Southend is fast becoming a popular area for student life. BBC reporter Andy Gordon has been to find out more about the educational centres based in the South Essex town.
Southend-on-sea is set to be transformed by the arrival of tens of thousands of students.
It is all part of the news Southend Campus in the town, which is made up of the University of Essex and the South East Essex College that work together closely.
The big red pod is the lecture theatre
The hope is the new educational establishments will lead the regeneration of Southend and boost the local economy.
Andy Gordon has spoken to the two women leading the project about their vision for the future.
