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University of Chester

Overview

It is one of the oldest English higher education establishments of any kind, pre-dating all but Oxford, Cambridge, London and Durham, and its original buildings in the Roman city of Chester were the first in the country to be purpose-built for the professional training of teachers. The Dean and Chapter of Chester Cathedral donated land on Parkgate Road for this endeavour. In 1842, Gladstone opened the College's original buildings for its first intake of 10 male student teachers on the Parkgate Road site, just outside the City Walls, that the University still occupies today, after the College moved from its initial, temporary base in Bridge Street.

Education qualifications remain significant and are now a fraction of the 420 course combinations on offer. In the 20th Century, the institution steadily expanded its student numbers and the variety and nature of its courses, which range from Animation to Zoo Management.

The University of Chester now has 1,880 staff and some 19,850 students, drawn from the United Kingdom, Europe and further afield, particularly the United States, India, China, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda, Pakistan, Ghana, Bangladesh, Qatar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

As well as undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, a new range of foundation degrees and apprenticeship degrees combines conventional university study with learning at work.

MPhil and PhD qualifications are an established and growing area of activity, with the University gaining the powers to award its own research degrees in 2007. The emphasis is very much on research that has practical benefits both economically and culturally, and the University provides consultancy support across a variety of areas of expertise.

Recent projects have included helping to develop England’s first ‘carbon neutral’ village, discovering a vitamin compound which reduces the risk of heart disease and dementia, translating the Bible into British Sign Language, and research into understanding the psychological impact of cancer to improve wellbeing and quality of life for patients and their families. Development of well-respected courses in Health and Social Care, Humanities, Business and Management, Arts and Media, Social Sciences, Science and Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry and Clinical Sciences, and Education and Children’s Services has further extended the University’s work and connections with industry, commerce and the professions.

Many millions of pounds are continually invested in the accommodation and resources to enhance the student experience and there is a strong focus on making students feel supported and at home.

Recent developments include the addition of two large accommodation blocks (Grosvenor and Sumner Houses) and a significant expansion of the learning resource centre at the Parkgate Road Campus. The Handbridge former Western Command Army HQ, in which Winston Churchill held wartime meetings with international politicians, is now the Queen's Park Campus and opened for the academic year 2015/16 as a base for the Faculty of Business and Management, educating the leaders of tomorrow. This followed the launch of Thornton Science Park in 2014/15, hosting the UK’s first new Faculty of Science and Engineering in two decades and bringing together teaching and research with business and innovative industry practices on one site.

  • Year established
    1839
  • Location
    North West England
  • Registered students
    19850

Academic specialism

Why Chester?

1. High Academic and Learning Standards

As an international student at the University of Chester, you can look forward to an excellent level of education and benefit from state-of-the-art facilities. With hundreds of courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree level across eight academic faculties, we are confident that you will find a course to satisfy your thirst for knowledge.

Top 10 in the UK for Postgraduate research (The Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2019)

2. Loved by International Students

We are currently home to 20,000 students from 130 countries across the globe. Based on the reviews of international students across all UK universities, we are ranked in the top ten! (WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2020).

There are more than 100 active societies and sports teams running at the University, many of which are internationally focused, providing you endless opportunities to make new friends.

3. International Scholarships

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fees. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when submitting an application and any award given will be shown on your offer letter.

We have a number of merit-based and country-specific scholarships available. 

4. High Graduate Employability

95.6% of full-time, first degree University of Chester students are in employment/further study after graduation. We will provide you with a range of opportunities to help you to gain the experience, skills and knowledge that you need to succeed during your time at university and beyond. You will also be supported by information, advice and guidance services which have been nationally commended.

5. Outstanding Course Rankings

Our teaching and learning standards have been recognised by high-profile bodies. Check out our latest course specific rankings below:

Times Good University Guide 2020

  • Top 5 in the UK for Teaching Quality in Accounting and Finance
  • Top 5 in the UK for Teaching Quality in Archaeology and Forensic Science
  • Top 3 in the UK for Teaching Quality in Chemical Engineering
  • Best in the UK for Teaching Quality in Computer Science
  • Top 5 in the UK for Teaching Quality in German
  • Top 3 in the UK for Student Experience in Iberian Languages
  • Top 3 in the UK for Student Experience in Mechanical Engineering
  • Top 5 in the UK for Teaching Quality in Psychology
  • Top 5 in the UK for Student Experience in Theology and Religious Studies
  • Voted Business School of the Year 2018 in the Educate North Awards

6. Work Based Learning

The University of Chester has a national reputation for its Work Based Learning module which is offered to undergraduate students in their second year of study. Almost all level five students will undertake the WBL module which involves spending 5 weeks (May-June) working for an organisation. In addition to the project outcomes or work tasks completed during the placement, each student will produce a reflective report that focuses on their skills development.

We have links with a wide variety of organisations that offer a broad range of placement opportunities. Students have the opportunity to work for some prestigious and high-profile organisations and WBL can open the doors to permanent employment post-graduation.

Placements can be based anywhere in the UK, in organisations large or small and do not need to be related to a student’s field of study. In addition to the wide variety of placement opportunities advertised by the WBL Office, students are able to nominate an organisation from their own contacts or searches.

7. Safety Matters

The University of Chester has been ranked as the safest city-based University in the North West of England (Complete University Guide 2018).

8. Guaranteed Accommodation

University accommodation is guaranteed for all new international students whose accommodation application forms are received by the stated deadlines for our September intake.

Our university accommodation facilities include:

  • 24/7 security
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Utility bills, maintenance, cleaning and insurance

9. Great Location

Chester is a modern and contemporary city, rich in history and culture. One of eight world-famous British Heritage cities, Chester welcomes over eight million tourists each year with a wide variety of attractions. Ideally placed in the North West of England, it is less than an hour from Manchester and Liverpool, just a two-hour direct train journey to London and close to both the beautiful Welsh coast and mountains. The ancient Roman walls still surround Chester’s city centre, which along with the renowned Cathedral, Eastgate Clock, and Roman Amphitheatre, demonstrate its 2000-year-old heritage.

  • Second most student-friendly city in the UK (The Sun 2019)
  • Top ten city in the UK (The Telegraph 2018)
  • Safest city-based University in North West England (The Complete University Guide 2018)

10. Courses Accredited by Professional Bodies

Our courses are accredited by professional and prestigious bodies.

An accredited course is one which has been approved by a professional body. Accredited courses provide students with a guarantee of quality and can count towards professional qualifications or registration with a professional body. This not only benefits a student’s career but can also be a legal requirement in some professions.

Featured courses

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University of Chester
Parkgate Road
CH1 4BJ
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
View Location
Telephone:
+44 (0)1244 511000
Website

Location

Chester is a modern and contemporary city, rich in history and culture. One of eight world-famous British Heritage cities, Chester welcomes over eight million tourists each year with a wide variety of attractions. Ideally placed in the North West of England, it is less than an hour from Manchester and Liverpool, just a two-hour direct train journey to London and close to both the beautiful Welsh coast and mountains. The ancient Roman walls still surround Chester’s city centre, which along with the renowned Cathedral, Eastgate Clock, and Roman Amphitheatre, demonstrate its 2000-year-old heritage.

  • Second most student-friendly city in the UK (The Sun 2019)
  • Top ten city in the UK (The Telegraph 2018)
  • Safest city-based University in North West England (The Complete University Guide 2018)