Throughout term 2, we’ll be running a series of Student Experience Spotlight events to help you find out more about the services on our offer from our teams.

From International Student Arrival and our Student Services Helpdesk, to Residential Life and Chaplaincy, these short 15-minute online sessions are the perfect way to ensure you’re getting the most from our services.

• International Student Arrival: Pre-Arrival Information, Toolkit, and Handbook
• Thursday 15th January
• 10am
• Teams link

The Student Experience Team will introduce the International Student Handbook and Toolkit and explain how these resources can be used to support students before they travel and during their first weeks at the University of Chester.

The session will cover key pre-arrival information, what students can expect when arriving in the UK, important next steps before enrolment, and where to find accurate and up-to-date guidance and support. This session is particularly useful for staff who support international students, as well as students who would like a clear overview of the pre-arrival process.

There will be time for questions at the end of the session.
For any questions about this session, please contact studentexperience@chester.ac.uk.

• International Student Arrival: International Student Enrolment
• Thursday 22nd January
• 10am
• Teams Link

This session provides an overview of the international student in-person enrolment process at the University of Chester and is open to all staff and students.

The Student Experience Team will explain how enrolment works, including what students need to do before enrolment, the documents required, and what to expect from in-person enrolment after arrival in the UK.

The session will also cover important information to help ensure enrolment is completed smoothly and on time. This session is highly recommended for anyone involved in supporting international students, as well as students who would like a clear understanding of the enrolment process.

There will be time for questions at the end of the session.
For any questions about this session, please contact studentexperience@chester.ac.uk.

• Pathway to Success: Supporting Student Transition at the University of Chester
• Wednesday 4th February
• 10am
• Teams link

This session introduces Pathway to Success, a new transition and early-engagement that was trialled this academic year to better support students from pre-arrival through their first weeks at university.

The session will outline:

• The challenges students commonly experience during transition into higher education.
• The rationale for developing Pathway to Success and why a more structured, joined-up approach is being piloted this year
• The key components of the model, including pre-arrival support and targeted interventions
• How the approach aims to improve student confidence, engagement, and continuation
• What the trial involves, how it will be evaluated, and opportunities for feedback and involvement

While primarily aimed at staff with an interest in student experience, support, teaching, or retention, the session is open to all staff and students who want to understand how the University is strengthening support during the transition into university life.

• Chaplaincy: Ramadan
• Monday 9th Feburary
• 10am
• Teams link

This session will act as a simple introduction to Ramadan and will cover:

• What Ramadan is.
• How Muslims fast.
• How can we support staff and students during Ramadan.

• Your Money: What we do and how to seek support
• Wednesday 18th February
• 10am
• Teams link

Join us for this spotlight session to learn how the University’s ‘Your Money’ service can support you during your studies. We’ll outline the range of support available to students, explain how to access it, and walk you through what to expect when you reach out for help. Whether you’re planning ahead or facing financial challenges, this session will help you understand your options and feel more confident managing your money.

• University of Sanctuary: How to be involved
• Wednesday 25th February
• 10am
• Teams link

This 15-minute spotlight session will introduce what it means for Chester to be a University of Sanctuary. You’ll learn how the university works to create a welcoming and supportive environment for people seeking sanctuary and how these values are reflected across campus life. The session will also highlight simple ways staff and students can get involved and help make Chester a place of safety, inclusion, and belonging for all.

• Student Services Helpdesk – What we do and how to get in touch with us
• Wednesday 11th March
• 10am
• Teams link

Join us for a 15 minute spotlight session to learn more about the Student Services Helpdesk.

We will cover how to get in touch with us, the range of support that is available to you through the Helpdesk and what to expect when you reach out to us.

Whether you are looking for support from Student Services now or you would like to learn more should you need us in the future, this session will help you to feel more confident in getting in touch.

• Residential Life – what we do and how to get in touch
• Wednesday 18th March
• 10am
• Teams link

In this session we’ll cover:

• an introduction to the team
• a brief overview of some of the social events we deliver
• how we fit into Student Services and how we work with Accommodation, the Proctor’s Office, and with Security and Ultimate Call Out for Out of Hours provision.