University of Chester

University ranked second-best for international students in the UK

Following more than 41,000 student reviews across 150 UK universities on July 8th, 2020, the University of Chester finished second in the best for international category at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards. This category recognises the overall student experience which each university provides for international students, and includes considerations for campus diversity, academic and extra-curricular opportunities, and availability of targeted student support.

Graduate Entry Medicine

International students with aspirations to pursue a successful career in medicine can apply for the university's 4-year Graduate Entry Medicine programme. Prospective students will be eligible for this scheme with any undergraduate degree. This course offers the qualification of an MB ChB degree, permitting students to register with the GMC and practice professionally in the UK and abroad.

The University of Chester has been recognised for its high quality in teaching, with particular areas of excellence including their appointment, development and promotion of teaching staff.

Lectures are taught at specialist sites which boast state-of-the-art facilities with the university continuing to invest heavily in its infrastructure. Teaching staff are highly qualified with extensive industry experience in their subject areas. Many have taught overseas and are able to communicate effectively with students from all backgrounds. The Times Good University Guide 2020 ranks nine university subject areas within the top ten in the UK for teaching quality.

The university is divided into seven faculties, each one specialising in providing quality teaching in a variety of academic disciplines. The seven faculties are:

• Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• Chester Business School
• Education and Children's Services
• Health and Social Care
• Medicine and Life Sciences
• Science and Engineering
• Social Science.

The University of Chester is dedicated the ongoing safety and security of its learning community. To ensure this, the university has invested in a comprehensive range of services and resources to which all students have free and full access.

In 2019, the university was ranked as the safest city-based university in the North West of England by the Complete University Guide. This ranking further adds to its reputation as a safe and welcoming city which is committed to providing a secure environment for visitors, residents and students alike.

A dedicated team of Porters provide 24-hour security service every day of the year, along with CCTV on all campuses.

Student voice:

Faith, Master of Public Health: ''Having come from a busy and hyperactive city, Chester provided me with a safe, calm and peaceful home.''

An impressive 90.4 percent of the university's full-time, first-degree students are found to be in employment or progress to further study on graduation and it's not hard to see why.

Courses at the University of Chester have an emphasis on practical learning to enhance prospects via industry placements or overseas opportunities, ranging from five-weeks to one-year.

Most undergraduate degrees include a work-based learning module in the second year, which typically consists of a five-week placement at a professional workplace either in the UK, or abroad. Some business students will have the option to study a four-year programme which features a 12-month work placement at a professional organisation.

All Chester students enjoy free and full access to the university's Careers and Employability services which provide career guidance and help to enhance employment prospects.

Services include:

• One-to-one career planning sessions
• Help with CV writing
• Application assistance
• Interview practice
• Careers workshops
• Employer Masterclasses delivered by employers

The university also runs the Chester Difference Award (CDA). This is an employability award which recognises students who participate in extra-curricular activities whilst they study and improves their chances of employment.

Careers support does not end after students graduate from Chester. All graduates can access most careers and employability services for up to two years after graduation. Graduates are also able to access the CareersHub which is an excellent way to search for jobs.

Studying in the UK as an international student can be a challenging adjustment. Fortunately, students at the University of Chester have access to outstanding student support services.

The university has a dedicated International Arrivals Team, whose job is to provide support from the first moment of arrival in the UK. The team meets new students at the airport and provide a specific welcome service to ensure that they feel connected and supported. There is also an International Welcome Programme to help new arrivals become settled in their new home. The service includes assistance with setting up a UK bank account, organising any relevant visas, registering with a doctor and much more. Additional services provided by the university include free and confidential counselling, disability support and peer mentoring.

The University of Chester's Students' Union (CSU) plays a key role in supporting students and was ranked as one of the Top Ten Students' Unions in the UK in the 2019 WhatUni Student Choice Awards. CSU carries out its role of representing all students very seriously and works closely with university staff to make sure that the student voice is heard.

The union also has a range of sports clubs and societies, everything from debating and drama to gaming and Star Wars. These provide a great chance to make friends and to feel more at home at the university.

The annual tuition fees for international students (non-EU) vary depending on the level of study. Fees for entry in September 2022 include:

• International Foundation programme – GBP 9,250
• Undergraduate course – GBP 12,950
• Postgraduate course – GBP 13,450
• MBA – GBP 13,750
• Research Degrees (Classroom based) - GBP 13,308
• Research Degrees (Lab based) – GBP 17,142

To help with fees and additional costs, the University of Chester has several scholarships available to international students, including:

• International Scholarships: International and merit-based scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fees.
• International Alumni Scholarship: Current University of Chester international students are eligible for an alumni scholarship up to GBP 5,500 when continuing from undergraduate bachelor's programmes to postgraduate taught master's degrees.
• GBP 250 early payment award: Self-funded students who pay the full fees prior to their enrolment will receive this discount.