Why Chester?

High Graduate Employability

91.5% of our most recent graduates are in employment and/or further study (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2020/21). 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 that have been nationally commended.

Additionally, in the recent wave of the International Student Barometer Survey, the university placed 1st in several Employment & Careers categories including Employment & Careers Support, Careers Fairs/Networking Opportunities, and Employment. Click here to see our International Student Barometer Survey 2022 Results.

Best UK University for International Students

After achieving the joint highest number of nominations in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), Chester has been named the best for Student Support, International and Postgraduate students, and presented with the silver award for University of the Year!

The University was placed 2^nd University of the Year, 1^st for Student Support and 1^st for Postgraduate, Top 5 for Student Life, Top 5 for Facilities, Top 5 for Career Prospects, Top 5 for Lectures and Teaching Quality, Top 10 for Students' Union and Top 10 for University Halls.

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.

Outstanding Rankings

Our high University standards have been recognised by several professional bodies. Check out our latest rankings below:

Top 10 UK Universities for International Students (WhatUni? Student Choice Awards, 2023)
Top 10 University of the Year (WhatUni? Student Choice Awards, 2023)
Top 5 UK Universities in the North West, England (Complete University Guide, 2023)
Top 5 in the North West for Graduate Prospects: Outcomes (Complete University Guide, 2023)
Top 20 Best UK Student Cities, as voted by students (StudentCrowd, 2023)

A student standing in front of a group giving presentation

Courses Accredited by Professional Bodies

Our courses are accredited by professional and prestigious bodies.

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.

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.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

All of our campuses across Chester, Warrington and Shrewsbury offer a range of modern, on-site learning facilities. This includes:

Specialist libraries, laboratories, studios, and workshops.
The Chester Students’ Union and bar.
Indoor and outdoor sports/leisure facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, squash and tennis courts, running track, and two floodlit pitches.
Learning pods for quiet study.
Indoor and outdoor performance spaces.
State-of-the-art simulation suites and virtual reality technology.
Modern computer suites and multimedia rooms.
And much more!

High Academic Standards

Consistently voted by our students as one of the best universities in the UK for international students (ranking top ten in the WhatUni? Student Choice Awards 2023, as well as a high ranking in the International Student Barometer Survey 2022), join one of our 200+ courses at Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Research Degree level, and enjoy student life in one of the UK’s greatest cities!

100+ Sports and Societies

The Chester Students’ Union is home to over 100 sports and society groups! Whether you’re looking to develop an existing hobby or try something new, joining a group is a great way to explore an interest and make new friends!

A birds eye view of Chester Foregate St, looking from the clock towards Watergate St, various shops and people are walking.

Great Location

Chester is a modern and contemporary city, rich in history and culture. 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.