Chichester University's Student Population: How Many Are There?

The University of Chichester is a public university located in West Sussex, England, with campuses in the city of Chichester and the coastal town of Bognor Regis. The university has around 5,000 to 6,000 students and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various disciplines. With a rich history dating back to the 19th century, the University of Chichester is known for its teaching quality and diverse student community. The university provides state-of-the-art facilities, including a high-spec library, specialised labs, and performance studios, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for its students.

Chichester University's student population

The University of Chichester is a public university located in West Sussex, England, with campuses in the city of Chichester and the coastal town of Bognor Regis. The university has its origins in the 19th century, with Bishop Otter College, a training college founded by William Otter, the Bishop of Chichester, in 1839. It became a university in 2005.

The university offers 136 interdisciplinary undergraduate programmes across 18 subject areas, including arts, humanities, STEM, education, and sport. With its two campuses, Chichester provides a variety of accommodation options, catering to different needs and preferences. The campuses are well-connected, benefiting from excellent transport links and convenient access to local services and attractions.

Chichester's student body is known for its strong sense of community, with students praising the friendly and welcoming environment. The university also boasts an impressive range of facilities, including a high-spec library, specialised labs, performance studios, and the £35 million Engineering and Digital Technology Park.

The university's student population is supported by a dedicated team of student support specialists, who provide confidential and non-judgmental assistance. The Support and Information Zone (SIZ) offers a range of support services, including assistance for students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, and specific learning difficulties.

The University's history

The University of Chichester is a public university located in West Sussex, England, which became a university in 2005. Campuses are based in the city of Chichester and the nearby coastal resort of Bognor Regis, with an associate campus for commercial music on the Isle of Wight. The University has 14 departments, with specialisms including Humanities, Sport, Musical Theatre, acting and Education.

The University's heritage stretches back to the 19th century when, in 1839, Bishop Otter College was established. In 1840, a school for training 'Masters' was founded by William Otter, Bishop of Chichester, which was rebuilt in his memory as the Bishop Otter College in 1849. The original buildings were designed in a neo-Tudor style by the architect J. Butler.

In 1873, the campus became a training institute for women teachers due to the activism of Louisa Hubbard following the Elementary Education Act 1870, which created a demand for school teachers. Fanny Trevor was appointed as the first "Lady Principal" of this teacher training college for women, and she offered to work without pay.

During World War II, the Air Ministry requisitioned Bishop Otter College for the planning of D-Day. The facility moved to the Old Bishop's Palace in Bromley (the site of Stockwell College of Education). The college was briefly closed when the threat of bombing seemed high. It moved again in 1944, this time to Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. The college returned to Chichester at the end of the war.

In the 20th century, the campus was gradually expanded to meet demand, with a large extension built in the 1960s, including a steep-gabled cruciform chapel designed by the architect Peter Shepheard. In 1977, Bishop Otter College and Bognor Regis College merged to form the West Sussex Institute of Higher Education (WSIHE), with degrees awarded by CNAA and later the University of Southampton.

In 1995, it became known as the Chichester Institute of Higher Education. It gained degree-awarding powers in 1999, becoming University College Chichester. In October 2005, it became a full university.

Chichester's student accommodation

The University of Chichester, located in West Sussex, UK, has a total student population of 5,987. The university offers a range of accommodation options for its students, including on-campus and off-campus housing.

On-Campus Accommodation

The University of Chichester has two main campuses: the Chichester (Bishop Otter) campus and the Bognor Regis campus. Both campuses offer on-campus accommodation options for students.

The Chichester campus provides a variety of accommodation choices, including catered and self-catered options with ensuite or shared facilities. The catered accommodation has shared bathroom facilities between 5-7 people and offers a weekly catering package worth at least £54 per week. The self-catered options include ensuite or shared facilities, with some located in the heart of the Bishop Otter campus and others, like Havenstoke Close, a short walk away.

The Bognor Regis campus also offers catered and self-catered accommodation. The catered option includes shared bathroom facilities, while the self-catered choice is located off-campus, a short walk from the seaside campus.

Off-Campus Accommodation

In addition to on-campus options, the University of Chichester also assists students in finding off-campus accommodation. The university has a range of off-campus properties, including studio apartments and shared houses. These properties are typically located within a short distance from the campuses and offer self-catered options with ensuite or shared facilities.

Private Accommodation

Students can also choose to find private housing in the local area. Websites like Rightmove offer listings for student properties to rent in Chichester. These properties vary in size, from terraced houses to semi-detached homes, and are typically located within walking distance of the university.

The University's ranking

The University of Chichester is a public university located in West Sussex, England, which became a university in 2005. Tracing its roots back to 1839, it is one of the oldest universities on the south coast of the UK. The university has two campuses: the main campus, known as Bishop Otter, is located in the city of Chichester, and the other is in the coastal town of Bognor Regis. With 14 departments, the university offers a wide range of subjects for students to choose from.

Rankings

Chichester has consistently been recognised as one of the top 30 universities in the UK by the Guardian University Guide, with a 'Gold' rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for delivering outstanding experiences and outcomes for its students. In the National Student Survey 2024, Chichester students were among the happiest in the UK.

In September 2024, the University of Chichester was ranked:

• #15 by The Times Good University Guide (Business, Management and Marketing)
• #62 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide
• #97 by The Guardian University League Tables (Business and Management)
• #26 by The Guardian League Table
• #76 in England by University Guru Meta Ranking

The university's highest ranking is #26, achieved in The Guardian League Table.

Subject Rankings

The University of Chichester has achieved high rankings in the following subjects:

• Social Studies & Humanities (#10 in Social Work)
• Sports Science (The Times Good University Guide)
• Creative Writing (The Guardian University League Tables)
• Arts Visual & Performing (The Guardian University League Tables)
• Education (The Guardian University League Tables)
• Law (CUG The Complete University Guide)
• Marketing (CUG The Complete University Guide)
• Mechanical Engineering (The Times Good University Guide)
• Computer Science (CUG The Complete University Guide)
• English (CUG The Complete University Guide)

Chichester's student support services

The University of Chichester is a public university located in West Sussex, England, with campuses in Chichester and Bognor Regis. The university has approximately 5,987 students and offers a range of student support services to ensure their success and well-being.

One of the key support services offered by the university is the Wellbeing Service, which includes mental health advisers, student wellbeing advisers, and counsellors. This service provides weekly drop-in sessions and self-bookable appointments, offering a confidential space for students to discuss any concerns and access external services and internal initiatives such as bereavement counselling and peer mentoring.

The Student Health Service is another vital support system, with nurse health advisers providing daily drop-in and appointment times to address health concerns. These nurses work closely with university staff, local GPs, and medical professionals to help students manage their health, especially those with more serious conditions.

The university also has a Disability and Dyslexia Service, offering a range of support to students with disabilities, continuing health conditions, autistic spectrum conditions, specific learning difficulties, or any additional needs. This service can provide adjustments in teaching, learning, and exams, as well as arrange for non-medical helper support, such as specialist study skills tutors, mentors, and note-takers.

Chichester University also provides extensive academic and career support. The Progression+ team, for instance, offers guidance on admissions, careers, higher education, work experience, and apprenticeships. They assist students in applying for courses, provide interview tips, and help with CV writing and job searches.

The university also places a strong emphasis on equality, diversity, and inclusivity. The Chaplaincy, for instance, supports students of all faiths, helping them locate places of worship and providing opportunities for faith exploration and community building. Similarly, the International Student Advisory Service (ISAS) assists international and EU students in settling into life and studies in Chichester or Bognor Regis, organising orientation events and activities throughout the year.

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