Chester leaps 22 places in the latest Complete University Guide

Listening to the student voice and providing positive support to ensure graduates can get their careers on track have propelled the University of Chester an impressive 22 places in this year’s Complete University Guide national league table.

The University has continued its upward trajectory, placing at 72 out of 130 institutions in the 2022 table. It is one of the five highest climbers this year with an increase of 22 places on its 2021 position and 29 places above 2020.

The University is in sixth place out of 12 institutions in the North West for 2022, up four places from last year’s 10^th position in the region. Although some of the other local institutions also climbed several places in the national table, Chester was the only one to rise in the separate regional ranking.

Student satisfaction scored particularly highly, placing Chester in second place amongst North West institutions with a rise of 13 places to equal 21^st nationally.

This has been helped by the University’s excellent undergraduate National Student Survey (NSS) result in 2020, where it scored well above average satisfaction in every area, with a particularly strong performance in listening to its student body.

As well as students valuing their time at the University, the Guide found that recent graduates felt that their career goals were ‘on track’ following the completion of their studies and were happy that their current activity was in line with their career goals. In this category the University was ranked at equal 57^th placing it in the top half of all institutions.

During the last year the University has launched its Citizen Student strategy which ensures students get what counts from their university experience. This includes building social capital to empower students not just to establish a career but to become purposeful, engaged citizens and to have the opportunities to contribute to their communities; have feeling of belonging to the University and are part of a holistic student experience and have access to lifelong learning with research and knowledge exchange opportunities open to all.

Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, said: “It is very encouraging to see such a significant improvement in this year’s Complete University Guide league table.

“We are already seeing the benefits of our Citizen Student strategy, which aims to offer students not just excellent career prospects, but to make a real positive difference to the world around them. These skills will be needed more than ever as we move out of the pandemic.”