University of Chester

The University of Chester is one of the UK's oldest higher education providers, established in 1839 as a teacher training college. Originally based on a single campus in Chester, today, the university offers more than 200 single and combined honour's programmes across several specialist sites.

Over the years, the University of Chester has built a vibrant, diverse, and supportive student community, with around 14,000 students from 125 countries worldwide.

In both the 2024 and 2025 WhatUni Student Choice Awards, the University of Chester ranked first in the UK for international study and for postgraduate study. These awards are based solely on student feedback. Additionally, in December 2024, the university celebrated winning Business School of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards.

The University of Chester places an emphasis on hands-on, practical learning across all its programmes, building and fostering valuable transferable skills in learners, and enhancing students' career prospects through industry placements and study abroad opportunities.

Through courses and extra-curricular programmes, learners are provided with a range of opportunities and connections to ensure they gain the experience, skills and knowledge needed to succeed during their time at university and after graduation. Financial support is also available at all levels of study, including a generous programme of international and merit-based scholarships.

The city of Chester blends modern standards of living with a vibrant cultural history. One of eight world-famous British Heritage cities, Chester welcomes over eight million tourists each year. Boasting the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain, the most complete city walls, and a 1,000-year-old cathedral, it is packed full of ‘must-see' beauty and heritage attractions.

Chester is well connected to the rest of the UK, with Liverpool and Manchester less than an hour away, and London only two hours by train.

The university is divided into three faculties, with each one specialising in the provision of high-quality teaching across a variety of academic disciplines. Each faculty houses a select number of schools, fostering connections between subjects and disciplines, and streamlining investment and resources. In turn, this provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and helps develop new areas of teaching and research expertise. The University of Chester's faculties and schools are as follows:

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

• Chester School of Education
• School for the Creative Industries
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• School of Law and Social Justice

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society

• Chester Medical School
• School of Allied and Public Health
• School of Nursing and Midwifery
• School of Society

Faculty of Science, Business and Enterprise

• Chester Business School
• School of Computer and Engineering Sciences
• School of Natural Sciences

International applicants must meet both the academic and English language requirements for their chosen course. Entry requirements differ between courses, so it's recommended that applicants check the requirements for their specific course before applying. International students can also check the requirements for qualifications obtained in their home country.

Academic requirements

While entry criteria vary between courses and levels of study, applicants generally require:

• Integrated foundation year with a bachelor's degree: a school-leaving qualification equivalent to British GCSEs.
• Undergraduate/bachelor's degree: a school-leaving qualification equivalent to British A-level/International Baccalaureate is typically required.
• Postgraduate taught/master's degree: an undergraduate degree of equivalent standard to the British bachelor's degree is required.

English language requirements

To study at the University of Chester, students must demonstrate their English language proficiency as follows:

• Integrated foundation/undergraduate: IELTS Academic overall score of 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each sub-skill)
• Postgraduate: IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each sub-skill)

Equivalent qualifications, such as country-specific qualifications, are also accepted. For more information, prospective students can visit the university website.

Teaching quality

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

Programmes from the university are recognised internationally, with its undergraduate degrees renowned for their focus on practical skill development, alongside work placement and study abroad opportunities.

The university currently holds an overall Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (2023), reflecting its very high-quality teaching, student experience, and graduate outcomes. Many staff members have taught overseas and are able to communicate effectively with students from all backgrounds.

Additionally, 96% of current international students have said they are satisfied with their lecturers' subject expertise in the International Student Barometer Survey (Wave 2, 2025).

Funding options

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships to students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Scholarships available to international students include:

• International scholarships: international and merit-based scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate study provide significant reductions to tuition fees.
• International Alumni Scholarship: current international undergraduate students are eligible for the International Merit Alumni Scholarship when progressing on to a postgraduate programme at the university.

Finances

For the 2026/2027 academic year, average international tuition fees are as follows:

• Undergraduate: GBP 14,950 per year
• Postgraduate: GBP 15,500 per year

The university boasts five city-centre campuses in Chester, with an additional site nearby in Warrington.

Chester sites

• Exton Park: This historic campus is home to several academic schools, plus a range of subject-specific facilities and learning and teaching spaces. Facilities include the Chester Students' Union, Seaborne Library, indoor and outdoor fitness facilities, a variety of catering outlets, and university accommodation.
• Queen's Park: This campus is home to the award-winning Chester Business School, alongside a specialised business library, group and private study spaces, and cutting-edge computer suites.
• Kingsway: This modern campus, known as the ‘creative campus', offers workshops, rehearsal spaces, and bespoke studios for rehearsal and performance. All provide excellent equipment, a range of cutting-edge creative technologies, and study spots.
• Wheeler: The Wheeler Building hosts facilities for various disciplines, ranging from cutting-edge simulation suites to science labs, art spaces and state-of-the-art VR technology. All in addition to a wealth of computer and multimedia rooms, study spaces and the expansive campus library.
• Gateway House: This city centre hub hosts journalism courses, featuring Apple Mac newsrooms with creative software and large screens. Students also use a Media Studio with HD cameras and a green screen, plus podcast rooms for audio projects and radio shows.

Warrington

At the University Centre Warrington learners benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities in an enviable city-centre location. Students enjoy purpose-built study and learning spaces, only a short distance from Warrington's amenities, transportation and shops.

University Centre Birkenhead

The University Centre for Health and Nursing offers specialist facilities, including a high-tech skills lab, VR technology, collaborative learning spaces, and a dedicated Health and Social Care library, all easily accessible from the Wirral and Liverpool.

All the University of Chester's courses focus on practical learning, boosting employability through industry placements and overseas opportunities lasting from five weeks to one year.

Undergraduate

Most undergraduate degrees include a five-week work placement in the second year, in the UK or abroad, while many business students can opt for a four-year programme with a 12-month placement.

Postgraduate

Postgraduate students can choose opt to study on a two-year master's degree programme with a professional placement or project, offering valuable experience, industry connections, and career-ready skills.

Careers service

The University of Chester offers its students extensive support through its careers and employability service. Graduates can access most of these services for up to two years after graduation. Students benefit from a full range of services, including:

• One-to-one career planning sessions
• Help with CV writing
• Assistance with job applications
• Interview practice
• Careers workshops
• Employer masterclasses, delivered by employers
• Access to CareersHub, a platform designed to assist students in their search for employment and find competitive roles in their chosen field

The university's Chester Difference Award (CDA) provides students who have chosen to participate in extra-curricular activities alongside their studies with additional employability prospects.

WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2025

In 2025, the University of Chester was ranked first in the UK for both international and postgraduate students at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards. Building on its success from the previous year, these latest accolades mark two consecutive years of top rankings, reinforcing the university's reputation for delivering an exceptional student experience.

International Student Barometer Survey 2025

The International Student Barometer (ISB) is the world's largest survey of international students, conducted annually by Etio. In 2025, the University of Chester achieved an overall satisfaction rate of 93% (ISB Wave 2, 2025). This score reflects student feedback across key areas of the student journey, including arrival, learning, living, and support. Other key highlights include:

• 98% feel safe and secure on campus
• 97% are satisfied with learning spaces
• 96% are satisfied with lecturers' subject expertise
• 95% are satisfied with their arrival experience
• 94% are satisfied with their living experience
• 94% are satisfied with support services

Most Welcoming City 2025

In 2025, the beautiful and historic city of Chester was also named the UK's ‘most welcoming city' in the Booking.com Traveller Review Awards, and placed 10th worldwide. A spokesperson at Booking.com said: "In the northwest of England, lies the historic gem of Chester which offers a captivating blend of Roman, medieval, and Tudor architecture. Known for its friendly locals and vibrant community spirit, Chester exudes a warm, inviting charm that leaves visitors feeling truly at home."