The University of Winchester: What it's really like
Learn all about life in Winchester
Looking to focus on your studies in a small, friendly learning community in the middle of one of England’s historic cathedral towns? The University of Winchester just might be the place for you.
Winchester at a glance:
| Founded | Originated as a teacher training college in the 1840s; established as a university in 2005. |
| Locations | Winchester, England |
| Length | Three years |
| Courses | There are five faculties – Business and Digital Technology, Education and the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and Wellbeing, and Law, Crime and Justice. There are also 13 degree apprenticeships pathways in business, data science, digital technology, nursing, and social work. |
| Students | 8,000 |
| Great for | Students who want to focus on their studies in a small, welcoming community. As a campus-based university, you can find everything you need, from housing to a nightclub, all in one place. |
| Not for | Students who would prefer to blend into the background on campus and in their classes. |
Jim, who's Head of Student Recruitment at Winchester, tells us what it's like to study there.
What’s the institution like?
The University of Winchester has a 180-year history of academic excellence. Located in the cathedral city of Winchester, we’re just an hour away from London by train, and surrounded by the beautiful South Downs National Park.
We’ve been ranked in the top ten universities in the UK for graduates in employment and/or further study (from the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023, HESA).
What's it like for students to live in the local area?
We take great pride in the fact that the university is embedded in the city of Winchester, from its unique history as England’s ancient capital, to its bustling and welcoming community. One of the great benefits of living here, both for your wellbeing and your pocket, is that everything is walkable. You can get from the campus to the city centre in 15 minutes or catch a train after a lecture in just ten.
The campus reflects the wealth of nature in the surrounding South Downs National Park, with areas of wildflower planting and ponds to encourage biodiversity. Even though Winchester is in the heart of the South and is known for its job opportunities and connections, it’s very much a community-led city.
Whether you want to walk along the river or try out Winchester’s thriving scene of independent cafes, restaurants, and bars, there’s plenty to get up to in the city. My personal favourite is the Christmas market, which takes place in the Winchester Cathedral grounds in the winter.
Winchester has also been ranked in the top five safest university cities in England and Wales in the Complete University Guide 2022.
We strive to uphold this safe environment, whether that’s through a dedicated 24-hour security team on campus, or by organising regular shuttles from the city centre nightlife back to our accommodation.
What accommodation options are available to students?
We have university-managed housing both on- and off-campus: a mix of catered and self-catered, shared and single occupancy, and accommodation for students with additional needs. From all our accommodation, it’ll take you no longer than ten to 15 minutes to get to a lecture, to the library, or to catering via pedestrian routes.
What facilities does the institution have that make it stand out from other institutions?
We’re really proud of the facilities we can offer students coming to Winchester. To give a few examples, all of our criminology and forensic science students have access to a dedicated laboratory technician and our Crime Scene House. At the House, students can undertake crime scene photography, packaging of evidence, and Blood Pattern Analysis.
If you’re into sports and staying active, as well as a gym, tennis courts, sports hall, and all-weather pitches on campus, our students have access to the local Winchester Sports Stadium. This includes a floodlit eight-lane athletic track which is used by professional athletes.
One more thing I want to mention is how much we value the importance of mental wellbeing. Alongside our wellbeing support team, there are places around the campus students can go to if they’re feeling overwhelmed. Our contemplation space is a special area for practising mindfulness with cushioned pods you can nestle into. We have plenty of green spaces and ponds, a chapel, and an art gallery where you can sit and take in exhibitions.
Our clinical skills training facilities support our nursing students to hit the ground running. The facilities consist of two five-bed simulation hospital ward units with hi-tech medical mannequins and an active living centre, set up as a flat with a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. There’s also a therapy room, a simulated GP surgery, and purpose-built classroom spaces.
What is the top reason a student living in the UK should study here?
I think UK students should study at Winchester because we offer all the benefits of a metropolitan city university, without you getting lost in a crowd. Students have said that they had the sense of being part of a community right away when they first visited us.
What is the top reason an international student should study here?
The University of Winchester offers a safe and supportive global community for international students. We accept a wide range of qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate and the US High School diploma. Our Welcome Week programme offers an excellent opportunity to settle into life at Winchester, with pub quizzes, live music, and ‘speed mating’ sessions.
Who shouldn’t apply?
Winchester probably isn’t suited to someone who’s looking to blend into the background in their classes. We’re a tight-knit community and our teaching staff aim to give expert one-to-one support and encourage students to follow their curiosity, passion, and independence.
How does the institution meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?
If you’re finding it difficult to manage your studies here at Winchester, we have a Student Life Advice team on hand to advise you. They can offer guidance on any life issues, from friendships to relationships and financial worries, and signpost you to other services if you need them.
If you have a disability, we can support you with things like arranging assessments for conditions like dyslexia, reasonable adjustments like extra breaks in exams, and general advice and guidance through the application process.
Do you offer any work placements or study abroad options for students?
We’re excited to share that our journalism students have the option to study for a semester in the USA from 2024. The semester abroad will be in their second year, and they’ll have the choice of studying in Eastern Illinois University or the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
On many of our history degrees, like History, Modern History, and Medieval History, a year abroad is built in.
And finally, students in our health and wellbeing faculty can now gain real-life experience from the get-go, thanks to our partnership with Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. That means that if you study nursing or physiotherapy, for example, you could get a placement in one of our local hospitals.
Want to explore more UK universities? Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.