North Towers

About The Towers

A real sociable atmosphere, the North Towers offers a great sense of community where you can hang out with friends and feel the buzz of people sharing a flat together. Just a two-minute walk to the centre of campus. The North Towers are located near the Essex Business School, as well as  the Tony Rich, Causeway and North Teaching Centres.

Each tower is made up of flats to accommodate 14 to 16 students. The number and size of the facilities, such as rooms, showers and toilets, within each flat, can vary:

• Central shared kitchen/dining area
• Bedrooms located on either side
• Room includes desk, chair, bed, wardrobe, shelving, mirror, lamp, bin
• There are 3 toilets and 2 showers in each flat to share in William Morris and Tawney Towers.
• There are 4 showers and 4 toilets in each flat to share in Keynes and Rayleigh Towers
• Two lifts in each building and an emergency staircase
• North Towers are available for undergraduates
• There are 26 self-contained apartments and 653 single, shared facility rooms (only 5 self-contained apartments available, types B, C, and D for 2025-26) 

Room and kitchen details

• Room includes desk, chair, single bed, wardrobe, shelving, mirror, lamp, bin
• Kitchens have a hob, oven, multiple fridges and freezers, a microwave, and a kettle (ironing board and hoover also provided for the flat)
• Typical room size is 9.3m3

There are some smaller flats at either the top or the bottom of each tower, each accommodating between three and seven students and there are some self-contained apartments, which are usually available for our postgraduate students.

Our Towers at Colchester fall within and adhere to the requirements set out in the Building Safety Act. The requirements of this Act reflects well with our ongoing commitment across all our accommodation to provide the safest spaces possible.

As required by Legislation we have submitted the Safety Cases to the Governmental Regulator for review and approval.

All Students living within our Towers will be invited to be involved with our residence engagement process, working with some of Resident Ambassadors and members of the University staff.

Location

North Towers is located just a 2 minute walk from the centre of campus where you will find the Albert Sloman Library, SU bar, SU Shop, eatery outlets and plenty more. It is also only a 6 minutes walk to our gym and other sport facilities located on the edge of the University campus.

Benefits of campus living

There are many advantages to living on campus at Essex - you’ll have your lectures on your doorstep, get to know the University inside and out plus you’ll be right in the heart of the action.

Quality Guarantee

Accommodation Essex is a member of the Universities UK Student Accommodation Code (SAC) which sets out the quality and standards (.pdf) that students can expect from our accommodation.

To make sure we comply with the Housing Act 2004, Accommodation Essex adhere to the UUK Student Accommodation Code, which has been designed to protect your rights to safe, good quality university-managed accommodation.

Derwent, the management company for The Copse, University Quays, and The Meadows, as well as BYUK FM, who manage The Pastures, adhere to National Code Assured Accommodation (ANUK).

Fixed cost

At Essex, we recognise the cost of living challenges that will impact our students. For example, your weekly rent includes your energy bills and internet access.

Gym

If you are living on the Colchester Campus, then you get a silver Essex Sport gym membership included in your rent.

Medical centre

There is a medical centre at Colchester Campus for you to visit when you are unwell. However, you will need to register before you can see a doctor. You can register online either just before or when you arrive.

Security

Our campuses are generally very safe environments. We want to ensure that things stay this way. There is 24-hour security at our Colchester Campus.

Support services

We have a wide range of support services to help you with everyday worries in your accommodation or for practical or personal issues.

Support is available to you within your Student Services Hub, providing advice and support on a range of issues such as financial worries, immigration issues and support for students with additional needs or specific health concerns.

SU Advice, run by the Students' Union, offers welfare advice to students on a range of issues. SU Advice is located on Square 3.

Insurance

By partnering with Howden, the No.1 student insurance provider, we've arranged contents insurance for all of our students staying with us, in our residence, at no cost to you.