A city filled with history and everything you need to enjoy the best of student life, Chester is the perfect place to spend your uni years. Our guide will help you make the most of your time inside the Roman-built city walls.
What’s Chester like for students?
Chester is small enough to not feel intimidating to a new student, but it’s big enough to get lost in and whittle away the hours on a weekend. You’ll find swathes of things to do, including an active student nightlife, some serious shopping spots and lots of options for history buffs. Did you know that Chester was once one of the main Roman army camps in Britain?
It’s also a city with acres of green space and the River Dee flowing by – if you like an active lifestyle with plenty of walking and outdoor activities, it could just be the perfect place.
How many students are there in Chester?
There are around 14,000 students in Chester according to the latest figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), all studying at the University of Chester. 19% of students are international, with a further 1% coming to the city from EU countries, making for a vibrant and diverse student community.
What are my study options in Chester?
The University of Chester is the city’s academic hub. It’s home to 14,000 students and has seven campuses in and around the city centre. These include:
- Exton Park – in the heart of the city, this campus is home to many of the uni’s academic schools
- Queen’s Park – just outside the city centre, this is where you’ll find Chester Business School for budding entrepreneurs and future leaders
- Wheeler – based in the legal quarter, this campus provides vocational courses in health, medicine, law and policing
- Creative Campus – based in Kingsway, 20 minutes from the main Exton Park campus, this is the place for students of art, design and culture
The uni is known for its welcoming culture and has been voted as the best uni for international students in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025. The university also has a focus on giving back to the community through social enterprise and volunteering hours.
Things to do in Chester for students
If you're thinking of studying in Chester, you'll be glad to hear that this historic city has won awards for its nightlife, and the many festivals and events that happen throughout the year. There’s always something going on – which is what makes Chester student life so enjoyable.
Shopping in Chester
Chester is a shopaholic’s paradise. In the heart of the city centre you’ll find Chester Rows with its mix of more than 200 independent shops and boutiques housed in a medieval shopping gallery. It’s worth going as much for the history as for the shops themselves!
Just a bus ride away is the ultimate shopping destination, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. It’s a full day out with over 140 designer shops full of bargains as well as restaurants to fuel up for some retail therapy. And if you fancy a change of scenery to show off your new clothes? Liverpool and Manchester are only a train ride away!
Explore history in Chester
You can’t study in a Roman city without taking in some of the historic sites. The Walls Trail is almost a rite of passage for new arrivals – it’s a comfortable two miles long with some fantastic views of the city along the way.
For a bit of history visit Chester Cathedral, a stunning piece of gothic architecture. If you’re going to the University of Chester, it’s actually where you’ll graduate so you can get an early sneak peek!
If you like your history with some added gore, head to the specialty museum ‘Sick to Death’, which tells the story of medicine through time. It’s described as a playground of plague and visitors should prepare themselves for bad smells, gore, science and a bit of magic!
Student nightlife in Chester
Chester has a lively student nightlife with something for everyone. For live music head to The Live Rooms, Chester’s largest independent venue where bands of every genre perform all year round. Another option is Alexander’s, close to the Exton Park campus of the University of Chester, a venue with live acoustic performances and weekly student deals.
For a night out on the town, you shouldn’t miss going to Rosie’s, a classic choice for Chester students. They have dress-up nights, student deals and three floors of music. Another must-visit is The Storyhouse, a venue comprising a theatre, cinema and library in one place.
The official student night in Chester is every Wednesday, locally known as We Love Wednesdays. But if you’re looking for a cheap night out it’s worth trying a Monday too as some of the local bars and restaurants offer student deals at the start of the week.
Get outdoors
Only a bus ride away from Chester city centre is one of the city’s biggest attractions, Chester Zoo. It’s the UK’s leading zoo (and the world’s third best!), home to over 500 species of endangered animals with a team dedicated to preserving global biodiversity.
There are plenty of sporting options within the city too, including football, basketball, rugby union and horse racing events. And if it’s adrenaline you’re after, Chester is just seven miles from North Wales, home to some of the UK’s most rugged landscapes. You’ll find a whole host of adventure activities on offer including kayaking, coasteering and gorge scrambling.
Where to eat in Chester
If all that exploring has given you an appetite, we have good news – Chester has plenty of places to eat including some budget-friendly options. Here’s our pick of places to try:
- Pierogi: a personal favourite of ours, serving authentic Polish food. The menu includes the dumpling namesake, as well as soups, sauerkraut and more.
- Bean and Cole: looking for breakfast, brunch or lunch? This is a great option for cake, coffee and everything in between, and offers vegan and gluten-free options.
- Death by Tacos: our go-to for a cheap eat in Chester. Enjoy delicious spice, monumental margaritas and some of the tastiest tacos around!
You’ll also find cafes and restaurants onsite at some of Chester uni’s campuses – ideal for a quick bite between lectures.
Where to live as a student in Chester
Looking for Uni of Chester accommodation? Students tend to live in accommodation near the Exton Park campus. Our property The Towpath is just an eight-minute walk away, making it easy to get to lectures.
If you’re studying at the uni’s Creative Campus, our Tramways property could be the ideal choice – it’s close to the city centre and to Kingsway where you’ll likely have most of your classes.
Both of our student properties in Chester give you the choice of studio and en-suite accommodation, plus added facilities like a communal lounge and 24-hour onsite support team. The Towpath also has an onsite gym – perfect if you like to stay active.
Ready to start your student story in this Roman city? Take a look at our student accommodation in Chester and find your home from home.
Frequently asked questions
