A huge thank you to all Alumni who completed the Alumni Reunion preferences survey earlier this year. The Alumni Team have been hard at work using your feedback to shape this year’s reunion programme. 

We are delighted to announce that bookings are now open for our Alumni Reunion Weekend 2026, taking place from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September at Exton Park. 

The weekend’s programme is designed to be informal and flexible. Friday (11th September) will feature the main organised activities, with the rest of the weekend offering time to explore Chester and reconnect with fellow Alumni at your own pace.  

Whether you’re reconnecting with old friends, revisiting familiar places or simply curious to see how the University has changed, we would love to welcome you back to campus. 

Booking Deadline: 11th August 2026 

Find out more and book your place

Earlier this year, we began highlighting the various ways the Careers and Employability Team continues to support our graduates and alumni beyond their time at the University. 

This month, we are focusing on our next key theme: CareerHub resources and partner tools! 

As a graduate, you have lifelong access to the Careers and Employability service, including their dedicated platform, CareerHub. CareerHub offers a wide range of useful resources, guides and tools designed to support you with career exploration and application writing, including a CV AI checker, online practice tests and video interview simulators. 

Benefits of using CareerHub include: 

• Gain access to a wide range of guides and tools developed for University of Chester students and graduates. 
• Access additional support through the ‘Ask a Question’ feature and Career Consultant appointments. 
• Free, lifelong access to all resources! 

To get started, please visit the CareerHub login page and sign in as a ‘Graduate up to 2 years’. When accessing the platform for the first time as a graduate, you’ll be asked to reset your password and provide a non-University email address stored on record.  

If you don’t know the email address on record, or no longer have access to it, select ‘Forgotten your details or don’t have access to your email?’. You’ll be asked to provide a few details, and the team will aim to review your request as soon as possible.

The Graduate Outcomes Survey is a national survey for recent graduates to share where your course has taken you; whether you’re working, studying further, or something else entirely!   

Your feedback helps current and future students make informed decisions about their future and shapes the way courses at the University are developed.  

Did you complete your course between February 2025 and April 2025? 

You’ll have been emailed the survey link, so please check your emails. Can’t find it? Email us at graduateoutcomes@chester.ac.uk, and we’ll be happy to resend it to you.  

The easiest and quickest way to complete the survey is online, however if we’re unable to contact you by email, you may receive a phone call. The caller will introduce themselves as calling from IFF Research on behalf of the University of Chester.  

Did you know we’re on Instagram , Facebook and LinkedIn ?

Stay connected with the University of Chester alumni community by following our social channels, where we share the latest news, events and opportunities from across the University and the Alumni team. 

We also love to feature our Alumni stories! If you have any updates or stories you’d like to share about your time here or what you’ve gone on to do, please get in touch with alumni@chester.ac.uk - we’d love to hear from you!

The Festival of Ideas begins this Thursday (2nd of July) and runs through to Sunday (5th of July). Join us for an exciting programme of over 100 FREE events exploring a wide range of themes.  

This year’s headline events include appearances from David Baddiel, Mariella Frostrup, Greg Jenner, Mya-Rose Craig and Gary Younge as well as a timely discussion on Mobile phones in schools: Necessary tool or toxic distraction?

Other highlights include:  

• The Royal Institution: Do it yourself community show – explosive science for all ages 
• A Wild Futures afternoon – drop-in session with activities for every age; bring your household electrical, joinery and clothing items for repair at our pop-up repair café!
• Research is a laugh – stand-up comedy with a research twist 
• The science of fuelling for endurance sports: what’s on the plate? – for those wanting to learn how to get more out of their training. 
• And much more… 

Booking is recommended, but you are also very welcome to drop in on the day - we hope to see you there! 

View the Festival Programme here

• Friday 3rd July  
• 4.30pm - 5.30pm  
• Senate House, Exton Park  
• Free

Explore the University’s history from its opening in 1839 through to the present day through 15 objects.  

The University of Chester Alumni Archive team, alongside undergraduate students from the experiential learning module Curious Chester, will be highlighting 15 objects from across the decades, with discussion on how each connects to an important moment in the University’s history. 

Book your ticket

• Saturday 4th July  
• 12pm - 1pm 
• Chester Town Hall, CH1 2HQ 
• Free

Greg is a public historian, author, and broadcaster best known as the historical consultant of the award-winning TV series Horrible Histories. Come and join us for a family friendly event with Greg Jenner exploring how, why, and when the Romans first invaded.  

Book your tickets

• Sunday 5th July  
• 1pm – 2.30pm 
• Chester Town Hall, CH1 2HQ 
• Free

Join us for an in‑conversation event with David Baddiel: award‑winning comedian, bestselling author, and acclaimed cultural commentator. 

This event offers a rare opportunity to hear David share sharp observations and thoughtful perspectives from his remarkable and wide-ranging career. 

Book your tickets

For those in the local area, Chester Zoo is offering discounted afternoon tickets for just £10. These tickets allow entry from 2pm (last entry is one hour before closing ).  

Tickets must be purchased online in advance, before 4pm on the day of your planned visit. 

Book your tickets here

Universities UK has opened submissions to their 50 Future Innovators campaign: a UK-wide celebration of people driving impactful, innovative work which is related to a university.  

Anyone over the age of 18 can be nominated, including self-nominations, as long as their work is linked in some way to a UK university 

Submissions are welcome from staff, students, alumni, spin-out founders, or those whose work draws on university research. 

Nomination Deadline: Friday 17th July 

Find out more

• Wednesday 12th August 2026 
• 5.30pm - 7pm 
• Online 
• Free

Join us for an online-only PGCE event and discover how our teacher training courses can help you become a confident, reflective, and inspiring educator.  

Whether you're interested in teaching in a primary or secondary setting, this is your opportunity to explore your options and take the next step towards a rewarding career in education. 

Book your place

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: 

• New Psychology Of... podcast episode looks at what makes a psychopath 
• Chester student champions charity with research 
• Esther Ghey joins Cheshire education leader and Police and Crime Commissioner for festival event discussing mobile phones in schools 
• Research explores how TV show Drive to Survive has transformed Formula One 
• Double national award shortlisting for university student support team 

…and plenty more stories from across our university community. 

Staying in the UK this summer? Make the most of the longest managed coastal walking route in the world here in England! Covering 2,689 miles around the entire English coastline, the King Charles III England Coastal Path officially opened in March 2026, taking walkers along free, picturesque landscapes.

As we approach the summer holiday period, it is important to maintain your wellbeing whilst enjoying a break away from work.  

This includes looking after your body as well as your mental health. Here are 10 essential wellbeing tips to make sure that you enjoy the summer and return to work relaxed, heathy and ready to go!