Lots of students choose to commute for all sorts of reasons: to save money, to be near family, to keep a part-time job or simply because they like their home comforts. If you’re considering living at home and commuting, the University of Chester offers lots of support to help make your university experience everything it should be.
Public Transport
Chester has high-quality public transport links within the city itself, and the region beyond, making it really easy to commute. Chester train and bus stations are a 15-minute walk away from our Exton Park learning site, Shrewsbury has a train and bus station nearby, and Warrington has two train stations and a bus station, all within walking distance of the University Centre. As we’re trying to reduce our environmental impact, we are able to offer a small number of parking permits to those students who meet the specified criteria; students with disabilities and those who have the furthest to travel are prioritised.
If you like to get around by bike, we have cycle storage facilities on all our sites.
Train Journey Planner
Download our interactive journey planner for local train journey information.
Induction Process
For many students, the concern around commuting is that they won’t be able to meet people or make friends. Please be reassured that this is the main concern for the vast majority of students – commuting and residential – so you are not alone. Because of this, our student induction process starts even before you arrive, with access to our Offer Holder Community to help you find your course mates and those you might share common interests with, and meetings with your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) to help you settle in.
Clubs and Societies
We encourage our commuting students to get involved in clubs and societies – it’s a great way to meet people. The Freshers’ Fair is an ideal opportunity to browse what’s on offer, and to sign up to things that interest you. Societies and clubs can often be the basis of lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities or just a great way to spend time doing something you love. Seize those opportunities, as you never know where they might lead.
Ongoing Support
Our personalised learning ethos means that we want to get to know you as an individual to help you develop and grow. Your Personal Academic Tutor will help with that, but it’s good to know that the network of experts in Student Services are also on hand to offer support as and when it is needed.
Social Spaces
In Chester, Warrington and Shrewsbury, you’ll find lots of social spaces designed for students to use, as well as our libraries, which are often a social hub, too. Come for your lecture and stay all day.
Top Tips for Commuting Students
Give yourself plenty of time to arrive and recharge before a session starts.
Use your commuting time on the train or bus to get work done or prepare for teaching sessions.
Don’t leave straight away after your lessons, make an effort to stay for a while and get to know your peers.
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November 15, 2023Student Ambassador Jess shares her experiences of university life as a commuting student.
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April 14, 2023Laura, a current MSc Psychology (Conversion) student, gives some great advice for when you commute to the University.
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March 28, 2023Rebecca talks about why she decided to commute to the University of Chester to study for a BSc Psychology degree.
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December 5, 2022Rebecca gives us her top tips on preparing for university as a commuting student.