University of Chester - Offer Guide by University of Chester

Your Inside Guide to the University of Chester Join a community that shares your ambition

Congratulations on receiving your offer of a place at the University of Chester. We all want to belong somewhere, and here, you’ll find people who share your passion. No matter what you choose to study or how you love to spend your time, you’ll fit right in with our diverse and welcoming community. You probably still have lots of decisions to make about which university is the best fit for you. This guide will give you a flavour of how you can live, study and feel at home in a university where you will not only belong, but thrive.

Contents 4-21 Find your people 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18 19 20-21

Our teaching and learning philosophy Get active Team Chester Join the club Languages for all Feel supported Learn from someone who’s been there Volunteering Be a student with a difference

22-37 Find your place 24-25 26-29 30-33 34-35 36-37

Our learning sites A city of culture, history and good times! Food and drink Nightlife Green Chester

38-45 Find your future 40 41 42 42 43 44-45

Earn while you learn It’s all about your future Built-in work experience Your experiences are what make you Professional placements Think global

46-51 What happens next? 48 48 49 49 50 51

Visit us Choose Chester Applying for accommodation Applying for student funding Stay in the loop What do I do next? 3

Find your

people

With social learning opportunities and a range of societies, sports, volunteering and social events, you’ll easily find people who share your interests, so making friends is something you can start to look forward to straight away.

Our teaching and learning philosophy All* the University’s courses are designed around in-person study based on our sites. This includes lectures, seminars and practical classes where you’ll develop your knowledge and skills with your peers. We also use digital technologies to enhance your learning, such as virtual reality and simulation suites; this will vary from course to course and is tailored to each subject area. Most of our courses also include online learning activities which are essential, and can be completed when and where suits you. We are proud of our method of teaching and learning and this is supported by the recent Whatuni Student Choice Awards, which are largest exclusively studentvoted higher institution awards in the UK. We’ve proudly been named in the top five in five categories, including third place in the UK for our teaching and learning quality and fifth place in the UK for University of the Year.

chester.ac.uk *Except those designed for fully online delivery and study. 6

Get

active

With all of our sports facilities located conveniently on campus, take a break from your studies and make some time for yourself to keep fit and feel good. Sporting Facilities Sporting facilities include AstroTurf and grass pitches, a sports hall (which also provides courts for badminton, volleyball, and basketball), an athletics track, tennis courts, squash courts, floodlit 3-Pitch Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), and a 25m swimming pool. We also have a fitness centre with fitness classes and personal training sessions.

Active Campus There are a range of different activities aimed at getting more students active in a fun and friendly environment (for free!).

Active Wellbeing Programme A student support scheme that uses exercise and physical activity to help students make friends and foster a sense of belonging to the University.

“From my experience, the University gym has all the equipment I ever need. It is accessible, has super friendly staff who are always approachable and help whenever you need it. The one-to-one personal training sessions are brilliant and helped me gain confidence.” Angel, MSc Sports Medicine

Team Chester As part of Team Chester, you could be coaching, mentoring or volunteering in a number of sporting areas, while gaining nationally recognised coaching qualifications in a variety of different sports. And, thanks to our links with local sports clubs and National Governing Bodies (NGBs), you could be training and competing in local and national leagues, as well as in the British Universities and Colleges (BUCS) leagues.

“Competing for the University at the BUCS Championships is by far the best event in the whole season. To be able to compete and be supported by my teammates and other students is unmatched in any other competition. I was so proud to pull on the University of Chester vest and it spurred me to some of my best performances.” Laura, MSc Psychology (Conversion) 11

Join the club Chester Students’ Union provides countless opportunities for you to get involved, make friends and have fun during your time at University. “Hello and welcome to Chester Students’ Union (CSU)! We are the elected officers of CSU: President Ellie; Vice President (VP) for Education, Jack; and VP for Student Life, Tom. CSU is an organisation that is separate from the University, and our main goal is to help you love your student life here at the University of Chester. We do this by ensuring the student voice is at the heart of all decision making and is fairly represented at all the

University of Chester sites. We also offer advice to students, run societies that students can get involved in, and run fun events throughout the academic year at Chester, Warrington, Shrewsbury and Birkenhead. To find out exactly what we get up to, and to see what areas you can get involved with, head to our website chestersu.com, and follow us on social media!”

We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all members of our University community. We value equality and diversity, and promote respect.

chester.ac.uk/respect

facebook.com/ChesterStudentsUnion

twitter.com/chestersu

instagram.com/chesterstudentsunion 13

Languages for all If you’re looking to learn a new skill, there’s the opportunity to join one of our part-time language courses. All of our courses have a reduced rate of £100 and, better still, this fee is reimbursed once you’ve completed 80% of the course – so it’ll be completely free. You can choose from a range of languages including Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Korean.* For further information, you can email: lsp@chester.ac.uk *All courses will run subject to demand and will be offered virtually if necessary.

Feel supported We want our graduates to feel like they can make a real difference in the world, and we’ll give you the tools and support you need to achieve your full potential. Personal Academic Tutor

‘Feedback’ or ‘Feedforward’?

Each first-year student is assigned a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who will support you throughout your degree. Your PAT will guide and inspire you, shaping you into a confident graduate ready for whatever your future holds.

Feedforward is the email advice you can receive before you hand in your assignments.

One-to-ones, events and activities The team run regular group activities and have lots of pre-recorded sessions. If you want to develop a specific skill, or plan for the future, book a one-to-one with an adviser.

The Skills Pod Want to know more before you enrol? Listen to The Skills Pod on Spotify to brush up on your skills.

Online resources As a student you can access the Academic Skills and Maths and Statistics Moodle spaces for a wealth of online resources.

Academic Skills Support

Wellbeing and Mental Health

Studying at university may seem a little different than what you’re used to, but the Academic Skills Team have got all the tools to prepare and support including: • Academic integrity and referencing • Revision and exams • Critical thinking • Reflective learning

The University has a Wellbeing and Mental Health Team comprising of Student Wellbeing Advisers, Mental Health Advisers and Student Counsellors who support students with practical information and advice about student experience.

Disability and Inclusion The Disability and Inclusion team work collaboratively with students and academic departments to ensure that students are supported throughout their studies.

To find out more about any of our support services, visit: chester.ac.uk/student-support or email: studentservices@chester.ac.uk

For more information, email: disability@chester.ac.uk

Learn from someone who’s been there All new students have the opportunity to have a Peer Mentor – a current student who can give you advice and recommendations on all things student life. For more information and to sign up to be matched with a Peer Mentor, please email: peermentoring@chester.ac.uk 18

Volunteering Volunteering at university is a great way to meet like-minded people, build your transferrable skills and give back to your local community. The team also run bespoke student-led volunteering opportunities that any student can get involved with! All volunteers receive full training, so all you’ll need is buckets of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. In return, you’ll develop key employability skills, like teamwork, planning, confidence and much more.

To get involved and find out more email: volunteering@chester.ac.uk

There are plenty of projects to get involved with, including Welly Wednesdays, Students in Schools, Gardening on Campus and the opportunity to get networking with local organisations and University representatives and discover the ways you truly make a difference in society.

Start your own project Do you have an idea for your own student-led project? Whether you have a full project in mind or just some initial thoughts, it all starts with an idea. The Volunteering and Mentoring team can meet with you to discuss your ideas, as well as provide you with resources, training, support and opportunities to establish, advertise and promote your project.

Be a student with a difference The Chester Difference Award [CDA] is the University’s skills award which recognises the wide-range of employability enhancing activities that you undertake whilst studying at the University of Chester. The CDA is designed to help you: • Articulate your skills • Develop techniques to showcase skills and experiences to future employers • Progress your career thinking • Understand the recruitment process • Boost your confidence • Build and grow your network • Become a student with a difference The CDA is a journey that is versatile, meaning you can choose from a variety of sections that are personalised and tailored to your own personal goals, aspirations and achievements. The CDA is also flexible to your studies and can be completed at your own pace. The CDA is open to all students and graduates (up to two years), so you have lots of time to achieve the award! chester.ac.uk/chester-difference-award

Find your

place

Chester is ideal for students. You’ll have the city centre right on your doorstep, plenty of opportunities for part-time work, and an inclusive community that offers a bit of something for everyone.

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A city of culture, history and good times! Home to year-round arts and culture festivals, international events and attractions, including the famous Chester Races, Chester Zoo, The Walls and the medieval Rows, Chester has lots to offer– and all within walking distance from our campuses, so no buses needed! Chester is a thriving 21st-century city, with high street and boutique independent shops, cafés and restaurants. At night, the beautiful cobbled streets of shoppers and tourists blend into a lively but safe evening scene, with plenty of pubs, music venues, bars and clubs to choose from.

Storyhouse – One of the UK’s most successful cultural buildings, Storyhouse is a library, theatre and cinema. With over 2,000 activities each year that you can get involved with, regular student deals including free tea and coffee and great areas for studying off campus, there’s always a reason to pop in. 26

Chester Pride – Every August, Chester Pride organises a fun-filled parade and day of events that celebrates diversity and the LGBTQ+ community in Chester and Cheshire.

The Groves – Enjoy a walk down to by the river along the famous Groves. It’s nice to sit and watch the boats go past and there are plenty of opportuniies to go on a paddle or motor boat.

Chester Cathedral – Pop into the Cathedral and marvel at the immensity of the building or climb the tower for spectacular views of Chester. 27

Grosvenor Park – A beautiful and popular park, especially when the sun is shining!

Chester Races – Chester Racecourse offers an exciting day out, where you can dress up and watch competitive racing whilst enjoying food and drinks.

Chester Zoo – Our highly acclaimed zoo has been ranked third most popular UK attraction*. There are over 21,000 animals in over 128 acres of beautiful zoological gardens.

The Rows – There’s plenty of shopping to do on Chester’s high streets, but unique to Chester are the historic Rows which offer a second layer of shops, cafés, bars and restaurants – all under cover.

*Figures released by The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA). 28

Ryan’s top pick “Grosvenor Park is a charming outdoor area that makes for a lovely lunch spot while watching the squirrels. Definitely one of my favourite spots”.

Chester Northgate – A development of open streets, arcade and square that integrate seamlessly with the surrounding parts of the city centre; just next door to the Storyhouse. It includes a new: six-screen cinema, cafés, bars and restaurants, multi-storey parking and office suites. Just a 10-minute walk away from Exton Park, this is a great place to catch up with friends, grab a bite to eat or spend some time perusing the market stalls. More details can be found at chesternorthgate.com 29

Food and drink There is a wide variety of places to eat and drink in Chester. Here’s just a selection of restaurants you may wish to visit...

Burger Shed 41 (American) – A cool burger joint in the city centre. A US-inspired UK take on a classic New York burger bar in an industrial meets vintage interior.

Stile Napoletano (Italian) – Enjoy a slice of Italy right here in Chester’s Rows. Located on Watergate Street, come and enjoy some tasty, award-winning, authentic Neopolitan-style pizza. 30

Porta (Tapas) – The menu is enthusiastically Iberian, representing many independent tapas bars of Madrid and Barcelona.

The Slowboat (Asian) – Offering a ‘full belly banquet’ on Friday and Saturday evenings and an all-you-can-eat banquet on Sundays, this is a restaurant with something for everyone.

Chez Jules (French) – A beautiful French restaurant with set menu discounts and events. And, with movie nights and theatre deals in collaboration with Storyhouse, you can’t go wrong. Siam Teppan-Yaki (Japanese) – For well over a decade, Siam has been the heart of authentic Eastern food in Chester.

Alexander’s – Open all week with a fabulous bar and a huge range of bands, comedy, theatre, burlesque, poetry and more!

Food and drink (continued) Chester has a wide variety of independent cafés and quirky and delightful tearooms. Here are some of our favourite cafés you may wish to visit...

Beth’s top pick “I love Chester’s great selection of dessert food, especially delicious pancakes at Hanky Panky’s! If you have a sweet tooth and can’t get enough of dessert, then you will love it!”

Hanky Panky Pancakes – A menu full of any kind of pancake you can imagine, need we say any more?!

The Flower Cup – A shabby-chic style café and flower shop. They do fantastic coffee, have good vegan options and a very yummy avocado and eggs on toast. Telford’s – An independently run bar and restaurant, doubling up as a lively music and arts venue.

Marmalade – This is a great little café that serves a range of breakfasts, lunches and cakes. They also offer a large range of gluten-free options.

The Jaunty Goat – Voted the best coffee in Chester! Plus, the sandwiches are pretty good too and they even have a dedicated vegan branch!

Nightlife Chester’s nightlife ranges from quirky bars and ancient pubs, to band and rock nights and cheesy tunes, creative cocktails and many discounted student nights! Chester has also been granted ‘Purple Flag’ status in recognition of its flourishing night time economy and has twice been voted in the top ten student-friendly cities. Church – Enjoy live music and your favourite cocktail whilst soaking up the authentic atmosphere of the surroundings.

Off The Wall – A popular bar with students, turning from a pub in the day to club at night. A great final stop before Rosies or Cruise!

Kuckoo – Delicious and stunning-looking drinks that you can not only enjoy, but you can learn how to make with their cocktail masterclasses.

Rosies – With different genres on each of the three floors, Rosies has music for everyone! Offering different events throughout the week, students can also benefit from discounts on early entry and drinks.

Fiesta Havana – A fun Cuban vibe. Latin and Caribbean music, tequila and yummy Cuban food! Love Shack – Chester’s Tiki Island beach bar playing Hip-Hop and R&B with feel-good tropical vibes and serving loaded fries, chicken wings and unique indulgent food!

Prohibition – An intimate jazz and blues cocktail bar tucked away in Chester city centre. Step through the secret entrance into the Roaring Twenties of America.

“The nightlife in Chester is something I’ve really enjoyed. There are lots of options to suit different types of people, whether you like loud clubs or more quiet pubs. Finding different spots to go out with friends is always fun when moving to a new city, and I have found several favourites in Chester where I’d gladly spend a night out with friends.” Sigrid, Third Year Psychology and Counselling Skills

We have entered into a pivotal time for the climate and nature emergencies. Sustainability is at the forefront of the University’s agenda. We have a dedicated Sustainability team, to ensure that the University of Chester leads by example, putting sustainability at the heart of decisionmaking and service delivery. We run a number of initiatives and campaigns to promote action that positively contributes towards the future we want to see. From contributing to the delivery and auditing of our Environmental Management System, to developing practical skills there are a variety of ways you can contribute to creating a sustainable future. Here are some of the current opportunities for students to get involved with:

Become certified Carbon Literate with our Carbon Literacy Training 36

Annual Sustainability Festival

Volunteer at the University allotment

Attend Let’s Talk Transport Meetings

Become an auditor for our Climate Action programme

Focus dissertation project in relation to sustainability at the University

Join Chester Youth Climate Action Network

Work Based Learning sustainability opportunities

facebook.com/ greenchester

uoc_ sustainability

Email us at greenchester@chester.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Find your

future

Your ambition will take you to great places, and we’ll get you even further with real opportunities and the support you need. What are you waiting for? Your future is just waiting for you to get started.

Earn while you learn Whether you are looking to earn some extra money while you’re studying or you’re looking for something to help in your future career aims, our Careers and Employability team can help. This could be through UniJob - our paid jobs on campus scheme; part-time jobs local to your studies or paid workplace experiences, internships and placements. To find out about all our earning opportunities visit: chester.ac.uk/earn-while-you-learn

“My UniJob roles have benefited my career plans as they have enabled me to gain experience in my chosen field (Events Management) and have helped me to develop the right skills needed for a job in the future. Moreover, they have helped me to get involved with the community and to broaden my horizons by meeting and engaging with lots of new people”. Carlotta Villa Outreach Advocate and Student Ambassador

It’s all about your future Our Careers team will be on hand to help you from the moment you start university and will support you long after you graduate. They provide a service tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, with a variety of employability-enhancing experiences through the curriculum, employer contacts and advice and guidance. Our Careers team can help you with: • Paid workplace experiences • Job opportunity searches using our inhouse vacancy system • UniJob; our recruitment service for paid on-campus jobs • Networking opportunities, employer links, guest speakers and bespoke advice for • The Chester Difference Award; the University’s skills award • Career guidance – helping students plan and make decisions about jobs, career paths, training and further study • Support for selection processes • Exploring careers and developing skills through Careers Workshops and resources including webinars and videos

your course or sector

• The Venture Programme; supporting

students who are looking to start up their own business or pursue a freelancing career.

chester.ac.uk/careers-and-employability

Built-in work experience Our innovative Work Based Learning module allows you to explore your career options by giving you the opportunity to undertake a five-week work placement anywhere in the UK, where you will be able to build on the degree-specific skills you’ve learnt in lectures and develop key employability skills such as communication, organisational skills and teamwork. You’ll graduate a step ahead, connected to a network of contacts.

Your experiences are what make you We also offer an alternative to Work Based Learning through our Experiential Learning module. This takes place over five weeks and gives you the chance to get involved in a whole range of different project-based learning opportunities. These could be virtual, in-person or even located abroad.

Professional placements If you’re studying a degree with a placement year, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year’s professional placement at the end of your second year. This will help you to develop your skills and knowledge by applying what you’ve learnt to a work environment.

“I wanted my placement to be with a company I was interested in, and where there was a specific intern development programme in place. I secured my place with HPE and now work with the UKIMESA Sales Finance team. This experience has expanded my financial and technical knowledge and has allowed me to take ownership of high-level tasks, giving me the confidence to succeed in the finance industry. I have certainly enjoyed my time at HPE! I have been fortunate to have been offered a graduate role as a Financial Analyst. To anyone who is considering a year in industry, do it! The experience you will gain is invaluable and will provide you with a great starting point for your career!” Rachel Lewis BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance Strategy, Planning & Operations and Finance Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) 43

You will have the opportunity to broaden your horizons, experience another country and extend your network overseas with the expertise of our Study Abroad team. There’s a huge variety of places to choose from, with opportunities in over 300 institutions worldwide, and you’ll be supported by our Study Abroad team all the way. chester.ac.uk/study-abroad

What happens

next?

You’ve made the first step - you’ve applied for the University of Chester. If you like the sound of what our students, our community and our opportunities have to offer, then here’s what you need to do next.

Visit us We’re holding exclusive events for offer holders in spring 2024. Applicant Days Applicant Days are a chance for you to visit your campus and sample the Chester student experience. Attend a subject session within your department, take a student-led campus tour, speak to our student support teams and explore our range of accommodation. Find out more at chester.ac.uk/applicant-days.

Choose Chester It’s really easy to accept your offer of a place at Chester. Simply log in to UCAS Hub and select Chester as your Firm (F) choice. You’ll also find the deadline for applying and replying to your offers on UCAS Hub. Don’t forget to also reply to each of your other offers. accounts.ucas.com/account/login If you have any queries about the application process, please contact our Admissions team. If you already hold qualifications that are relevant to your offer, or as part of your offer we have requested that you send proof of your qualifications, please ensure you send a scan or clear photograph of your original certificates/results to admissions@chester.ac.uk as soon as possible. Please note that failure to send proof of your qualifications may hinder your enrolment. Tel: 01244 511000 Email: admissions@chester.ac.uk 48

Applying for accommodation If you’re thinking of moving away from home, it’s time to start thinking about accommodation. We offer a range of accommodation types, all conveniently located close to our Chester learning sites. We can also guarantee University or partnership accommodation to all Firm choice applicants who apply by the advised deadline in the spring. Look out for an email from us with the application deadline date. chester.ac.uk/accommodation

Applying for student funding There are a range of financial support packages available to help you along on your university journey. This includes student finance and you may be eligible to apply for bursaries or scholarships. It’s best to apply as soon as possible to ensure everything is in place for the start of term. For full details of your next steps and eligibility, visit: chester.ac.uk/finance 49

Stay in the loop If you choose Chester as your Firm or Insurance choice, we’ll be in regular contact with all the advice and guidance you need, as well as important deadlines and things to look forward to. In the meantime, feel free to get in touch if you’re unsure about anything. Tel: 01244 511000 / Email: enquiries@chester.ac.uk. Connect with current students Don’t forget to ask our students about anything that comes to mind via the Unibuddy app or by visiting chester.ac.uk/ask We’ll also be posting student and staff blogs throughout the year at chester.ac.uk/blog.

Unibuddy community You'll have the chance to meet like-minded people on Unibuddy, people who might be planning to do the same course or live in the same accommodation. As soon as you accept your offer with us, we'll send you an email to invite you to be part of our Unibuddy community.

Student Shout Out Student Shout Out is our channel for student updates and news – follow @uocshoutout for a taste of what our students are getting up to over the year ahead.

What do I do Next?

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01244 511000 enquiries@chester.ac.uk chester.ac.uk Across social media @uochester The information provided in this guide is provided for your information and convenience only. Any reference made to any person, organisation, activities, products or services does not constitute or imply an endorsement, or recommendation by the University of Chester. All prices, details and availability have been included in good faith and are believed to be correct at the time of publishing.