Graphic Design - BA

University of Chester

Plenty of facilities for studies, large spaces and friendly staff. Only thing to be improved is the location, Kingsway is distant from main campus and you feel the disconnect

One of the greatest strengths of the University is the people. Lecturers are approachable, supportive and deeply invested in student development. You are treated as an individual rather than a number, and there is a strong sense that staff genuinely want students to succeed both academically and personally. Teaching is engaging, clear and encouraging, and there is real space for creative exploration rather than purely formulaic learning. An area that would make the student experience even stronger is enhanced, more structured support for securing placements in creative industries, particularly graphic design. Additional placement partnerships, clearer routes into industry and more direct links with creative agencies would further strengthen employability outcomes and help students transition confidently into professional practice.

I love the resources the art & design programme has to offer! I wish I had easier access to Exton Park from Kingsway (i.e. a regular commute bus) to use the resources there more frequently.

The facilities that Kingsway campus offers are amazing! The lecturers are all so helpful and knowledgeable and also very understanding and willing to help no matter what!

First of all, this University holds an atmosphere of inclusivity. Never in my life have I been in a community of much diversity, and better yet, welcomed and respected. I love the student union. From the karaoke nights at the bar, to the recreational spaces (pool, video games, TV, bean bags?!), to the staff. Resourceful is a great word to describe this area. Water, coffee, tea, and feminine hygiene products are readily available. Not to mention the informational, encouraging, reassuring, and accepting posters, pins, pamphlets, and flags throughout the place. I especially appreciate the free food section of the day. Coming from America, extremely few places give out "old" food to those in need, they just throw it away because of "policy". I love how UoC provides opportunities for food because not only is it reducing food waste, but it caters to those who can't afford an ideal daily amount of food (let alone hot meals). This is also a lovely place to study, chat, or just chill (for instance, it acts like a living room). The campus (Exton Park) in general is lovely, not intimidating, not too small, not too big. It's quite easy to get around within and out of the campus. I truly love the location, it's situated very close to the city center, but far enough away from hubbub. Equally as far is a retail park where there is a good variety of larger stores, and few eateries. I love walking around here because one way you're headed to bars/city bustle, the next is a cute walk along a canal, another is headed towards open areas and the sunset, while another is towards train stations! I must include Kingsway Creative Campus as I am there most of the time. I really find a sense of home here as nearly ever person I come into contact with (students and instructors) is out of their way welcoming towards me. My first day, my instructor spent over an hour personally touring me through the campus and showed me all my available resources as well as who to contact (and even introduced me). Although Kingsway is a bit of a walk, it's truly beautiful, especially when the weather is warm and the plants spring about. I take the nice nature walk, while a friend of mine bought a bike and takes the nature bike path. As an artist, constructive criticism is very important when evaluating pieces because it encourages a more effective outcome (hence constructive). Regarding the Exton Park campus, my first idea for improvement begins with the laundry. My experience with doing laundry on this campus was so yikes that I choose to pay double (in time and money) to have my laundry done elsewhere. I think the most effective ways to enlighten the laundry area is as follows. 1. Coin operated is just so much easier and cuts to the chase. No adding money, forgetting, or losing your laundry card. 2. Maintain the machines. I think the best way to ensure proper maintenance is actually with a daily (or quite regular) inspection of which machines are not working to their best. Then actually fix them or get new ones. I know this is costly, but consider which is more valuable: your students or money. I believe that the laundry units will break less if the next point is executed. 3. Put at least one more laundry area on campus. This way less people are overloading the washers and dryers and using them nearly non-stop (this really wears down the machines faster). Anyway, my only other area for improvement would be the amenities in the study abroad residences. Luckily I didn't have an issue because I came mid-year with very resourceful roommates, but I've heard most of my study abroad friends say they have to buy all of their kitchen wear. I get it that when you move into a new place you have to supply the kitchen. So this isn't the biggest issue, but there is a great opportunity of improvement here. My solution is to have a dish/utensil/pot/pan/misc hub. How this would work is it is a space the beginning and end of semester students can drop off or pick up items.