University of Chester Alumni Network

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University of Chester Alumni Network

We have a thriving alumni community of over 100,000 graduates. Like us to find out about all the latest news and events.

The University of Chester alumni network is a friends and contacts network, aiming to keep you connected to the University via a programme of events, reunions and networking opportunities.

28/05/2026

🙌 Congratulations to Councillor Alan Smith on his appointment as Sheriff of Chester for the coming year.

🔗 A former colleague in our Learning and Information Services (LIS) department, Alan’s achievement reflects the strong and growing links between the University and the wider Chester community.

We would like to wish Councillor Smith every success during his year in office.

For more information about his appointment, please visit https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/26130353.lord-mayor-sheriff-chester-announced-coming-year/

(Image Credit: Cheshire West and Chester Council)

22/05/2026

🎓 Congratulations to our May Graduation Class of 2026!

☀️ Today, we celebrated over 100 international students graduating from the University in the sunshine, with ceremonies held in our Chapel at Exton Park.

👋 Welcome to our global alumni community! We’re excited to hear what you go on to achieve in the future!

21/05/2026

🎓 Tomorrow, the University will be hosting our final graduation ceremony of the 2025–2026 academic year!

🙌 Over 100 international graduates will be celebrated in a number of ceremonies held in our Chapel at Exton Park.

To set the mood, we thought we’d share some highlights from previous May graduations!

18/05/2026

📜 Alumni Aaron Agbanu recently graduated from the University of Chester with a Master of Science in Haematology and was part of a specially selected group of students invited to deliver a speech on behalf of his graduating cohort.

In one of the standout moments from our March graduation ceremonies, Aaron’s speech marked an important milestone in his personal and academic journey. It followed years of hard work, during which he overcame a stammer while completing his Master’s degree and presenting his research.

👏 We wish Aaron every success for the future as he looks to contribute to advances in the study of blood and blood disorders.

To read more about Aaron’s story, please visit chester.ac.uk/about/news/articles/chester-student-conquers-stammer-to-earn-masters-and-give-graduation-speech/

16/05/2026

📚 Congratulations to alumnus Dr Anthony Annakin‑Smith (2007) on the publication of his second book, Left But Not Forgotten: The Children of the Foundling Hospital at Chester.

Published by University of Chester Press, the book explores the history of the Chester branch of the Foundling Hospital charity, based at what is now the city’s Grade II*‑listed Bluecoat building on Upper Northgate Street.

🏥 The Foundling Hospital cared for thousands of babies who had been abandoned or whose parents were unable to look after them. Many were born to unmarried mothers or into poverty, with families hoping to secure a better future for their children.

The book traces the foundation of the Chester branch and brings together the stories of the 306 children who were cared for there, examining their lives before, during and after their time at the Hospital.

Find out more about how to purchase his book via https://www.chester.ac.uk/about/news/articles/new-book-tells-moving-story-of-abandoned-children-cared-for-at-foundling-hospital-branch-in-chester/

15/05/2026

⬅️📅 87 years ago today, the University of Chester marked a significant moment in its history.

The Right Honourable Earl of Derby KG, PC laid the foundation stone of a new hostel at the request of the Lord Bishop of Chester, on behalf of the Governing Body. This stone was placed within the building we now know as Fisher (photo number 1).

The architect behind the new hostel was F. C. Saxon of Chester. Lord Derby, the 17th Earl, was the grandson of the 14th Earl, who is recognised as one of the College’s six founders. The ceremony was followed by a celebratory centenary garden party attended by around 700 guests.

🏫 We recently had the pleasure of welcoming a very special visitor, Mr Tim Astbury, who was present at the original foundation ceremony. He kindly brought along the spade used by his mother, Mrs Ida Astbury, wife of the Principal, Canon Stanley Astbury, to cut the first sod in 1939. Mrs Astbury can be seen holding Tim’s hand in the final photo.

We can’t wait to share more about Tim’s visit in the coming weeks.

12/05/2026

🏆 Award-winning Chester! 🏅

🏥 The University of Chester has won the ‘Teaching Innovation of the Year’ Curriculum category at the prestigious Student Nursing Times Awards.

The winning initiative, ‘Preparing Student Nurses for the Realities of Practice: A Simulated Night Shift Approach to Public Health and Homelessness’, was recognised for its outstanding and innovative approach to preparing students for real-world clinical practice.

To read more about this achievement, please visit chester.ac.uk/about/news/articles/university-of-chester-wins-national-nursing-award-for-teaching-innovation/

10/05/2026

Chester Made is about celebrating where your degree takes you, from your first steps on campus to the career successes that follow.

We recently spoke with Natasha, an MA Educational Leadership alumna, to learn how her time at the University of Chester helped refine her voice as a researcher and writer.

Natasha reflects on how her Master’s degree developed her confidence in research, writing and critical thinking, and encouraged her to question policy and leadership practice. She highlights completing her dissertation as a particularly meaningful moment, helping her connect theory with real‑world experience.

She also reflects on the support of her academic tutor, describing how she was always challenged, but never unsupported.

Since graduating, Natasha has gone on to publish Raising Ella, a personal book shaped by both lived experience and research insight gained from the University, alongside her continuing work in education leadership.

To read Natasha’s story and other Chester Made entries, please visit: chester.ac.uk/about/news/categories/chester-made/

If you have a story about how the University helped you on your employment journey and you’d like to share it, please visit chester.ac.uk/chester-made/ .en.123576 to submit your story. We’d love to hear it!

08/05/2026

🌍 Interested in learning a new language this year?

Bookings are now open for our five-week Modern Languages Taster Courses, beginning this month!

All courses run once a week from 6.30pm–8.30pm at Exton Park, starting on 18th May and running until the week commencing 15th June.

Courses are usually £99, but members of our Alumni community can enjoy an exclusive £24 discount, reducing the price to £75.

Places are limited and some courses fill up quickly, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

To receive your discount code, simply complete the Alumni form via https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=bj6EGEYYbEWgXFAPCu4S9uJiLRm6NWtMuVHJejSD95NUQlQ4MkVaVDgxWFA1WlM2N1lJR0w2WFlQViQlQCN0PWcu. Codes are issued on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Please note that discount requests cannot be accepted via email.

03/05/2026

Chester Made is about celebrating where your degree takes you, from your first steps on campus to the career successes that follow.

We recently spoke with Josh, an Adult Nursing BN alum, to find out how his time at the University of Chester shaped his journey into nursing.

Josh reflects on the strong sense of community he experienced during his studies, describing how the support of his peers and the wider student community made a real difference throughout the course.

He highlights the wide range of placement opportunities he undertook, which included settings such as critical care, community nursing and children’s emergency care, and how training across both adult and paediatric nursing gave him a broader perspective on patient care.

Alongside his studies, Josh also took on opportunities to represent student voices and contribute to discussions around transinclusive practice in healthcare.

To read Josh’s story and other Chester Made entries, please visit: https://www.chester.ac.uk/about/news/categories/chester-made/

If you have a story about how the University helped you on your employment journey and you’d like to share it, please visit https://www.chester.ac.uk/chester-made/ .en.123576 to submit your story. We’d love to hear it!

30/04/2026

🎓 Did you know that Careers and Employability support from the University doesn’t end at graduation?

As an Alumni of the University of Chester, you are entitled to lifelong access to Careers and Employability support and advice. This support is available at any stage of your career journey, whether you are just starting out, changing direction, or looking to progress in your current role.

This support includes:

✅ 1-2-1 advice from our experienced Careers Consultants

✅ Access to the Get a Grad Job scheme

✅ Help to start or grow your own business through the Venture Programme

✅ Access to our annual graduate jobs careers fair, GradGO!

✅ Access to the University of Chester Final Year and Recent Graduate Network (2025–26) on LinkedIn

✅ Access to the Getting Hired Toolkit, designed to help you feel prepared for the recruitment process

👆 Visit https://careers.chester.ac.uk/students/login?ReturnUrl=%2fstudents to find out more about how the Careers and Employability team supports our graduates.

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http://www.chester.ac.uk/alumni

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