University of Chester

Our History

The University of Chester has been making history since 1839, when it was founded by such pioneers as the great 19th-century prime ministers, William Gladstone and the Earl of Derby and a former Archbishop of Canterbury. 

The University of Chester is one of the oldest English higher education establishments of any kind. It is one of the oldest English higher education establishments of any kind, pre-dating all but Oxford, Cambridge, London and Durham, and its original buildings in the ancient city of Chester were the first in the country to be purpose-built for the professional training of teachers. Education degrees are now just a small part of the 477 course combinations on offer. In the 20th Century, the institution steadily expanded its student numbers and the variety and nature of its courses, which range from Applied Theology to Weight Management. The University of Chester now has some 16,800 students, drawn from the United Kingdom, Europe and overseas, particularly France,Germany, Spain, Finland, Australia, the United States, India, China, Nigeria, Georgia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Thailand, Saudia Arabia and Malaysia. As well as undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, a new range of foundation degrees combines conventional university study with learning at work. MPhil and PhD qualifications are a growing area of activity, with the University having been granted the powers to award its own research degrees. The emphasis is very much on research that has practical benefits both economically and culturally, and the University provides consultancy support across a variety of areas of expertise. Recent projects have included helping to develop England’s first ‘carbon neutral’ village, discovering a vitamin compound which reduces the risk of heart disease and dementia and translating the Bible into British Sign Language. Development of well-respected courses in Health and Social Care, Humanities, Business and Management, Arts and Media, Social Science, Applied Sciences and Education and Children’s Services has further extended the University’s work and connections with industry, commerce and the professions. Millions of pounds are being invested in the accommodation and resources to support this work and there is a strong emphasis on making students feel at home. The University of Chester, while celebrating and benefiting from our long history and traditions, is a modern, dynamic, and enterprising institution, whose activities are underpinned by a series of core values that help to define our mission and our identity.

Mission

The University was originally established in 1839 by the Church of England, and provides:

• an open and inclusive environment guided by Christian values
• education, training, skills and motivations for staff and students, to enable them to develop as individuals and serve the communities in which they live and work

This mission, which has helped shape our development and diversification, continues to inform our future planning.

Vision

At the heart of our vision is our commitment to:

• ensuring a rewarding student learning experience
• teaching excellence and our growing staff research profile
• developing the expertise of our staff
• impacting positively on the lives of our students, staff, wider community and beyond

Core Values

In continuing expression of the University's Christian foundation, we are committed to:

• the pursuit of excellence and innovation, to secure the highest standards and quality in our learning and teaching, and in the creation and application of new knowledge
• offering a distinctive student experience, grounded in a high quality, caring and supportive learning environment
• playing a leading role in the intellectual, cultural, social, spiritual and economic life of the local, regional and wider community
• the principles of equality of opportunity and diversity, and our responsibility to promote freedom of enquiry and scholarly expression
• promoting a dynamic and cost-effective organisational culture that is able to respond positively to the challenges of a changing environment
• openness and inclusiveness