Not living on campus? Get the most from Welcome

Before starting your studies you need to register, which includes completing the online pre-registration and attending an in-person meeting with your ID.

Registration confirms that you will be joining us for the academic year and will unlock essential services and information, including your IT account and your timetable.

Public transport

If you’re travelling to one of our campuses by train or bus then downloading their app can give you easy access to etickets, timetables, and alerts for delays to services.

Public transport companies with services on or near our campuses include:

• Greater Anglia (Colchester and Southend)
• C2C (Southend)
• Transport for London (Loughton)
• Arriva
• First Essex

Car

If you’re travelling by car then check out which parking apps are accepted near our campuses (Colchester campus has parking on site which can be paid for with the ParkSmart app).

You can also check if your breakdown cover has an app you can download, this can make it easier to get in contact if you get stuck on the side of the road.

You may feel that there is very little to bring with you if you're a commuting student since you aren't moving into a campus room.

However, there are a few things you should consider packing in your bag when you're coming on to campus, whether it's for welcome week or for your lectures:

• Chargers - For both laptop and phone. If you stay on campus longer than expected then you may suddenly find your phone has 20% battery and you can’t charge it until you get home.
• Reusable water bottles and coffee cups - Water refill stations are dotted around our campuses, and many food and drink outlets offer a discount when using a refillable cup for your hot drinks.
• Small amount of cash - Although our campuses are cashless and many public transport options have digital payments, it's always good to have a small amount of backup cash with you. Powercuts can take out services, or your card may be blocked by your bank if they detect suspicious activity. A spare £20 note may be the difference between travelling home or standing on a platform for hours.

If you’re driving or cycling, then don’t forget to do some essential maintenance. Check your tyres (pressure, punctures, tread etc) and lights, check the oil and water in your car, and check your brakes if you’re cycling.

For those of you cycling to Colchester campus you can also make use of Doctor Bike, who visits every Wednesday in term time. You can get a free check to make sure your bike is in good condition or pay for some repairs to be done while you’re in class.

Commuting students have the same access to campus events and Students' Union activities as those living on our campuses.

During Welcome Week and beyond there will be a host of things on our campuses that you will be able to join in with, such as:

• Departmental inductions - Your academic department will run a series of events during Welcome Week to help you get settled in. You can meet your personal tutor, get a tour of departmental facilities, and meet students on your course before the first lecture begins.
• Campus events - Throughout the academic year various events are run on our campuses, from theatre shows and careers skills sessions, to departmental research seminars and Faith Centre meet ups. You can use our events page to filter by campus, department, or event type.
• Students' Union events - Our Students' Union also runs a range of events and activities including arts and crafts sessions, social mixers, and volunteering opportunities.
• Societies and sports - The Students' Union is also home to a broad range of societies and sports teams. These groups organise their own activities and events with a focus on their areas of interest, and welcome all student members whether you're a commuter or a campus resident.

If you’re planning a long study session, have an early Monday morning lecture, or want a night out at the SU then consider booking a room overnight.

Both Colchester and Southend campuses have university accommodation that can be booked on a short-term basis, and it saves you needing to sprint for the last train home.

Now’s your chance to dive into living at the University of Essex with our Experience Essex offer. If you want to try living in accommodation without the commitment at our Colchester or Southend Campus', you can now stay with us for 4 weeks to see what you think, you never know, you may make lifelong friends and want to continue your stay with us.

Why book an Experience Essex stay?

• Be at the heart of our Essex Welcome: Get involved in our vibrant campus life and make friends at the start of your new adventure. You will have the chance to experience all of our freshers and welcome events without having to worry about your daily commute.
• Make the most of every moment: Whether it's Welcome Week, study sessions, or just enjoying the campus atmosphere, you won't miss out on anything.
• Enjoy maximum flexibility: Loved your stay? You can book a full-time contract from the date your stay ends at early booking rates.
  
   

This is your chance to experience university life on our Campus’, with no strings attached and no daily commute. Check out the events taking place on campus during Welcome Week to learn more.

Here’s the best part: book 2 weeks, and we’ll give you an extra 2 weeks for free!

It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself, experience life at Essex and get a real feel for our vibrant campus. Check out the Terms and Conditions of the offer:

• Colchester terms and conditions (.pdf)
• Southend terms and conditions (.pdf)

Looking for something more permanent? Applications are still open for full-time contracts, and we would love to welcome you to our student accommodation in Colchester or Southend for a longer stay.

By public transport

• Train - Although there are four train stations in close proximity to the Campus, our nearest station is the Hythe (Essex) which is a 20-minute walk from campus. Trains do run less frequently to this station. However, both Colchester North and Wivenhoe Station (which have more frequent trains) are a short bus ride away.
• If you’re travelling by train, you could invest in a 16-25 railcard, if you are eligible; this can save you up to 1/3 on rail fares. Also, season tickets are available from National Rail - these usually work out more cost effective than purchasing single journeys. More information about discounted train travel can be found on our student directory.
• Bus - The campus is well served by the local bus network. The are several bus stops directly within the campus boundary serving the majority of local areas.
• See more information about bus travel discounts in and around Colchester

• E-scooter / cycle scheme - TIER/Dott offers discounted access to sustainable mobility using e-scooters and bikes. More information about this scheme can be found on the TIER/Dott website.

By car

Campus is really easy to get to by car and we are well served by major roads in and out of Colchester.

There are two main entrances to the campus, each have their own car parks commuting students can use.

• Wivenhoe Entrance - CO79HT (closest to the gym, Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall and the Lecture Theatre Building). 
• Colchester Entrance - CO4 3SQ (closest to the Essex Business School) There are currently roadworks at this entrance preventing drivers from turning right into the campus from central Colchester (or right out of the campus). To enter, either use the Wivenhoe entrance, or carry on down a road a little further where you can make a u-turn at the first set of traffic lights.

Student parking on Campus is free during Welcome week. But you’ll need to pay to park once Welcome is over and term begins. Paying to park on campus is through our app - as a commuting student you can register your vehicle for a cheaper rate, otherwise you'll need to pay the more expensive visitor rate. You can register your vehicle during Welcome week. More information, and how to register can be found on the Student Information Directory.

By public transport

• Both Southend Central and Southend Victoria train stations are just a short walk away from the University campus. Trains run frequently from London with journey times of 45 minutes to one hour
  • London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (0.3 miles from our campus) - operated by Abellio Greater Anglia
  • London Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (0.2 miles from our campus) - operated by c2c

By car

• Southend Campus is situated in a busy city centre with several public car parks near by. More information about parking can be found on the Student Information Directory.

Loughton is easily accessible via the London Underground (Central line), it is also easily reachable via bus and coach network. More information on how to get to Loughton can be found on our visit pages.

Information for new students joining East 15 can be found on the East 15 website