Welcome to Colchester Institute
Colchester Institute is the largest vocational college serving North Essex and Suffolk. We are committed to providing top quality vocational education and training in a wide range of full-time and part-time courses.
Employers
Our wide range of training caters for every business, and can help you increase both your productivity and your profits.
Open to the Public
Award winning restaurants

The Balkerne Restaurant and the Colne Bistro are open to the public, staff and students during term time.
The Balkerne Restaurant offers a relaxing dining experience. Award winning menus offer contemporary English and International cuisine using freshly prepared ingredients, many from local suppliers.
The Colne Bistro offers a casual dining environment that requires no reservations. A lively atmosphere and popular meeting point.
You can also download the guide to our restaurants
You can also download the guide to our restaurant and pamper day programme
Salon Services
These are open to the general public as any town salon would be but with very competitive prices. All services are carried out by students under the full guidance and supervision of experienced beauty therapy lecturers.
Beauty Therapy
- Manicure, Pedicure, Facials, Make up, Eye brow/lash tinting and shaping waxing, Electrolysis, Massage
- Hairdressing Salon
Cut and blow dry, Permanent waving, Colouring, Conditioning treatments
The Minories Art Gallery
The Minories Art Gallery is a professional contemporary art gallery run by the School of Art, Design and Media and is dedicated to our Postgraduate programmes.
Our intention is to exhibit works highlighting the work of artists, designers and craftspeople, both local and national, with a particular emphasis on the research, development and creative endeavour explored by our postgraduate students who are based at The Minories.
Counselling Service
Colchester Institute Counselling Service began offering a free counselling service to individuals in 1990 as part of its education programme for counsellors. Prior to this time a need had been identified in the community for such a service to be available on a no cost basis. Since 1990 the CICS has maintained an ongoing liaison with GP practices, Voluntary Organisations and the Community Mental Health teams in the area to provide therapeutic counselling to individuals who are seeking help with personal and emotional problems.


























