The University of Chester has once again been graded among the best in the country by its own students.

Based entirely on student reviews, the What Uni? Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) have placed the university at number 28 out of 125 participating institutions. Chester Students’ Union is also ranked among the UK’s top 10.

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What Uni? is the biggest and busiest higher education course search comparison site. In recent months, its outreach team has visited campuses around the country, asking student reviewers to score a wide range of categories, including courses and lecturers, accommodation, job prospects, Students’ Union, university facilities, clubs and societies, city life and student support. The rankings are then based entirely on the results of their marks.

The library at the University of Chester

This is the second time within a month that the university has received a strong student endorsement. The latest nationwide student vote follows hot on the heels of last month’s Times Higher Education (THE) ranking.

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The UK’s sector-leading publication published its Student Experience Survey 2016 at the end of March, which rated the university as the country’s fifth most improved for student experience, moving up to an overall ranking of 29th out of 117 institutions who participated (from 62nd last year).

With a score of 80%, it was one of only two North West universities to feature in the top 30. It was also in the top two Cathedrals Group universities.

University of Chester Vice-Chancellor Tim Wheeler
University of Chester Vice-Chancellor Tim Wheeler

Professor Tim Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, said: “We are delighted to receive such consistently strong and positive feedback from our students.

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“To achieve such a high national ranking on two separate occasions in such a short space of time is to be celebrated, especially when both rankings depend on independent and honest student reviews, on a wide range of categories. The qualitative What Uni? data also demonstrates the value which students place on living in Chester.

“Our priority is always our students and these rankings prove how important it is to put them at the heart of everything we do.”

The entrance to Churchill House at the University of Chester Business School at the Queen's Park Campus.

The Rev Dr Lesley Cooke, Dean of Students, said: “Students at the University of Chester are never taken for granted – our staff work tremendously hard to give them the best possible university experience – so to be acknowledged by them time and again is a wonderful achievement and validation for our institution.”

Jonathan Harper, President of Chester Students’ Union, added: “We are particularly proud to have been shortlisted for this award as it was directly voted for by the students.”