University of Chester
The University of Chester is a public university tracing back to Chester Diocesan Training College, opened in 1839, which took university title in 2005. It teaches at campuses in Chester and across the region, and takes undergraduate applications through UCAS.
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One record matters more than any ranking when reading a university page: the Home Office register of student sponsors, which is what permits an institution to issue the CAS a student visa requires. University of Chester is on it. The visa itself is set out at UK visas and immigration.
01
What kind of university is University of Chester?
University of Chester is a public university in Chester, founded in 1839 as Chester Diocesan Training College, taking university title in 2005. It teaches at the Parkgate Road and Kingsway campuses in Chester and at further sites in the region.
It opened as one of the oldest teacher training colleges in England, and William Gladstone, later prime minister, was among its founders. The student body comes from more than a hundred countries.
02
Which subjects stand out at University of Chester?
The subjects University of Chester is known for are health sciences, education and teacher training, business and management, social work and social sciences, sport and exercise science and computer science and engineering. Teacher training remains the field the institution has taught longest.
health sciences
nursing, midwifery, nutrition and dietetics
education and teacher training
the core the institution was founded in, in 1839
business and management
taught in Chester Business School
social work and social sciences
undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
sport and exercise science
with sport therapy
computer science and engineering
undergraduate programmes
Programmes are searched from the university's own course catalogue, where each page carries the entry requirement, the syllabus and the fee in one place.
03
What are the entry requirements at University of Chester?
University of Chester admits undergraduates on A-Levels, the International Baccalaureate or an equivalent qualification; a Turkish high school diploma alone is not accepted for direct entry. Postgraduate admission rests on a bachelor's degree and each programme publishes its own requirement.
On English language ability the admissions pages take IELTS Academic at 6.0 as the baseline for undergraduate programmes; some departments publish a component score requirement or a higher threshold. Other tests approved by the Home Office are accepted where a programme lists them.
Which documents are required?
Degree certificate and transcript
with a certified English translation
Proof of English
IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic
Personal statement
your own account of why you chose the course
Reference letter
one at undergraduate level, usually two at postgraduate level
Passport
so the identity details match the application
04
How much are tuition fees at University of Chester?
University of Chester publishes the international tuition fee on each programme's own page; there is no single central tariff. The student visa fee and the annual immigration health surcharge are added on top, and the university offers its own scholarships to international students.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student visa application (from outside the UK) | £558 |
| Immigration health surcharge (per year) | £776 |
| Maintenance to evidence, outside London (monthly) | £1,171 |
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05
What is campus and student life like in Chester?
Chester is a small cathedral city known for its Roman walls and black-and-white fronted buildings, and the campuses are within walking distance of the centre. Halls sit at Parkgate Road and nearby, and the city centre is a short journey away.
Chester has direct trains to Liverpool and Manchester, and flights from Türkiye land at Manchester Airport. The small scale of the city keeps living costs well below the large student cities.
06
How is an application to University of Chester made?
Undergraduate applications to University of Chester go through UCAS with up to five programme choices, and the equal consideration deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027. Postgraduate and doctoral applications are submitted through the university's own online portal.
- Programme choice: the course catalogue gives the department, the requirement and the fee.
- Documents: transcript, diploma, personal statement, references and English language evidence.
- Submission: UCAS for undergraduate study, the university's portal for postgraduate.
- Offer: conditional or unconditional, with the conditions stated.
- CAS: issued once the offer is accepted and the deposit is paid.
The step after the CAS is the student visa itself, and its published conditions are set out at UK visas and immigration.
How does the application timetable run, month by month?
| Period | Step |
|---|---|
| May–September 2026 | Researching courses, sitting the English test and preparing documents |
| September 2026 | UCAS applications open |
| 15 October 2026 | Deadline for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, Oxford and Cambridge |
| 13 January 2027 | Equal consideration deadline for undergraduate applications |
| February–May 2027 | University decisions and firming up choices |
| June–August 2027 | Meeting conditions, receiving the CAS and applying for the Student visa |
07
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to University of Chester directly with a Turkish high school diploma?
A Turkish high school diploma is not accepted on its own for direct entry to an undergraduate programme. Applicants complete a foundation year, or hold A-Levels, the International Baccalaureate or an equivalent qualification.
Which English language tests are accepted?
IELTS Academic is accepted and the level required is published on each programme's page, with 6.0 as the undergraduate baseline. Other tests approved by the Home Office are accepted where a programme lists them.
Does University of Chester issue a CAS for a student visa?
Yes. University of Chester appears on the Home Office register of student sponsors, which is what permits it to issue the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies a student visa application requires.
When is the undergraduate application deadline?
The UCAS equal consideration deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027. Applications arriving after that date are considered where places remain on the programme.
Sources
- University of Chester — Admission requirements, the course catalogue and scholarship information are published on the institution's own pages. — 26 August 2026
- UCAS — The equal consideration deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027 and an undergraduate application carries up to five programme choices.
- GOV.UK — The student visa application fee, the annual immigration health surcharge and the maintenance figure an applicant evidences are published by the Home Office. — 26 August 2026
- Discover Uni — Course-level continuation, outcome and student satisfaction data are published by Discover Uni. — 26 August 2026
