Where it ranks in the Unifresher Rankings 2027, what it’s really like to study there, and what halls and living costs look like.
Chichester is a small, friendly university with two campuses on the south coast. Bishop Otter is a 15-minute walk from the historic cathedral city of Chichester, and Bognor Regis is right by the sea. Free buses link the two. It's especially known for sport, performing arts and teaching, with a new Tech Park for engineering and creative tech.
First years who make Chichester their firm choice are guaranteed help securing accommodation, and many halls are catered, which is increasingly rare. Life here is quieter than in a big city, but the South Downs and the beaches are on your doorstep. If you like a small community where staff know your name, it's worth a look.
Known for
The University of Chichester is 108th out of 124 UK universities in the Unifresher Rankings 2027, with an overall score of 40.5, below the UK median of 48.5. Our rankings are built around the student experience, combining employability, freshers experience, happiness, nightlife, sustainability, inclusion, innovation and societies. That means big research names don’t automatically top the table. See how we score universities.
Marker shows the UK median across all ranked universities.
| Rank | University | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 106 | University of Cumbria | 40.6 |
| 107 | University College Birmingham | 40.5 |
| 108 | University of Chichester | 40.5 |
| 109 | Wrexham University | 39.9 |
| 110 | University of Westminster | 38.5 |
Each award ranks all 124 universities on one part of student life. Click through for the full table.
30th of 122 · Careers Score 38.9
37th of 124 · Employability Score 36.5
45th of 124 · Freshers Score 59.3
50th of 124 · Affordability Score 58.1
50th of 123 · Happiness Score 49.4
73rd of 124 · Balance Score 40.2
75th of 124 · Wellbeing Score 48.9
78th of 124 · Value Score 41.5
105th of 124 · Social Score 38.5
105th of 124 · Sustainability Score 34.4
107th of 124 · Innovation Score 41.2
107th of 124 · Societies Score 38.1
116th of 124 · Inclusion Score 28.7
123rd of 124 · Safety Score 16.6
124th of 124 · Nightlife Score 21.8
Chichester as a student city
Ranked 70th of 72 UK university cities in our Best University Cities 2027 ranking, with a score of 33.1.
The University of Chichester appears in 28 of our subject league tables. Here’s where it places in each, best first.
| Subject | Rank | Table size | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminology | 50th | of 94 | 113 |
| Nursing | 47th | of 85 | 112 |
| Philosophy | 31st | of 54 | 88 |
| Media and Communication | 46th | of 79 | 110 |
| Drama, Theatre and Performance | 35th | of 60 | 87 |
| Teaching | 48th | of 79 | 102 |
| Marketing | 54th | of 88 | 97 |
| Sociology | 53rd | of 86 | 111 |
| Psychology | 67th | of 108 | 109 |
| Primary Education | 37th | of 59 | 95 |
| Subject | Rank | Table size | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resource Management | 37th | of 58 | 83 |
| Business and Management | 73rd | of 114 | 112 |
| Sports Science | 52nd | of 78 | 78 |
| Mathematics | 41st | of 61 | 82 |
| Animation (2D/3D) | 35th | of 52 | 78 |
| Performing Arts | 25th | of 37 | 62 |
| Music | 38th | of 56 | 66 |
| History | 53rd | of 76 | 73 |
| Social Work | 47th | of 67 | 97 |
| English Language and Literature | 38th | of 54 | 67 |
| International Relations | 50th | of 71 | 67 |
| Electrical Engineering | 48th | of 67 | 55 |
| Politics | 56th | of 78 | 73 |
| Film Production | 63rd | of 87 | 76 |
| Creative Writing | 25th | of 34 | 52 |
| Fashion Design | 37th | of 49 | 62 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 60th | of 77 | 72 |
| Physiotherapy | 39th | of 49 | 50 |
Subject tables compare universities on graduate earnings, student satisfaction, teaching quality and academic support. Scores aren’t comparable between subjects.
The University of Chichester Students' Union runs the Zee Bars on both campuses (once named the best in the country in the NUS Best Bar None awards), along with clubs, societies and events. On campus there's Otters restaurant, a gym, Costa and Starbucks. Chichester itself has a cathedral, a famous Festival Theatre, independent shops and pubs. Bognor Regis offers a seafront and beach life, with the South Downs and coast close to both campuses.
University halls cost £180.25–£228.48 per week for single rooms (2026/27; 39-week licences on campus, 50-week in some off-campus properties). Dual-occupancy studios up to £309.96. (2026/27 prices).
First-year accommodation guarantee
Chichester guarantees first-year accommodation (it says it will help you secure suitable accommodation for your first year) if you make Chichester your firm choice and are a first-year, full-time undergraduate. Others can still apply, but they aren't guaranteed a place. Applications open in May once you hold an offer. Rooms are allocated by randomised lottery based on six preferences, and you choose a room 'type', not a named hall.
| Hall | Area | Rooms | From | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis Road and Millfield/Adelaide/Spitalfield houses | Chichester, off campus (university managed) | shared facilities or en-suite | £180.25/wk | The cheapest options, but on 50-week contracts: Lewis Road (shared) £180.25, others (en-suite) £186.20. |
| Villa Maria and High Street | Bognor Regis, off campus (university managed) | en-suite and studios | £186.20/wk | 50-week contracts. Single studios £223.23. Dual-occupancy studios £309.96. |
| Westgate Halls | Chichester College campus, under 10 minutes' walk to the city centre | en-suite | £189.42/wk | On the Chichester College site, but you only share with university students. About 25–30 minutes' walk to Bishop Otter. |
| Stockbridge | Chichester, 25 minutes' walk from Bishop Otter | en-suite | £194.11/wk | One of the largest halls, near shops, restaurants and a gym. 39- or 50-week contracts. |
| Amberley, Chilgrove and Harting Halls | Bishop Otter campus, Chichester | en-suite | £197.75/wk | Self-catered en-suites with kitchens shared by four, on a 39-week licence. |
| Hammond and Springfield 1–4 Catered | Bishop Otter campus, Chichester | shared bathroom | £201.67/wk | Catered with shared facilities. Superior singles (Ashling Hall, Springfield 5–6) cost £220.22. |
| Duncton, Arundel, Midhurst, Loxwood, Ifold and Petworth Halls Catered | Bishop Otter campus, Chichester | en-suite | £228.48/wk | Catered en-suite halls on campus (39 weeks), including a catering allowance of £9.10 a day Monday to Friday and £4.50 at weekends for brunch. |
| Barbara Smith Halls Catered | Bognor Regis campus | en-suite | £228.48/wk | Catered en-suites on the seaside campus. Longbrook and Charlotte House offer catered shared rooms from £201.67. |
Prices are the university’s published weekly starting prices and can change. Always check the official accommodation site before applying.
Historic, compact and walkable, about 15 minutes from Bishop Otter.
A quiet residential area north of the city, close to the Bishop Otter campus.
A seaside town by the Bognor campus, often cheaper than Chichester.
Top tip
Make Chichester your firm choice to keep your first-year guarantee, and apply when the portal opens in May. You'll pick six preferences by room type, and allocation is by random lottery, so choose options you'd genuinely be happy with. Trainee teachers choose from three specific options, including Fishbourne Road East and the Bognor Regis catered halls.
Chichester halls cost about £180–£228 a week for 2026/27. Catered halls include a daily food allowance, which helps with budgeting. On-campus licences are mostly 39 weeks, but some off-campus houses run for 50 weeks, which raises the annual cost. The intercampus bus is free. Students who received free school meals can get a £1,000 bursary.
Getting around
Bishop Otter campus is a 15-minute walk from Chichester city centre. Regular 707/U8 buses link the Chichester and Bognor Regis campuses and are free to university students. Fishbourne halls are about 11 minutes by bus from Bishop Otter. Most single bus fares in England are capped at £3.
Weighing up your options? Here’s how nearby universities compare in the Unifresher Rankings 2027.
The University of Chichester is 108th out of 124 UK universities in the Unifresher Rankings 2027, with an overall score of 40.5. Its strongest results are for career prospects (30th), employability (37th).
Yes, for first-year, full-time undergraduates who make Chichester their firm choice. The university says it will help you secure suitable accommodation for your first year.
For 2026/27, single rooms cost about £180–£228 a week. Self-catered en-suites on Bishop Otter campus are £197.75, and catered en-suites are £228.48 including a food allowance.
Yes. Catered rooms on both campuses come with a daily allowance (£9.10 a day Monday to Friday and £4.50 for weekend brunch) to spend at Otters restaurant, Starbucks or Costa.
By random lottery. You choose six preferences by room type (not by hall name) when the portal opens in May, and the university allocates from those.
Regular 707/U8 bus services run between the campuses and are free to university students.
It depends on your course. Bishop Otter in Chichester hosts subjects including sport, humanities and performing arts. Bognor Regis is home to the Tech Park for engineering, computing, maths and creative industries.
About this guide. Rankings data comes from the Unifresher Rankings 2027 (methodology). Facts, hall prices and costs come from the university and official sources listed below. Last updated 23 October 2026.
