LOVE LIVING WITH HOST? Rebook for September 2025
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
There are many options out there for student accommodation. Maker sure to do your research first.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
To become more ‘environmentally friendly’, Host is launching the #HostEnvironmentalPledge campaign to encourage responsible behaviour and drive sustainability across our sites throughout the UK and Ireland.
It’s a simple campaign! For every percent we reduce our overall utilities (electric, water and gas) consumption by we donate to one of our nominated charities.
Show me all newsAs the weather warms up and the days get longer, Spring is the perfect time for students in the West Midlands to explore the best of the region. Whether you're in Coventry or Birmingham, the West Midlands offers a variety of exciting events in April that are bound to captivate Gen Z. From live music gigs to outdoor adventures, here are some of the top events you won’t want to miss this spring.
Nottingham. A historic city in the East Midlands of England, famous for Robin Hood, the Lace Market, Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle. Not to mention Nottingham's who world famous Universities... Lets look closer at what student life looks like in Nottingham.
Looking for student accommodation in Exeter for 2025? Choose Host for hassle-free, all-inclusive living near campus at Northernhay House, Trust House, or The Northfield. Book now and live stress-free!
