ANNUAL 2015 REVIEW Celebrating 175 years of teaching excellence Contents Institutional achievements 3 Forewords 5 Factfile Mission, Vision and Foundational Values 7 Established: 1839. The University is one of the longest established English A distinctive student journey 9 higher education establishments still in its original form, predating all but Oxford, The applicant experience 10 Cambridge, London and Durham. Student life 12 Student support 20 Students: 18,800 (70% undergraduates, 30% postgraduates). Chaplaincy 23 Volunteering 25 Staff: 1,526 (full-time equivalent). Employability 31 Chancellor: His Grace the Duke of Westminster KG, CB, CVO, OBE, TD, CD, DL. An inspiring culture 39 His Grace the Duke of Westminster. Staff 40 Vice-Chancellor: Canon Professor Tim Wheeler DL. Research and innovation 47 Publications 53 Campuses: Four in Chester, one in Warrington, one in Thornton, in addition to External engagement 55 NHS sites on the Wirral and in Crewe and Macclesfield. Conferences 59 Guests 65 Partner organisation: University Centre Shrewsbury (with Shropshire Council). Pioneering courses 67 New facilities 70 Associate colleges: Isle of Man College; Reaseheath College; Wirral Sustainability 75 Metropolitan College; Warrington Collegiate; West Cheshire College. A year of celebration 77 Honorary Graduates include: HRH The Prince of Wales KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, A community focus 93 CD, QSO, PC, ADC; Dame Joan Bakewell, The Rt Hon Baroness Bakewell of Stockport, Outreach 94 DBE; The Most Rev and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York; Terry Waite CBE; Educational partnerships 97 Sir Ian Botham OBE; Loyd Grossman CBE, FSA; Sir Andrew Motion FRSL; Ken Dodd Beyond our boundaries 99 OBE; Tim Firth; Sue Johnston OBE; Phil Redmond CBE; Willie Carson OBE; Matthew Global impact 106 Kelly; Estelle Morris, The Rt Hon Baroness Morris of Yardley; Ronald Pickup; The Earl of Honorary graduates 113 Derby; Sir Tony Robinson OBE; Neville Chamberlain CBE; Viscount Michael Ashbrook Alumni 118 JP, DL; Professor Sir John Enderby CBE, FRS; Shirley Hughes OBE; Beth Tweddle OBE; Senior staff 121 Colin Parry OBE; The Rt Hon Frank Field DL, MP; Martin Lewis OBE; Kenneth Baker, Members of the University Council 122 The Rt Hon Lord Baker of Dorking; David Pickering FCA, DL, FIoD; Professor Alan Financial results 123 Emery FRSE; Gillian Burns MBE; Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE; and the Singh Twins MBE. Recent graduates at Chester Cathedral. ANNUAL REVIEW 2015 3 Institutional achievements 1st in the North West World-leading for the third year running and 11% above the research national average was Chester Students’ Union for 88% in 14 areas of the University’s research activity. student satisfaction. Research Excellence Framework 2014 National Student Survey 2015 Overall student satisfaction rate 95.1% 7:1 applications are received for every undergraduate place. of leavers are in work or further study six months after graduating. This means that the University of Chester is consistently one of the top performing North West 21st out of 130 in the UK 89% universities for employability. was the Chartered Association of Business Schools ranking Destination of Leavers from Higher Education 2015 Joint first place in for the University of Chester Business School in 2015. the North West £386 million Times Higher for teaching is the University's annual financial contribution per annum to the region, according to an independent Education Awards economic impact assessment report in 2015. shortlisted the University for ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ and Dr Neil Pickles in the Department of Biological 89% Top UK subjects Sciences for ‘Most Innovative Teacher of the Year’. were Theology and Religious Studies, joint first for For academic overall satisfaction (a further 10 subjects gained 32,390 hours support 100% on this measure), and German joint first for of voluntary work were contributed by students and staff National Student Survey 2015 academic support. to the community over the past year. National Student Survey 2015 4 ANNUAL REVIEW 2015 Institutional awards Four awards at the Educate North Awards: HR Excellence in Research award from the • Students’ Union of the Year – British Quality Foundation European Commission. Chester Students’ Union National Union of Students Responsible • UK Excellence Award Futures accreditation for sustainability and For Student Support and Guidance • Environment Award − Sustainability Unit social responsibility. • Research Project of the Year − Professor John Buckley’s research on the health impact of standing desks Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions won a Bronze Heist Award in the Student Voice Category, • Lecturer of the Year − Dr Neil Pickles. based purely on student responses. UK Quality Assured − Institutional Audit 2010 • Positive judgement in all areas relating to British Quality Foundation academic standards and the quality of learning • 600 Award for Excellence opportunities for students. For Student Support and Guidance Health and Wellbeing Award from Investors in People. Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) departments won the Bronze Athena SWAN award for commitment to advancing women’s careers. • Innovation Award for Excellence in the Student • Special Award for Customer Service Experience from CUBO (College & University • Special Award for Leadership Ranked 33 out if 151 universities in the People Business Officers). For Student Support and Guidance & Planet University League with a 2:1 award for Gold Investors in People Accreditation overall for For Student Support and Guidance environmental and ethical performance. excellent people management practice. ANNUAL REVIEW 2015 5 Forewords Canon Professor T J Wheeler DL most significant acquisition is the impressive former Vice-Chancellor and Principal Western Command/Lloyds Banking Group HQ in Handbridge which is now known as the Queen’s Park The 175th anniversary year has been an opportunity Campus and is the base for the University of Chester to celebrate the University of Chester’s long and Business School. distinguished history with staff, students, alumni and members of the community. The ongoing development of Thornton Science Park as an integral part of the Northern Powerhouse was Events have included The Cathedrals Group Choirs’ highlighted through visits from the Chancellor of the Festival, a re-enactment of the first meeting of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon George Osborne MP, and the Founders on Founders’ Day, the 175 Snowdon Walk, Minister for Science and Universities, Science and Manchester Camerata’s production of On Chester On Cities, the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, who both announced with local school children, charity and sporting events, significant funding for the site. This is through the the creation of the Anniversary Quilt, lectures from Cheshire and Warrington Growth Deal, the National the Rt Rev and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, a nostalgia College for Onshore Oil and Gas, an Energy Security event with the Chester Grosvenor Hotel, a series of and Innovation Observing System and an Intelligent watercolour paintings of graduation from former Energy Systems Demonstrator. This shows how the student Thomas Plunkett (now President of the Royal Faculty of Science and Engineering and the High Watercolour Society) and a visit from HRH Prince Growth Centre are working alongside industry and Edward, Earl of Wessex to the Riverside Campus. academic partners at the site to create a culture of research and innovation for the benefit of the North Alongside the anniversary celebrations, there West and beyond. have been exciting new developments across the University. The historic Chapel on the Parkgate Road None of the achievements of the 175-year history of Campus, which opened in 1847 and was largely built the University would have been possible without the by the students at the time, has been completely dedication and enthusiasm of all the staff, students refurbished, along with the adjoining Staff Common and advocates of the institution. This ongoing Room. The purchase of Temperance Hall on George support will remain vital to the institution’s success Street in Chester has allowed the establishment of a as it continues to adapt to the changing landscape dedicated International Centre as a ‘one-stop shop’ of higher education and heads towards the 200th for international students in the city centre. The anniversary milestone. The Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster and Canon Professor T J Wheeler DL. 6 ANNUAL REVIEW 2015 The Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster Chester Students’ Union Lord Bishop of Chester, Sabbatical team Lord President of the University Council and Pro-Chancellor Once again we have achieved a record breaking year in 2014–15. We were awarded ‘Students’ Union of As the University of Chester’s 175th anniversary the Year’ at the Educate North Awards, and for the celebrations have drawn to a close, it is an ideal third consecutive year we are top Students’ Union in opportunity to reflect on its foundation as the first the North West for student satisfaction in the National purpose-built teacher training college in England. In Student Survey. my role as the Chairman of the University Council, I can take pride in how the four eminent Founders It is the aim of Chester Students’ Union to be Chester and Shrewsbury Students' Union teams. and the Church of England took this innovative step accessible and transparent about the complex to provide qualified teachers for the vast Diocese of nature of our role in the student experience, and as Union Development Zone, which specifically focuses increasing involvement in Students’ Union events Chester’s rapidly expanding network of elementary a democratic membership organisation we know on how we can improve our organisation. It is the and campaigns, and developing new ways of schools and how the institution has subsequently how critical it is to listen to our members and partnership with our student members that allows engagement. Ultimately, we want to surpass diversified and expanded into a significant University represent them as elected leaders. We play a crucial them to become actively involved in our organisation previous participation in Students’ Union events and with international status.