £0.64p.
You will either need to download an app to your phone or log on via a web browser to make your payment. It is important you sign into the app by selecting the 'Single Sign On' option. You will be redirected to a University web page and prompted to use your @essex.ac.uk email address.
When you arrive:
- Open Parksmart app or internet page
- Tap on 'Park'
- Enter your registration number
- Enter the amount of time you need to park for
- Pay as prompted
The parking location number for Colchester Campus is 1597.
The car parks work on automatic number plate recognition. You don't need to display a ticket, but you can view payment history and obtain a receipt for your payment via Parksmart.
Pay by text or WhatsApp
Send message Park to 0786 213 7275.
Paying a Parking Charge Notice (PCN)
If you have received a parking charge notice please enter the notice reference and your vehicle registration number to pay.
Parking out of term time
There are no daily charges out of term time for registered vehicles. Unregistered vehicles must pay the full visitor tariff.
