University of Chester

Summary

History

The University of Chester is one of the oldest English higher education establishments of any kind, pre-dating all but Oxford, Cambridge, London and Durham, It was founded in 1839 as Chester Diocesan Training College, a teacher training college. In 1842 the college accepted its first intake of ten students. Chester became affiliated with the University of Liverpool in 1921 and despite facing closure in the 1930s, it continued to grow throughout the 1930s.

In 2002 the University expanded, when it acquired a higher education campus and faculty in Warrington. It was not until 2005 that Chester was awarded University status in its own right and began to give out its first degrees.

Now the University is flourishing, it offers over 450 courses to around 16,800 students from the UK, Europe and further afield.

Recent notable 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, and translating the Bible into British Sign Language.

University Environment

TThe University of Chester covers a number of teaching sites:

Chester Campuses

In and around the town of Chester, there are four learning areas. The Parkgate Road Campus is the main university campus. It is only a short walk away from the city centre and comprises of the University’s students' union, Learning Resource Centre, sports facilities and a range of teaching rooms and lecture theatres. There is also on-campus accommodation.

The Kingsway Campus, located twenty minutes walk from the main Parkgate Road campus and house the University’s arts and media facilities. Occupying across 6,920 square metres, this specially developed creative arts campus offers a range of modern facilities and equipment to bring learning to life.

The Riverside Campus is dedicated to the study of education, and health and social care, is also a 20-minute walk from the Parkgate Road campus.

The newest multi-million-pound Queen’s Park Campus, houses the University of Chester Business School.

Thornton Science Park

Thornton Science Park, located just outside the city, is the home of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The 66-acre site features purpose-built laboratories and industrial facilities to provide the best practical experience and learning opportunities. Outside of lectures and practical sessions, you can make use of a variety of recreational spaces, including a coffee bar and restaurant, fitness centre and all-weather pitch. A free shuttle bus is provided to transport students to and from Parkgate Road Campus.

Warrington Campus

The University’s campus in the Padgate area of Warrington is far smaller and provides facilities for students studying Media, Health and Social Care, Social Sciences, Sports and Exercise sciences and Management. There is also a separate students' union as well as sports facilities and on site accommodation.

In the last 10 years over £12 million has been invested in redeveloping this site. This includes the £3 million Warrington Management Centre. This campus offers a close-knit community environment in which to study.

University Centre Shrewsbury

University Centre Shrewsbury is established by the University of Chester and Shropshire Council to increase student Higher Education prospects. The courses and wider opportunities on offer at University Centre Shrewsbury are designed to support students to excel in their chosen field; being extremely employable, highly innovative, enterprising, and benefiting from practice-based experience, alongside academic rigour as part of every course.

University Centre Reaseheath

The University Centre Reaseheath campus is located on the outskirts of Nantwich in rural Cheshire. Set among 330 hectares of farm, parklands and woodland with its own lake, this stunning campus is the perfect environment for students to work, rest and play. Facilities in the Campus include: the National Centre for Horticulture, the Environment and Sustainable Technology, which has one of the most modern glasshouse training facilities in the UK with its state-of-the-art glasshouse for food crop trials and research; the Animal Centre has a licensed zoo; and Equestrian Centre provides both indoor and outdoor riding arenas for equine science students.

Further Information

Facilities at Chester University are split between the two sites in Warrington and Chester, which are around an hour apart by car. Therefore students should be aware that if they apply for a course at the Warrington campus they will not benefit from the University’s facilities in Chester and visa versa. For more information about the location of each course, see the University’s website.

Academics

Faculties & Departments

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

School of Art and Media

• Department of Art and Design
• Department of Media
• Department of Performing Arts
• Chester Centre for Research in Arts and Media (CCRAM)

School of Humanities

• Department of English
• Department of History and  Archaeology
• Department of Modern Languages
• Department of Theology and  Religious Studies

Faculty of Business and Management

• Chester Business School
• Centre for Work Related Studies
• Department of Professional Development
• Sport and Community Engagement
• Work Based Learning Office
• Warrington School of Management

Faculty of Education and Children’s Services

Faculty of Health and Social Care

Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Life Sciences

• Department of Biological Sciences
• Centre for Stress Research
• Department of Clinical Sciences and Nutrition
• Medical School

Faculty for Science and Engineering

• Centre for SciComm
• Department of Computer Science
• Department of Chemical Engineering
• Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
• Department of Mathematics
• Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Department of Natural Sciences
• New Technology Initiative
• The Informatics Centre

Faculty of Social Science

• Department of Geography and International Development
• Department of Psychology
• Department of Social and Political Science
• University of Chester Law School
• Institute of Policing

Research

In 2008 the University of Chester submitted research from 10 areas to the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). All areas submitted research deemed to be “internationally excellent” whilst 15% of the History research submitted and 5% of the Drama, English and Sports Studies research was deemed “world leading”. 

International & Industrial Opportunities 

Chester University runs an International Exchange programme allowing students to study for a full academic year abroad at one of their bilateral exchange partners or through ISEP, a network of over 300 additional higher education institutions worldwide. 

Students also have the opportunity to take the University’s Experiential Oversees Learning module, which allows students to take part in a five-week project in one of many worldwide destinations and gain credits towards their degree.  

Most students at the University of Chester undertake the University’s Work Based Learning (WBL) module. This involves spending five week placement during the second year of your undergraduate study working for an organisation followed by submission of a report. Students can choose to attend a placement anywhere within the UK. Chester has links with a wide variety of large and small organisations that offer a broad range of interesting placement opportunities. 

Fees & Finance

Scholarships

University of Chester Sports Scholarships are available to undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University who can demonstrate active representation at national or international level. Scholarships include access to coaching, mentoring and physiotherapy, as well as a cash award of up to £3000 to be put towards prearranged expenses.

The University’s Choral Scholarship is available to a student who is able to play a leading role in the musical activities of the University, particularly in dealing with the management of the University Chapel Choir.

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. International students will automatically be considered for these scholarships when submitting an application and any award given will be shown on your offer letter.

Bursaries

Any UK student with a household income of less than £25,000 will be eligible for the University of Chester Bursary provided their tuition fee is over £6,000 a year and they are not eligible for any other training bursary (e.g. NHS bursary). The University of Chester Bursary is £500 per year of study. Students need not apply, they will be automatically considered if they meet the criteria.

Care Leavers Bursary is available to new full-time undergraduate students under the age of 25, paying a tuition fee of over £6,000, who have evidence of their care leaver status. The award is worth up to £6,000. consisting a mixture of cash payments, 'in-kind’ benefits, and fee waiver.

Facilities

Learning Facilities

TThe University of Chester has a number of libraries located across its different campuses, which together hold over 300,000 books, and a large number of journals both electronically and in print formats. The University is also a member of the SCONUL access scheme, allowing its students to borrow books from other libraries around the country.

The main library on the Parkgate Road Campus is the Seaborne library. It houses an extensive collection of books, e-books and e-journals, bookable multi-media rooms, video conferencing space, 24-hour access computer labs and The Hub: a comfortable two floor study zone, suitable for independent and group study. There is also a 24/7 refreshment area with cold food and drink vending machines and a Costa coffee machine.

The Broomhead library is the main library on the Warrington Campus. Students here have access to bookable multi-media rooms, spaces and pods for individual and group study, numerous PC’s and Macs, and laptops available to loan. There is also a 24-hour computer cluster attached to the Warrington Campus.

There are also smaller and specialist libraries: the Riverside Library holds book and journal collections for the Faculty of Health and Social Care and the Faculty of Education and Children’s Services; the Queen’s Park Campus has a dedicated business library in Bridge House which holds book and journal collections for the Faculty of Business management; the Kingsway Learning Resources Centre is a reference library which holds book collections for the Department of Performing Arts and the Department of Art and Design; the Sutton Library in the Thornton Science Park holds book and journal collections for the Faculty of Science and Engineering; and the Guildhall Library at the Shrewsbury campus provides you with up-to-date facilities including contemporary space perfect for individual and group study, access to laptop loans, and bookable study pods equipped with innovative media technology.

There are a variety of learning tools available on each campus:

In Chester these include: laboratories for the Biological Sciences, Geography, Archaeology, Sports Science, Modern Languages, and Nutrition and Dietetics, skills laboratories for Health and Social Care students, a mock courtroom for Law students and an extensive Learning Information Service.

In Warrington these include: the North West Media Centre's television studio, commercial music production studios, a journalism suite, graphic design and advertising studio space, and a new state-of-the-art Learning Information Centre.

The University’s Student Skills Development team provide students with academic support through one-to-one appointments, e-appointments, workshops, and online and print resources. These help students to develop their academic skills in a wide variety of areas including: referencing; essay planning; academic writing; reflective writing; critical analysis; dissertations; reading strategies; and exam preparation.

Sporting Facilities

The University of Chester offers a range of on campus sporting facilities split between the Parkgate Road Campus, Thornton Science Park and the Warrington Campus.

In Chester the sports facilities include: 3G-Pitch Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) that provides a fantastic surface to play a wide range of sports on, including football, rugby and American football; 60 metre, 3 lane sprint track; squash courts; a multi-functioning sports hall that allows students and staff to alter the space according to their chosen sport; a fitness suite staffed by friendly, approachable and qualified fitness instructors; a gymnasium with a sprung floor and mirrored wall; and a 25-metre 5 lane swimming pool.

The sport facilities at the Thornton Science Park include a fitness suite, offering a range of high-quality equipment, and a 3G pitch, perfect for 5-a-side games.

In Warrington sports facilities include a sports hall,  a running track, a gymnasium, a fitness suite, grass football and rugby pitches, and an all-weather pitch. Students also benefit from a number of university run activities including fitness classes, buddying sessions and a running club. 

University of Chester Sports Scholarships are available to undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University who can demonstrate active representation at national or international level. Scholarships include access to coaching, mentoring and physiotherapy as well as a cash award of up to £3000 to be put towards prearranged expenses.

Students' Union

Students’ Union

The University of Chester Students Union (CSU) runs over 100 clubs and societies across the University’s campuses and provides students with support on issues such as accommodation, health, finance and jobs, via the Student Advice Centre. The CSU is run by a team of students, elected annually by the wider student body. They are responsible for making the students’ voices heard both inside and outside the University.

The CSU is split between two sites, one in Chester and one in Warrington. 

In Chester, the CSU runs both a bar (CH1) and club venue, providing students with quiz and club nights, as well as a live band and DJ performances and big screen sports. They also run a range of shops selling university memorabilia, food and stationary, and an on-site café.

The union in Warrington runs a CSU shop and has close links with local bars such as BarTwenty10 and Chevy’s Sports Bar.

There is also the Shrewsbury Students’ Union (SSU), created especially for students based at University Centre Shrewsbury.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

The University of Chester runs two chaplaincies, one on the Parkgate Road Campus and one on the Warrington Campus. There are also a number of prayer rooms available throughout the university.

The Chaplaincy staff and community, provide support for all members of the University, including students and staff, and those of all faiths and none. It offers students and staff a place to meet together on a regular basis to share ideas, learn from one another and socialise together in a relaxed, informal environment, and students can experience different forms of worship to help them grow and develop in their faith and life.

Health & Wellbeing

Students at the University of Chester have access to several GP practices and health centres around Chester and Warrington.

The Wellbeing and Mental Health team within Student Futures Support provides practical information, advice and guidance to all students at the University of Chester across all campuses. They can help with: making the transition into University life; homesickness; understanding academic procedures; exam stress; financial problems and more. Students can also contact the team with issues such as feeling low, feeling anxious, not eating or overeating, struggling with university life, etc.

The university also runs a counselling service providing students with the time and space to talk any concerns, and an opportunity to build on and learn new skills to support themselves. All information that you discuss with your counsellor will remain confidential unless you ask your counsellor to share it with someone else. There are a few exceptions to this which will be explained to you when you contact the service.

Disabled students benefit from support, advice and guidance from the University’s Disability Support Officers. Then can help to organise specialist accommodation, equipment and parking and can advise on academic issues such as group tutorials and exam arrangements. The University’s Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) staff offers students a range of tutorials, including one to one study tutorials, group tutorials focusing on academic skills development and referral to external agencies for individual specialist tutorials.

Career Facilities

The University’s Careers and Employability service helps students to make informed career planning decisions. They can offer advice on a series of issues such as part-time jobs, including part-time jobs on campus, employability skills training, career planning and information, CVs and personal statements, postgraduate study, graduate jobs and work shadowing.

The Careers and Employability service also run customised Q&As, where employers visit the University to provide information on their opportunities and share their insights into specific professions and what route they took from university into their chosen career. The ASK events bring employers and students together in an informal environment. ASK stands for Ask questions, Shape ideas and Kick-start careers. ASK events are delivered across all campuses throughout the year.

Accommodation

The University of Chester offers a range of accommodation both in Chester and Warrington. Most University-owned and partnership accommodation is located either on or very close to the Parkgate Road Campus (Chester) or Warrington Campus.

The University offers a range of accommodation types, from self-catered through to full board, and in different styles, from small self-contained houses, to large, traditional halls of residence. Another accommodation option available to students is the private sector. They work closely with private providers and can advise you on a range of accredited accommodation.

Self-catering accommodation usually houses six students sharing a kitchen, bathroom and dining area. If students wish to eat in the main dining room they can join a meal scheme or purchase meals at any of the catering outlets around the university campuses.

The University also offers semi-catered residences accommodating between 10 and 40 students. Prices include the cost of lunch and dinner on weekdays during term-time. Kitchens and communal areas are also provided.

A range of full-board residences are available in Chester only. The prices will depend on whether the rooms are with en suite or with shared bathrooms. Most have communal areas and prices include the cost of all meals. Residents in full-board accommodation are required to vacate their rooms during the Christmas and Easter holidays.

A Residential Team, based in Student Futures is available to assist first year students residing in University accommodation. This includes Assistant Residential Tutors (ART - current students, usually at Level 5, 6 or postgraduate taught stage) or Residential Tutors (RT – usually a postgraduate research student or member of University staff), who have ‘been there and done it' at the University of Chester, so can completely empathise with the settling-in process and are interested in making your experience in Halls as good as possible. The team is managed by the Residential Support Manager across all sites, whether Chester, Warrington or Shrewsbury.

International

English Language Requirements

English language requirements vary from course to course, see the University’s website for more information. 

If you do not yet meet the requirements for their chosen subjects, you can apply for one of the University’s foundation courses or pre-sessional English courses.

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. International students will automatically be considered for these scholarships when submitting an application and any award given will be shown on your offer letter.

International Support

The University of Chester currently plays host to over 19,000 students drawn from over 140 countries.

The University operates an airport pickup service for students arriving at the Manchester or Birmingham airport. You can book the service online. International Student Ambassadors will be at the airport to welcome you and direct you to your coach pick up.

In order to help international students settle in, the university runs a series of welcome events during induction week. These include advising on opening a bank account, using the library and dealing with the culture shock of moving to a new country.

Media