Chester is a handsome, historical city in the north-west of England. Around a quarter of the students at the university come from the local region, while there is a modest but growing number of international students. They might also be attracted by the wide array of subjects: how about archaeology, TV production or zoo management? There are four campuses, three in Chester (Parkgate road in Chester, Kingsway and Riverside) and one in Warrington. All are student-friendly, manageable, and close to Liverpool and Manchester for big nights out. There are also a number of bases at NHS sites across Cheshire and the Wirral for those studying to be nurses or midwives. More than 95% of recent graduates were in employment or further study within six months of leaving, significantly above the national average. In terms of preparing students for their careers – and the University of Chester has been ranked first or second in the North West in official measures of employability over the past three years. The university also ranks highly for student satisfaction - it scored 88% in the latest national survey - and its student support function has been presented with the British Quality Foundation's UK Excellence Award. Accommodation Approximately 65% of first-year students are housed in halls of residence, two of which are brand new. Weekly prices range from £58.40 to £150.00, depending on facilities and meal packages. Facilities The Riverside campus for the Faculty of Education and Children's Services and the Faculty of Health and Social Care features a library, extensive IT facilities and specialist teaching facilities, including laboratories for practising clinical skills. There is even a Faculty of Health and Social Care Museum. The adjacent Riverside Innovation Centre provides state-of-the-art facilities and business support to new and growing businesses. At Kingsway, the Faculty of Arts and Media benefits from a ground-floor gallery and exhibition space, rehearsal and performance studios, art studios, workshops for textiles, sculpture and 3D, printmaking, graphic design, sounds and video editing suites, photographic studios and more. At Warrington, the former student union bar (now Bar and ClubTwenty10) has been transformed into a venue that attracts up and coming acts. On the Parkgate road Chester campus, there are language and science laboratories and a shortly-to-be-extended learning resource centre. Among the more unusual facilities is a 'CSI' garden, where forensic biology students can hone their investigative skills. Specialist degrees in sports science are run at the Chester and Warrington campuses, so facilities are good. They include playing fields, all-weather pitches, fitness centres, a swimming pool, an athletics track and squash courts. The multi-million pound Thornton Science Park opened to students in September 2014. The former Shell research facility boasts world-class equipment and laboratories alongside small and multi-national businesses, creating students who are work-ready in specialisms with skills gaps. Transport There is a shuttle bus service between the campuses that are furthest apart, and the city centre is only half a mile from the Chester campus. Good bus and rail connections to Manchester, Liverpool and the countryside of North Wales.