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Accommodation
Students who attend University Centre South Essex and South Essex College are eligible to apply for accommodation in Queens Road Southend at the University of Essex student accommodation.
The halls of residence offer 497 rooms in shared flats; these rooms are en-suite with eight to ten students sharing a flat with full kitchen and dining facilities. There are also 64 studio flats with their own kitchen area. Adapted self-contained flats are available for students with a disability and can be requested on application. If you have access requirements you would like to discuss please email HESupport@southessex.ac.uk for further details.
Each room is networked with 24-hour high speed internet access provided at no extra cost. Residents can enjoy Wi-Fi, communal lounge/recreation area and laundry facilities.
Who can apply for accommodation?
All students aged over 18 on full or part-time courses.
Please note
Please note that contract lengths vary in line with course dates, however all courses in Southend are a minimum of 42 weeks.
How much does it cost?
As a guide, contracts for the academic year 2022/23 are expected to be available from £152.67 per week for a single en-suite study room and £188.30 per week for a studio room. Payments are due once a term and can be made in a variety of ways. Please see the University of Essex website for further details.
Great reasons to stay:
- All-inclusive of bills, cleaning and internet
- Live with your friends; apply together as a group
- Just five minutes to Southend campus and easy transport links to other campuses
- Convenient location just off Southend High Street
- Out-of-hours residents’ support team of student volunteers
- 24-hour reception and security presence
How do I apply for accommodation?
If you are a new student to South Essex College or University Centre South Essex please complete this form and return it to HESupport@southessex.ac.uk
Upon completion and submission of your application form, and provided you have met the required criteria, you will receive an online offer and one-year room allocation.
If you need any advice about applying for accommodation you can contact the Undergraduate Support Advisor at University Centre South Essex by emailing HESupport@southessex.ac.uk
Student Accommodation
It is important to ensure you are settled and happy in your accommodation when living away from home. There are several letting agents that will help you find the right property for you whilst you are studying at University Centre South Essex. We recommend that you make enquires with them as soon as possible in your application process.
Need advice?
If you need advice on the process, please contact accommodation@southessex.ac.uk
The following companies provide student lettings and would need to be contacted directly.
Letting Expert
www.letting.expert
01702 469900
1st Call Property
www.1stcallproperty.com
01702 616416
Ayres & Cruiks
www.ayerscruiks.co.uk
01702 343060
All letting agents will require you to meet their criteria before accepting your application.
Further information
Success stories
Success Stories - Andy Wyatt
Course studied
Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing (2D CAD) Level 2 Award
My name is Andy Wyatt , I am 52 years old and I studied Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at South Essex College in 1984/5.
What did you study at South Essex College?
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design where I specialised in Photographic Arts and Moving Image.
What qualification did you receive?
I completed my foundation course at SEC and then went to study a BA in Filmmaking at Harrow School of Art which is now part of the University of Westminster.
What was your background before coming to the College to study?
I grew up in Chelmsford and studied A levels.
What have you done since completing your course?
After my degree I worked as an animator working on cartoons such as The Teenage Ninja Turtles and Duck Tales the Movie. I then joined a studio called Halas and Batchelor in London, followed by a studio called Honeycomb Animation where I became an Animation Director, animating and directing TV series including Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids. I then moved to Bristol, setting up my own studio, creating animation for the internet before working as a series director at Aardman Animations.
I have also worked as an educator, helping to set up degree programmes in Universities, and now work as an ambassador in the UK and Ireland for Toon Boom Animation, a Canadian Animation technology company. I work with studios setting up their productions, which can be TV series, Feature films or games.
Why did you choose to study at South Essex College?
I was impressed by the staff, and the student work I saw at an exhibition. It’s also great to study in a seaside town!
I was impressed by the staff, and the student work I saw at an exhibition. It’s also great to study in a seaside town!
What is the best thing about doing further or higher education?
It really develops your creativity, and is life-changing in that you get to specialise in a subject that you really love, and get to meet friends for life. It helps you progress to a great career.
What skills did you gain / are you gaining that have proved valuable?
As well as creativity, you also become more professional, meeting deadlines which can be really stressful, but college gives you experience working as part of a team which should never be under estimated.
What is your favourite memory of being at the College?
Some great people, and I remember the pride from being part of the end of year show. The environment was inspiring too.
Why would you recommend South Essex College?
For the same reasons I went…really knowledgeable staff who develop you as a person. The facilities are also incredible.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
I’ve been part of productions that have had two BAFTA nominations… unfortunately we did not win either time, but it is a great achievement to be nominated!
What are your ambitions for the future?
To continue working in Animation which is one of the most dynamic and constantly evolving industries….when I think how much it has changed just throughout my career, who knows what will happen in the future!
Did your time at the College help with other areas of life (such as gaining confidence or maybe a skill that has helped you to pursue a hobby)?
Definitely. It built my confidence and developed my ability to work as part of a team and probably made me a bit more competitive (in a good way!)
Where are you working now?
Director of Business Development for Toon Boom Animation
What does your job entail?
Working with studios in the UK and Ireland to develop new ideas for projects. I help them achieve the look and style of animation they want.
How did you progress to your current position?
It took all sorts of experience from all the various jobs I have had to give me the knowledge and experience I needed to do the job I do now.
How did your time at South Essex College help prepare you for the workplace?
It opened my eyes to the fact that there was a whole sector of work out there (the Creative Industries) for people like me who enjoyed art and design.
How does the equipment you used at College compare to that within industry?
Actually, it is as good, if not better. Many of the studios I worked for had very limited budgets and we had to use old machinery or computers, and the studios were often in freezing cold basements or boiling hot attics!! The college has the latest software and powerful machines and air-conditioned studios…quite a luxury compared to some of the places I have worked!
