University of Essex, Colchester
University of Essex is a school for pupils in Colchester.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
University of Essex in detail
University of Essex in its own words
In its own words: "Our manifesto captures the spirit of Essex - where curiosity, ambition, and action come together to make a difference. At Essex we nurture thinkers and doers who make change happen. We’re on the side of people with guts - rebels with a cause. We encourage people to learn how but challenge why."
From the headteacher's welcome: "We can't wait to meet all our new students. Welcome is your chance to get to know the University, meet like-minded people, make friends for life and see where you'll call home for the next few years. We’re getting everything ready behind the scenes to help you settle in smoothly."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include multi-sports, karate and dance.
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Hythe (Essex) Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Valley Road (opposite), 160 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood University of Essex stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 149 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from University of Essex
Butterflies use optical illusions to dodge predators
30 Sep 2026
Guardian University Guide places Essex top 10 in seven subjects
14 Sep 2026
Fast track ready to help students with pre-results day nerves
10 Aug 2026
From University of Essex's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with University of Essex
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 4
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 2
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 2 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
2 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Essex is 9 (the median across 614 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
Across Essex council
Places available
17,590
Applications
16,568
Got 1st preference
83.4%
Got preferred school
97.0%
All secondary applications across Essex council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(2)
Questions parents ask about University of Essex
What is the catchment area for University of Essex?
No fixed boundary. When University of Essex is oversubscribed, Essex allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How do I apply to University of Essex?
Apply through Essex's coordinated admissions process, naming University of Essex on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near University of Essex?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 2 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 2 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Essex is 9 (the median across 614 schools, same distance and years).
Where is University of Essex?
University of Essex is at Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)