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How to apply for short stay accommodation 

Short stay - 28 nights or less 

If you need a room for 1 or more nights, up to a maximum of 28 nights, then we can offer short-stay accommodation in either Colchester or Southend during the autumn, spring, and summer terms. 

Please note, that bedding is included.

Cost and availability

• £45 per night (student and staff discount is available)

• Maximum stay: 14 nights 

• Full payment required in advance (non-refundable)

How to book

To arrange your stay, you can either call us on 01206 872005 to make payment and confirm your booking, or 

Students receive a discount by quoting the following code at the time of booking:

• Colchester bookings: ESSEXTRIBE

• Southend bookings: ESSEXTRIBESO

Once your booking is complete, we’ll ask for your PRID to confirm you’re a current student. 

Longer stay - over 29 nights for the remainder of the academic year, only.

If you require a booking for the remainder of the academic year, then you can make a late booking. 

Please note, that bedding is not included.

Applications for Colchester and University Square, Southend summer vacation accommodation are available for all registered students and will open in April 2026.

Some students, such as the majority of postgraduate students and a small number of undergraduate students will have a letter of allocation to mid-September. Other students will be required to vacate their accommodation at the end of the academic year in July and make a vacation booking if they require accommodation over the summer.

Bookings are subject to a minimum stay of 4 nights.

Please note, that bedding is not included.

If you require a booking that is for 29 nights or more, the tariff is set at a lower rate equivalent to the term time rent. In this case the same letting conditions apply as for students who have been resident all year, in particular, notice cannot be given once the keys are collected.

If you require a booking of 28 nights or less or you are uncertain about required dates, the short-term rate applies. In this case three days notice may be given. Any booking which commences on or after 7 September 2026 will be deemed a short-term booking.

Before making a booking ensure you read the Vacation Accommodation Terms and Conditions of Residence below.

Applications can be received Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but will not be processed immediately, so please allow at least 3 working days to be processed. If you are planning on arriving over the weekend, please apply well in advance.

Accessibility needs

If you require accessibility support with your move, please contact your caseworker at include@essex.ac.uk.

Vacation accommodation Terms and Conditions of Residence (pdf.)

Apply for accommodation

You will need your Essex username and password to apply.

Summer vacation rent charges 2025-26 TBC

Interim period

If you are currently living in our accommodation and have accommodation booked with us again for 2026-27, then you can stay in your summer room until your term-time room is ready, you will not need to move out between contracts (there is a charge of £TBC per night for this period). You will be issued with an interim booking for this period and we will let you know what the process is and give you the opportunity to cancel, if you will not be staying. If you do think you will be staying during this interim period, you will need to be here during that period to move, so please do keep checking your email account for any updates over the summer.

If you are on the 5 week pre-sessional course in August and have booked our accommodation for 2026-27. You will hopefully be in your term-time room already, if not we will move you when your term-time room is ready

The last possible in date for vacation bookings is 7 September 2026.

If you're living in private accommodation you won't be able to move in until Tuesday 30 June 2026. If you're currently living in University accommodation your vacation booking will start at the end of your current contract and we will let you know when your summer room is ready.

Last possible out date is Monday 13 September 2026.

End of contract

All accommodation contracts end in mid-September to allow for cleaning and essential maintenance work to be completed. There can be no extensions of accommodation beyond this time.

However, if you are in University accommodation over the summer and have accommodation the following academic year you may remain in your current room until your term-time room is ready. You are not required to make an additional booking for this, as we will invoice you for this automatically in September. You will be expected to move as soon as you are notified in order that your vacation room can be prepared for new students arriving.

Residential accommodation with bedding, is available for Graduating students, as well as guests and family members.

You can book this accommodation through Event Essex.