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University of Essex homepage Welcome
University of Essex

Welcome and Orientation 2025

We can't wait to meet all our new students. Welcome is your chance to get to know the University, meet like-minded people, make friends for life and see where you'll call home for the next few years.

Get yourself ready and prepared for Essex

We can't wait to Welcome you

We’re getting everything ready behind the scenes to help you settle in smoothly. This page will soon be packed with everything you need to get started. In the meantime, feel free to explore and learn more about life at Essex - and check back closer to the start of term for your full onboarding guide.

Dates for your diary

  • 2 September: Registration opens online. You should aim to complete this straight away. SU events and activities for Welcome go on sale this date too. Once you have your University email address you can log on to the SU website and get booking.
  • 27-28 September: Arrivals weekend for Colchester and Southend - if you're living on campus, this is when you'll most likely move into your new home. If you're flying into Heathrow or Gatwick, we're running an airport transfer service direct to campus.
  • Welcome Week is Monday 29 September - Friday 3 October. Activities take place all week to get help you get started, get involved and make friends. Not living on campus? Welcome Week is for everyone, read our top tips for commuters.

Get prepared

What you need to know before you arrive Register as a student Information for International students Information for families

Arrivals

Arriving at Essex Colchester Campus Southend Campus Loughton Campus

Chat to our students and staff about life at Essex

"Hi, I’m Lily-May, your SU President! I’m proud to be leading our big Essex family where everyone, no matter who you are, can find a second home. Essex is full of opportunities, so make the most of them - this time of your life won’t last forever! Hopefully you know this already but you're now officially a member of Essex Students' Union and the good news is that we're proud to be one of the best in the UK so you're going to get amazing support, events and opportunities in the months ahead. I can’t wait to meet you during Welcome Week, and if we don’t cross paths then, please say hello at another SU event or in the squares (be warned, I do yap)!"
Lily-May SU President, 2024
Prepare for life at Essex
What to pack for university
Marketing and Student Recruitment
14 August 2025
Prepare for your Results Day
Simon Greenwood
11 June 2025
A parent’s journey: Letting go as your young person heads to university
Melanie Symonds
27 February 2025
Read all our welcome blogs
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