Rebecca’s Story: Why I Chose to Study and Commute to the University of Chester

Why did you choose to study at a local university?

There are many ways to experience university. Deciding where to study is made even more difficult with all the different universities and courses you can choose from. This is my journey of why I chose the University of Chester and how I went about creating the university experience I wanted.

What made you choose the University of Chester?

As someone who loves to drive and is a mature student, having access to my car was a big factor in why I wanted to study at a local university. I had worked hard to save up for my car and loved the freedom it allowed me to have. Normally, you wouldn’t live on campus and bring a car with you to university. I wanted to drive and study because I enjoyed my home life, but also wanted to complete a degree to expand my career options. This led me to Chester. The University of Chester was one of three universities within comfortable driving distance from where I lived, making it perfect for commuting. Also, I preferred the University of Chester over and above the other two universities close to where I live.

What did you like about the campus?

It is a very friendly campus for commuters with lots of study spaces. I love the individual study rooms because I can drive to University for lectures and stay for the day. In addition, I don’t have to worry about lunch because there are kitchenettes on each floor, so I can heat up my food on site. The campus is also well-located for exploring Chester in between lectures.

Where are your favourite places to go in Chester?

Chester city is exactly what I was looking for. It’s a city I was familiar with, but there were still lots of places left to explore. It’s a small city that has lots of character and history. Studying at Chester means there are lots of places to walk, including along the canal and into the centre of the city, around the walls of Chester or along the river. It also has lots of independent bars, coffee shops and eateries, so there’s a wide variety of places to choose from.

Why I fell in love with the course?

An Open Day at the University made me feel very excited about my future study at Chester. I felt at ease around the lecturers, who were interactive and engaging. The facilities and equipment were fun to use and explore, and there were interesting modules led by passionate lecturers. This made me feel that the course was for me and that the University of Chester was where I wanted to study.

There are many things to consider when going to university, from the course to the location. However, weighing up the pros and cons was the biggest factor in whether to commute to a local university or stay on campus. Decide what will work best for you. And remember that you can make your university experience what you want it to be!