With HE Fairs cancelled across the country due to the current COVID- 19 situation, we have answered some key questions to give you all the information you need about studying at Chester. You may not be able to pack your bag with freebies, but we can offer you some useful tips and guidance to help inform your university decisions!
Are you a campus-based university?
At Chester, we’re a mix – our Residential Parkgate Road Campus has everything you need from sports facilities, a 24-hour library, Students’ Union, shop, bank and Starbucks. We’ve also got specialist teaching campuses, all located near to the city. Our Warrington Campus has a close-knit community feel and has everything you need on campus, including accommodation.
How close are you to the city centre?
The University’s various Chester sites are all within a short walking distance of the city centre, whilst Warrington Campus is conveniently located in the heart of the North West, just a short distance from Warrington town centre. Warrington blends the activity of city life with the calmness of rural living and is well connected with public transport.
Is there accommodation on site? How much does accommodation cost?
There is indeed - our accommodation is conveniently situated to ensure that students can really get the most out of their University of Chester experience. Most University-owned and partnership accommodation is located either on or very close to our Parkgate Road Campus (Chester) or Warrington Campus.
Our welcoming community is the perfect introduction to your new home from home, allowing you to adapt and make new friends as soon as you arrive. We offer 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. For those interested in private sector accommodation, we work closely with private providers and can advise you on a range of accredited accommodation.
A breakdown of prices can be found on the accommodation options page on our website.
Are there any bursaries or scholarships available?
Yes – there are a range of bursaries and scholarships available to eligible students. From the Chester Bursary to a Foundation Year Bursary, Care Leavers Bursary and many more. The University also sets out to provide equal opportunities for under-represented groups in higher education with an exclusive Inspiring Futures Programme.
To find out more information and how you can apply for a bursary, check out our dedicated website pages.
What is the student experience like at Chester?
Chester Students’ Union (CSU) offers a great selection of on-campus entertainment and activities designed to enhance your university experience. CSU represents its members, giving a voice to the whole student body, and its aim is to excel your expectations of university life and to enjoy your time in Chester as much as possible. The CSU has over 80 societies which include Film, Barbershop, Non-Drinking, RuPaul’s Drag Race and Music.
Plus, Chester Students’ Union was ranked as a Top 10 Students’ Union in the 2019 WhatUni? Student Choice Awards.
Or if you want to get involved in playing sport, our Athletics’ Union offers a wide range of opportunities with everything from Football and Badminton, to Yoga and Quidditch. With all of our sporting facilities conveniently located on our central Parkgate Road Campus it makes being part of a sports team even easier.
With the city centre only a short walk from Parkgate Road Campus you will have plenty of time to explore all the city has to offer. Bands and DJs play across the city every night of the week and big names can be found at venues such as Telford’s Warehouse, The Live Rooms or Alexander’s Live which also hosts a regular comedy night. Home to traditional pubs, quirky cocktail bars and clubs with a range of music and themes, Chester’s nightlife offers variety, uniqueness and atmosphere – it won’t take you and your friends long to find your favourites.
Enjoying yourself outside of your studies can also improve your graduate prospects too, with a range of University-wide volunteering and Unijob opportunities available. Check out our website to learn all about student life at Chester.
What are the facilities like?
The University has built its facilities with the students in mind. After all, there is more to student life than just studying. Our various campuses across Chester, along with our Warrington Campus offer a range of cutting-edge facilities that will allow you plenty of opportunities to socialise and make new friends. From modern library facilities, to an on-campus bar, catering facilities and sports and societies, there is something to ensure that every student’s experience is one they’ll never forget.
Do you accept a mixture of A-Levels and BTEC?
Entry requirements can vary slightly from year to year, depending on the subjects you choose. Each course has its own entry requirements, which can be found in more detail on the individual course pages.
Our general entry policy requires applicants to have:
• A good level of literacy and numeracy (GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English Language or suitable equivalent).
• Experience or interest relevant to the course(s) for which you have applied.
We recognise:
• A mixture of study modes (e.g. mixes of
A Level, Pearson BTEC qualifications, Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications)
• Points and grades achieved in A Level General Studies
If your qualifications were completed some time ago and you are not sure whether they are appropriate for your chosen subject(s) of study, please contact Undergraduate Admissions (enquiries@chester.ac.uk) and we will be happy to discuss your options with you.
Are there any opportunities to do work placements or do a year abroad?
Work Placements
Yes, there are plenty of opportunities for you to go on work placements and you can choose to stay in the UK or work abroad.
Our nationally renowned Work Based Learning module allows you to undertake a work placement anywhere in the UK over five weeks in your second year. The module means you can explore different career options, develop key skills and crucial ‘on-the-job’ work experience, and completion of the module means you gain credits towards your degree
Or you can travel overseas on our Experiential Learning module which acts as an overseas alternative to Work Based Learning. Current placement opportunities include the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.
Study Abroad
A range of our courses offer the opportunity to study abroad which means you could have a chance for a full academic year abroad. Our dedicated Sstudy Aabroad team offers incredible pastoral support and will be there to help you from the moment you apply. With links to over 300 institutions across the world, there is an incredible range of places for you to choose from and explore.
Are there any part-time work opportunities available?
There are plenty of part-time work opportunities that are flexible around your studies. We have a range of vacancies with local and national employers through our central online CareerHub access point, as well as offering an on-campus job bank run by our Careers and Employability team at Chester. You can read more about job opportunities here.
If you’re interested in building up your CV, there is a range of extracurricular activities you can take part in, from volunteering to our Ambassador schemes:
What academic support is available?
All of our undergraduate students are assigned a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who can offer advice and guidance relating to your course, whenever you need it. We’ve also got Study Skills Advisers who are there to help you reach your academic potential. They provide advice on everything from grammar and referencing to critical thinking, and offer a range of ways to help you to develop your academic skills, including a provision of online resources, seminars on a range of topics and one-to-one appointments.
What support is available at Chester?
We’re committed to supporting your development throughout your university journey and offer a range of support tailored to you, from help and advice on a number of topics, including Wellbeing and Mental Health and financial issues. Student Futures Support has offices on both the Chester and Warrington campuses so we’re on hand to offer information, advice and guidance to all our students.
Roughly how many hours of lectures would I have per week?
As an average, students tend to have around 15 hours of contact time with their tutors per week, which is split into lectures and seminar sessions. However, before you begin to schedule in those daily socials with friends, a lot of your work at university will be done independently, meaning you should plan in your own additional time to study each week.
We hope that this has helped to relieve some of your burning questions and remember, if your concern isn’t covered here, we are always here to help, contact us by emailing enquiries@chester.ac.uk.
