With one campus in the cathedral city and another in Bognor Regis, the University of Chichester started out as a teacher training college in 1839, set up in memory of William Otter, the Bishop of Chichester and a passionate educationist. Teacher training remains an established strength at this small institution in West Sussex, known for its close-knit atmosphere and rated outstanding by Ofsted in May 2023, with inspectors reporting that trainees “value the nurturing family ethos”. Chichester became a university in 2005 and is also known for its performing arts, social sciences and sports provision.

The focus is broadening, however. A School of Nursing and Allied Health opened in 2021, with the aim of developing hundreds of healthcare workers by 2025. A £35 million Tech Park in Bognor Regis houses a welding floor and fabricating laboratory among the facilities, it is the base for engineering degrees and an industry-led curriculum.

What is the University of Chichester’s reputation?

Chichester gained the power to award research degrees in 2014. Nearly twice as many of Chichester’s academic staff contributed to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) as in the previous national assessment in 2014. Sport; history; and English and creative writing produced the best results but against stronger performances elsewhere Chichester lost 33 places in our research quality index, where it now sits 114th.

The overall gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) is up from silver in the previous assessment six years previously, and is supported by another gold for the underpinning factor of student experience, and silver for student outcomes. The panel commended Chichester for its “outstanding teaching, feedback and assessment practices that are highly effective and tailored to supporting its students’ learning, progression and attainment” and noted “the genuinely innovative and flourishing industry partnerships embedded into a multitude of courses”.

Our latest National Student Survey analysis ranks the university 28th for satisfaction with teaching quality (down one place from last year). However, feedback for the wider undergraduate experience has nosedived, prompting Chichester to fall 78 places on that measure from 29= to 107th.

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available? 

Additions in September 2024 include degrees in computing, and biomedical science, following those in psychology; aeronautical engineering; digital film production; childhood with therapeutic play, and esports and sports media.

The university is also growing its portfolio of higher and degree apprenticeships, adding programmes in diagnostic radiography, speech and language therapy, data science and biomedical science. 

What are the University of Chichester’s entry requirements – and my chances of getting in?

Applicants need from CCC up to ABB to gain places at Chichester, with 10 per cent coming through clearing. This year the university has introduced a contextual admissions policy to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

What are the graduate prospects?

Chichester has stayed still at 71= after rising 46 places in our previous edition. Our analysis is based on the latest Graduate outcomes survey, tracking the number of students in highly skilled jobs or postgraduate study 15 months after finishing their degree course. 

Chichester’s apprenticeship programme draws on the expertise of businesses such as the energy supplier SSE and Rolls-Royce, and most of Chichester’s degree programmes provide work placements.

What is the University of Chichester campus like?

Chichester’s two campuses — Chichester (Bishop Otter) and Bognor Regis — are seven miles apart. The Bishop Otter campus in historic Chichester includes a music block and the recently opened School of Nursing and Allied Health, which occupies a 150 sq m facility, run by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, next to St Richard’s Hospital. Within it, students have access to mock wards and simulation suites to develop their clinical skills. 

Specialist facilities for sport include the university’s Sport Performance and Rehabilitation Unit (SPRU) and an environmental climate chamber to simulate extreme heat, cold and altitude.

Five minutes from the sea, the Bognor Regis campus has a new community diagnostic centre, supporting the courses being offered, as well as the flagship Tech Park, where investment developed the facilities in conjunction with more than 40 companies, including Rolls-Royce (based at nearby Goodwood) and Sony.

Everything you need to know about the University of Chichester’s student life and wellbeing support

An intercampus bus service links Bognor and Bishop Otter, which each have students’ union bars, while the local towns have their own social scenes as well as seaside activities and countryside charm. The student-led Sports Federation organises more than 25 clubs for those looking for just-for-fun activities as well as competitive teams. Facilities include indoor and outdoor climbing walls, a running track, a grass rugby pitch and a three-court sports dome. The sports hall has four courts and students can also use Astro pitches, a fitness suite and a multi-use games area.

Students can get help via “Ask Wellbeing” drop-ins and by booking themselves into wellbeing triage appointments. Up to four sessions of counselling is offered, along with support groups.

Chichester also sets £30,000 budget aside for subsidising assessments by an educational psychologist for neurodiversity or specific learning difficulties – a benefit used by 99 students in the 2022-23 academic year, who pay just £100 for the service.

What do the students say?

“When I had the opportunity to come to an open day, everyone was so kind, helpful and friendly and made sure I had everything I needed, and that all my questions and worries were answered. Also the lecturers are so passionate about the subject they teach, and always have fascinating stories from their personal experience.”
Frankie Walls, sociology with criminology student and LGBTQ+ officer at Chichester students’ union

What about student accommodation in the University of Chichester?

There are 1,310 residential places and first-years are guaranteed a room if they make the university their first choice and get their housing application in on time. 

How diverse and inclusive is the University of Chichester?

Chichester has fallen 17 places year-on-year in our social inclusion index (59th). Disabled recruitment (10.1 per cent) puts the university in the top 20. Outreach work focuses on target schools with high proportions of pupils less likely to progress to university. 

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Chichester

The university awards £300 per year of study to students from households with incomes under £25,000. A gifted athlete programme is worth up to £400 per year and comes with support including performance analysis, psychology, nutrition and physiotherapy – and sports kit.