About the university
The University of Chester traces its history to 1839. It is now a public university with sites across the historic city of Chester and University Centres in Warrington, Birkenhead and Reaseheath.
Chester is known for business, health, science and computing courses, and for strong student satisfaction. It was named first for Postgraduate and second for International in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2026, and it rose to 61st in the Guardian University Guide 2027.
For Indian students, Chester's master's fees are lower than at many UK universities (£16,000 for most master's courses starting in autumn 2027), and every bachelor's and one-year master's applicant is automatically considered for an International Scholarship Award. Many business and computing master's courses can start in October, January or May.
Chester is a historic walled city in north-west England, close to Liverpool and Manchester. It is smaller and calmer than a big city, and the university describes it as a budget-friendly place to live.
- Founded
- 1839 (the year the university's history began)
- Type
- Public university with several sites in Chester, including Exton Park and Queen's Park, plus University Centres in Warrington, Birkenhead and at Reaseheath
- Total students
- About 14,000 students from more than 100 countries (university figure); 11,930 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 33% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Intakes
- Undergraduate degrees start in September; many master's courses start in October, January or May
- Student satisfaction
- 93% overall satisfaction among international students (International Student Barometer, Wave 2, 2025, quoted by the university)
Rankings
THE World University Rankings 2027
1601–1800 in the world
Guardian University Guide (UK) 2027
61st of 123 UK universities
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
78th in the UK
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £16,000
- Duration
- 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year)
- Intakes
- October
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (min 5.5 in each skill)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £16,000
- Duration
- 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year)
- Intakes
- October; January; May
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (min 5.5 in each skill)
- Postgraduate
Applied Artificial Intelligence MSc
- Fee / year
- £16,000
- Duration
- 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year)
- Intakes
- October
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (min 5.5 in each skill)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £16,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- October; January; May
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no skill below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Fee / year
- £16,200
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- October; January; May
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no skill below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
Financial Technology (FinTech) and Business Analytics MSc
- Fee / year
- £16,000
- Duration
- 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year)
- Intakes
- October; January; May
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (min 5.5 in each skill)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £16,000
- Duration
- 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year)
- Intakes
- October
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (min 5.5 in each skill)
- Postgraduate
Programme and Project Management MSc
- Fee / year
- £16,000
- Duration
- 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year)
- Intakes
- October; January; May
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (min 5.5 in each skill)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Science (Conversion) MSc | 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year) | £16,000 | ≈ ₹19.5 lakh |
| Advanced Computer Science MSc | 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year) | £16,000 | ≈ ₹19.5 lakh |
| Applied Artificial Intelligence MSc | 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year) | £16,000 | ≈ ₹19.5 lakh |
| International Business MSc | 1 year | £16,000 | ≈ ₹19.5 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 1 year | £16,200 | ≈ ₹19.8 lakh |
| Financial Technology (FinTech) and Business Analytics MSc | 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year) | £16,000 | ≈ ₹19.5 lakh |
| Cybersecurity MSc | 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year) | £16,000 | ≈ ₹19.5 lakh |
| Programme and Project Management MSc | 1 year (2 years with optional placement/project year) | £16,000 | ≈ ₹19.5 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Chester with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Bachelor's and 12-month taught master's
University of Chester International Scholarship Award
Value: A reduction on the published tuition fee for each year of study; the amount is shown on your offer letter
Eligibility: All international undergraduate and 12-month postgraduate taught applicants are considered automatically when they apply.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Taught master's
International Alumni Scholarship
Value: Tuition fee discount
Eligibility: University of Chester bachelor's graduates moving on to a full-priced taught master's; not for the MBA or two-year master's courses. Check current dates and terms.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Selected master's courses
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Value: Four scholarships for 2026/27
Eligibility: Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries with a 2:1 (or 2:2 plus a master's) who cannot afford UK study otherwise; limited to named courses. Check the page for the next round.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - One-year master's at any UK university
Chevening Scholarships
Value: Full tuition, a monthly living stipend, return flights and the visa fee
Eligibility: Indian citizens with at least two years' work experience and leadership potential.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 with 65% or above from CBSE, CISCE, IGCSE or major state boards (65% in any required subject too).
- 70% or above is needed from the Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand boards.
- A foundation year route needs Class 12 with 60% from central and major state boards (not the boards listed above).
Postgraduate
- A three-year bachelor's degree, or a BE, BTech, MBBS or BDS, with 55% to 65% depending on your academic history and the course.
- Most master's courses on this page accept a 2:2-equivalent degree in any discipline; courses that need a 2:1 have higher Indian equivalents.
- Applicants with long study gaps must explain and evidence what they did in that time.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Degree certificate and transcripts (for postgraduate courses)
- English test score, or Class 12 English mark sheet where accepted
- Personal statement
- References and CV where the course asks for them
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Undergraduate: 6.0 (min 5.5 in each skill). Postgraduate: 6.5 (min 5.5 in each skill). |
| PTE Academic | Undergraduate: 59 overall (59 in each skill). Postgraduate: 62 overall (59 in each skill). The online PTE is not accepted. |
| TOEFL iBT | Tests before 21 January 2026: 79 (UG) or 91 (PG) overall with set minimums in each skill. Tests from 21 January 2026: 4 (UG) or 4.5 (PG) on the new scale. |
| Duolingo | Accepted only for nationals of countries on the UKVI differential evidence list: 105 (UG) or 120 (PG), with no band below 100. |
| Class 12 English | 75% or more in Class 12 English from any board. From Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh only CBSE or ICSE mark sheets are accepted; NIOS and vocational boards are not. |
Accommodation and living costs
The university offers its own halls on and around the Exton Park site, plus partner residences in the city centre. Options range from shared houses to en suite rooms, catered halls and studios. A £250 deposit secures your room, and rent can be paid in three termly instalments. Weekly prices below are those currently listed.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Self-catered shared rooms (for example John Douglas Court, Cheyney Road, Parkgate Road) | £113–144per week | ≈ ₹13,835 – ₹17,550 |
| John Milton Hall (self-catered, refurbished 2025) | £149–157per week | ≈ ₹18,190 – ₹19,172 |
| Catered full-board halls (Astbury, Fisher, Gladstone House) | £195–195per week | ≈ ₹23,729 – ₹23,784 |
| Grosvenor House studio flats at Exton Park | £188per week | ≈ ₹22,973 |
| City-centre partner studios (Tudor Place, Granary Studios) | £182–208per week | ≈ ₹22,216 – ₹25,353 |
Campus and location
Chester's main campus, Exton Park on Parkgate Road, is a short walk from the city centre. Many business master's courses on this page are taught at the Queen's Park site.
- Exton Park is the main campus, with many halls and the computing, data and engineering master's courses on this page.
- Queen's Park is home to many business and management master's courses.
- University Centres in Warrington, Birkenhead and at Reaseheath near Nantwich.
- Chester was named the UK's 'Most Welcoming City' in the Booking.com 2025 Traveller Review Awards.
- The Students' Union and Athletics Union run more than 100 sports clubs and societies.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Many master's courses offer a two-year route with a professional placement or client project in the second year, at an extra cost. The careers team helps with part-time work and paid Chester Internships. Graduates can apply for the UK Graduate visa; see our UK guide for the current rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Graduates in work or further study | 91.5% | Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21, quoted by the University of Chester |
| Value added for students | 21st in the UK | Guardian University Guide 2027, quoted by the University of Chester |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in the UK
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Photo: Simonham, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicUniversity of Birmingham (official website, opens in a new tab)
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FAQs
How much is a master's at Chester?
Most master's courses cost £16,000 for international students starting in autumn 2027 (£15,500 for January or May 2027 starts). The MBA is £16,200. You are also considered automatically for an International Scholarship Award.
Can I start in January or May?
Yes, for many courses. International Business, the MBA, Management, Digital Marketing, Advanced Computer Science and Programme and Project Management list October, January and May starts. Data Science and Applied AI start in October only.
Can I use my Class 12 English marks instead of IELTS?
Yes, if you scored 75% or more in Class 12 English. For some northern state boards, only CBSE or ICSE mark sheets are accepted, and NIOS is not accepted.
What percentage do I need in my degree?
Chester asks for 55% to 65% in a three-year bachelor's or a BE/BTech, depending on your academic history and the course.
Is there a two-year master's option?
Yes. Several courses offer a second year with a professional placement or project. For autumn 2027 this year costs an extra £4,000.
Can I work while I study?
Student visa holders can usually work part time during term and full time in vacations. See our UK guide for the current rules.
Sources
- University of Chester: international fees (January/May 2027 and Autumn 2027) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Chester: international scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- University of Chester: India country page (opens in a new tab)
- University of Chester: international entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- University of Chester: Data Science (Conversion) MSc (opens in a new tab)
- University of Chester: explore accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- University of Chester: why Chester (international) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Chester: 2027 Guardian University Guide news (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University of Chester (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.chester.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details