The University of Essex has formally announced the complete closure of its Southend-on-Sea campus, with teaching set to cease by the summer of 2026. The decision, described by senior management as “regrettable but unavoidable,” will result in up to 430 compulsory redundancies across academic, professional, and support staff roles.
The Southend campus, which opened in 2007 as part of an ambitious expansion plan, currently hosts around 1,200 students across business, entrepreneurship, and performing arts programmes. All remaining courses will either be transferred to the main Colchester campus or discontinued entirely, marking the end of a 17-year presence in the borough.
Financial pressures within the higher education sector have been cited as the primary driver. A combination of frozen domestic tuition fees, a sharp decline in international student recruitment, and rising operational costs has left the university facing a projected £30 million deficit over the next three years. Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster emphasised that retaining three separate campuses was no longer sustainable.
Staff reactions have been overwhelmingly negative. Members of the University and College Union walked out of lectures on the day of the announcement, with many describing the consultation process as “a sham.” One senior lecturer, speaking anonymously, told local media that the decision had been “a foregone conclusion for months,” despite repeated assurances from management.
Southend Borough Council has expressed deep concern over the economic impact. The campus directly employs hundreds of local residents and supports numerous businesses in the town centre. Council leader Tony Cox stated that the closure represents “a devastating blow to our regeneration efforts” and has called for urgent talks with the university and government to explore alternative uses for the site.
Students currently enrolled at Southend have been offered places at Colchester from September 2026, with transport subsidies promised. However, many have highlighted the significant additional travel time and cost, particularly for those from lower-income backgrounds who chose Southend specifically for its proximity.
The university has committed to a 12-month consultation period and pledged to seek voluntary redundancies and redeployment opportunities first. Nevertheless, the scale of the cuts has led to speculation that further restructuring across the Colchester and Loughton campuses may follow.