If you are under 19 years old at the start of your course, you may be eligible for help with travel costs through Essex County Council’s Post-16 Transport Assistance Scheme. Full details are available from Essex County Council
If you or your family are claiming benefits and you are on a Further Education course we may be able to support your travel costs through our discretionary support funds. Please contact Student Services for further information.
All students can benefit from discounts on First Bus services
First Bus Pass Tickets – 2024-25 prices
Zone 1: Abberton, Alresford, Braiswick, Berechurch, Eight Ash Green, Fingringhoe, Greenstead, Highwoods, Mile End, Old Health, Parsons Health, Rowhedge, Shrub End, Stanway, West Bergholt, Wivenhoe
Zone 2: Ardleigh, Brightlingsea, Coggeshall, Halstead, Great Yeldham, Kelvedon, Maldon, Witham, Tiptree, Layer de La Haye, West Mersea.
Zone 1
| Ticket Type | Cost |
| Week | £17 |
| Month | £60 |
| Term 1 | £136 |
| Term 2 | £107 |
| Term 3 | £107 |
| Annual | £350 |
Zone 2
| Ticket Type | Cost |
| Week | £31 |
| Month | £119 |
| Term 1 | £250 |
| Term 2 | £195 |
| Term 3 | £195 |
| Annual | £640 |
All Essex
| Ticket Type | Cost |
| Week | £34 |
| Month | £126 |
| Term 1 | £330 |
| Term 2 | £260 |
| Term 3 | £260 |
| Annual | £950 |
First Bus m-tickets can be purchased from:
- First Bus website – tickets are available via the First m-ticketing app. (prices may differ to those shown above)
Mobile ticketing is the easiest and most convenient way to buy your ticket 24/7. Purchase your mTicket wherever and whenever you like and activate just before boarding. The m-ticket is only valid for use with an accompanying student ID card issued by Colchester Institute.
- First m-ticketing app – pay by credit card or debit card. You will need your student email address to verify your purchase.
- Student emails are activated once you enrol on your course and follow this format: First name + first initial of surname + last four digits of student ID number + @colchester.ac.uk
- For example: Joe Bloggs, student ID 1234567
- Email address: JoeB4567@colchester.ac.uk
- Password: password 1234567.
verification emails can be accessed via this weblink here:
If you experience any problems with your student email account, please contact the IT Helpdesk by calling 01206 712222 or email: ILT Service Desk
First Bus paper tickets can be purchased from:
For information on First Bus services, please contact First Bus Customer Services:
0345 646 0707
9am to 5pm Monday – Friday
Arriva – Student Travel
Arriva Student and Child Saver tickets are valid for anyone in full time education and, is a cost effective and flexible way of paying for travel costs. It can be used in the Colchester Zone – click on link for the Arriva map: Colchester Ticket Zone | Arriva Bus
Arriva termly bus passes (student tickets) can be purchased from:
Colchester Institute on-line store
| Colchester Travel Zone | Cost |
| Autumn term | £215.00 |
| Spring term | £170.00 |
| Summer term | £175.00 |
Collect your travel voucher from Student Services and exchange it for a ticket on the bus. Please note there is a £15 replacement fee.
Arriva annual bus passes (student tickets)
- Arriva website: Herts and Essex Ticket Zones | Arriva Bus
You can spread the cost of an annual ticket if you pay by a monthly direct debit. Please visit the Arriva website for full details:
www.arrivabus.co.uk/monthlytickets
Hedingham – Students 19 and under can receive a Young Person deal directly through Hedingham.
Colchester Park and Ride – Located off the A12 at junction 28, buses leave every 15 minutes offering a fast journey of approximately 12 minutes to Middleborough bus stop.
For more information and ticket prices – Colchester Park and Ride
For more information on Essex Public Transport routes and timetables please click here.
DigiGo is a shared public transport service which offers on-demand or pre-bookable travel in parts of Essex. There is no fixed route or timetable, which puts you in control of your journey. DigiGo operates 7 days a week, from 6am to 10pm on weekdays and from 7am to 10pm on weekends.
For more information and ticket prices, please click the link: DigiGo
For more information on Travel Essex please click the link: Travel Essex.
College Expectation
Colchester Institute College Expectations set out what we expect of our students from the outset, and these feed into the learning agreement that all new students sign up to:
As a Colchester Institute student it is expected that, at all times, you will
- Set yourself challenging targets, and push yourself to do your best work
- Take responsibility for your own behaviour, showing consideration and respect to others
- Take pride in your College environment and follow all Colchester Institute policies and procedures
- Attend all sessions on time with the correct equipment to learn, and report all absences to the College in a timely manner
- Participate fully in all aspects of your programme, including tutorials and progress reviews, and submit coursework by the set deadline
- Contact your tutor to discuss any concerns or issues which affect your programme of study
- Always wear your ID at College
In return, Colchester Institute will provide
- A thorough induction to the College and your course, with the opportunity to read and understand your learning agreement
- A programme of study designed to meet your learning needs, delivered by suitably qualified and experienced staff
- An Individual Learning Plan, and regular tutorial reviews, to help you monitor your progress and maximise your achievement
- Timely and appropriate feedback on all assignments and assessed work
- Opportunities to access materials and additional information through the Virtual Learning Environment
- A named member of staff who will be your main point of contact during your studies to raise concerns and complaints
- Access to impartial information, advice and guidance on educational, career and personal matters, including discussing your options after your course
- Access to industry-standard facilities and resources
- Access to employers, quality work experience and a careers service appropriate to your programme of study
- Clear information about your timetable and how to access support.
Student Activities
At Colchester Institute there is a wide variety of activities for students to join in. This varies throughout the year and from campus to campus. Based at the Colchester campus, The Sports Federation deals with all competitive sports teams at the college.
For more information on any of our activities please contact Student Services.
Colchester Institute’s student app, CI Connect, is the quick, free and easy way to plan your day, check where you need to be and share information with your classmates.
Available for free on the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store, it is packed full of handy features to allow you to make the most of your time here with us. You will be able to communicate with your classmates and teachers through groups, where you can share ideas and ask each other any questions you might have.
Your timetables will be easily accessible at the touch of a button – and if there’s a change to your schedule, such as a room change, you’ll be notified instantly thanks to push notifications. Reporting absences has never been easier, thanks to the app’s quick and simple absence reporting feature. You’ll also be able to access a whole host of quick links, including UPayChilli, your student email, the College Portal, Moodle and the Online Shop.
With real-time updates through push notifications, the CI Connect app will be the quickest way to get you the information you need, such as campus closures and urgent information.
Not on a smart phone?
CI Connect can also be accessed using the link below on a browser.
You Matter! is our online personal development platform, equipped with different resources and activities, to support your personal development further.
To access some quizzes and videos, you will need to log into your college account via google.
Bursary Advice
Apply now for help with your course related costs. For students with an identified low household income, there may be financial support available. Bursary awards can help with your course related costs such as travel, childcare, books and equipment and much more.
What help can I get with Student Finance?
If you are aged over sixteen and thinking of enrolling on a full or part-time course, you can apply for funding through the student finance application. Funds will be targeted at students where there is an identified low household income.
