Institution University of Essex, Colchester Campus - Colchester - Colchester campus - University of essex colchester campus

The University of Essex is one of the UK's leading academic institutions. Founded in 1964 when it opened its doors to a cohort of just 122 students at Wivenhoe Park in Colchester, the University has grown in both reputation and size, developing a worldwide reputation for top quality teaching and research.

There are now more than 8,000 students, studying at three campuses across Essex. Academic departments span the humanities, social sciences, science and engineering, and law and management. Essex is the UK's most internationally diverse campus university, with students drawn from 130 countries.

The largest, and original University campus is based at Wivenhoe Park on the outskirts of Colchester in north Essex. Set in over 200 acres of attractive parkland, much of it landscaped in the eighteenth century, the Colchester Campus is a mixture of 1960s buildings and more recent additions including the recently opened 1000-seater Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall.

Sixteen of the University’s academic departments are based at the Colchester Campus. They are housed in a series of bustling squares, all inter-linked, designed by architect Kenneth Capon. The close proximity of the academic departments was designed to reflect, and nurture, the inter-disciplinary nature of teaching and research at the University.

As well as teaching and research facilities, the Colchester Campus is also home to the Albert Sloman Library, shops, banks, restaurants and a wide variety of student accommodation.

Although its origins go back to pre-Roman times, Colchester is a modern, busy town which has become, in recent years, a thriving cultural and entertainment centre for the region. Its many attractions include the Colchester Arts Centre, the Mercury Theatre, the new firstsite:newsite contemporary arts facility, the Leisure World complex and Colchester Castle.