UoC Economic Impact Report (2016) (002)

THE BIGGER PICTURE SUMMARY ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT 2015

2 | University of Chester SUMMARY ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT | 3

HeadlinesThe total economic impact of the University in 2014-15 was:

of which:

The University is a major contributor to the economy of Chester, Cheshire, the North West and the wider UK. In Cheshire and Warrington alone, the University is associated with £1 out of every £181 spent in the region (0.5% of the regional economy), which indirectly and directly finances one in every 130 FTE jobs.

ForewordThe University of Chester is one of the region’s key economic drivers; a multi-million pound business, which makes a measurable difference and which has been identified by the Government as a significant component in its ‘Northern Powerhouse’ aspirations.

Just three years after publishing its first independent Economic Impact Assessment (EIA), and during a period of intense development, the University commissioned a second external review of its activities. Its primary aim was to establish the monetary, educational, cultural and societal contributions made by the institution in the immediate, regional and national communities.

Using a number of nationally recognised indicators, the increase in our ‘worth’ to the wider world was calculated as almost a third larger over such a relatively short timespan. This demonstrates the manifold benefits that having a university in the area can bring to a broad cross-section of the population. The University of Chester is continually evolving, but its principles remain constant, as specified in our Foundational Values:

We recognise the vital role of education in the service of society, therefore we encourage the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills; and we acknowledge a responsibility to look for every opportunity to put that knowledge and those skills to good use throughout the community.

As the saying goes, ‘you learn something new every day.’ I hope that this booklet proves informative in conveying the University’s current position and the extent to which it contributes to its wider communities in real terms. We are proud and privileged to be able to make such a substantial difference.

Canon Professor T J Wheeler DL

Vice-Chancellor

£386 million

£238 million

£128 million

6,960 JOBSFull-Time Equivalent (FTE)

jobs across the UK

4,960 JOBSFTE jobs across the

North West

2,840 JOBSFTE jobs across Cheshire

and Warrington

Gross Value Added (GVA) across the UK

GVA across the North West

GVA across Cheshire and Warrington


About the University of ChesterThe University of Chester is one of the oldest higher education establishments in England. It was founded in 1839 as the Chester Diocesan Training College by the Church of England, and its original buildings in the ancient city of Chester were the first in the country to be purpose-built for the professional training of teachers.

As of August 2015, the University had over 20,000 students (15,568 at its campuses), including those living locally; those at partner institutions undertaking University of Chester qualifications; part-time, mature and international students. Its diverse range of programmes across eight academic faculties include Foundation Degrees and Higher Level Degree Apprenticeships, a suite of undergraduate and both taught and research master’s and doctoral level study.

In total, 2,090 staff are employed by the University across all six campuses, in addition to NHS bases and at University Centre Shrewsbury.

In keeping with the University’s mission to prepare students for ‘careers of service’ it educates and develops a high proportion of the region’s professionals, including dentists, nurses, midwives, social workers, teachers and police officers. It also trains teachers and nurses in the Isle of Man and nurses in the States of Jersey. In the 2014/15 academic year, the University celebrated its 175th Anniversary, running a host of events and activities, involving a wide range of organisations and individuals.

In addition to financial benefits, the University:

• Continues to make a wider social contribution through widening participation (activities designed to provide access to a university education for all, regardless of socio-economic background or location), skills development, research and events involving the business sector and local communities.

From 2010/11 to 2014/15: what has changed?

2012* 2015**GVA impact GVA impact

£298m GVA £386m GVA

Volunteering hours Volunteering hours

17,430 32,390

Number of students Number of students

14,91620,503 (15,568 taught at University of Chester campuses and the remainder by UK or overseas partners or by distance learning.)

Number of sites Number of sites

Three in Chester, one in Warrington in addition to NHS sites on the Wirral, in Crewe and in Macclesfield.

Four in Chester, one in Warrington, one in Thornton in addition to NHS sites on the Wirral, in Crewe and in Macclesfield.

Students in employment or further study six months after graduationg

Students in employment or further study six months after graduation

93% of students 95.1% of students

National Student Survey: students satisfied with overall experience

National Student Survey: students satisfied with overall experience

84% of students (NSS 2011) 88% of students (NSS 2014)

FTE STAFFDirectly employed by the University

1,600

*(based on 2010/2011 data) **(based on 2014/2015 data)


What is an Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) and how is it measured? An Economic Impact Assessment is a piece of research that identifies what an institution gives back into its community, both immediately surrounding it and across a broader geographical reach. Regeneris Consulting, which specialises in economic development consultancy, was commissioned by the University of Chester to look at what impact the institution had in the academic year 2014/15.

What types of impact are there?

The term ‘economic’ impact is conventionally understood in terms of monetary contribution, but this is just one aspect highlighted by the most recent EIA. For example, there are also ‘soft indicators’ which, in the simplest terms, are what make the University appealing to staff, students and other members of the community as a place to study, work, and with which to be involved.

Numerous aspects contribute to the success of the University, for example rankings and surveys, awards and accreditations, inspection results and reputation. In this digital age, students can access consumer information more readily, see key information provided by UniStats and look at league tables online by subject, and read more subjective and qualitative comment through websites like ‘The Student Room’ and ‘Which University?’ So many views on specific higher education institutions are available to help

students make informed decisions. These details are not restricted to the University itself, but also extend to information about communities, the local area and facilities in cities and towns. The University and its environment are therefore inseparable.

‘Soft indicators’ cannot be measured in monetary value, but they help to determine the attractiveness of the University to the ‘outside world’ and, with it, the nature and size of its economic impact.

In a number of cases, a ‘secondary impact’ may be measured. This refers to the ‘ripple effect’ that is a result of people employed by, studying at, or visiting the University. For instance, a contractor may see an increase in their business through receiving regular work from the University, and as such may need to employ further staff.

Location, location, location From being based at just one site in Chester city centre in 1839, the University has expanded to now occupying six campuses across Cheshire and Warrington, in addition to working within various NHS facilities.

Within the University’s property portfolio are a number of buildings which have been re-purposed. For example, the former Travelodge at the Fountains Roundabout is now Sumner House accommodation for first year students; the Vicarage at St Oswald and St Thomas and Canterbury is the University’s Department of English; the former Plantation Inn hotel now houses the Department of Estates and Facilities; and the residential property that was 67 Liverpool Road is now the University of Chester Law School. In acquiring such buildings, the University takes care to restore them sensitively and works closely with a range of local contractors, to ensure that renovations are in keeping with each particular building and its surroundings.

An economic impact can be measured in terms of money put into local, regional and national economies by students, staff and visitors, volunteering work undertaken by staff and students, employability

levels of its graduates and other induced economic benefits. The University’s growing influence can now be compared between the 2012 EIA and this 2015 Assessment.


Parkgate Road Campus, Chester

The Parkgate Road Campus, Chester, was the dedicated site for the Chester Diocesan Training College from 1842, with its Senate House/Old College building as the initial base. Between 1842 and 1847, students of the then College built the on-site Chapel, which still exists today and was renovated as part of the University’s 175th Anniversary in 2014/15.

Quite literally building on the College’s roots, as the ground for this campus was donated by the Chapter of Chester Cathedral, the site has evolved, to include: more specialised teaching and research spaces; a comprehensive library; laboratories; amenities such as catering outlets, sports pitches, tennis courts, a fitness suite and a swimming pool; further student accommodation and bespoke facilities such as the North West Food Research Development Centre (NoWFOOD), language laboratories and the Chester Students’ Union building. The site now has an extensive mix of traditional and modern facilities.

Kingsway Campus, Newton

Kingsway High School, Newton, opened in 1958 as a secondary modern. The School closed in 2005, and the University repurposed the once empty buildings for its Faculty of Arts and Media, opening in 2007.

Kingsway Buildings offers enviable facilities for students in the Faculty of Arts and Media, including rehearsal studios for music, drama and dance, fine art and photography workshops, and an outdoor courtyard performance space. Kingsway opens its doors to the public on a regular basis. The Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC) is a gallery and exhibition venue. During each academic year, the gallery hosts at least two major shows from invited and renowned artists, in addition to displaying the latest work from staff and students. As part of their course work, students regularly stage public performances at Kingsway.

Queen’s Park Campus, Handbridge

The headquarters for the Army’s Western Command was built between 1937 and 1939. Underground bunkers run beneath the building, wherein it is reputed that secret meetings were held between Winston Churchill, General Eisenhower and General de Gaulle in 1943 and 1944. Field Marshal Montgomery also reportedly visited the premises on numerous occasions. The Army vacated the building in 1997, and after a brief spell as the Head Office for North West Securities, during whose tenure Bridge House was built, Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) occupied the building until 2009, from which time the building was left empty for five years, suffering the effects of neglect and vandalism.

Purchased by the University in March 2015, the Art Deco fittings and historic features of the two structures have been preserved and restored. Significant work has returned both the fantastic Neo-Georgian property of Churchill House and the adjacent Bridge House to their former grandeur. The University of Chester Business School and the Faculty of Business and Management moved in to the premises ahead of the start of the academic year 2015/16, and specialist facilities have been established including a subject-specific library, lecture theatres, postgraduate study area, open-access computer suites containing the latest IT equipment and a top-floor brasserie-style dining area with picturesque views over the River Dee.


Thornton Science Park, Ince

The former Shell UK site for research and development purposes was under threat of closure in 2013, but it was ‘gifted’ to the University for the princely sum of £1 plus VAT and subsequent investment in the new Thornton Science Park has secured a bright future for this state-of-the-art, high-tech research facility.

Now the base for the newly-established Faculty of Science and Engineering (the first new Engineering faculty to open in the UK in almost two decades), the 66 acre site offers over a million square feet of teaching space, world class industrial laboratories, workshops and offices. The High Growth Centre at Thornton, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) provides free support packages for existing North West businesses operating in the advanced manufacturing, engineering, environment and automotive sectors, in addition to high quality commercial premises for start-up and spin-off enterprises. As well as being able to tap into graduate talent, keeping skills in the local area, businesses also have access to industry-leading research and development at Thornton Science Park.

Thornton not only encourages open innovation, but the opportunity to work with leading academics in the field of Renewable and Alternative Energy fields, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and the Natural Sciences. In addition, our established programmes in Mathematics, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Programme and Project Management and Games Development add another dimension to our business engagement opportunities across a variety of sectors.

Riverside Campus, Chester

The former headquarters of Cheshire County Council, County Hall was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1957, remaining in the Council’s usage until 2009. Then the new unitary authority, Cheshire West and Chester Council, moved to its new facilities on Nicholas Street. The building boasts a fascinating history and includes a nuclear bunker and the former court cells are still in existence.

The Faculties of Health and Social Care and Education and Children’s Services have now made the Riverside Building their base; after undergoing extensive renovation works in 2010, the Building now boasts specialised skills laboratories for Health and Social Care students, classroom settings for trainee teachers and the former Council Chamber is now a lecture theatre with raked seating and a state-of-the art AV system. Riverside is also home to the Faculty of Health and Social Care Museum.


Warrington Campus

A former camp for Canadian Officers in the Second World War was chosen by the then Lancashire County Education Committee as a suitable site for an emergency training college which opened in 1946. This College was intended as an institution for male students, former serviceman, to gain teaching qualifications. The Ministry of Education formally recognised Padgate Training College in 1949. After merging with other local institutions to become a part of the new North Cheshire College, the Higher Education College at Padgate Campus joined forces with Chester College of Higher Education, with the merger being ratified in August 2002.

As the University’s Warrington Campus, it has undergone a multi-million pound transformation. It provides courses from a range of faculties, with an emphasis on public services and the creative industries. It hosts the Warrington School of Management and the North West Media Centre, which enjoys links with national broadcasting, and its own radio station, in addition to training the majority of officers in Cheshire Police. Warrington Wolves RLFC, sponsored by the University, uses the site’s sports facilities for its training base.

People powerThe University’s key stakeholders are a significant resource in generating local, regional and national impact. For the purposes of this booklet, three particular groups are identified: students; staff; and visitors to the University.

Staff

The University requires permanent staff to live within 30 miles of their place of work; consequently, a large proportion of their income is spent within or close to that catchment area, generating direct economic impact and significant secondary effects.

In the 2014/15 academic year, the University employed 2,090 staff (individuals, as opposed to FTE), with a total salary bill of almost £60M.

Staff related expenditure in this 175th Anniversary year translates as:

• £39m GVA across the UK• £19m GVA across the North West• £9m GVA across Cheshire and Warrington• 580 FTE jobs across the UK• 340 FTE jobs across the North West• 150 FTE jobs across Cheshire and Warrington.


Visitors

In 2014/15, the University welcomed to its various sites over 64,000 visitors of which over 44,000 came from outside Cheshire and Warrington, and almost 27,000 from outside the North West.

The activities that attracted the largest numbers of visitors include:

• Open and Applicant Days for prospective students and their families

• Graduation ceremonies• Events organised by the University (for

the 2014/15 year, these included public lectures, exhibitions, performances, debates, conferences, festivals and alumni reunions).

Of these numbers of visitors, it is estimated that 4,100 visitors stayed overnight, spending an average of £144 per day in the area, with daytime only visitors spending an average £52 in the local economy. Using these amounts and applying them to the number of visitors and 2014/15 prices, visitor impacts have been assessed as:

The ‘student pound’

As a University with more than 20,000 students (15,568 taught at University of Chester campuses), the economic benefits from students are significant. Spending covers housing and associated costs in the local area, with outgoings including shopping and food purchases.

Estimated student expenditure for 2014/15 is approximately £226m. This breaks down into:

• £226m GVA across the UK

• £133m GVA across the North West

• £50m GVA across Cheshire and Warrington

• 3,670 FTE jobs across the UK

• 2,510 FTE jobs across the North West

• 950 FTE jobs across Cheshire and Warrington.

Estimated student expenditure for 2014/15

£226 MILLION

£2.4m GVA across the North West

£1.6mGVA across Cheshire and Warrington

56 FTE jobs across the North West

48 FTE jobsacross Cheshire and Warrington


The Chester Factor: What makes our University special? Academic prowess

Research can sometimes be seen as isolated from the ‘real world’, but there are some highly relevant ongoing projects at the University addressing contemporary concerns and with practical applications for society, including, though certainly not restricted to, the following:

• Exploring the benefit of standing desks on health; Professor John Buckley (Biological Sciences) is currently advising the World Health Organisation on his findings.

• Dr Simon Oliver, Lecturer in Conservation Biology, leading a research team that captured the first recorded photograph of the live birth of a thresher shark at a seamount (undersea mountain) in the Philippines. This has prompted work by his team to designate the seamount as a marine protected area, serving as a pupping station to ensure the protection of this rare and vulnerable species.

• Internationally acclaimed contemporary artist, Dr Simon Grennan (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Art and Design) recently publishing a graphic novel entitled Dispossession: A Novel of Few Words, inspired by Anthony Trollope’s John Caldigate (1879) and commissioned by Belgian University KU Leuven.

• The nature of human mortality being explored through the Time Lord’s relationships with time and death by Dr Alec Charles, Head of

Media, in his book, Out of Time: The Deaths and Resurrections of Doctor Who.

• Establishing the Centre for Ageing Studies, in response to the opportunities and challenges of a world in which people are living longer, to provide research, consultancy and education and bring together researchers, clinicians and other professionals. Members of the Centre are advising the General Medical Council on a new postgraduate curriculum to enhance the care of older people, in addition to working with the Professional Standards Authority for improved professional regulation, and the Royal College of General Practitioners on competencies for GPs relating to Dementia treatment and care.

• A team led by Professor Howard Williams, of the Department of History and Archaeology, in collaboration with the University of Bangor, demystifying the enigmatic Pillar of Eliseg on a Bronze Age burial mound, close to Valle Crucis Abbey, Llangollen. One of the key aims of ‘Project Eliseg’ was to explore the biography of this monument, from prehistoric origins to the present

day, bringing its importance and allure to the public stage. You can watch the video blogs for the excavations of Project Eliseg here: www.youtube.com/user/ProjectElisegMedia

• Dr Servel Miller, Programme Leader for the BSc Natural Hazard Management and Vice Chair of the National Flood Forum developing and leading a number of CPD courses covering key aspects of the current flood challenge in the UK, including flood modelling, flood risk assessments and building flood resistant communities. The courses have been fully booked with participants attending from a range of environmental consultancies, water companies, engineering groups, risk assessors and conservation and community action groups.

• A decade of involvement by Professor Roy Alexander and the Department of Geography and International Development Studies with Ashton Hayes in Cheshire, and its aim to become the UK’s first carbon neutral village.

• A definitive study of cancer and the care of people with the disease being published by Professor

Nick Hulbert-Williams, of the Department of Psychology. Cancer and Cancer Care is an edited collection which has been lauded as essential reading for oncologists, psychologists, health practitioners and social workers. It includes chapters on psychosocial adjustment to cancer, music and art therapy in cancer care, the biology of cancer, cancer detection and diagnosis and cancer and mental illness.

All 16 of the academic areas submitted for the Research Excellence Framework have been judged to include internationally excellent research, with 14 out of 16 areas including world leading research. The REF 2014 shows significant growth in our activities from the Research Assessment Exercise of 2008, where 71 staff were submitted in 10 Units of Assessment, as opposed to more than doubling the number of staff submitted in 2014 (151) in 16 Units of Assessment.


Among the region’s most employable graduates

The University of Chester has consistently enjoyed a highly successful graduate employment rate. A significant number of former students choose to stay in the area, and equally, established residents undertake part-time programmes or continuing professional development at the University, helping to reinforce the region’s skilled workforce.

The information collected through the Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey (DLHE) for 2013/14 shows that 82% of University of Chester leavers were in employment or undertaking further study within six months of completing their course. This makes the University above the national average for graduate employment.

The University has a number of initiatives and courses to help improve the employability of its students:

• Work-based learning is included in the second year curriculum of almost all undergraduate programmes;

• The Careers and Employability Centre offers schemes such as Graduate Head Start which provides students with tailored guidance on how to secure appropriate employment;

• The Chester Business Masters, offered by the University of Chester Business School, is specifically structured around work-based placements, in partnership with both multi-national companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);

• The UniJob programme, encouraging University faculties and departments to consider engaging current students on short-term projects.

The Riverside Innovation Centre (RIC) opened in 2011, and introduced a unique business development and knowledge exchange function into a single, modern and accessible location in the heart of Chester. As well as providing a first class conferencing and event environment, the RIC provides:

• Exceptional resources to support the operation of up to 15 new businesses at any one time across a number of key industrial and commercial sectors;

• A focal point for the generation and testing of new business ideas through research, knowledge transfer and business development/support activity;

• A hub for knowledge exchange and product development between students and staff of the University, graduates, established practitioners and professional advisory and developmental organisations;

• An access point for business start-up and support facilities for new businesses with phased, graduated support for both pre-start-up and early stage enterprises.


Accomplished alumni

The University is immensely proud of its graduates and what they go on to achieve after their time at Chester. Among our notable alumni are:

• Sir Dave Brailsford CBE, Performance Director of British Cycling and General Manager of Team Sky, (BSc (Hons), Sports Science and Psychology, 1987–1990).

• Michael Campbell, drummer in The Courteeners (BA (Hons), Television Production, 2002–2005).

• Professor Alan Emery FRSE, (teacher training, 1945–1947), the first to delineate the disease Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy; its protein, Emerin, was named after him, as was the Emery-Nelson syndrome.

• Jo Fletcher, international footballer (MSc Exercise and Nutrition Science, 2003–2005).

• Matt Greenhalgh, BAFTA award winning film director and screenwriter (BA (Hons) Media Studies with Business Management and Information Technology, 1992–1995).

• Dick Howard, international footballer (HND Physical Education, 1963–1965).

• Roderick Hunt MBE, children’s author (Cert Ed Divinity and English, 1957–1959).

• J. Thomas Looney devised the Oxfordian theory (Cert Ed, 1890–1891).

• Tracey Neville MBE, international netball player and England Netball Coach (BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Exercise Science, 2004–2007).

• Thomas Plunkett, President of the Royal Watercolour Society (BA (Hons) Fine Art and English, graduated in 1994).

• The Singh Twins MBE, internationally acclaimed contemporary British artists (BA (Hons) Comparative Religion, Ecclesiastical History and 20th Century Western Art History, graduated in 1987).

• Jon Sleightholme, international rugby union player (1991–1994).

• David ‘Comedy Dave’ Vitty, BBC Radio 1 presenter (BA (Hons) Media Studies and Business Management, 1992–1995).

• Nicola Wilson. British three-day event rider (Sport and Business Management at the Warrington Campus, graduated in 1999).

• Sir Walter Winterbottom, footballer and first manager of the England football team (Cert Ed, 1931–1933).

• Rob Wotton, Sky Sports presenter (BA (Hons) Health and Community Studies, 1987–1990).

Honorary graduates

Twice a year at its graduation ceremonies in Chester Cathedral, the University honours selected individuals through the conferment of honorary degrees, to acknowledge outstanding contributions in the region and nationally. Recent recipients include:

• Nicola Horlick: Doctor of Business Administration, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to business and entrepreneurship in this country (2015).

• Sir Philip Craven MBE: Doctor of Letters, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to and accomplishments in the field of Paralympic sport, particularly regarding his presiding over the International Paralympic Committee (2015).

• Mark Cavendish MBE: Doctor of Science, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to and accomplishments in the field of professional road and track cycling (2015).

• The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull: Doctor of Letters, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Ministry in this country, in particular in recognition of her roles as Dean of Leicester and Dean of York (2014).

• Louise Minchin: Doctor of Letters, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the British journalism and broadcasting industries (2014).

• Major Phil Packer MBE: Master of Arts, in recognition for the role of Provost in the British Army and outstanding and inspirational charitable activities (2014).

• Dame Esther Rantzen DBE: Doctor of Letters, in recognition of outstanding contribution to British media through journalism, television production and presenting, also extensive charity work and founding of Childline (2014).

• Brian Cosgrove: Doctor of Letters, in recognition of outstanding contribution to the arts, in particular sculpture and film production (2014).

• Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE: Doctor of Science, in recognition of outstanding and inspirational contribution to the field of exploration (2014).

For further information on the University’s alumni and honorary graduates, please visit www.alumni.chester.ac.uk


Community and social engagement

The University’s commitment to its surroundings is demonstrated by a broad scope of activities and links.

The University Community Liaison Committee meets once a term and its membership includes representatives from local residents’ associations, Cheshire Police, landlords, Chester Students’ Union, council members and officers and relevant members of University staff. A significant development for 2015/16 is the appointment of a Community Liaison Manager.

The University has a strong volunteering ethos, which equates to over 31,300 volunteering hours being dedicated to local communities in the 2014/15 academic year.

Chester Students’ Union organises regular community events including the ‘Community Clean Up’, in collaboration with Cheshire West and Chester Council representatives.

The University’s Public Events Programme is widely distributed and features events such as the Chester Literature Festival, Cheshire Prize for Literature, Diversity Festival, public lectures, art exhibitions, performances, specialist talks and demonstrations. http://www.chester.ac.uk/at-chester/events

The annual High Sheriff’s Awards for Enterprise, hosted by the University, celebrate excellence in businesses of all shapes and sizes across the region.

Students and staff fundraise throughout the year for varying causes; 2014/15 saw two members of the Senior Management Team take on the longest zip wire in the UK to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Families United Warrington. Events Management students

raised over £6,000 for charity during the year, with donations going to Warrington Food Bank, Chester Deaf Centre and Clatterbridge Cancer Charity among others. These examples are only a sample of the total charity contribution.

The University itself is a registered charity, but it has also formed Chester TWIN, a charity which supports areas in need at home and overseas.

Green Chester is the University-wide initiative, driven by the Sustainability Unit, which aims to embed sustainability throughout the University’s campuses, communities, culture and curriculum. The mission, ‘to green the University of Chester’ is supported through a number of ongoing projects, including ‘Green Impact’ and ‘The DoNation’; additionally, state of the art solar panels and inverters have been installed, which are projected to reduce the University’s carbon footprint by 152 tonnes of C02e between December 2015 and December 2016.

Warrington Wolves is currently sponsored by the University, and its training base has been

established at the Warrington Campus, which also hosted the Samoan team during the last Rugby League World Cup. All-weather pitches at the Parkgate Road Campus are used by Chester City FC for training purposes.

The fitness suite at the Parkgate Road Campus is used by the Countess of Chester Hospital to provide cardiac rehabilitation for heart patients and sports facilities are also used by local schools.

OVER

31,000VOLUNTEERING HOURS IN 2014/15

PREDICTED REDUCTION

152 TONNES

C02e


Productive partnerships

The University enjoys working with a range of organisations, not only in the education sector, but with businesses and commercial entities both nationally and internationally, to deliver a wide variety of programmes and activities.

• Previous years have seen a rise in constructive links with universities and colleges overseas, including: Tongji University and the University of Renmin, both in China; the University of Copenhagen; Alverno College, USA; The Delhi Heart and Lung Institute; the Pedagogical University, Vienna; and Charles Sturt University, New South Wales, Australia.

• The University has associate colleges, including Reaseheath College, Wirral Metropolitan College, West Cheshire College and the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education.

• Partner health organisations include Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospitals,) Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Leighton Hospital,) Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and both 5 Boroughs and Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trusts.

• The University is also extremely active on the business circuit, and works closely with the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, Ellesmere Port Development Board, Chester Business Club and a number of other bodies, including local authorities, in terms of sustainable development and economic regeneration.

• The University has strong connections with Chester Cathedral and the Cheshire Lieutenancy, and is an active member of the Cathedrals Group, a network of 16 UK higher education institutions with Christian foundations.

• The University validates the degrees of a number of theological colleges across the UK, including Regents Theological College, Westminster Theological College, St John’s College Nottingham and the Irish Baptist College. Research degrees at Glyndwr University are also validated by the University of Chester.

• The University of Chester China Centre was established in early 2015 as a research and community outreach entity, with the aim of facilitating academic arts and business exchanges and development between the UK, China and beyond.

Such partnerships are beneficial for all institutions involved, generating extensive knowledge exchange and helping the University of Chester’s expertise to be shared on a regional, national and international scale.


Widening Participation

The University works hard to ensure that it fulfils its social responsibility and is supportive of the aspirations of anyone with the qualifications to embark on higher education, regardless of their socio-economic background or personal circumstances.

In addition to completing an Access Agreement (for the Office for Fair Access), colleagues in a number of departments work with local schools and colleges to promote the benefits of higher education in general; the sight of 20 primary-age children processing in caps and gowns on the University’s Parkgate Road Campus is not a rare occurrence, as they have their first taste of university.

The Department of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions has a dedicated Outreach section, which works extensively with schools, academies and sixth form and further education colleges across a broad geographical footprint.

In addition, the Department of Student Support and Guidance runs a school mentoring programme for both primary and secondary students in the Chester and Warrington areas.

The University’s own students work closely as fully-trained mentors with pupils, with four main aims:

1.Raising standards of academic performance

2. Raising awareness of higher education opportunities

3. Developing study skills in order to improve their application towards school work

4. Developing greater self-esteem, motivation, confidence and persistence.

A recent partnership, developed in 2014 with Cheshire Young Carers (CYC), seeks to establish targeted support for carers applying to the University. The package includes: assistance with University applications and early support meetings; a financial bursary for three years of study; a named University contact to support with all aspects of University life; and support into employment or further study.

Through the Article 26 project, the University also provides a ‘Sanctuary Award,’ offering support to one student a year, seeking asylum in the UK.

Full report

A copy of the full Economic Impact Assessment 2015 is available at www.chester.ac.uk/about/the-university

For further information, please contact Corporate Communications on [email protected]

For additional copies of this publication, or to request alternative

formats (large print, Braille, tape or in translation) please contact the University’s Department of Corporate Communications on 01244 511344

University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJT: 01244 511000 E: [email protected] W: www.chester.ac.uk

Facebook.com/uochester Twitter.com/uochester YouTube.com/uochester Instagram.com/uochester

Documents

UoC Economic Impact Report (2016) (002)