Once a teacher training college founded in 1839, the University of Chester has evolved into a 21st century university that opens doors for students while studying, and beyond. It has a culture of opportunity and self-development, providing an inclusive teaching and learning offer for students of all ages and backgrounds. Its quality courses are taught by academics who go the extra mile, and its specialist sites are home to all sorts of subject-specific facilities.
With placements available for most of its undergraduate degrees, students are given the opportunity to build contacts, gain real experience and earn their first work reference. The University also has study abroad connections with over 300 institutions, giving students the chance to build a global network. Situated in a great location, there are so many options for students to grow socially and personally. Societies, sports, learning a new language or volunteering - students will never be short on opportunities here.
The University has four learning sites in Chester. It also has University Centres in Warrington, Shrewsbury and Birkenhead, and a partnership with University Centre Reaseheath.
University of Chester students on Whatuni say:
“I have really enjoyed my university experience. My lecturers are amazing and I can tell they are passionate about the subjects they teach.”
“The University of Chester is a small institution which allows for small group teaching and a more personal way of studying/learning. The campus is located very close to the city centre.
“I appreciate the support that this institution has given me and that they saw so much potential in me. It gave me confidence to work harder and keep pushing myself every time towards new accomplishments.”
The University of Chester offers many undergraduate degree options across a wide spectrum of subject areas, as well as a range of postgraduate courses and foundation year options to suit all prospective students.
All the University’s courses are designed around in-person study based at its sites (unless a course is designed for fully online delivery and study). This includes lectures, seminars and practical classes where students will develop their knowledge and skills with peers. It also uses digital technologies to enhance student learning, such as virtual reality and simulation suites – this will vary from course to course and is tailored to each subject area. Most of its courses also include online learning activities, which are essential and can be completed when and where suits students’ needs.
Undergraduate courses are designed with a work-based learning component, so students develop hands-on skills alongside their theoretical education. Most courses offer a placement year, or a year working or studying abroad. And students have a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) to provide support and mentorship throughout their studies.
University of Chester students on Whatuni say:
“All my tutors are very kind and helpful. I can find everything I need in the campus, the library can also find some staff that help you with your assignment.”
“The course is primarily face to face, with very few online lectures, though the online lectures are excellent and can be easily implemented if the situation requires it. The course has high contact hours, and the lecturers are excellent and prioritise the students..”
“Constant support from lecturers.
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSEntry requirements at the University of Chester can vary slightly from year to year. Each course has its own entry requirements, which can be found on the relevant section of the course pages. The university’s general entry policy requires applicants to have:
The University of Chester recognises:
Students holding qualifications completed from several years ago, who are unsure about meeting eligibility requirements for particular subject choices, are encouraged to contact the Undergraduate Admissions team. The University’s friendly team is available all year round to discuss options with prospective students.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORSend a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONAccommodation can be expensive so it’s good to know that Chester is in the Top 20 cheapest UK city for student accommodation (Student Crowd, 2022). The University’s accommodation in Chester is conveniently located either on site or very close-by. It is safe and secure, and just a short walk from the city centre, putting students right at the heart of everything. As well as offering University accommodation, it has close links with several private sector residences in Chester. And for commuting students, it offers overnight self-catered accommodation (subject to availability).
If students choose to study at University Centre Shrewsbury, there’s partnership accommodation in Shrewsbury town centre – just a five-minute walk to Guildhall, where students have their lectures.
If students are seeking accommodation to support their studies at University Centre Warrington, they should contact the Accommodation team who will outline some of the options available to them.
University of Chester students on Whatuni say:
“I do appreciate how much accommodation is available in Chester, I know some cities have very competitive housing and that you essentially have to rush your decision simply to secure a home. This is not the case in Chester.”
“There is a very short distance between the accommodation and other areas of the campus.”
“The location is great, it is just a 2-minute walk from campus and 20 minutes from the city centre, the cost is very feasible as well.”
Students will have access to the University’s modern IT and library services, which are available across its learning sites. They can expect additional features such as bookable study spaces and learning pods, laptop loans, late opening times and 24-hour access computer labs at some of its larger libraries. The University has a range of subject-specific learning facilities at its sites.
Exton Park in Chester is home to a range of fitness and sport facilities, including a multi-function sports hall, floodlit AstroTurf and 3G MUGA (multi-use games area) pitches, grass pitches, sprint track, floodlit tennis courts, squash courts, 25-metre swimming pool, gym, dance studio, spin studio and a golf simulator.
University Centre Warrington students have free access to Warrington Youth Zone, where there is a gym, sports hall, rooftop 3G pitch and climbing wall. Students at University Centre Shrewsbury have access to an on-site fitness suite, which includes cardio, strength and weights equipment.
The University also has a selection of catering outlets and cafés across all its sites.
University of Chester students on Whatuni say:
“The swimming pool was good and everything was decently clean.”
“Although my campus is small, the University offers a gym, library, PC spaces and student lounge.”
“The facilities are clean and all staff are friendly and extremely helpful.”
Find out more about the accommodations and facilities in person at the uni.
BOOK OPEN DAYWhat's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 2730 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWE Esther Reviewed 03 Apr 24 Geography and Natural Hazard Management BSc (Hons) Library is very nice and modern, good facilties. Careers and Employability were very useful and helped me improve my CV. Staff are very helpful and welcoming. Uni is very clean and gardens always look very nice. I love the private study offices and the kitchen areas. Not many downsides only really... READ FULL REVIEW
F Franklin Reviewed 08 Mar 24 Education in Society MA The curriculum delivery at the University of Chester is exceptional, leveraging cutting-edge technology and the expertise of experienced lecturers. I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of education I receive... READ FULL REVIEW
The University has dedicated teams to offer guidance and support for all sorts of things, ranging from wellbeing and mental health (including access to counselling) to budgeting advice, disability and inclusion support, peer mentoring and volunteering.
When it comes to courses and assignments every student is assigned a Personal Academic Tutor, who is there to offer advice and guidance. For those living in University accommodation, on-call Residential Advisers live alongside students on site, and students can rest easily knowing that there are first-aid trained University Porters working 24/7 all year round.
The Chaplaincy team offers personal and spiritual support, regardless of faith, background or outlook, and the open-access faith spaces, quiet rooms across the University and quiet garden at Exton Park are there whenever students need them. The Active Wellbeing Programme also offers free access to sport facilities and classes for 12 weeks to students referred by the Wellbeing and Mental Health team.
University of Chester students on Whatuni say:
“Good support, I have received amazing support from my personal tutor.”
“Wellbeing is very important to me and mental health as I study counselling skills and have experienced mental health issues recently. At the University, the wellbeing team is excellent and having access to your PAT (Personal Academic Tutor) allows for 1-2-1 sessions if you’re struggling with anything.”
“The University has been accommodating to my needs and I’ve had good communication.”
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITEFrom a teaching college in 1839 to being awarded university status in 2005, Chester has had over 180 years to adapt, evolve and offer students outstanding academic opportunities and future possibilities.
The University has become a powerhouse of high-quality tuition and works with universities and organisations from all over the world.
The School of Education has maintained its reputation for delivering excellent teaching services and superb learning outcomes. Their most recent Ofsted inspections have rated their primary and secondary education provision as ‘Outstanding'.
Chester has a large nursing provision within the North West, with health and social care teaching available at many of the University’s learning sites.
The University has gained professional accreditation for specific courses, providing students with enhanced professional progression upon graduation.
Chester Students' Union (CSU) is run by students, for students. It’s the home of societies, the CSU advice service, student representation, campaigns and events. CSU is there to support and connect with students from the moment they arrive and throughout their time at University.
For free, confidential and impartial help, there’s a team of professional and experienced advisers. Whether a student’s query is course related or not, they’re here to help. CSU exists to represent the views and opinions of all its members. In partnership with the University, elected officers and the CSU Student Voice Team collate student views and ensure that the student voice is heard. Student Experience Reps work closely with both students and the University to make positive change happen. It’s a great opportunity to socialise and impress future employers.
Many extracurricular activities are offered by the University of Chester. It has over 50 student-led societies ranging from Marvel and archaeology to gaming and photography. The Athletics’ Union offers over 50 sports clubs, both competitive and social, covering activities like American football, martial arts, rowing, cheerleading, fencing, archery and more.
University of Chester students on Whatuni say:
“The Students' Union is one helpful institution that helped me a lot to adapt to my life abroad as a student. It has more than 100 different clubs and societies and they're open to everyone.”
“Supportive staff in all departments I had experience with including Facilities helpdesk, Wellbeing, Registry, Student union, International Centre.”
“I'm left with the impression that the SU does a lot for me, but it's all 'behind the scenes'. I know they represent me on the student council, and I know they're in constant talks with the University about the student experience.”
The University of Chester offers so many extracurricular activities, so there are lots of opportunities for students to get involved. It has over 50 student-led societies across all kinds of interests, such as Marvel, archaeology, gaming and photography. The Athletics’ Union offers over 50 sports clubs, both competitive and social, covering all kinds of activities from American football, martial arts and rowing, to cheerleading, fencing and archery. Students can meet new and like-minded people, explore a new interest, and potentially adopt a position of leadership and responsibility in a sports team or society. For students who are passionate about sport, the University’s first teams compete annually in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues. As a result, students will have plenty of options to engage in competitive sport and to compete with other sporting communities from across the country.
The University also encourages students to set up new sports clubs and societies where they do not already exist and offers organisational support to get things started.
University of Chester students on Whatuni say:
“Joining societies and playing sports helped me to make friends and shape my social life while I'm at the university.”
“Varied and available.”
“There are a great range of sports and societies at the University of Chester, which are fully supported through dedicated pages on the University of Chester's Students’ Union website.”
A Top 20 student city (Student Crowd, 2022), Chester is a bustling 21st-century city balancing big-name shopping – voted as having the second-best high street in the UK (The Telegraph, 2022) – and restaurants with a thriving independent scene. Home to traditional pubs, quirky cocktail bars and clubs, Chester’s nightlife offers variety, uniqueness and atmosphere. Plus, Chester has been awarded the coveted ‘Purple Flag’ status in recognition of its flourishing night-time economy and safe environment during the day and night. Next to the River Dee, students can enjoy 20 acres of green space at Grosvenor Park without even leaving the city.
Warrington is a vibrant town, home to arts, culture, shopping and sport. Throughout the year, Warrington offers a range of live music festivals and events, such as the award-winning dance event, Creamfields, as well as the Neighbourhood Weekender festival. It’s also the perfect location for sports fans as it’s home to Warrington Wolves – one of the best teams in Rugby League.
The beautiful medieval town of Shrewsbury is packed with cultural hotspots, open spaces and beautiful parks, a thriving café culture, vibrant nightlife and an active sports scene.
University of Chester students on Whatuni say:
“The city itself, Chester, is so charming and beautiful. Its small and convenient size, old town, amazing bars and cafes, make it an ideal city for students. The nightlife here is also quite lively. Overall, I honestly enjoyed every single moment of studying at this university and I recommend it to everyone else around the world!”
“Almost as I expected, beautiful city, good campus experience, the teachers are very friendly and will patiently solve the problems raised by the students. The local people are also very friendly.”
“The University is a 5-minute walk away from the city centre, so I don't worry about not being able to access amenities, entertainment, and so on.”
See the campus and city for yourself in person by booking an open day place.
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The University of Chester’s dedicated Careers and Employability team offer a range of opportunities for students to network, make industry connections and prepare for the working world. Its Work Based Learning module, placement opportunities and links with industry and employers help students graduate a step ahead.
The team advertise work experience opportunities, run a paid internship programme, and hold careers workshops to guide students through CV writing, interviews and assessment centres.
The team encourages students thinking of starting a business, entering self-employment or building a freelance career to join The Venture Programme.
Its UniJob service means students can apply for part-time jobs at the University, giving them the opportunity to earn while you learn. This not only helps students to increase and improve their skill set but it also helps them financially as they learn to budget while studying.
The team also advertises local and national graduate job vacancies and when students are ready, they are there to guide them through every stage of the selection process. This support doesn’t end when students complete their degree, it is lifelong.
University of Chester students on Whatuni say:
“There are many job opportunities provided to students in Chester.”
“The University has been great at showing who can help you find future jobs, the team who do this are fab and really friendly. They have helped me secure 2 placements during my uni experience.”
“I studied a careers module in my second year to help me decide what I would like to do after graduation. My lecturers have offered me advice and guidance.”
The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.
The University also offers three different sports scholarships to students. Students can visit the Sport Scholarship page of the website to find out whether they may be eligible to apply.
Full details, terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the University of Chester’s website.
The University works hard to ensure that tuition remains accessible to students from all backgrounds. Although fees do vary on a course-by-course basis, the guideline fees for the 2023/24 academic year are set as:
Home Students: £9,250 per year of full-time undergraduate study.
EU/International Students: £13,450 per year of full-time undergraduate study.
The figures are intended as a guideline; more detailed information about tuition fees can be found on the University of Chester’s website.
Repayments of Tuition Fees and Maintenance Loans will start in the April after students have graduated or left higher education. At the time of writing (February 2023), the student loan repayment threshold for English-resident students in the UK is £25,000 a year. The amount students repay each month is linked to income, so what they pay back depends on what they earn. Students will pay 9% of any income they earn over the threshold. If students are earning less than the threshold, their student loan repayments won’t be deducted.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTION
Many courses at University of Chester offer an opportunity to do a work placement or sandwich year. These opportunities will help you develop your employability skills, and the careers department is also on hand to offer personal support.
As well as a wide range of courses on offer, University of Chester also has loads of clubs and societies you can join during your studies. Joining societies is just one of the many ways you can tailor your experience at University of Chester to suit you.
With a degree in a subject you love, you'll find more doors opening to jobs you'll love. Studies have also shown that graduates earn more on average compared to non-graduates.
If you want to continue to pursue education, you'll be able to progress to postgraduate study once you've got your undergraduate degree. You could opt to study a master's, or even get a PhD.
Living in uni halls means you'll have access to communal areas including kitchen and dining facilities. These facilities offer you plenty of opportunity to socialise with the students you're living with.
You'll also find all bills are included in your rent, and yes, that includes WiFi. Rent also covers security and maintenance. There are accessible rooms available in halls that have been adapted for disabled students.
