FAQ - International Students

Your Application     

More information on the application process can be found here   

• How do I apply?

For undergraduate applications you will need to apply via the UCAS website: www.ucas.com The University of Chester’s UCAS code is: C55

The deadline for undergraduate international students is 30 June, however you should apply as soon as possible. If you miss this deadline you may be able to apply through clearing.

For admission to a Postgraduate Master's Degree at the University of Chester you can apply online or alternatively, you can download an application form from our website and send it directly to the International Office by email, post or fax to the address below. The application forms can be found on our website: http://www.chester.ac.uk/international/apply/pgapps

You will be required to supply the university with copies of your transcripts and certificates for the qualifications you have obtained together with proof of your English Language proficiency and two satisfactory references. Please ensure that references are hand signed and preferably on headed paper. We will also need a statement of purpose outlining your reasons for applying for your choice of course, you career ambitions/aspirations and any knowledge and experience gained in the field. These can be sent directly to the International Office with your application form or by scanned email: international@chester.ac.uk

Some courses may have additional entry requirements such as previous work experience, submission of written work with the application or previous study of a particular subject.

• I have studied in English; do I still need to take TOEFL/IELTS?

In the majority of cases we will still require you to have IELTS/TOEFL at the required level. If you are a national of a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKBA) or have studied your whole undergraduate degree in a majority English speaking country as outlined by the UKBA then we will be able to exempt you.

We will also accept other English language qualifications (e.g. WAEC or Standard XII). Please contact international@chester.ac.uk with information about your current qualifications and we will advise accordingly.

• Do I have to pay a deposit?

Yes, a tuition fee deposit will be charged to all students who firmly accept a place with us. The deposit for September 2011 entry is £1500. Deposits can be refunded in exceptional circumstances . Each case will be treated on an individual basis and students will be asked to produce evidence: e.g. visa refusal letter, or other necessary documents, to prove their case. Please note that £150 of your tuition fee deposit will be non-refundable. This is to cover any necessary administration costs related to your application.

Your Course

The full list of courses available to international students can be found here

• How much are the tuition fees?

The tuition fees vary depending on the exact course that you wish to study. Our course fees can be found on the following webpage: http://www.chester.ac.uk/international/fees/tuition

• When will my course start?

The majority of our courses start in September or at the beginning of October. The exact start date would be specified in your offer letter.

• How many hours a week will I be timetabled?

Study hours vary depending on the course. For example, courses such as teaching can be up to 5 days a week, while others may have around 15 hours of lectures a week.

• Where will my lectures take place?

Where your lectures take place all depends on the course you have applied for. The University of Chester has two campuses: the Chester campus and the Warrington campus.

Within Chester, the University also has a further two sites in addition to the Chester campus. The Kingsway Buildings are home to all our Arts and Media courses including: Dance; Drama and Theatre Studies; Fine Art; Graphic Design; Journalism; Photography; and Popular Music Performance. Courses within Education and Children's Services as well as Health and Social Care are all based at Riverside.

Your Money

More information about fees and funding can be found here

• Can I work whilst I’m studying?
  

If you are in the UK as a student, you will have had to satisfy the immigration officer that you have sufficient funds to support yourself without having to work during your studies. Howver, many international students are allowed to work part-time during term time and full-time during vacation in order to supplement income or gain valuable experience. It is not advisable to depend on earnings from part-time work to finance your studies.

If you have permission to study in the UK under the immigration regulations, you can, in most cases work during your studies. You should not work more than 20 hours per week during term-time (some students may not be able to work more than 10 hours) but you can work full-time during vacation periods and work placements. Please note that postgraduate students do not have holidays during the summer months as you will be expected to be working on your dissertation or research paper and therefore are unable to work on a full-time basis. The holiday periods when Postgraduate students can work full-time are Christmas and Easter only and then after you have completed your studies. For more information on working during your studies, please go to the following website: http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/working_during_studies.php

• Do you have any scholarships available?

The University of Chester has its own bursary scheme. Full-time international (non-EU) students may be offered a £2000 discount to reduce their tuition fee costs.

Students who meet our academic entry requirements, accept their place on the course, and pay the full tuition fee in advance of enrolment, will be offered a £1000 bursary. This bursary is awarded in the form of a discount.

Please note that you will only be eligible for the bursary if you or a member of your family, or other private sponsor will be paying your course fees. No bursary will be awarded to you if you are funded by your employer or another government body.

We also offer course specific scholarships. At present these are offered for MSc Management (with pathways) and MBA and are based on academic merit. There is no separate application for these scholarships.

For more information visit: http://www.chester.ac.uk/international/fees/bursaries

• Is there a discount for paying my fees in advance?

We offer a £1000 bursary to students who pay their full fees in advance of enrolment: http://www.chester.ac.uk/international/fees/bursaries

• Do I have to pay all my tuition fees as soon as I arrive?

You may pay all your first year’s tuition fees before or on enrolment, or you may pay in two instalments (September and January). However, the £1,000 bursary is only available if tuition fees are paid in full before enrolment.

• What is the living cost?

The actual cost of living can vary a lot!  It depends on many factors such as type of accommodation, spending habits and lifestyle.

The cost of living in Chester and Warrington is fairly cheap compared with other parts of the UK (especially London and South-East of England). In fact, we have been ranked second most affordable in terms of living costs by Sunday Times (2010).

The UK Border Agency guideline on the cost of studying in the UK (for one academic year) is currently set at £7,200 (£9,000 for London). If you decide to study at University of Chester you will need to be able to show that you have sufficient funds to cover the tuition fees for your first academic year and living costs of £7,200 to secure your Tier 4 student visa.

If you need more detailed information, The International Student Calculator website may help you to plan and manage your money for your studies in the UK http://www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international/

Current prices of food can be checked on mySupermarket website, current costs of private accommodation rentals can be found on national property pages such as Zoopla or Rightmove. Prices of cinema tickets can be found on relevant websites e.g. VUE cinema. The point is- prices of almost everything in the UK can be checked on the web!

The good news is that once you have been in the UK for a while you will know where to look for bargains! The UK is full of cheap deals, massive discounts and bargain prices on a whole range of products and services. Student discounts can be obtained in many shops and restaurants, students can also get reduced bus & rail travel tickets.

Your Student Accommodation

More information about accommodation for international students can be found here

• Do you provide accommodation? 

The University of Chester guarantees to find accommodation for all our first year international students if applications are received by the stated deadlines. Unfortunately the University of Chester does not have family accommodation on campus however we will make every attempt to assist students with families to find accommodation in the private sector.

• How and when do I apply for accommodation?

If you have made Chester your Firm or Insurance choice, your application pack will be sent to you in June. The deadline for submitting your application will be given to you with your application pack. All applications to University accommodation will not be processed until this deadline has passed..

• Do I have access to my accommodation over the holidays? How long is my contract?

The length of contract can vary from accommodation to accommodation. Some rooms will be accessible over the Christmas period, whereas some rooms will have to be vacated over the Christmas and Easter periods. This will be clearly stated in your contract and payment will only be due for the weeks which you have access to them.

• What will I get in my room?

University accommodation will provide the minimum of a bed, wardrobe, desk and chair. There is no need to move any furniture into your room but you may want to bring small items such as a lamp, alarm clock, etc. Free broadband internet access is available in all student accommodation.

• What do I need to bring with me?

All students need to bring a full set of bedding including a duvet. Bedding packs are available to purchase from the University. If you are allocated self or semi-catered accommodation you will also need to bring with you some cooking utensils, pans and cutlery. Again, packs are available to buy from the University.

• How do I pay my rent?

Rent can be paid in two ways; firstly you can pay upfront in a single payment and receive a 1% discount if paid by the advertised date. Secondly you can pay by direct debit over three instalments (one per term).

• Will my belongings be insured?

No, the University does not offer automatic cover to students so you will need to arrange insurance prior to taking up residence.

• Do I have to pay an accommodation deposit?

Yes, if you want to reserve a place in one of The University Halls of Residence you will have to pay £250 deposit. This is to cover any possible damage charges. If, at the end of your stay there has been no damage to the accommodation and you do not owe any fees to the University of Chester, the £250 deposit will be refunded to you.

• How would I get private sector accommodation? Do I move into it in my 2nd and 3rd year?

Your first port of call should always be the University Accommodation Office.If you have not been allocated University accommodation, we will provide you with a list of all the recommended landlords who provide accommodation for students. There is plenty of private sector accommodation close to the campus.

Accommodation Charges:

Chester Campus

Rent 10/11 per week

(subject to change)

Accommodation Charges:

Warrington Campus

Self-Catered standard

(Halls of Residence)

Self-Catered standard

(On -site houses)

These figures are for guidance only and will be subject to change for 2012 entry.

* Includes 3 meals per day ** Includes 2 meals per day

Other Questions

• Where is the University of Chester?
  

The University of Chester is situated in the North-West of England close to the cities of Liverpool and Manchester.

• Can international students study part-time?

If you are a student from outside the European Union it will not normally be possible to study part-time in the UK. In order to get visa/entry clearance into the UK as a student, you have to enrol on a full-time course. There a few instances when international students can study part-time, for example if you are in the UK as on a Dependent visa. Please contact the International Office for advice.

• Do I need a medical insurance?

If you are an in international student and have enrolled on a course for at least six months, you will benefit from the same free health care benefits as home students. 

FAQ for Parents

• Are Chester and Warrington campuses safe?

We’re committed to making the University a safe place to work and study. We continuously invest in improvements in lighting, CCTV coverage and campus security.

Our Chester and Warrington campuses enjoy a very low level of crime thanks to 24 hours security protection which is provided 365 days a year. Our Security Officers regularly patrol all halls of residence and academic buildings (on and off main campus). All officers are trained in emergency response procedures, first aid and CPR.

In addition, each hall of residence has a designated Hall Warden, who is there to ensure not only a smooth running of the halls but also to help students in need at all times of day and night.

Our Student Union is running a number of awareness campaigns reminding the students how to keep themselves safe when they are out, and keeping their house secure when they are away.

• What support services are available?

Students joining the University of Chester community have access to a wide range of support services to make the smooth transition to higher education and a new country!

We pride ourselves on the quality of the support that we provide for our students. Our award winning Student Support and Guidance provides free help to all students. The centre deals with enquiries regarding finance, counselling and welfare, or any other student concerns.

In addition, the International Welfare Officer welcomes students arriving at Manchester or Liverpool Airport, or Chester Railway station, on specified dates before the start of term to take your son/daughter to their chosen University accommodation.

On arrival, all international students receive the ‘Welcome Guide’, containing information about life on campus, and offering guidance on local services and facilities. The International Welfare Officer also organises events during the induction week (at the beginning of each academic year) to help new students to feel at home in their new surroundings.

Learning Support Services exists to supplement the guidance offered by academic departments in their taught modules. It also offers individual support to students who need assistance with English language and study skills. Your daughter/son will be allocated their own Personal Academic Tutor and will need to attend regular one-to-one meetings to review their progress and discuss future development.

The University operates a very successful programme of student mentors. New international students are “matched” with a student already here, who will be glad to offer support when your child first arrives. The student mentor will help your daughter/son to settle in and answer any questions they may have about life in the UK and in Chester.

Chester Students' Union is another area of support that your daughter/son can access throughout their studies at Chester. CSU is situated on each of the Warrington and Chester campuses and is the focal point for student representation, information, advice, entertainment and services.

The Student Information Centre offers a confidential listening service for students and referral to other agencies when necessary.

• I am worried about my son or daughter. Who do I call?

Please contact our International Welfare Officer- Sam Moss on +44 1244 51 1550 or email her on international.welfare@chester.ac.uk

• What if my child becomes ill overseas?

Healthcare in the UK is free from the National Health Service (NHS) for all students as long as they attend a course for six months or more.

During the induction week, all international students are provided with information regarding local emergency and non-emergency medical providers; we will also help your child to register with an NHS doctor on arrival.

More information about healthcare for international students in UK can be found here: http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/keeping_healthy.php

• What type of information can the University provide to me about my son or daughter?

We are bound by the Data Protection Act 1998 to protect student privacy therefore we cannot release certain information (e.g. if a student is attending classes or how well they are doing) to parents/family members or any third parties without the student's written consent.

The University will contact parents/guardians in most instances of health emergencies, serious accidents, or other serious medical or psychological conditions when it has been made aware of such incidents. The student’s consent to speak with parents/guardians is sought whenever practical. The University will, however, continue to rely on the judgment of its staff when assessing each situation to determine when to notify parents.