You may have previously known us as ‘DARO’ – the Development and Alumni Relations Team. The team has changed considerably over recent years, we’ve bid farewell to some colleagues and welcomed new ones, and we’ve also had to prioritise roles and responsibilities.

So, it’s a great opportunity for us to get re-acquainted! Your Alumni Team sits within the ‘Communications’ Directorate and we all wear many hats supporting various areas of work that fall within Communications. However, we are dedicated to ensuring we maintain a relationship with you, celebrating your time at Chester and all that you have achieved since! 

Your Alumni Team is made up of:

• Louise Wood – Communications Director: Louise now oversees the overall Alumni activity.
• Megan Kemp – Development Officer (currently on maternity leave): Megan is responsible for Development which includes things like our regular giving, donations, legacies and awards.
• Michal Orlowski – Alumni Communications Assistant: Michal is the engine room of getting out the regular communications to our wonderful alumni community and also social media posts as well as helping to keep our website pages up to date.
• Amy Hultum – Communications & Events Assistant: Amy has taken on the amazing role of leading on our Alumni Archive! Amy has a real passion for looking after and cataloguing all the amazing artifacts we have within our collection, keep an eye on our social media posts to see the latest finds.

Our Graduation Gallery from the November 2025 ceremonies is now live!

Take a moment to relive the achievements and special moments from our latest cohort of graduates. If you’re sharing anything on social media, make sure to tag us in! (Instagram: @chesteralumni & Facebook: University of Chester Alumni Network)

Click here to explore the gallery.

Happy photo hunting!

As part of the monthly Graduate Shout Out, we will be highlighting different ways the Careers and Employability Team supports our graduates and alumni after University. 

This month, we’re focusing on the first key point: The Final Year & Graduate Network (2025/26) – LinkedIn Group

Join the University of Chester Final Year & Graduate Network (2025/26) on LinkedIn to support your next steps into work, self employment or further study.

The group shares opportunities, practical advice and peer informed support to help you build your network, gain experience, strengthen your applications and progress your career.

Why join?

• Vacancies & opportunities: graduate roles, internships, schemes and events.
• Practical tips: resources, peer insights and application advice.
• Community: ask questions, share experiences and connect with others.

For more information or questions about the LinkedIn group, please email graduatesuccess@chester.ac.uk.

• Tuesday 3rd March 2026
• 10.30am - 2.30pm
• Small Hall, Exton Park

Ready to start your career journey? The GradGO! Careers Fair offers the chance to meet local employers, explore graduate roles and get practical career advice in a relaxed setting.

Why attend?

• Meet employers recruiting for local graduate opportunities.
• Discover roles that match your skills and interests.
• Build your network and make a strong first impression.
• Get advice from Career Consultants discover what it takes to stand out

How to prepare

• No booking needed — just drop in.
• Check the event page for confirmed exhibitors.
• Use CareerSet to review your CV.
• Visit CareerHub for LinkedIn tips and networking guidance.
• Watch this short video on Networking Tips

The first 30 minutes will be a quiet session for anyone who prefers a calmer, low sensory environment.

We’re thrilled to share some major updates coming to two of our University sites. Funding from the Office for Students is allowing us to invest in our facilities and enhance the student experience across the Exton Park and Queen’s Park sites. 

Chester Business School, Queen’s Park 

A brand-new FinTech (Financial Technology) Lab is coming to Chester Business School, which will mimic a fast-paced immersive, trading floor style experience for our Finance and Accounting students.

Binks, Exton Park

We’re replacing the roof of the Binks building and creating two new, large teaching spaces on the second floor. These will become modern, accessible lecture theatres used by students from a range of courses.

Outdoor Seating Area, School of Education, Exton Park

We’re building an innovative outdoor seating area outside the School of Education which will be used for teaching, workshops, performances and campus events (including Varsity!).

A large screen will also be installed on the front of the building for outdoor cinema experiences and live streams of major student events such as Graduation.

Take a look at the new mock up image showing the planned outdoor seating area, made possible through this funding.

We can’t wait to share the finished spaces with you!

Find out more about our estates work 

Remember that if you would like to help support the work of our wonderful estates team, we have a dedicated fund that you can donate or give to regularly. Our physical estate is so important to the student experience, any gift towards maintaining it and investing in it is so helpful.

Are you looking to enhance your skills, increase your earning potential, or advance your career by returning to education?

Join us at our Postgraduate Open Event and explore the variety of postgraduate study options available at the University of Chester, including taught Master’s, postgraduate research, PGCE and conversion courses.

• Wednesday 25th March
• 5:30pm 
• Exton Park, Chester

You’ll have the opportunity to meet with academic staff and speak to experts from support areas, such as postgraduate finance and admissions.

Additionally, you may be eligible for our Graduate Loyalty Discount, offering 20% off qualifying postgraduate taught Master’s courses.

Find out more about our Postgraduate Open Event

• Wednesday, 25th February 2026
• 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
• School of Education, Exton Park, Chester
• Tickets: £13.27 per person

We’re delighted to share that Seed Talks has partnered with the University of Chester to host a fascinating series of public talks right here in our historic city.

The next event in the series features Dr Emily Prpa, who will explore the extraordinary role your gut plays in supporting whole body health. You may have heard that the gut is central to wellbeing, but what does it actually do, and what does a healthy gut look like? Dr Prpa will delve into the latest research on the gut microbiome and its impact on everything from immunity and hormones to skin, sleep and mental health.

The talk will shine a spotlight on the Gut–Brain axis: the two way communication system linking your digestive system and your brain. With around 90% of serotonin being produced in the gut, Dr Prpa will discuss which foods can help support mood and overall wellbeing. This microbiome masterclass will offer clear, evidence based guidance on how to nourish your body and mind through a balanced, gut friendly diet, while also dispelling common myths surrounding fad diets.

Find out more

Are you 25 or under and running a business in CH1–CH4? This is your chance to get recognised, boost your profile, and open doors for your business. 

This is your chance to gain recognition, raise your profile and unlock new opportunities for your business. The award celebrates young entrepreneurs building exciting and impactful ventures in Chester, and you could be one of them.

Why apply?

• Gain public recognition for your hard work 
• Boost credibility with customers, investors and partners 
• Get your business in front of influential judges and local leaders 
• Strengthen your CV, portfolio or investment pitch 
• Stand out as one of Chester’s brightest young founders

What to Include

In around 1,000 words, tell your business story so far. Judges want to see:

• How your business has grown or gained traction
• Evidence of a scalable brand or business model
• Your ambition, leadership and commercial thinking
• How you're making an impact or raising standards in your sector
• The difference your business is already making in Chester
• Your future vision and plans for growth

Find out more about the Young Entrepreneur Award

Have You Completed Your Graduate Outcomes Survey?

The Graduate Outcomes Survey is a national survey for recent graduates to share where your course has taken you, whether you are working, studying further or doing something completely different. Your feedback helps future students make informed decisions and shapes how courses are developed.

• Did you complete your course between August and October 2024?
• You have until 28 February 2026 to complete your Graduate Outcomes Survey.
• Many from your course have already responded. Do not miss your chance to share your experience.

You will have been emailed a personalised survey link, so please check your inbox. If you cannot find it, email graduateoutcomes@chester.ac.uk and we will resend it.

If we cannot reach you by email, you may receive a call from IFF Research, phoning on behalf of the University of Chester. Completing the survey online is much quicker and easier.

Each month the University shares a wide range of news updates which you can follow on the website’s ‘News Page’. 

This month’s highlights include:

• Psychology podcast explores the showdown in the Traitors turret
• Student Harry to tackle Snowdon challenge in aid of a blood cancer charity
• First events revealed for the 2026 Chester Festival of Ideas

…and plenty more stories from across our University community.

Enjoy the great indoors – A cosy winter on a budget

On a fresh, sunny winter’s day we encourage you to go outside and enjoy nature, but that’s not to say you can’t enjoy the rainy days indoors either! 

You could experiment with new recipes, try a DIY spa day, or, slightly further from home, visit your local library and museums. Prefer a classic night in? Perhaps you could reduce costs by hosting a “bring your own” games night.