A PROTEST has been planned to take place at the University of Essex Southend campus this week as students organise a movement to speak out against the news of the site's closure.
The Southend campus is set to close in August 2026, forming part of a sweeping restructure aimed at securing the institution's financial future following a plummet in international enrolments.
The decision comes alongside plans to cut approximately 400 staff positions, with around 800 students expected to transfer from Southend to the Colchester campus.
A week on from the news, students are organising a planned peaceful protest outside the Forum on Wednesday at 11.30am, in conjunction with a visit from the vice chancellor Frances Bowen.
A second year student who organised the protest, and asked not to be named, said: "We, the students of the University of Essex Southend Campus, are speaking out because our futures are on the line.
"The announcement that the campus may close in 2026 has left many of us shocked, hurt, and angry. We understand the challenges the university faces, but we cannot accept a decision that leaves so many of us without a realistic way to continue our education.
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"For hundreds of students, Southend is not just a campus… it is our home. It’s where we study, where we work, where we care for our families, and where we’ve built our lives.
"Being told that we should simply relocate to Colchester ignores the reality of our circumstances. For many, daily travel of £30–£50 is impossible, and the £400 yearly support offered barely scratches the surface. Some of us would be forced to give up our degrees entirely.
"We are also deeply worried for the staff who make this campus what it is. The thought of around 400 roles being lost is heartbreaking. These are people who have supported us, taught us, and helped us grow. They deserve better than uncertainty and cuts.
"On Wednesday, as the Vice-Chancellor comes to Southend, we will be there, calm, respectful, and united to show just how much this place means to us. We are taking a stand because our education matters, our community matters, and we refuse to be dismissed or overlooked."
They encourage anyone with concerns to participate, be it students, staff or members of the community, saying, "let's come together, support each other and make our concerns visible."
The protest is expected to see students gather outside the Forum building and march through the High Street - finishing back on campus in the hopes of showing solidarity, increasing students support, and turning the decision around.
Students living on campus have been offered guaranteed accommodation in Colchester at no additional cost for the remainder of their current course.
A spokesperson for the university said: "We continue to talk to students about our plans and our Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education is due to lead a Q&A session with students on Tuesday evening.
“We recognise the impact this news has had, and we are doing everything we can to support our students.”
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