Is Colchester a good place for students?

Colchester. A city in the county of Essex famous for being Britain’s first Roman city and for its Victorian architecture. Not to mention it is only an hour away from central London on the train.

Colchester is becoming more and more popular with students as it offers great university courses, campuses, student unions and much more.

What Universities are in Colchester?

Colchester is a great place to attend University, from its great University campuses to local history, you’ll always find something to keep you busy.

University of Essex

Set within the 200-acre award-winning beautiful parkland – Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England’s oldest recorded development. Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

What is University of Essex’s student union like?

University of Essex’s student union is on a mission to become the World’s Most Student-centered Organisation. They hold lots of events all year round to keep you and your friends entertained. The Great SU Taste Off or Squad Games sound like your type of fun? They hold lots of events like these.

What about freshers? The Freshers Fortnight is your chance to get your first taste of Colchester’s nightclubs and bars. Huge events are planned with themed events, DJs and special guests. There is something for everyone.

Looking to make friends? They have an app for that! Download Umii and you can connect with over 3.5k other Essex Students. The app is totally free to download and use. Available on iOS or Android. Get downloading!

What about sports and societies? Essex SU has over 40 sports clubs for you to join, these range from cheerleading to jiu-jitsu to rugby. Joining a sports club is a great way to make new friends too, and keep fit at the same time. The Colchester Campus has an astonishing 120+ societies so whether you’re looking for cultural clubs or just want to hang out with those who share the same interests – you are covered. Read more about University of Essex’s student union.

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

ARU has been placed in the top 40 UK universities and in the top 350 global universities as per the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. They are named as one of the top ten UK universities fore education, social work and sports science courses.

Although ARU is in the neighbouring town of Chelmsford, it is only a quick bus or train ride away from 27 Magdalen Street.

ARU pride themselves on award-winning facilities, world leading research and being a sustainable university.

What is Anglia Ruskin University’s student union like?

Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union are all about representation: they dedicate all of resources in to making sure your voice gets heard and you get the most out of your degree, while having an amazing time.

They give you lots of opportunities to have fun, make friends and get experience outside of the classroom.

What does Colchester have to offer students?

Eating.

There’s a large range of eateries for dining out in the city that will suit everyone’s tastes. From independent local gems to everybody’s favourite chain restaurants you will find something you will love (remember to if they accept student discount).

Shopping.

Jump on the train to Braintree and visit Braintree Village Outlet Centre. Home to over 85 stores, you’re bound to pick up a bargain or two! Braintree Freeport station is right outside the village.
For city-centre shopping, Ipswich is within 40 minutes or head to the Capital! London is just a 50-minute express train to Liverpool Street Station.

Entertainment.

Colchester is home to a zoo, the second-best zoo in the UK according to Trip Advisor. Colchester Zoo is home to over 240 species from Bears and Chimpanzee to Elephants and Wallabies.

Green spaces.

Hop on the bus and spend a day on Mersea island, its only 9 miles outside Colchester and it’s the most easterly inhabited island in the UK. Remember to check the tide times to check the tide before you leave!

History.

Colchester is home to a Norman Castle built by William the Conqueror way back in 1076, its famous for its almost intact keep which is the largest in Europe. The keep is now home to a museum, which showcases the history of Colchester from Celtic Kings, through Roman invasion and Boudiccan revolt, to Norman conquest and medieval life. Student entry costs £6.75 and you can do a tour of the roof and the vaults for an extra £3.

Travel.

In Colchester there are excellent travel links via bus, rail, by foot or park and ride.

Want to know more about what there is to do in Colchester? Read our blog on The Best Places to Visit in Colchester.

Student accommodation in Colchester.

There are many options out there for student accommodation. Maker sure to do your research first.

University Halls of Residence.

These are traditional dorm-style accommodation options which are managed by the Universities. Halls offer various room types, single and shared rooms, and include communal areas such as kitchens, lounges, and laundry rooms. These types of accommodation are a good option for students who are new to Colchester and want to be close to campus and other students.

Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).

All-inclusive student accommodation is a great way to live comfortably in uni and not have the added stresses of paying student utility bills. You can can live in most PBSA’s for any year of study. They tend to offer options of either en-suites with shared facilities or private studios. PBSA typically includes a range of facilities that cater to students’ needs, such as communal areas for socialising and studying, laundry facilities, and secure access. PBSA sites are usually situated close to city and town centres and have great transport links close by.

Private Renting.

You can choose to live in a shared houses or flats with other students. Some places will come with additional responsibilities such as paying bills and cleaning, but several private companies.

Live at 27 Magdalen Street.

Whether you’re embarking on your university journey as a first-year student, or you’re heading into your final years, we have just the room for you at our PBSA 27 Magdalen Street.

Benefiting from all-inclusive living, you won’t need to worry about sorting utility bills as they’re taken care of for you. And the same goes for maintenance problems. Don’t wait weeks for something to be fixed, with an on-site maintenance team, any problems are seen to straight away.

In terms of the living space, if you want to live with friends or meet new people, our en-suite bedrooms are the perfect choice. You’ll enjoy the privacy of your own bedroom and bathroom but can socialise with flatmates in the shared kitchen and living areas.

If you’d prefer a bit more privacy for your final years, our studios come with an en-suite bathroom as well as a fully fitted kitchenette and living space.

Our student accommodation in Colchester is right in the middle of town and less than 5 minutes walk from Colchester Town railway station.⁣ We’re the closest student accommodation to the station meaning you can roll out of bed and be shopping at @westfieldstratfordcity within 50 minutes or central London in under an hour.

Reasons to live with Host.

As a resident at our Colchester student accommodation, you’ll join a community with like-minded students from both the University of Essex and Anglia Ruskin University. And you’ll benefit from all of the below too:

• Secure access – Electronic door systems with key fob entry. Intercoms and 24/7 CCTV ensure everyone who lives with us enjoys a high standard of security.
• 24/7 reception – Rest assured knowing that there will always be someone on hand to help you if needed.
• Common room – After a busy day, relax, socialise and catch up with friends or make new ones in the on-site common room.
• Outdoor space – Whether you want to soak up the sun or you need to escape the hustle and bustle of student life, get some fresh air and make the most of our outdoor space.
• Study room – When it’s time to focus on your studies, there is a dedicated quiet study space for you to use.
• Free High speed internet/Wi-Fi – Face-timing home? Streaming the latest series? Coursework? You’ll find it all easy with a superfast Wi-Fi connection and a 100Mb wired connection.
• Central location – 27 Magdalen Street is situated in the centre of town with all of the town’s popular bars, shops and entertainment venues.

Want to find out more about our Colchester student accommodation or look at our current offers? Find out more information on our website or email 27 Magdalen Street directly at colchester@host-students.com. You can carry on reading with our blog 10 Reasons to Live at 27 Magdalen Street, Colchester.

Come and see 27 Magdalen Street for yourself:
Open Day on Saturday 19th August 11am to 3pm – Book a viewing.