Before you arrive

It may sound obvious, but you’ll need to find somewhere to live. Don’t leave this to the last minute.

All full-time fully-registered undergraduate students studying at either our Colchester or Southend Campuses are entitled to accommodation for the first year of study as long as they return their application by the deadline date (Friday, 24 August 2018). We have a range of accommodation options at these Campuses to suit different needs, preferences and budgets, all within walking distance of the academic departments and campus facilities.

Alternatively, you may wish to find off-Campus accommodation in the local area through SU Homes.

Also, remember to check out what items will already be in your room. No need to bring your bed, but some sheets could prove handy.

Online registration

You can begin your official student registration before you arrive.

Head over to our registration page, and confirm your details from 6 September.

Your email and IT account

Once you’ve begun your registration, you’ll be able to setup your Essex email and IT account. This is the email address we’ll be using to keep you up-to-date so make sure you check it from now on. Plus, you’ll need your account if you want to access the internet as soon as you arrive, so this is an important one! 

Going to university is one of the best investments you will ever make, but before you arrive make sure you take a look at our fees and funding pages to ensure you’re financially prepared for life at Essex

Your course is likely to have a mix of compulsory and optional modules. You can select optional modules for your course with our online eNROL system.

Your new home will be ready and waiting for your arrival. You'll just need to supply your own bedding, towels, coat hangers, cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery, saucepans and frying pans.

If you're coming to our Colchester or Southend campuses, and packing really isn't your thing, then you can order stuff before you arrive to Campus and it will be delivered to your room.

Alternatively, there are large supermarkets near to all of our campuses, so you can stock up on household essentials when you get here. If you plan to do this, then it is worth checking beforehand to see which shops and supermarkets will be open nearby when you arrive, particularly as most will have reduced opening hours on Sundays.

One last thing...bring your passport. It will serve as a useful form of ID and you're going to need it if you want to get a job.

Colchester and Southend: Arrivals day is Sunday 30 September 2018. 

You can arrive at your Campus and move into your accommodation from 9am. We'll be ready and waiting to give you a helping hand!

• How to get to our Colchester Campus
• How to get to our Southend Campus

Loughton: Arrivals day is Monday 24 September 2018.

• How to get to our Loughton Campus

We can't wait to see you soon! 

• Find Your Way - Our University Campus is pretty big and that means you might need help finding your way around. Our Find Your Way app is essential - trust us, you’ll need it.
  Search your app store for FindYourWay@Essex
  
• Pocket Essex - Our official mobile app for students will be your new best friend. It gives you instant access to events, your course info, timetables, modules and marks, library loans, contact details and much more. Search your app store for Pocket Essex

We've got loads of Social Media groups for you to for find your new BFFs. We've got just about every possibility covered from country groups and accommodation specific ones. We've also got a general Welcome group too. Just search Facebook, and good luck.

For those who are looking to work whilst you study, you'll need to make sure your CV is up to date, and you're ready to get interviewing. Thankfully, our careers pages have all the information you need to help you get started.

Don't forget, you're going to need to bring your passport and have a bank account too.

If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty, long term medical condition or mental health condition you can register with our disability services before your arrival so that we can consider your support needs. Find further information on what is available on our disability services pages.