Why Study a Professional Course?

There are many reasons why people consider professional study. Whether you want to boost your skills for work to help you progress, or need to access a postgraduate degree that’s tailored to your professional area, we have a range of study options to meet your needs.

Study that suits you

Our flexible approach to learning gives you the freedom to manage your studies in a way that works for you.

We have many work-based courses that are designed to be studied in the work place and are part time and flexible enough to allow you to achieve a qualification around your existing work and/or life commitments.

Our professional study options range from short business courses and skills for work, or full work-based degrees tailored for your area of professional expertise.  This means that there are courses at all levels from non-accredited to accredited and providing you with a stepping stone onto further study.

Study that suits employers

Our professional courses have been designed with employers to provide work-relevant and business enhancing skills, perfect for both business and employee development.  For many of our courses, assessment is based around an area of your work, bringing direct benefit to your business.

Realise your potential

Many of our professional courses do not have formal entry requirements, helping adults and professionals access university level study based on their work experience and commitment to learning. For more detail about entry requirements, check our individual courses.

Make your existing qualifications count

Did you know that your previous study and qualifications can be recognised and potentially count towards your degree or Master’s degree course?  Our Work Based and Integrative Studies degrees allow you to build on the professional development, learning experiences and qualifications that you already have such as:

• The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM)
• Pearson / EdExcel
• Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
• Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)

A supportive environment

As a professional student with us, you will benefit from all the support available from our Student Support and Wellbeing team, as well as specific careers support from our excellent Careers and Employability team.

Chester Students' Union are also here to support you with free, confidential and impartial help when you need it the most, through the Advice Centre.

Career progression

We are committed to providing you will a wealth of opportunities and experiences to support you in your career progression.

Our Career Consultants provide expert, impartial and confidential guidance tailored to your individual needs for up to two years after you graduate. While our central online CareerHub advertises a range of local and national graduate job vacancies.

We also offer a wide range of free training sessions and workshops. Our Venture Programme can provide you with the skills to start up a business or become self-employed. While The Chester Difference Award can set you apart from the competition.