Community

You are part of a global alumni community of over 90,000 University of Chester graduates, and there is a full range of exciting benefits and opportunities available to you. Our aim is to support you and help keep you connected to the University, and your fellow alumni, whether you recently graduated, or have been part of the alumni community for much longer. Register your details with us and join the alumni community.

Benefits for New Graduates and Alumni

As a member of the University of Chester alumni community, there are a number of exciting benefits and opportunities waiting for you!

Once you register your details with us, you will receive ACH1EVE, our free alumni magazine, straight to your inbox annually. We are always on the lookout for alumni to contribute articles - if you would like to get involved, please email ACH1EVE@chester.ac.uk.

If you completed your studies within the last two years, you may be eligible for our new graduate benefits, including support from our Careers and Employability department as you begin your graduate career journey. This includes advice from our experienced Career Consultants, the opportunity to get ahead in the graduate market with the Graduate Head Start programme, enhancing your employability by taking part in the Chester Difference Award, taking your business to the next level via the Venture Programme, plus much more! 

You can still make use of your University email address (chester.ac.uk) for up to 18 months after you complete your studies. Please complete the sign-up form to access this benefit.

For the first time, new graduates are now able to apply for funds, such as the ACH1EVE Fund and the UMF Support, which can help support you in realising your ambitions after completing your studies. You can apply for funding for your next steps – such as funding a new community project or excelling in a passion for sport. Find out more about how we can support you in your next steps.

You can currently receive 25% off a postgraduate taught Master’s course (full or part-time) with our Graduate Loyalty Discount.* This offer is available to returning Bachelor and PGCE alumni. International alumni are invited to apply for the International Alumni Scholarship.** The University also runs six-week Introduction to Language and Culture courses – alumni can receive a discount by emailing languagesforall@chester.ac.uk.

As a valued member of our alumni community, you are also warmly invited to attend various talks, lectures and research seminars across the institution. You can also access a wide range of University networking and volunteering opportunities, such as mentoring, guest lecturing, and speaking at events.

As a graduate, you are entitled to free lifetime library membership! This membership includes access to our on-site libraries and permission to borrow up to four items from the main library collections for three weeks at a time***. Graduates are welcome to purchase an exclusive guest membership to the University’s Fitness Suite and facilities, at the competitive price of £205 for 12 months. 

If you are planning to arrange a reunion with your University friends or would like to visit our sites, please email us at alumni@chester.ac.uk to discuss the options available. 

In order to access these benefits and hear from us about the latest opportunities, please keep your contact details and preferences up-to-date with us. Unfortunately, access to the online resources that permit alumni use is restricted to those who did not study with the university through a partner organisation.  

For more information, contact LIS Customer Services on 01244 511234 / LIS.Helpdesk@chester.ac.uk or visit us in person, at a helpdesk during normal office hours. 

*Terms and conditions apply.

**Terms and conditions apply, please email international@chester.ac.uk for more details.

***The main collections are the academic stock, excluding the short loan collection, children's books, school experience material, and audio-visual equipment and material. Journals are not available for loan to any borrower.

Alumni Volunteering

Volunteering has always been at the heart of our institution. The building of our Chapel in the 1840s, on our Exton Park site, was only possible thanks to the volunteering efforts of our students at the time. Volunteering continues to play an important part in the student experience today, and our incredible community of over 90,000 alumni has the power to make a positive impact upon the lives of our students and new graduates. Whether that is through sharing skills, knowledge or networking; when you give your time and talent today, you are helping the graduates of tomorrow reach their full potential.

Why volunteer?

• Create a positive and tangible impact upon our alumni community, the student experience, and the continued development of the institution;
• Develop professionally and personally, while strengthening your skills;
• Gain experience for your CV and career development;
• Meet new people and expand your network;
• Strengthen your connection to the University and our alumni community.

How can I get involved?

We will soon be launching a brand-new Alumni Volunteering Programme, so please keep an eye out for further details coming soon! In the meantime, please get in touch by emailing alumni@chester.ac.uk if you would like to volunteer, whether you have your own ideas, or would like to be involved in any of the following ways:

• Become a case study to inspire others on their academic or professional journey;
• Become a mentor to support our students or new graduates;
• Share your knowledge by speaking at events or workshops;
• Offer opportunities to students or new graduates through your employer or business;
• Contribute to ACH1EVE magazine, The Cestrian or our blog;
• Share your memories or photos from College or University to add to our archive;
• Volunteer at one of our events.

If you would like to show your support but don’t have much spare time, you can always try micro-volunteering. This could be as easy as interacting with us on social media! Learn more about the other ways you can give today.

Social Capital Project

The University’s new Social Capital project will host a range of events and initiatives, particularly for underrepresented groups, that are designed to help students build their networks and relationships with others across the University community and beyond.

The project will focus on key themes, including: Communication and networking; confidence and skill development; celebrating culture and creating a community.

As part of building this ‘social capital,’ alumni are invited to join the project through a wide range of exciting opportunities, which will support our students in reaching their full potential. There will be opportunities for you to speak on panels and podcasts, take part in social media and video campaigns, and share your experiences in various other ways. This is also a great networking opportunity, as the project will be bringing together our University community and external stakeholders.

Please email alumni@chester.ac.uk to register your interest in this project. Further details will also be published on this webpage and in other DARO communications as the project develops.

Join the alumni community

Click the link below to register or update your details. By registering online, you will be kept up-to-date with the latest University news via our termly newsletter, be notified when the latest issue of ACH1EVE magazine is published online, and receive information about new opportunities, events and initiatives hosted by the DARO.

You can also update your contact preferences through the online form.

Please only fill out the form below if you have completed your studies.

If you are College era alumni and would like to subscribe to The Cestrian, please email thecestrian@chester.ac.uk. The Cestrian, our official donor update, is published in the autumn and contains Year Notes, tributes to past Cestrians and archive updates.

Contact Us

Debbie Newns
Awards and Ceremonies Co-Ordinator
Tel: 01244 512911
Email: d.newns@chester.ac.uk

Olivia Atterbury
Engagement Officer
Tel: 01244 511171
Email: o.atterbury@chester.ac.uk

Amy Milton
Alumni Assistant
Tel: 01244 512816
Email: amy.milton@chester.ac.uk

Megan Kemp
Development Officer
Tel: 01244 51 2717
Email: m.kemp@chester.ac.uk