Travel Information
We are easy to reach by car or public transport, and are within walking distance of both Colchester’s main railway station and its town centre. As a student with us you can receive a discounted rate on First Essex buses and Abellio Greater Anglia trains.
Bus
Discounted First Bus passes can be purchased from:
- First Bus website – tickets are available via the First m-ticketing app https://www.firstbus.co.uk/buy-tickets/ways-pay/students
- Colchester Institute on-line store http://onlinestore.colchester.ac.uk/
Train
Our campus is a short walk from Colchester’s main railway station, where you will find regular trains into the capital, as well as to nearby towns and cities. For train times and detailed journey information, please visit: nationalrail.co.uk
Greater Anglia passes
Academic passes can be purchased directly from Greater Anglia here: https://railplus.greateranglia.co.uk/scholars.html
Approximate journey times
London: 50 minutes
Chelmsford: 20 minutes
Clacton-on-Sea: 30 minutes
Ipswich: 20 minutes
Harwich: 35 minutes
Norwich: 60 minutes
There are a range of travel and public transport web services available to help you plan your route to College including:
- www.travelinessoutheast.org.uk (Route Planner)
- www.nationalrail.co.uk or enquiries number 03457 484950 (Rail)
- https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/
Bus
Our campus is located just a short walk from a number of well-connected bus routes serving the local area and surrounding towns. There are also daily coach services linking Colchester to other major towns and cities in the region, and to London Stansted airport.
For more information on Essex Public Transport routes and timetables please click here.
There are a range of travel and public transport web services available to help you plan your route to College including:
- Arriva-Bus Colchester Zone – Arriva
- www.firstbuses.co.uk (Bus)
- www.travelinessoutheast.org.uk (Route Planner)
- www.essexhighways.org (Bus and Road)
Car
Colchester has a good road network for access to the rest of the UK, via the A12, M25 and A14. When travelling with a sat nav, use postcode: CO3 3LL.
If arriving via the A12 from the south take the A133 exit signposted for Colchester Central. Follow the signs for Town Centre. At the third roundabout take the fourth exit into Sheepen Road, signposted for Colchester Institute and the campus is on the left, beyond the retail park. A public car park is on the right.
If arriving via the A12 from the north or the A120 from the east (Clacton) take the A1232 exit, and follow signs for the Town Centre. At the double roundabout take the third exit onto Cowdray Avenue, signposted for Leisure World. At the second roundabout take the left hand filter lane onto Westway, signposted for Town Centre, and at the next roundabout take the fourth exit into Sheepen Road, as above.
Please note, there is no visitor parking available at the Sheepen Road campus, visitors should park in the nearby public pay and display car park on Sheepen Road.
Parking
University Centre Colchester has pay-and-display on-site parking for students however this is limited and there is no guarantee of a space.
Students need to apply for a parking permit to allow them to park on campus. The permit is free and can be obtained from our facilities department. All students enrolled on a full-time course, part-time course or apprenticeship that requires parking from 8am and up to and including 5pm on a week day will require a parking permit.
If parking a car at Colchester, there is a daily pay and display parking charge of £2.30 and a ticket must be displayed alongside a valid parking permit. There is no charge for cars arriving on site after 5.15pm for evening classes. There are ticket machines on site but they take CASH ONLY and do not provide change. In addition there is moped and motorcycle parking at Colchester which is free on production of a valid student ID card.
Please note: all vehicles are left at the owner’s own risk. The College accepts no liability for loss or damage to vehicles or belongings left on premises.
