The Pastures

About the Pastures

• Room options: 918 single ensuite rooms, 285 single shared facility rooms (1 bathroom per 2 students), 58 single-use studios with ensuite and kitchenette, plus 1 accessible ensuite room.

• Premium features: All ensuite rooms have large four-foot beds (UK double bedding fits), and studios come with a kitchenette. Lifts are available in some 4-floor areas.

• Kitchen & facilities: Flats include induction hobs, ovens, fridges, freezers, kettles, microwaves, plus a hoover and ironing board. A launderette and Accommodation Office (for post) are also on-site.

• Management: Accommodation is provided in partnership with Equans ES Solutions; your contract is with the University, while Equans handles management, maintenance, and cleaning.

• Accreditation: The Pastures is included in the ANUK/Unipol National Code.

• Location & access: A 15-minute walk from the campus centre (library, SU bar, shops, eateries) and 16 minutes to the gym and sports facilities.

The Pastures is perfect if you want modern, fully-equipped accommodation with a variety of room options, all close to campus and local amenities.

The Pastures image gallery

Benefits of campus living

There are many advantages to living on campus at Essex - you’ll have your lectures on your doorstep, get to know the University inside and out plus you’ll be right in the heart of the action.

Quality Guarantee

Accommodation Essex is a member of the Universities UK Student Accommodation Code (SAC) which sets out the quality and standards (.pdf) that students can expect from our accommodation.

To make sure we comply with the Housing Act 2004, Accommodation Essex adhere to the UUK Student Accommodation Code, which has been designed to protect your rights to safe, good quality university-managed accommodation.

Places for People (PfP), the management company for The Copse, University Quays, and The Meadows, as well as Equans, who manage The Pastures, adhere to the National Code Assured Accommodation (ANUK).

Fixed cost

At Essex, we recognise the cost of living challenges that will impact our students. For example, your weekly rent includes your energy bills and internet access.

Gym

If you are living on the Colchester Campus, then you get a silver Essex Sport gym membership included in your rent. This includes off-peak access to gym facilities, advanced booking of sports facilities such as our tennis courts, and online booking for fitness classes.

Medical centre

There is a medical centre at Colchester Campus for you to visit when you are unwell. Registration at the Centre is required in order to see a doctor, you will be able to register online either just before or when you arrive. Pharmacies are available in Colchester and Wivenhoe for prescriptions and over the counter medications.

Security

Our campuses are generally very safe environments. We want to ensure that things stay this way. There is 24-hour security at our Colchester Campus.

Support services

We have a wide range of support services to help you with everyday worries in your accommodation or for practical or personal issues.

Support is available to you within your Student Services Hub, providing advice and support on a range of issues such as financial worries, immigration issues and support for students with additional needs or specific health concerns.

SU Advice, run by the Students' Union, offers welfare advice to students on a range of issues. SU Advice is located on Square 3.

Insurance

By partnering with Howden, the No.1 student insurance provider, we've arranged contents insurance for all of our students staying with us, in our residence, at no cost to you.