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Colchester is a quaint town tucked away in England and has loads to offer be it, restaurants, historical sites, shops, natural beauty, and much more. The city is known for its Roman history, with the Roman wall and the Colchester Castle being popular tourist attractions. It also has a vibrant cultural scene with many art galleries, museums, and theatres. Colchester is home to the University of Essex, which is a well-respected institution that attracts many international students. With all these terrific opportunities in line, it may seem quite appealing to relocate to the city. But what is the cost of living in Colchester for students? What are the expenses students come across?
As international students in a new city, knowing your expenditures and creating a budget, is essential. The average cost of living in Colchester for students ranges between £1,300 to £1,600 per month. This is inclusive of expenses pertaining to student accommodation, transport, food, clothing, and more. Before we dive into the intricacies of these individual living costs in Colchester, let us explore a bit of the city and what it has to offer to students.
Cost Of Living Calculator
| Description | Cost (£) |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Accommodation | 100 |
| Total Cost of Transport | 50 |
| Total Cost of Utilities | 30 |
| Total Cost of Food | 70 |
| Total Estimated Cost | 250 |
Living In Colchester As A Student:
Colchester boasts a friendly and tight-knit student community due to the University of Essex’s Colchester campus situated in the town. Student life in Colchester is relaxed yet thriving and the town sees a rising student influx every year. Hence, there is a range of affordable, safe and quality student accommodation centres with the cost of living in Colchester, UK going as low as £155 per week. These properties lie in close proximity to the University of Essex and are a stone’s throw away from the city centre. They come equipped with high-quality facilities in the form of on-site maintenance, bike storage, high-speed WiFi and much more. They even have a great set of communal spaces for students to interact with their counterparts like an outdoor area/courtyard, cinema room, study spaces, common lounge area, a gym room and a games room.
Cost Of Living In Colchester, UK
Student living in Colchester costs between £1300 and £1600 per month, excluding tuition. Major expenses include accommodation (shared/en-suite), food, transportation, and miscellaneous. Smart choices about accommodation, transportation, and spending habits will help you stay within budget and enjoy your time in Colchester.
The cost of living in Colchester, UK is easy-on-the-pocket as compared to other cities in the UK that are not so affordable. Let us take a look at the average expenses incurred in the town.
| Particulars | Monthly Cost (£) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | £638 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | £860 |
| Transportation | £58 |
| Food | £414 |
| Entertainment | £40 |
| Groceries | £144 |
| Clothes | £80 |
| Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation | £1,558 |
| Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation | £1,780 |
Below Is a Breakdown of the Cost of Living in the Colchester for Indian Students
| Particulars | Monthly Cost (INR) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | ₹67,062 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | ₹90,397 |
| Transportation | ₹6,096 |
| Food | ₹43,517 |
| Entertainment | ₹4,204 |
| Groceries | ₹15,136 |
| Clothes | ₹8,409 |
| Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation | ₹163,766 |
| Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation | ₹187,102 |
*The accommodation costs are dynamic in nature and are based on property availability
Student-friendly Locations – The best areas for students living in Colchester are Haven Road and Magdalen Street. Among the properties that lie high on students’ preference lists are The Maltings and 27 Magdalen Street as they provide everything students need to enjoy a comfortable stay in Colchester.
Rent for Students – We understand the challenges that come with living as a student in a foreign country. To ease the process and increase your comfort, we have mindfully curated a list of student accommodation centres ranging from £155 to £218 per week providing the best of amenities to ensure a safe and pleasant stay. These prices further make the Colchester cost of living affordable.
Student Accommodation In Colchester:
There’s a wide range of student accommodation in Colchester depending on every student’s needs. With the rentals ranging from £155/week to £218/week, let us take a look at the different kinds of living spaces available to better understand the cost of living in Colchester, UK –
Shared Rooms – These rooms have a private bed area but a shared kitchen, bathroom and living space.
Private Rooms – These rooms have a bit more private area with regards to study space and a bathroom area but have a shared kitchen and living area.
Studios – Perfect for students looking for total privacy and extra space. Studios offer a private bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, study and storage space.
Apartments – Apartments are top of the end offering total comfort and privacy. They come with a fully furnished room with an en-suite bathroom, living room, kitchen, study area and wardrobe.
Colchester: Live in Luxury Student Homes – Starts at £140/week!
Student Life In Colchester:
Being the oldest recorded city in the United Kingdom, the city of Colchester which is a county of Essex, is built on a Roman settlement in Britain and served as the capital of Roman Britain. It is steeped in a history spanning over 2 millennia and the town’s cultural legacy is prominent around every corner. Colchester is a quaint town with a tight-knit community and a rising student population. It has loads to offer and there is something for everyone in Colchester.
Restaurants, cafes and shopping – Colchester has a diverse selection of restaurants spanning rich cuisines and something to suit every pocket. Some of the top picks are Wivenhoe House Hotel which is a great place to host get-togethers with family and friends, The Pier at Harwich situated on the coast of Essex and The Flag Burger which has food inspired by different flags of the world. Like any British town, Colchester has a great variety of pubs too with Yates, Church Street Tavern and Stock Street Farm Barn being the most favoured by the townspeople. With high tea being a huge part of British culture, there are some great places to enjoy afternoon tea like Tiptree Tea Room, Museum and Jam Shop, Perrywood Garden Centre and T at The George.
Museums, Landmarks and Parks – Colchester is the place for history buffs with historical sites and tributes to the land’s rich history peppered throughout the city. Some of the must-visit locales are the Colchester Castle Museum, Natural History Museum, St. Michael and All Angels Church and Roman Circus Visitor Centre among others. Very much British, there’s a beautiful array of parks around the city with Castle Park, Beth Chatto’s Plants and Gardens, and Fingringhoe Nature Reserve being the most famous ones. Other tourist attractions around Colchester include St. John’s Abbey Gate, Colchester Zoo and the Roman Theatre.
Nightlife – Being a student town, nightlife in Colchester is a given. The city has a great selection of nightclubs like ATIK, Rubix Bar & Nightclub, Roberts Club and After-Office Hours.
Student Travel In Colchester:
Students, enjoy budget-friendly travel as the cost of transportation in Colchester is just £58 per month! Explore the city with Stagecoach’s Unirider, cycle the dedicated lanes, or walk the compact city center for free. Budget around £44 and discover Colchester without breaking the bank!
Getting around the city is hassle-free and affordable due to the excellent public transport system in Colchester. Buses seem to be the most common transport of choice, but the city has an array of rented and private options which makes navigating the city fairly easy. The transportation is quite affordable impacting the cost of living in Colchester, UK.
Rail – Colchester lies on the London Liverpool Station to Norwich line which makes Colchester an hour’s ride away from each city. Colchester Town is the branch line closest to the university and city centre.
Bus – Located on Osbourne Road in the town centre, the Colchester bus station runs services both locally and regionally. It is the most preferred and most convenient form of travel for residents.
Cost of food in Colchester:
The costof food in Colchester students, for delicious meals is just £414 per month! Explore affordable markets, student-friendly restaurants, and budget cafes to enjoy Colchester’s diverse food scene without breaking the bank! ️
Colchester Attractions:
Colchester’s town centre, train and bus station lie close to all the major student accommodations in the city. Universities collaborate with local transportation providers to help university personnel and students save money on travel.
Take a look at the list below if you have some free time or are simply seeking new locations to explore in and around Colchester.
- Colchester Castle Museum
- Firstsite
- Mercury Theatre
- Colchester Zoo
- St. Botolph’s Priory
FAQs on Cost of Living In Colchester
1. Is it expensive to live in Colchester for students?
According to LivingCost, Colchester has an average cost of living that ranks in the top 26% of the world’s most expensive cities at $1594.
2. Is Colchester a good place to live in?
Colchester now ranks among the UK cities that are changing the most, and in a Rightmove survey conducted in 2019, it was ranked as one of the happiest places to live.
3. Which are the top areas to live in Colchester?
Wivenhoe has been a popular destination for those seeking more scenic settings. Prices here are generally higher and towards the upper end of Colchester’s average estimated value range. If you want a more central location, there are a number of residences near Colchester High Street and Exeter Drive that are still more expensive but more affordable.
4. What is Colchester renowned for?
Colchester is the former capital of England and the first city of the United Kingdom. It is renowned for its Victorian architecture. The Colchester Town Hall and the Jumbo Water Tower are also notable attractions.
5. What is the Colchester population in 2023?
According to Varbes, the anticipated current 2023 population of Colchester is 195,000.
6. Is Colchester a city or town?
Letters Patent on 5 September 2022 stated that the borough of Colchester had been awarded city status in time for the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2022, enabling the council to alter its name to “Colchester City Council.”
7. What is Colchester famous for?
Colchester is well-known for its historical significance because it dates back to Roman times. It is particularly renowned for the Colchester Castle, one of the biggest and oldest Norman strongholds in Europe, and for the preservation of its medieval architecture.
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