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Author: Amy Edwards

How to: Get to and from our sites

Getting ready to visit one of our sites for the first time? 

Let’s look at your transport options for getting to and from our sites.  

📍 Chester:  

Travelling by train

Chester has high-quality public transport links within the city and the region beyond, making it really easy to commute. Chester is home to one of the busiest train stations in the North West, with convenient links to North Wales, Merseyside, Warrington and even further afield! Many of our students may also be eligible for a railcard, so make sure you don’t miss out on reduced prices!  Check out this handy guide from our Sustainability team on how to navigate your way from the train station to Exton Park.

Travelling by bus

Chester Bus Station is also a 15-minute walk from Exton Park – and many single journeys on most buses are now capped at £3. Plan your journey here.

Park & Ride

Hop on Chester’s regular Park & Ride service from either Chester Zoo, Broughton Heath Park or Wrexham Road Park. Offering affordable day tickets for solo travellers (£2.50), or the chance for groups of up to 5 to travel together at a reasonable price (£5) – there are a range of tickets our students can access.

Cycling

Experienced at cycling but Chester’s a new area to you? Keen to start cycling but not sure where to start? Chester’s a cycle-friendly city with lots of support for those who would like to give it a go!

We have cycle storage facilities and changing rooms at all our sites and information on off-road and quieter routes between sites. The Chester Cycle Campaign offer a buddy scheme to help identify routes and gain confidence in cycling in and around Chester. Join the Chester Cycle Buddy scheme and discover your route to campus.

Bren Bikes are also a fantastic organisation who offer affordable bikes for our students.

Parking

Given how accessible our Chester sites are by public transport, only students who meet the specified criteria; students with disabilities and those who have the furthest to travel are prioritised to apply for a parking permit. However, students can also use the Park and Ride services if needing to commute by car. 

Students in university accommodation are not entitled to apply for a University Parking Permit. For more information/details please email parking@chester.ac.uk.  

📍 Warrington:  

Travelling by train

Warrington has two train stations which are both within walking distance of the University Centre (6-10 minutes). Check out this handy guide from our Sustainability team for how to navigate from Warrington Central to Remond House.

If you’re aged between 16 and 25 or are a mature student enrolled in full-time study, you may be eligible for a railcard. A minimum fare of £12 applies for journeys before 10am on weekdays (excluding Advance Fares).  

Travelling by bus

Warrington bus station is also within walking distance of the University Centre (6-10 minutes).Discounted travel is also available on certain bus services operated by Warrington Own buses and Northern Rail train services.  

Warrington’s ‘Better by Bus’ scheme also offers £1 single tickets for those between 16-22 years.

Cycling

Warrington Cycle Hub is a short walk from Remond House and Time Square and offers regular workshops, buddy schemes and deals for our students to access. They also have secure storage facilities and can provide maintenance for bikes when needed. You can access their cycle map of Warrington and its surrounding areas and find more information on their website.

Parking

Parking is not available for students at University Centre Warrington.

📍 Birkenhead:  

Travelling by train

Hamilton Square train station is a five-minute walk away from UCB. Check out this guide from our Sustainability team on how to navigate your way from Hamilton Square to UCB.

If you’re aged between 16 and 25 or are a mature student enrolled in full-time study, you may be eligible for a railcard. A minimum fare of £12 applies for journeys before 10am on weekdays (excluding Advance Fares).  

Travelling by bus

Several Arriva buses stop within walking distance of UCB. Adult single bus tickets now cost no more than ÂŁ3 in the Liverpool City Region. Stagecoach also offer student passes for travel across Merseyside and Chester.

Cycling

We have cycle storage facilities and changing rooms at UCB. Wirral Council’s website has lots of information on cycling in the Wirral, including the best routes to take.

Parking

Parking is not available for students at UCB.

Posted in WelcomeTagged

Welcome and Pre-Arrival events

We can’t wait to welcome you to the University of Chester this Autumn.

Join our Pre-Arrival Welcome and Orientation Sessions to learn more about university life, feel prepared for your arrival, and start your University of Chester journey with confidence. These free online events are designed especially for new undergraduate and postgraduate students.

You’ll get to know the University, explore the wide range of support available, and find out what to expect in your first few weeks. Each session also gives you the chance to connect with staff and other students, ask questions, and discover how to make the most of your time at Chester.

All sessions are free and take place online. 

View our Pre-Arrival events here.

Looking for in-person Welcome events for when you arrive? You can find all our Welcome events here.

Posted in WelcomeTagged , , ,

Tips for Welcome Week

Whether you’re a brand-new or returning student, it’s normal to experience lots of feelings and emotions in the first couple of weeks.

With that in mind; we just wanted to remind you to be mindful of your own behaviour and be respectful of the feelings of your new friends/classmates:

❇️ Don’t feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to do

It’s easy to get swept up on nights out or with the thrill of Welcome Week and feel pressured to do things you wouldn’t normally do. It’s OK to step back and think about whether it’s something you really want to do before saying yes.

❇️ Be respectful of others

Not everyone wants to drink lots of alcohol or stay up until 3am every night. Be respectful of other students’ decisions and wishes – they may be in recovery from an addiction, dealing with a range of issues, or just want a completely different university experience to the one you want.

❇️ Don’t overspend

With the excitement of Welcome Week, it can be tempting to flash the cash especially when you’ve just received your first student loan instalment but remember – your student loan needs to last you until Christmas so think twice before you make any big, unnecessary purchases. The University can provide financial support in certain situations, but your bank statements will be carefully reviewed before a decision is made, so some of your initial purchases might come back to haunt you.

❇️ Be careful

Becoming a victim of crime is never your fault. When you’re in an exciting new city and out with your new friends, your security is probably the last thing on your mind but it’s important to stay safe.

If you feel like you’ve had too much to drink and you’re not in control, stop and go home.

Be cautious of scams and don’t carry large amounts of cash around which could cause you to become a target of crime.

Find out more about our support services at the University.

Posted in WelcomeTagged

How to: be a good neighbour

Living away from one of our sites or getting ready to move into a house in the local community?  

Having good relationships with your neighbours can make a big difference to your university experience. 

Check out our Dos and Don’ts for living in the local community: 

DO: 

  • Say hello and strike up conversation with your neighbours. Most will be happy to chat and will appreciate you taking the time to reach out. If you don’t feel confident to say hello in person, a note popped through a door is also a nice touch. 
  • Remember everyone isn’t a student. Some of your neighbours will have families and full-time jobs so might not appreciate a karaoke session in your house at 3am.  
  • Get involved. Neighbourhoods like the Garden Quarter hold regular events like community meetings and street parties – why not get involved and build some connections?  
  • Treat your neighbours with respect. Remember, you’re representing the University, so we ask you to please treat your neighbours with compassion and courtesy.  

DON’T:  

  • Be afraid to ask. If you want to have a party, have a conversation with your neighbours about it, agree a time for the party to finish – and stick to it! This can help to build trust and mutual respect.  
  • Disrespect your neighbourhood. You may only be living in your student house for a year, but your neighbours probably have mortgages and live there full-time. Simple things like remembering to put your bins in and out – and respecting boundary lines can make all the difference.  
  • Think your behaviour will go unnoticed. The University has close links to our local communities and residents can report inappropriate student behaviour to the Proctor’s Office. This behaviour will then be investigated and could lead to disciplinary procedures if appropriate.  

Check out our handy guide below for more tips for living off campus.

Student+Community+Guide+25-compressedDownload
Posted in News/Features, WelcomeTagged , ,

Your security at our sites

Please ensure you wear your lanyard which displays your student ID at all times when you are on any of our sites. This helps us to keep our students, staff and sites safe and secure. 

Our sites are covered by CCTV which is monitored for everyone’s safety.  

In an emergency 

If you or someone else is in need of emergency services (fire, police or ambulance) help while on campus please call 999  

Please then alert the Security Team (details below) so that they can offer you and the services support.  

Security Team 

The Exton Park security team work on a rota basis to provide a 24/7 service, 365 days of the year. This means they can provide a safe and secure environment at our sites for students, staff and visitors alike. 

The Security team are your first port of call for help and emergency support contact outside of the normal University opening hours (9am-5.30pm). 

Our Security team:  

  • provide security, first aid, and first response welfare support to students.   
  • respond to calls from students, staff and local residents regarding a range of issues on and off site.  
  • liaise with teams across the University, including the Proctor’s Office, the Residential Support Team, Student Services, and Wellbeing and Mental Health and external services such as the emergency services on an almost daily basis.  
  • operate and monitor the University’s comprehensive CCTV system.  
  • are key holders for all university properties on and off site and respond to Intruder/Fire alarm activations as and when needed.   
  • monitor and manage car parking on site, issuing warning and Parking Charge Notices when appropriate.  

Contact 

Exton Park: 

Call: 01244 511541 

At Exton Park, our Security team are located at the main entrance to the site (off Parkgate Road). 

University Centre Warrington: 

Call 07584182856 (Time Square) or 07584182738 (Remond House) 

Security & Welcome Officers are based in the vicinity of the main entrances at both Time Square and Remond House during opening hours.  

Other sites: Our other sites are supported by dedicated Security & Welcome Officers based at each site during each sites, core hours, supported also by site facilities staff. 

They may be contacted via Reception on the following numbers:  

Hollie Guard App  

The Hollie Guard app has many useful features, including:  

Alert 

Pressing the alert button sets off an alert and activates your phone’s camera, sending a message and recording to your emergency contacts.  

Meeting Timer 

If you feel like you’re entering a potentially dangerous situation, you can set a timer. The timer will countdown until you deactivate it. If you don’t deactivate it, it will raise an alert.  

Journey 

You can set a start and end point for your journey. The app will then monitor your journey and alert your contacts when you arrive or if you raise an alarm.  

Download the app now:  

Report a Concern 

If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed unacceptable behaviour such as harassment, discrimination, sexual assault, abuse, bullying or hate crime you can report it via our Report a Concern service. 

All students, staff, visitors and employers can report using this tool. You can report an incident wherever it has occurred, for example off site, during a placement and in the workplace.  

You can also email: report@chester.ac.uk. 

Posted in Support and OpportunitiesTagged , ,

Get to know UoC: University Centre Birkenhead

University Centre Birkenhead is our dedicated health and nursing education facility based at Marriss House, only a short commute from the city of Liverpool.   

Site opening times 

  • 7.30am-6pm, Monday-Thursday, 7.30am-5pm Friday 
  • Closed weekends 

Security 

Building codes  

  • HMA: Marriss House 

Marriss House map 

What divisions study here? 

  • Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society – Pre-Registration Nursing, including Foundation Year 
  • Non-medical prescribing 

Where to eat/hang out 

As part of the University’s commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic packaging, we no longer offer single-use paper cups in our catering outlets: students can use a drop and swap scheme when purchasing hot drinks.  

We take allergens seriously at the University, so please speak to one of our onsite catering team if you have specific dietary requirements, and we will be happy to cater for you.  

  • Coffee shop 
  • Floor 6 
  • Open: 8.30am-3.30pm 

Come and join us at the Coffee Shop, relax with beautiful views overlooking Liverpool Bay. We serve Starbucks coffee as well as freshly made hot and cold sandwiches and confectionary. We also serve hot baked potatoes and our delicious soup of the day. 

Student Common Room, HMA603 

Where to study 

  • Library
  • Ground floor 
  • Staffed hours: 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, 9am-4pm Friday 
     

As part of University Centre Birkenhead, the Marriss House Library provides specialist resources to support our health students and is just one of the many site libraries you will have access to as a University of Chester student.  

The Marriss House Library is more than just books. We also have a range of study spaces and facilities available to support you. Printers, PCs and laptops are available to use or study tables are accessible if you prefer to work with pen and paper or bring in your own device and connect to our University WI-FI.  

We offer a range of library development sessions throughout the year to help you engage with the vast resources we offer. These sessions are designed to support you through your academic studies. You can find out more about our upcoming events via our Portal pages.  

You can also book a 1-2-1 appointment with our dedicated Academic Librarians to have a more in-depth discussion about how to make the best use of our resources.  

You can find more information and make an appointment with our Academic Liaison Librarian team on our Moodle pages or get in touch via academiclibrarians@chester.ac.uk 

Find out more about our drop-in and bookable study spaces.   

Sports Facilities 

  • Active Zone, HMA009  
  • Open during building opening hours 

Our Active Zone provides a space for you to be active and is completely free. 

Help and Support 

  • Connect Hub
  • HMA211 
  • Open: 9am-4.30pm, Monday-Thursday, 9am-3.30pm, Friday 

The Connect Hub is a faculty-based service to help you navigate student life.   

Based on the second floor, the Connect team will help answer any enquiry you might have, signposting where necessary and triaging for more comprehensive support.   

Student Services

The teams within Student Services can help you with key areas which may be impacting your life or your student experience, including; Wellbeing, Mental Health and Counselling; Disability and Inclusion; Financial Support; Student Safety; SVLO (Sexual Violence Liaison Officer Service).   

Click here to find out more. 

To help us understand the support you need, booking an appointment with one of our services will require you to have a quick phone call with a member of the Helpdesk team to talk through your situation.     

We know asking for help can sometimes be difficult, and the situations you want to discuss can be very personal. However, please be assured we’re here to help and by giving us as much information as possible, we can make sure you get the support you need as quickly as possible.    

Student Services are available 9am–5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am–4pm on Fridays.   

To access Student Services, you can:    

Our Student Assistance Programme is extra support available to all students, alongside what the University already offers. You can get free, confidential help from a counsellor 24/7, every day of the year – just call 0800 028 3766.    

Academic Skills (ASk) 

Whatever your programme or year of study, or educational background, the Academic Skills team are here to give you friendly, flexible support to build confidence in your skills. Click here to find out more.

Chaplaincy 

Our multi-faith Chaplaincy team is based in the Community Hub (next door to Binks building a Exton Park) but we offer support to students across all our university sites. Our team is here to support all students, whatever your religion or beliefs may be.   

Chaplains are available to offer pastoral, spiritual and religious support and are always ready to help you and offer a listening ear. We also have a wider team of Associate Chaplains from various religious communities. To contact us or book a time with a chaplain please email chaplaincy@chester.ac.uk. You can also Follow us on Instagram to find out more about Chaplaincy and keep up to date with our events and activities. 

At UCB the Muslim Prayer Room, with washing facilities, is on the ground floor in room HMA 014. There are also Muslim Prayer Rooms available across our sites, including washing facilities, and you can find out more about our Prayer Rooms here. 

CSU 

The easiest way to find out what CSU have to offer is to check out our website: www.chestersu.com.   

We are physically located at Exton Park – but by being a student at the University of Chester, you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union, so you can get access to our services regardless of what centre you study at.   

So, you may be thinking to yourself, what does a Students’ Union actually do? Well, we exist for the sole purpose of helping students love their student life. We do this in a number of ways, through various services:    

  • Voice – represent your views on student experience  
  • Opportunities – join a society and run events!  
  • Democracy – become one of our officers  
  • Advice – seek free and independent advice  
Posted in WelcomeTagged , , ,

Get to know UoC: Creative Campus, Kingsway

Creative Campus, Kingsway is home to some outstanding art, design and performance-based facilities for the School for the Creative Industries.  

Site opening times 

  • Building: 8am-9.30pm Monday-Thursday 
  • 8am-7.30pm, Friday 
  • 8am-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 

Security 

Building codes  

  • CKW: Creative Campus, Kingsway 

Creative Campus, Kingsway map 

What divisions study here? 

  • Art, Design and Innovation 
  • Communication, Screen and Performance  

Where to eat/hang out 

As part of the University’s commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic packaging, we no longer offer single-use paper cups in our catering outlets: students can use a drop and swap scheme when purchasing hot drinks.  

We take allergens seriously at the University, so please speak to one of our onsite catering team if you have specific dietary requirements, and we will be happy to cater for you.  

  • Wild
  • CKW061 
  • Open 8am-4pm 

The relaxed catering outlet at Creative Campus Kingsway features students’ visual artwork so you can enjoy a break in our stylish surroundings with cafeteria seating and comfy sofas.   

Our Catering team prides itself on providing meals that are affordable and nutritious for our customers. In the morning you can grab a delicious pastry and a hot breakfast or join us for lunch where we offer traditional hot meals, international cuisine, healthy nutritious options and value meals. We also offer fresh cakes and a selection of light bites and grab-and-go options.   

The integrated coffee bar is where our barista trained staff proudly serve Starbucks coffee ensuring you can enjoy a perfect cup of coffee either in-house or takeaway.   

  • Student Common Room, CKW062 

With microwaves, sinks, sofas and kettles, our Student Common Room is the perfect place to hang out with friends or eat your lunch.   

Where to study 

  • Learning Resources Centre, CKW030
  • Open: 8am-9.30pm Monday-Thursday, 8am-7.30pm Friday 
  • Staffed helpdesk: 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, 9am-4pm Friday 
  • 8am-10pm Saturday and Sunday 
  • (The helpdesk is not staffed at the weekend) 
     

The Learning Resources Centre at Creative Campus, Kingsway is a library which holds book collections for the School for the Creative Industries.  

Students also have access to a wealth of virtual resources including: Naxos Music Library, Rock’s Backpages, Digital Theatre Plus, journal databases JSTOR and Project MUSE and many ebooks and journals. 

The Learning Resources Centre has a computer and study area which includes social learning and quiet study spaces.  

We offer a range of library development sessions throughout the year to help you engage with the vast resources we offer.  These sessions are designed to support you through your academic studies. You can find out more about our upcoming events via our Portal pages.  

You can also book a 1-2-1 appointment with our dedicated Academic Librarians to have a more in-depth discussion about how to make the best use of our resources.  

You can find more information and make an appointment with our Academic Liaison Librarian team on our Moodle pages or get in touch via academiclibrarians@chester.ac.uk 

Find out more about our drop-in and bookable study spaces.   

Sports Facilities 

  • Outdoor grass pitches 

Help and Support 

  • Connect Hub
  • CKW122 
  • Open: 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday 

The Connect Hub is a faculty-based service to help you navigate student life.   

Based on the first floor in the library, the Connect team will help you with any queries, signposting where necessary and triaging for more comprehensive support.    

Student Services

The teams within Student Services can help you with key areas which may be impacting your life or your student experience, including; Wellbeing, Mental Health and Counselling; Disability and Inclusion; Financial Support; Student Safety; SVLO (Sexual Violence Liaison Officer Service).   

Click here to find out more. 

To help us understand the support you need, booking an appointment with one of our services will require you to have a quick phone call with a member of the Helpdesk team to talk through your situation.     

We know asking for help can sometimes be difficult, and the situations you want to discuss can be very personal. However, please be assured we’re here to help and by giving us as much information as possible, we can make sure you get the support you need as quickly as possible.    

Student Services are available 9am–5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am–4pm on Fridays.   

To access Student Services, you can:    

Our Student Assistance Programme is extra support available to all students, alongside what the University already offers. You can get free, confidential help from a counsellor 24/7, every day of the year – just call 0800 028 3766.    

If you have any Accommodation issues or need to report a fault, call in to the Accommodation Office situated next to the University Shop at Exton Park.    

Academic Skills (ASk)

Whatever your programme or year of study, or educational background, the Academic Skills team are here to give you friendly, flexible support to build confidence in your skills. Click here to find out more.  

Chaplaincy 

Our multi-faith Chaplaincy team is based in the Community Hub (next door to Binks building at Exton Park) but we offer support to students across all our university sites. Our team is here to support all students, whatever your religion or beliefs may be.    

Chaplains are available to offer pastoral, spiritual and religious support and are always ready to help you and offer a listening ear. We also have a wider team of Associate Chaplains from various religious communities. To contact us or book a time with a chaplain please email chaplaincy@chester.ac.uk  Follow us on Instagram to keep up to date with what’s on in Chaplaincy each week. 

A Chaplaincy Quiet Room is currently under development for Creative Campus, Kingsway campus that will include facilities for Muslim Prayers. There are also Muslim Prayer Rooms available across our sites, including washing facilities, and you can find out more about our Prayer Rooms here.  

CSU

The easiest way to find out what CSU have to offer is to check out our website: www.chestersu.com.   

We are physically located at Exton Park – but by being a student at the University of Chester, you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union, so you can get access to our services regardless of what centre you study at.   

So, you may be thinking to yourself, what does a Students’ Union actually do? Well, we exist for the sole purpose of helping students love their student life. We do this in a number of ways, through various services:    

  • Voice – represent your views on student experience  
  • Opportunities – join a society and run events!  
  • Democracy – become one of our officers  
  • Advice – seek free and independent advice  
Posted in WelcomeTagged , , ,

Get to know UoC: Queen’s Park

Nestled on the banks of the River Dee, a short walk from Chester’s lively city centre, Queen’s Park is our multi-million-pound corporate hub and is home to Chester Business School. 

Site opening times 

  • 8am-10pm Monday-Friday 
  • 9.30am-3pm Saturday 
  • 8am-3pm Sunday 

Security 

Building codes  

  • CBH: Bridge House 
  • CCU: Churchill House 

Queen’s Park map 

What divisions study here? 

  • Chester Business School 

Where to eat/hang out 

As part of the University’s commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic packaging, we no longer offer single-use paper cups in our catering outlets: students can use a drop and swap scheme when purchasing hot drinks.  

We take allergens seriously at the University, so please speak to one of our onsite catering team if you have specific dietary requirements, and we will be happy to cater for you.  

  • Brasserie De Gaulle
  • Floor 2, Churchill House 
  • Open 8am-4pm 

Our Brasserie De Gaulle offers stunning views of the River Dee and historic Chester. Start the day with some delicious pastries or a hot breakfast or join us for lunch where our chefs specialise in cuisines from all over the world as well as healthy nutritious traditional meals and our fresh salad bar.   

We also offer fresh cakes and a selection of light bites and grab-and-go options. The integrated coffee bar is where our barista trained staff proudly serve Starbucks coffee ensuring you can enjoy a perfect cup of coffee either in-house or takeaway.  

Bring your own food 

  • Churchill House Touchdown Suite (off Reception) 
  • Churchill House Student Common Room (CCU015) 
  • Take Ten Rooms CBH019 
  • Gardens 

Where to study 

  • Business Library 
  • Floor 1, Bridge House 
  • Open: 8.30am-10pm Monday-Friday 
  • Staffed helpdesk: 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, 9am-4.30pm Friday 
  • The library is not accessible on Saturday and Sunday 
     

At Queen’s Park we have a dedicated business library in Bridge House which holds book and journal collections for the Chester Business School. 

Our laptop loan facility is popular with students who don’t have to carry their own equipment across town, as are the open-access computers. There are also private and group study areas and a refreshment area with a coffee machine and chilled food and drink vending machines.  

We offer a range of library development sessions throughout the year to help you engage with the vast resources we offer. These sessions are designed to support you through your academic studies. You can find out more about our upcoming events via our Portal pages.  

You can also book a 1-2-1 appointment with our dedicated Academic Librarians to have a more in-depth discussion about how to make the best use of our resources.  

You can find more information and make an appointment with our Academic Liaison Librarian team on our Moodle pages or get in touch via academiclibrarians@chester.ac.uk 

Find out more about our drop-in and bookable study spaces.     

Sports Facilities 

  • Active Zone, CCUB06 (ground floor of Churchill House) 
  • Open during building opening hours 

Our Active Zone provides a space for you to be active and is completely free. 

Help and Support 

  • Connect Hub
  • CBH101 
  • Open: 9am-4.30pm, Monday-Thursday, 9am-3.30pm, Friday 

The Connect Hub is a faculty-based service to help you navigate student life.   

Based on the first floor of Bridge House, the Connect team will help you with any queries, signposting where necessary and triaging for more comprehensive support. 

Student Services

The teams within Student Services can help you with key areas which may be impacting your life or your student experience, including; Wellbeing, Mental Health and Counselling; Disability and Inclusion; Financial Support; Student Safety; SVLO (Sexual Violence Liaison Officer Service).   

Click here to find out more. 

To help us understand the support you need, booking an appointment with one of our services will require you to have a quick phone call with a member of the Helpdesk team to talk through your situation.     

We know asking for help can sometimes be difficult, and the situations you want to discuss can be very personal. However, please be assured we’re here to help and by giving us as much information as possible, we can make sure you get the support you need as quickly as possible.    

Student Services are available 9am–5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am–4pm on Fridays.   

To access Student Services, you can:    

Our Student Assistance Programme is extra support available to all students, alongside what the University already offers. You can get free, confidential help from a counsellor 24/7, every day of the year – just call 0800 028 3766.    

If you have any Accommodation issues or need to report a fault, call in to the Accommodation Office situated next to the University Shop.   

Academic Skills (ASk)

Whatever your programme or year of study, or educational background, the Academic Skills team are here to give you friendly, flexible support to build confidence in your skills. Click here to find out more.  

Chaplaincy

Our multi-faith Chaplaincy team is based in the Community Hub (next door to Binks building at Exton Park) but we offer support to students across all our university sites. Our team is here to support all students, whatever your religion or beliefs may be.    

Chaplains are available to offer pastoral, spiritual and religious support and are always ready to help you and offer a listening ear. We also have a wider team of Associate Chaplains from various religious communities. To contact us or book a time with a chaplain please email chaplaincy@chester.ac.uk Follow us on Instagram to keep up to date with what’s on in Chaplaincy each week.  

At Queen’s Park the Muslim Prayer Rooms are in the basement rooms of Churchill Building, with separate male/female wash rooms and prayer spaces. There are also Muslim Prayer Rooms available across our sites, including washing facilities, and you can find out more about our Prayer Rooms here. 

CSU

The easiest way to find out what CSU have to offer is to check out our website: www.chestersu.com.   

We are physically located at Exton Park- but by being a student at the University of Chester, you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union, so you can get access to our services regardless of what centre you study at.   

So, you may be thinking to yourself, what does a Students’ Union actually do? Well, we exist for the sole purpose of helping students love their student life. We do this in a number of ways, through various services:    

  • Voice – represent your views on student experience  
  • Opportunities – join a society and run events!  
  • Democracy – become one of our officers  
  • Advice – seek free and independent advice  
Posted in WelcomeTagged , , ,

Get to know UoC: Wheeler

Wheeler offers specialist vocational courses with excellent facilities for health and medicine and delivers law and policing courses right in the heart of Chester’s ‘legal quarter’.  

Site opening times 

  • 8am-9.30pm Monday-Thursday 
  • 8am-7.30pm Friday 
  • 8am-10pm, weekends 

Security 

Building codes  

  • CRV: Wheeler 

Wheeler map 

What divisions study here? 

  • Health, Medicine and Society  
  • Law 
  • Institute of Policing 

Where to eat/hang out 

As part of the University’s commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic packaging, we no longer offer single-use paper cups in our catering outlets: students can use a drop and swap scheme when purchasing hot drinks.  

We take allergens seriously at the University, so please speak to one of our onsite catering team if you have specific dietary requirements, and we will be happy to cater for you.  

  • Dining at Dee
  • Ground Floor 
  • Open: 8am-4pm 

Our Catering team prides itself on providing meals that are affordable and nutritious for our customers. We serve delicious pastries and a hot breakfast or join us for lunch where we offer traditional hot meals, international cuisine, quick snacks like dirty fries, healthy nutritious options and our fresh salad bar. We also offer fresh cakes and a selection of light bites and grab-and-go options.   

The integrated coffee bar is where our barista trained staff proudly serve Starbucks coffee ensuring you can enjoy a perfect cup of coffee either in-house or takeaway.  

  • Common Room – CRV302 

Where to study 

  • Library, Ground floor 
  • Open: 8am-9.30pm Monday-Thursday, 8am-7.30pm Friday 
  • Staffed helpdesk: 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, 9am-4.30pm Friday 
  • 9am-6pm Saturday and Sunday 
  • (The helpdesk is not staffed at the weekend) 
     

Located on the ground floor of the Wheeler building next to the River Dee in Chester, the Wheeler Library is one of several University of Chester libraries you can use. The library is by the front entrance to the building, next to Reception.  

The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society and School of Law and Social Justice are based in the Wheeler Building. The resources stocked here support these courses.  

The library has a range of different study spaces to suit your needs. This includes quiet and individual study spaces, group study spaces, and desks with and without computers.  Other facilities available:  

  • Bookable study spaces 
  • Printing and scanning 
  • Access to the book collection 

We offer a range of library development sessions throughout the year to help you engage with the vast resources we offer. These sessions are designed to support you through your academic studies. You can find out more about our upcoming events via our Portal pages.  

You can also book a 1-2-1 appointment with our dedicated Academic Librarians to have a more in-depth discussion about how to make the best use of our resources.  

You can find more information and make an appointment with our Academic Liaison Librarian team on our Moodle pages or get in touch via academiclibrarians@chester.ac.uk 

Find out more about our drop-in and bookable study spaces.     

Help and Support 

  • Connect Hub
  • Ground Floor CRV002 
  • CRV107 (Medical Students only) 
  • Open: 9am-4.30pm, Monday-Thursday, 9am-3.30pm, Friday 

The Connect Hub is a faculty-based service to help you navigate student life.   

Based on the ground floor, the Connect team will help you with any queries, signposting where necessary and triaging for more comprehensive support. 

Student Services

The teams within Student Services can help you with key areas which may be impacting your life or your student experience, including; Wellbeing, Mental Health and Counselling; Disability and Inclusion; Financial Support; Student Safety; SVLO (Sexual Violence Liaison Officer Service).   

Click here to find out more. 

To help us understand the support you need, booking an appointment with one of our services will require you to have a quick phone call with a member of the Helpdesk team to talk through your situation.     

We know asking for help can sometimes be difficult, and the situations you want to discuss can be very personal. However, please be assured we’re here to help and by giving us as much information as possible, we can make sure you get the support you need as quickly as possible.    

Student Services are available 9am–5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am–4pm on Fridays.   

To access Student Services, you can:    

Our Student Assistance Programme is extra support available to all students, alongside what the university already offers. You can get free, confidential help from a counsellor 24/7, every day of the year – just call 0800 028 3766.    

If you have any Accommodation issues or need to report a fault, call in to the Accommodation Office situated next to the University Shop.   

Academic Skills (ASk)

Whatever your programme or year of study, or educational background, the Academic Skills team are here to give you friendly, flexible support to build confidence in your skills. Click here to find out more.  

Chaplaincy

Our multi-faith Chaplaincy team is based in the Community Hub (next door to Binks building at Exton Park) but we offer support to students across all our university sites. Our team is here to support all students, whatever your religion or beliefs may be.    

Chaplains are available to offer pastoral, spiritual and religious support and are always ready to help you and offer a listening ear. We also have a wider team of Associate Chaplains from various religious communities. To contact us or book a time with a chaplain please email chaplaincy@chester.ac.uk  

In the Community Hub at Exton Park we run all sorts of weekly activities and events including an Art Zone, Craft Sessions, a Wellbeing Garden led by students, and lots of food events as well. You can pop into the Hub Monday – Thursday 9.30am – 4.30pm. Follow us on Instagram to keep up to date with what’s on in Chaplaincy each week. 

At Wheeler the Muslim Prayer Rooms are on the third floor in room CRV321, with separate male/female wash rooms and prayer rooms. There are also Muslim Prayer Rooms available across our sites, including washing facilities, and you can find out more about our Prayer Rooms here. 

CSU

The easiest way to find out what CSU have to offer is to check out our website: www.chestersu.com.   

We are physically located at Exton Park- but by being a student at the University of Chester, you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union, so you can get access to our services regardless of what centre you study at.   

So, you may be thinking to yourself, what does a Students’ Union actually do? Well, we exist for the sole purpose of helping students love their student life. We do this in a number of ways, through various services:    

  • Voice – represent your views on student experience  
  • Opportunities – join a society and run events!  
  • Democracy – become one of our officers  
  • Advice – seek free and independent advice  
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Register for a GP and ensure your vaccinations are up to date

Whether you’re a new or existing student, it’s really important to look after your health whilst you’re at the University.

Due to lots of students being in one space, infectious diseases can spread easily at university so it’s important to ensure you’re signed up to a local GP and up to date with your vaccinations to minimise your risks:

✳️ Registering with a local GP early in the year will make it much easier to get an appointment when you’re at university. Find a local GP.

✳️ The Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine is available for free to any student who has not yet received two doses. If you’re not sure whether you’re up to date, you can contact your GP practice to confirm. If you haven’t had two MMR doses, please arrange a free catch-up vaccination as soon as possible.

Measles and Mumps are both viral illnesses which can, in rare cases, lead to serious complications.

✳️ The MenACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal disease that can cause meningitis (dangerous swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal column) and septicaemia (blood poisoning) which can both trigger sepsis.

Both of these diseases can be fatal or cause life-changing disabilities. The MenACWY vaccine is the best form of protection against these deadly diseases and is available to anyone under the age of 25.

Unfortunately, the MenACWY vaccine does not protect against all forms of meningococcal disease, like MenB, so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms and act quickly if you suspect you or someone you know may be suffering from meningitis

Graphic showing the signs and symptoms of Meningitis

✳️ Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease which is spread through the air when a person who has TB coughs, sings, laughs, or sneezes. Check out the common symptoms:

Symptoms of TB

Although infectious, TB is curable – so please visit your GP if you have any concerns.

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