The University of Essex is a public research university in Colchester, Essex, England. It is one of the leading universities in Europe.The University was established in 1963 and received its Royal Charter in 1965. The university's largest campus is located within Wivenhoe Park in the English county of Essex, less than a mile (1.6 km) from the town of Wivenhoe and two miles from the town of Colchester.