Just to answer a few things as a current student: north towers,houses, south courts and south towers are all on the main campus (no more than a 5 main walk from square 3). Town is 20 mins on bus (every 10 mins non - Fri, 15 sat and every 30 mins sun) - no huge shopping centres but instead more a traditional town centre (ie all outside with shops on streets). All the main shops are on town and tesco is 5 mins on the bus. Main station is 30-45 mins by bus or wivenhoe (slower train but nearer is 10 mins) - with accommodation my offer came in after results day (conditional offer)