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For those looking for a modern town with ancient roots, near the countryside but also within a stone’s throw of London, look no further than Colchester. It’s got a great uni, a community of around 13,000 students, and loads of things to get involved with during the day, or into the night. Sound good? Well, we’re just getting started. Read on and we’ll break it down for you.
- Student activities in Colchester
- Nightlife in Colchester
- Student accommodation in Colchester
- Transport in Colchester
- Student costs in Colchester
- What Colchester is famous for
- Universities in Colchester
Student activities in Colchester
The University of Essex has a huge selection of clubs and societies organised through their student’s union, and these present many opportunities to try something new in Colchester with your classmates and peers. Societies are usually pretty affordable to join, and can include sports teams, cultural clubs, language groups, special interest societies and much more. Check out the University of Essex SU website for a full list of options.
Read our list of the top 10 student things to do in Colchester.
Nightlife in Colchester
Colchester has a great range of pubs, bars and nightclubs catering to all kinds of tastes, with prices which are generally affordable for students, and significantly lower than that of its close neighbour, London. The average cost of a pint is around £4 and there are plenty of spots to choose from. Some of our favourites include:
Twisters Bar - Just a short walk from the High Street, Twisters Bar offers a top-quality late-night atmosphere with resident DJs and a huge drinks selection to keep you busy long into the night. They run loads of events and have a heated beer garden for the warmer months.
The Silk Road Lounge & Cocktail Bar - Cyber Monday, Tipsy Tuesday, Wet Your Whistle Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, Fresh Fridays, Saturday Night and Sunday Sessions. Boasting four bars spread across two floors. Need we say any more?
Rubix Bar & Nightclub - If you like cheesy pop, party and dance anthems, 80s and 90s classics, then this is the sport for you. Rubix is a well-loved retro bar and nightclub in Colchester which runs an impressive mix of club nights and offers 2 for 10 cocktails and free entry if you get there before 11pm.
Student accommodation in Colchester
Once you’ve organised payment for your tuition fees, the next largest expense will most probably be for accommodation. The amount you pay will depend on where you stay and the type of housing you choose, so what are the options?
Halls of residence are a great place to start. They’re offered by the University of Essex and are a super convenient way to get started with life in Colchester. The university has nine halls of residence, offering a selection of self-catered room types starting at £119 per week for a single bedroom in a shared apartment, and increasing to around £223 for the most luxurious ensuite options. Studios are also available, priced between £215 - £279 per week, and all housing options include utilities bills, internet and contents insurance.
If you’d prefer to rent privately, then you can expect to pay on average £833 for a one-bedroom apartment in the centre of Colchester, or if you’d prefer to live with friends then you can get a shared apartment for three people for around £1,200 per month. When you factor in utilities bills, which in Colchester is around £61 per person per month, then overall, your monthly accommodation budget can be somewhere around £460. That’s not bad at all.
Transport in Colchester
Fortunately, getting around Colchester by public transport is pretty reasonable. Their bus service is the main way of getting around town, and a one-way ticket averages £2 which makes it an affordable means of transport. Our tip is to look into getting a monthly pass, which is extremely well-priced at just £58.
One of Colchester’s advantages is its close proximity to London, at less than one hour’s journey by rail. By getting a student rail card you can save 1/3 on all UK train tickets for a whole year, and this makes it way more affordable to take a day trip to the capital.
Student costs in Colchester
After your tuition fees and rent, one of your main expenses will be groceries, and Colchester ranks about average within the UK for cost. Students typically spend around £170 per month on food and drinks items, and you can use this as a guideline to keep track of spending and stay within a budget that works for your resources. Our top tip is to shop at low-cost stores such as Aldi and Lidl, and buy in bulk to save money and time.
Other expenses can include transport, entertainment, and extra uni supplies such as reading material, printing credits or even membership fees to any clubs or societies that you might join. Keep a small fund available for these things, and you’ll always be prepared.
Read our guide to the cost of living in Colchester to learn more.
What Colchester is famous for
Oyster lovers rejoice! Colchester has a well-established fish and oyster trade which dates all the way back to the Roman era. The Colne oyster fishery is firmly part of local trade history and the borough of Colchester obtained rights to the business in 1189. Local oysters are known as ‘Colchester Natives’ and are prized for their firm flesh and rich salty fresh taste.
Each year since 1845, in October, the grand Oyster Festival is held in Colchester’s Moot Hall, and a host of special guests get together to celebrate this essential part of the town’s heritage.
Universities in Colchester
The University of Essex is a lively modern university with a student population of around 17,000. You can choose from a wide range of courses, and the university is particularly known for its research quality. It was recently ranked 30th in the UK overall by the Complete University Guide in their 2025 league tables.
The university scores highly for student satisfaction, and provides an excellent experience, both for studying and extra-curricular enrichment. Overall, it’s a great choice for studying and if you’re thinking about applying here then you can be confident that you’ll have a good time.
Read more about the University of Essex.
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