Postgraduate prospectus

Student life: accommodation and catering facilities

The following information is based on the accommodation policy for 2010-11.

If you accept an offer for full-time graduate study starting in October 2011, you will be sent further information in May or June 2011 about accommodation.

Will I be granted accommodation?

If you are a new graduate student from overseas and applying for study in October 2011 at either our Colchester or Southend Campus, you will normally be offered a single room in University-owned accommodation providing your application and deposit is returned by the publicised closing date. Research students may be able to apply for an allocation if rooms are available in subsequent years.

If you are a new graduate student from the UK or EU, applying for a course at Colchester or Southend, you will be eligible to apply for a single room. These are let on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you begin your studies later in the academic year, you will be given every assistance in finding accommodation, but rooms in University accommodation cannot be guaranteed.

What is the accommodation like?

All University accommodation is modern and purpose-built and the majority of it is situated on, or close to the campuses.

All accommodation consists of single study-bedrooms, grouped in self-contained flats of varying sizes with communal kitchen-dining facilities. Most flats are mixed-gender, although single-gender flats are available.

All accommodation is networked so you can use your computer to access the internet and University network from your room free of charge. Each room at the Colchester Campus also has a telephone which provides free use of the internal telephone system.

If you are studying at the Southend Campus, you will be amongst the first students to live in the new purpose-built University student residences in the town. Our colourful new student accommodation has become a vibrant addition to the Southend skyline. Due to open for the 2010 academic year, the development of the 561-room University Square includes cluster kitchens, study rooms and many green and sustainable features.

Please be aware that if you accept single University accommodation, you will be contracted to that for the duration of the academic year. If you are expecting family to join you during this time, you should not apply for University accommodation but make a temporary arrangement in the private sector while you look for a house for you and your family.

At the Colchester Campus Accommodation

Rooms in University Quays and the Houses have en suite facilities and shared kitchens for six to nine students. Most flats are mixed by gender, although single-gender flats are available if you prefer. All rooms are networked for access by your own computers to the University systems. Some ground-floor flats have been specially designed or adapted for disabled students, including wheelchair users.

In 2010-11, rooms in two of the Houses, one of the Towers and several of the houses at University Quays were reserved for postgraduate students.

The University Quays are our newest residential development located on the northern edge of campus. There is a large laundrette and the popular Quayside Café overlooking the river. Students resident in the Towers and the Houses have good access to our main launderette, close to Square 4, as well as to the shops and catering outlets. For full details of all our residences please visit the Accommodation website..

Where will I eat?

Our Colchester Campus has a range of catering facilities providing meals and snacks. If you wish to cook at home, all flats have fully-equipped kitchen-diners, and the two campus shops sell a wide range of food. There is also a Tesco supermarket within easy walking distance.

Can I bring my family?

Our Colchester Campus has only a small amount of accommodation for couples and families and there is usually a waiting list. If you intend to bring your family with you, you will almost certainly have to find private-rented accommodation in Colchester or the local area. As suitable accommodation may be difficult to find, early contact with the Accommodation Office is advisable.

How much will it cost?

Charges for University-owned accommodation at the Colchester Campus in 2010-11 vary from £3,405 to £5,246 per annum (based on a 50-week let period), including heating, hot water and cleaning. There will be an increase for the next academic year.

Postgraduate accommodation is normally let for a 50-week period from the beginning of October to mid-September. A small number of rooms are let for a 39-week period from the beginning of October to the end of June, if your study lasts for 39 weeks only.

Private sector accommodation

Our Accommodation Office looks after students at the Colchester and Loughton Campuses. It maintains a register of accommodation for those students who prefer to live independently in the private sector. Copies of the current accommodation listing can be obtained by contacting the Private Sector Accommodation Office, either e-mail: privsec (non essex user please add @essex.ac.uk) or by post (please see the University address).

At the Southend Campus Accommodation

The study bedrooms at University Square are arranged in seven houses situated around a central enclosed courtyard. All rooms are en suite and there are generally eight to ten student bedrooms per flat, sharing a communal kitchen. There is also a selection of self contained studio flats suitable for either single or couple occupancy that have their own kitchenette, as well as en suite bathroom facilities.

Where will I eat?

All accommodation is self-catered offering total independence and the chance to cook with your new flatmates. However, if you fancy a rest from domestic life, there are plenty of cafés, sandwich shops and restaurants in Southend to suit all tastes and budgets from traditional fish and chips to the familiar franchises. Westcliff-on-Sea, particularly the Hamlet Court Road area, offers a wealth of independently-owned eating outlets from countries around the world including China, Italy, Greece and India.

Where can I buy every day items?

As our Southend Campus is in the town centre, all the services and facilities that you need are close by, from banks and book shops to a post office and pharmacist. A large supermarket is conveniently located opposite the site of the new accommodation.