University of Chichester

The University of Chichester is a public university that a function with a goal to be recognized globally for providing high-quality practical education and a student-focused educational system, in a community that is highly supportive of academics. The university has been well recognized for its research work at a global level and is currently ranked among the top 30 universities in the country. The community is very diverse and has proven to be very successful and vibrant. The students here experience a multi-cultured environment. The University believes that everyone has a right to education regardless of family background, physical and mental health, age, and culture.

The University of Chichester has two campuses, Bishop Otter Campus and Bognor Regis Campus. These campuses are respectively located on College Lane, Chichester, of West Sussex, and Upper Bognor Road, Bognor Regis of West Sussex. Students are offered study levels for foundation, undergraduate, degree apprenticeship, and postgraduate studies. The subjects that are offered by the university include acting, business studies, computing, criminology, sociology, dance, education and teaching, engineering, English and creative writing, film, Media & Screenwriting; Fine art; Games, Audio, Animation & VFX; History; Law; Mathematics; Music; Musical theatre & Cabaret; Nursing; Philosophy, Religion & Ethics; Physiotherapy; Politics & International Relations; Psychology & Counseling; Social Work & Early Childhood; Sport; and Theatre.

The university originated in the year 1839 as there was a need for London to have another university institution apart from the first university institution – University College London, established in 1828. However, the difference with the second university institution was the involvement of the church’s role in providing education. The first principal of King’s College London was William Otter who later became the Bishop of Chichester and made great considerations and actions to promote education. After his death, a Training College was established in 1839, and by the year 1850, it was shifted and renamed as the Bishop Otter College. During the Second World War, the RAF took over the college with all its members being evacuated to Stockwell College in Bromley.

For almost 85 years, the college was providing training only for women due to the outcome of a campaign to promote the recognition of female teachers. After the war, there was a high demand for teachers which led to the immediate establishment of The Bognor Regis College of Education in 1946. Thirty-one years later, Bishop Otter College and Bognor Regis College of Education were merged to form The West Sussex Institute of Higher Education. This institute was changed to Chichester Institute of Higher Education in 1995 but was renamed again as the University College Chichester in 1999. It was until 2005 that the Privy Council approved university status and was finally named – University of Chichester.

• The university is ranked as the third safest and most secured campus in the UK by the 2018 Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey.
• About 96.5% of the university’s graduates have been found to get employed within six months after their graduation according to the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education 2018.
• Students here run The Student Union (UCSU) and hosts several events throughout the whole year to provide students with extra-curricular activities, volunteering opportunities, and also being part of Clubs and Societies.
• Chichester is one of the best places in the UK for students to live as it is very cultural, flourishing with authentic bars and eating places, shops, and the Goodwood Estate.
• The university has been rated with 90% of its research to be nationally leading with 15% secured as world-leading, by the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Award-winning students who are from the Marketing field of study are frequently offered an internship at one of the top employers in the region. They are awarded for coming up with a creative business idea.

The university also assists employability through the Careers and Employability team who is committed to helping current students as well as graduates with their plans. They will advise on learning more about employment and also give opportunities to meet with employers. Students can also get lessons on how to develop links and skills, whether students decide to work as a freelancer or start a business.

The university offers business services that can help students with getting more creative for their business plans and getting the plan into action. It consists of a team of skilled and experienced tutors for academic, commercial, and community sectors as well as research specialists and professionals who are well-equipped and well-versed with the required skills for running a company. The service can offer assistance to existing organizations as well.

Students are authorized to host conferences and book meeting rooms that are well-facilitated. Other facilities include Engineering and Design, and Creative Digital Technologies.

These facilities offer:

• Huge spaces to experience engineering designs while testing
• Workshops and teaching sessions for engineering with practical project-orientated
• Laboratories for electronics, mechanics, and fabrication
• Special 3D printers for Computer-Aided Design purposes
• Other spaces for learning at partnered schools and colleges
• Three-storied building with a high sound stage that holds a professional orchestra
• 75 square-meter green screen stage
• Nine suites for post-production and the ‘Soho’ suite
• Screening theatre
• Professionally equipped live rooms and studios for recording
• Editing suites separately equipped for Mac and PC

Creative laboratories for ideas and collaborations