University of Chichester

The University of Chichester has two campuses: one in the centre of Chichester, a charming and historic town, and the other close to the sea in Bognor Regis.

This year the University celebrates its 180^th year of teaching and research excellence. As a silver-rated institution by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the University is recognized as delivering high quality teaching and learning for students. They actively embrace the unique qualities of every single student and offer a distinctive, community-based student experience.

The University offers both taught and research degrees at postgraduate level, with many of the courses offering work placements during the year. There is a vast range of academic departments to choose from, including Business, Dance, Humanities, Music, Sport and Theatre.

Both sites – Chichester and Bognor Regis Campus – are easily connected by a regular inter-campus bus service. Across the two sites students have access to a range of state-of-the-art facilities including a Sports Centre, Engineering and Digital Technology Park, Students’ Union, restaurant, theatre and a Learning Resource Centre.

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019

• The University of Chichester was named as the 14th best higher education institution out of 131 in the country
• Rated 4th for the best course and lecturers
• Rated 5th for the best student support
• Rated 8th for best students’ union

University of Chichester postgraduate students say:

“I love Chichester. It isn’t perfect but it is close to amazing as you can get. It’s a small quiet uni that is focused on its students, and with so many different courses. I am even doing a PhD here. I would advise coming to see the campus even if you hadn’t considered!”

“This is my fourth year here and I have had the best years of my life in Chichester. The uni is so accommodating and I’ve made so many amazing friends and grown as a person. I would recommend this uni to anyone!”

“Really nice people and staff. Very organised. Great uni feel.”

Students speak highly of the careers support offered to them through the University’s Career Consultants with many courses offering work placements. Support is given to individuals to help hone practical skills, build connections and develop a professional mind-set. The University has extensive and collaborative links with multiple industry sectors, giving graduating students an ideal opportunity to forge and/or enhance a successful career in their chosen field.

Student reviewers often mentioned how many opportunities the University had given them and how useful the placements were.

University of Chichester postgraduate students say:

“The careers are exceptional as a team and my whole degree is focussed on making sure we have skills we can take into any role.”

“Lots of opportunities.”

Students have the choice of studying either a taught or research degree at postgraduate level.

The majority of taught degrees can be studied on either a full or part-time basis, allowing for students to choose whether they complete their degree in a year, or work at their own pace.

The majority of the courses also offer the opportunity to undertake a work placement, allowing for students to gain work experience and build connections during their time studying.

Student reviewers praised the University’s lecturers for their experience, approachability and passion for their subjects.

University of Chichester postgraduate students say:

“Small classes. They listen to feedback.”

The University of Chichester's Students' Union is run by students, for students, and is independent of the University. It is run and led by two elected full-time officers, as well as a number of elected part-time officers and reps, who all work together to help ensure that students have an enjoyable time at the University, and that their voice is represented.

The SU values are:

Friendly – Enthusiastic – Democratic – Supportive – Approachable – Open-Minded

The Students’ Union runs a number of social events throughout the year, such as the Summer Ball hosting over 2,500 students with a silent disco, karaoke, live music, and comedy, quizzes, games nights and the RAG Race, a charity fundraiser.

There are a wealth of sports and societies to join, from football, rugby and adventure sports clubs, to film, LGBT+, arts and creative writing or even Harry Potter societies. With over 40 to choose from, there is something for everyone and a chance to meet like-minded people.

Student reviewers were very complimentary about the SU team, saying they felt well represented by them.

University of Chichester postgraduate students say:

“The SU is great in Chichester, everyone gets to have their say and it brings all students together. It makes the uni like one big family and allows us to meet many new people. It also has a night out for many different people. Including WSIHE Wednesday and karaoke.”

The University of Chichester offers many different types of accommodation, all of which is professionally managed, secure and supported by an experienced Accommodation team on a 24/7 basis.

With options of on or off campus, either catered or self-catered halls, all are well equipped with high speed wired or Wifi internet access, heating and electricity included in the rent. Prices start from £136 per week for an average 40-week contract.

For those looking to rent from a private landlord, the University has a registered landlord scheme where all properties must be accredited through the local authority Accreditation Scheme. The scheme ensures the housing has been inspected by the University and Environmental Health Officers and meets all health and safety requirements.

University of Chichester postgraduate students say:

“Our accommodation is cosy with good storage and en-suite showers and toilets. The kitchen is really big and has a lot of storage. It’s so close to everything on campus and is a great place to live.”

The University has been praised by students for their impressive subject-specific facilities, which the University has invested heavily in over recent years.

The pinnacle of this investment is the new £35 million Engineering and Digital Technology Park on the Bognor Regis campus, where STEM students can train with modern, high-tech facilities.

Sports science students can benefit from access to specialised biomechanic and physiology labs, plus sports therapy teaching clinics and rehab rooms.

The Creative and Digital Technologies faculty has industry-standard digital video-editing facilities, multimedia production and publishing software. Dance and performing arts students have access to a performance studio with the latest sound and lighting systems.

The University has also invested heavily in their sports facilities, with a gym, rugby and football pitches and sports dome catering for a wide range of sports.

Both campuses benefit from modern 24-hour (during peak weeks of the year) library facilities, with a combined collection of over 260,000 books, 4,500 e-books, 4,500 e-journal and 100,000 streamed media clips. There are open-access workstations, individual study rooms, and group working areas, plus WIFI and printing services.

University of Chichester postgraduate students say:

“The university has really good facilities. The library is full of books, computers, cafe’s and even board games. There are places for everyone to study. We also have many great sports facilities such as large playing fields, a gym, the Astro and inside sports areas. This enables the uni to have a variety of different sports teams.”

Both campuses are located in their respective city/town centres, each with a vibrant and close-knit community offering a variety of restaurants, high street and independent shops and bars.

Chichester is an historic cathedral city while Bognor Regis is a lively seaside resort, both boasting the most hours of sunshine in the UK. For those who enjoy getting outdoors, both campuses are on the doorstep of the South Downs National Park which offer breath-taking views and natural beauty and there are multiple beaches to choose from, including the Blue Flag beach at West Wittering.

Each location is a hub of creative arts and inspiration, both with prominent theatres, especially the Chichester Festival Theatre which houses many performances that go on to become West End hits. Modern art also features highly with extensive collections of art and sculpture on display, including Pallant House described as one of the best in the country.

The University runs a bus service between the campuses and a safety bus is available during the evenings from the student bars, which students applauded them for in their reviews.

University of Chichester postgraduate students say:

“Quiet small town but beautiful.”

“The city is quiet but has some really nice areas such as the cathedral gardens/cathedral. The coffee shops are really nice and it has a few good retail stores available. There are also some bars!”

There are over 27 sports clubs and 40 societies for Chichester students to participate in – covering a wide range of activities and interests, from fine art, aerial circus, Korean society and the Afro Caribbean society. Sports clubs offer both recreational and competitive level teams for students to choose from.

All clubs and societies are inclusive and democratically run by students, with any member having the opportunity to become a committee member. At the end of each year the Students’ Union hosts the SU Awards and Sports Awards, recognizing the talented and dedicated members of Chichester’s clubs and societies.

University of Chichester postgraduate students say:

“We have a wide variety of clubs and societies that cater to everyone’s needs. This includes sport, singing, art and even Harry Potter.”

“A good and growing range, and a great way to meet people both similar and different to you.”

The University of Chichester understands the commitment and personal resolve required to obtain a postgraduate degree. There is a team of high qualified student support specialists on hand to help students navigate through the complexities and demands when studying, providing a confidential and non-judgemental space to discuss individual needs.

The friendly Support and Information Zone (SIZ) is there for any students who have questions or concerns. There is a range of support for students with disabilities, continuing health conditions, autistic spectrum conditions, mental health conditions and specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia. Advisors can refer students to the Student Health team, which includes two registered nurses, a Mental Health Advisor and Counselling service. There is also a student money advisor on hand to help students with finance, budgeting and bursary information.

Student reviewers praise the standard of support on offer from the University, which has a high retention rate of students.

University of Chichester postgraduate students say:

“Excellent. Lecturers are fantastic and the well-being group is amazing.”

UK Students: Range from £3,100 - £10,650

There is a 15% discount for University of Chichester Alumni.

International Students: Range from £13,600 - £14,740

Postgraduate loans are available from the government to help fund a master’s degree. The non means tested loan available is up to £10,609 which is paid directly in to the student’s account and can be used to pay course fees and living costs. This amount is subject to change from the government.

Who is eligible?

• One and two year full-time courses are eligible for support
• Part-time courses are also eligible, and are subject to a minimum 50% intensity requirement
• If you are studying a two-year full-time course on a part-time basis, all payments will be made over the first two years of study
• Eligible courses may be taught or research-based, and include professional Masters’ courses such as MBAs
• There are no subject restrictions
• Masters’ courses that are currently funded by the undergraduate support system, such as the integrated Master’s, will not be eligible for the loan
• Neither will other postgraduate qualifications that do not result in a Master’s qualification, such as a Postgraduate Diploma.
• You are not eligible for this loan if you are in receipt of an NHS Bursary such as the Social Work Bursary
• PGCE students are covered by the Undergraduate loan system, not Postgraduate loans

If you’re starting a doctoral degree on or after 1 August 2018, you could get a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan of up to £25,000 to help with course fees and living costs. It is not based on your income or your family’s and it’s paid directly to you.

Eligible EU/EEA nationals can apply for UK government funding for their postgraduate studies (see postgraduate funding information above). If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national planning to come to the UK for your studies in 2020/2021 please check the latest information on fee status and funding options here. 

Teacher Training:

The University has a steeped history in educating inquisitive minds from when it started as a training college in 1839.

As one of the first institutions to train female teachers, there is a continued drive to champion female leaders to create a gender-balanced world.

The University offers a range of teacher training courses at postgraduate level, including School Direct for both primary and secondary levels of teaching, as well as a teaching apprenticeship.

Creative and Digital Technologies: 

Students have access to Bafta and Oscar award winning lecturers that have real life knowledge of the technical and creative challenges faced. The tutors in Visual Effects and Animation have extensive experience working in the innovative field on Hollywood movies such as Interstellar, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and the Amazing Spiderman. Equally, the popular Esports programme offers insight and opportunities into this fast paced and competitive industry.

Sport:

The Tudor Hale Centre for Sport on the Chichester campus is a major flagship facility designed for sporting performance, research and recreation for students, staff and the community. Over 40 teams have entered into the British Universities & College Sport (BUCS), demonstrating the world class sporting expertise that is fostered. The University became an FA Centre of Excellence for Women’s Football in 2017 and has nurtured Olympic success in the sailing arena.

Other sports facilities include:

• 110m synthetic athletics track
• Fitness suite
• Sports Hall
• Sports Dome
• Indoor and outdoor climbing walls and climbing boulder
• Grass football and rugby pitches
• Outdoor netball and tennis court
• Floodlit synthetic Astro Turf pitch
• Cricket nets
• Sport science laboratories
• A sports injury clinic and adjoining rehabilitation space

Entry requirements vary for different courses. To find out more, check the University website for more information under each of the individual subject areas.

Research students have the opportunity to spend a lengthy amount of time dedicated to studying in depth a particular subject area, with their findings being written up as a thesis at the end.

At the University of Chichester, students benefit from working with specialists in their field, as well as having an allocated supervisor to support them throughout.

The university offers the choice of studying a PhD or an MPhil. There are over five research centres dedicated to specialist areas of study, as well as specialist research groups to join. Subjects on offer to study in include History and Politics, Dance, Theatre and Fine Art, and Social Policy.

All taught courses at the university follow a similar structure to an undergraduate course, with students attending lectures and seminars, as well as undertaking exams, essays and coursework throughout the year.

Teachers are dedicated and skilled in their field of work, and regular guest lectures come to visit the university, while workshops and careers fairs are also optional to help ensure students get the most out of their time there.