Starting at Essex Important information before you arrive
The Essex Education International - 42% of students come from outside UK - Students from over 130 countries - Staff from all over the world Friendly atmosphere and great support - Customise your degree to suit your interests -15 th in the UK for student satisfaction - 9 th in the UK for research - Excellent academic and social facilities
Getting to the Colchester campus Train from Heathrow Airport: -Take the London Underground to London Liverpool Street station OR -Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington station, then take the London Underground to London Liverpool Street. -At Liverpool Street, you can take another train straight to Colchester North station. From the North Station, buses 61 and 62 go to the university. Coach from Heathrow airport: -National Express run a coach directly to Colchester bus station, where you can catch a bus to campus (61, 74, 76) Taxi from Heathrow Airport: -A taxi on the day will cost more than 100, so it is advisable to look into airport transfers before you arrive.
Getting to the Colchester campus Stansted Airport: -This is the nearest airport to the Colchester campus, but it is quite small and operates flights to and from Europe only. -From Stansted you can travel to Colchester by bus with National Express service 250 (destination Ipswich) or with service 133.
Colchester
Colchester- What to do Britain s oldest recorded town with a 2000 year history Home to Colchester Castle and the oldest Roman wall in the UK Visit Colchester Zoo, with over 260 animal species A town surrounded by beautiful countryside and parks Close to many traditional English seaside resorts Plenty of shopping opportunities along the cobbled streets Restaurants serving food from all over the world
Accommodation
Pre-sessional accommodation You will be emailed around three weeks before your course starts with details of your accommodation This room will be for the pre-sessional period only If you have been allocated a room for the academic year, you can stay in your presessional accommodation until your term time room is ready You will move rooms in September, after we have emailed you at the start of the month
Applying for accommodation Undergraduates: Applications open on Tuesday 4 th June 2013 and close Friday 23 rd August On your myessex applicant portal, go to the myliving/life and Leisure section to access the application form Postgraduates: Applications are now open and close Wednesday 31 July. The application form is available through myessex as above. Postgraduate students are required to pay an accommodation deposit of 250, which will be deducted from your first term s rent. The application system will request the payment as part of the application process.
Arriving at your accommodation The earliest date you can move in will be in your allocation letter On arrival, you can collect the keys from one of the accommodation offices If you arrive on a weekend or out of office hours, your keys will be at the Information Centre on Square 3, open 24 hours a day South Courts, The Houses and all Towers: Collect your keys from the main accommodation office on the north side of campus Opening hours: Monday-Thursday: 9-5pm Friday: 9-4:45pm University Quays: Collect your keys from the University Quays accommodation office on Lightship Way, open 24 hours a day
Arrivals weekend Staff and students will be on hand to help you Get to know your flatmates Lots on campus to welcome you Freshers information point on Square 4 Students Union provide lots of support and events
Opening a bank account -There are 3 banks at the Colchester campus: Santander, Lloyds TSB and Barclays. -Have a look online before you arrive to see which bank is best for you. -You can open a basic bank account, and some banks offer special accounts for international students. -You may require a bank letter from the University. To do this: Choose a specific bank beforehand as the letter must be addressed to them. You must have registered or firmly accepted your offer. If you have registered: you will need your registration card If you haven t registered: you will need your passport, home address details, University accommodation letter/private tenancy agreement, your offer letter. Apply in person at registration in the Sports Hall during Freshers week. If you arrive before Freshers week, go to the Admissions Office in 5S.7.30
Opening a bank account -To open an account, Santander require the following: Your passport and a valid visa If you have registered: Your university of Essex registration card If you haven t registered: Postgraduate students need the letter of confirmation from the University Other students will require a bank letter from the University -Lloyds TSB require: A bank letter from the University If studying for less than 6 months, you can only open an account if you have an offer letter for further study in the UK -Barclays require: A bank letter from the University
Remember Smoking is strictly prohibited in the public areas and shared facilities of your accommodation Random checks will be made by the Fire and Safety Office to make sure your electrical equipment is safe Your personal effects are insured automatically by Endsleigh
Payments Accommodation is paid for termly Pay online, or in person by credit/debit card First payment must be received by 31 October 2013
South Courts all rooms en suite
Inside South Courts
University Quays all rooms en suite
Inside University Quays
The Towers
Inside Towers
Term dates 2013-14 Autumn Thursday 3 October 2013 Friday 13 December 2013 Spring Monday 13 January 2014 Friday 21 March 2014 Summer Monday 21 April 2014 Friday 27 June 2014
Freshers Week Events day and night Run by the University and Students Union Freshers Fair Get involved! Buy tickets now www.essexstudent.com
Registration You will need to register during Freshers week Take acceptance letters, certificates etc. You will be told which day to register on Receive your registration card
Languages for All New scheme introduced for 2012 entry Study a language at no extra cost: French Spanish Portuguese Italian German Chinese Study our language modules on a part-time basis; Study flexibly with web-based learning Study a language module in the evening
Sports and Societies Something for everyone Try something new Cheap Make new friends Set up your own
Sports and Societies Sports Football, rugby, scuba diving, lacrosse, archery, horse riding, sub aqua, snowsports, handball, boxing, mountain climbing, boxing, rowing, trampolining, ultimate frisbee and many more... Societies Cultural, religious, political, film, cheese and wine, chess, choir, Cypriot, LGBT, role play gaming, R&B, rock, FIFA, theatre arts, poker, photographic, poetry, Mario Kart and many more...
Work Volunteering V Team Help in the local community Give back Part-time work University/Students Union Shop Student Ambassador Frontrunners
After today Check www.essex.ac.uk and your e-mail for information updates Freshers information goes live in early September (link from our home page) You will be contacted with full details on arrival All new students are given a student handbook with extensive information Your department will also give you a full orientation
Find out more... @Uni_of_Essex Facebook.com/UniofEssex Youtube.com/UniEssex Our app for prospective students available for iphone and Android