Become a Residential Adviser

Residential Advisers (RAs) are here to help you settle into halls and make the most of university life. They’ve been in your shoes and understand the mix of excitement and nerves. You can contact them by email or through your Hall’s MS Teams group with questions or concerns.

About the role

As a Residential adviser, you'll be the first point of contact for students living in University halls. You’ll support students and proactively help our community, as well as fostering a sense of belonging.

This is a rewarding role that offers a variety of benefits, such as:

  • Gaining transferable skills and experience such as effective communication, conflict resolution and appropriate escalation – all of which look great on your CV
  • Working directly with students to support and positively impact their student experience.
  • A comprehensive Residential Life training programme.
  • Joining a supportive, friendly community.
  • A 30% reduction in you annual accommodation fee.

The role holds voluntary worker status and is unpaid. However, as you’d need to live in halls for the role, the University will provide you with a subsidised accommodation while in post. This accommodation will be allocated, and we will place advisers where needed for operational reasons.

If you would like to apply to become a Residential adviser or would like to hear more, please contact reslife@chester.ac.uk

Role Expectations

You'll lead one event per term and assist with three larger events per year; these contribute towards the wider Residential Life programme.

Not all events need to cater to everyone, and you can host events that target smaller groups, such as postgraduates or international students. However, your event must fit wider university strategy and values. Previous events have included baking, cooking, film nights, therapy dogs and crafts.

Residential Advisors are also responsible for sharing relevant campaign and support materials with residential students, e.g. putting up posters, collecting survey responses, delivering important information.

You will be expected to host Flat Chats (in person and/or on MS Teams) to offer advice, help set house rules, and signpost to professional support when needed. For anything sensitive or complex, you will need to refer students to Student Services. See the Chester Resident's Handbook for more information.

  • RAs will be expected to meet 2 hours of RA volunteering per week, and to accurately log those hours and corresponding tasks.
  • Open Days and Applicant Visit Days – you will be expected to showcase your room to visitors, and to support the Accommodation Team.
  • Welcome Week – this will be a key time for you to support the student transition so you will need to be available to provide extra support during this time.

Applying to join the Residential Life team

To apply to be a Residential Adviser you must be:

  • Able to meet the above expectations.
  • A University of Chester student, who resides in Chester throughout the course of their studies.
  • Be an RA from Induction Period in September/October to the end of the academic year (TBC) and hold student status throughout your time as an advisor.
  • Accept the RA residential placement based on operational needs.
  • Be available to be trained and volunteer during and just before the Welcome period (TBC).
  • Have a high standard of communication skills.

Email reslife@chester.ac.uk for further eligibility information.

The RA role is classed as voluntary work under UKVI rules, as it includes structured duties and a 30% accommodation discount (a benefit-in-kind). Voluntary work is different from volunteering and must count towards your 20-hour weekly work limit during term time. Please ensure your total hours – paid or voluntary – stay within your visa conditions.

Residential Life advertises and accepts applications from the first term through to June. The recruitment process begins at the start of the second term and continues through to June, which includes completing and submitting the application form to reslife@chester.ac.uk  and if accepted there will be a formal and then informal interview.

If shortlisted, you will be invited to a two-stage interview process: a formal interview followed by and an informal meeting to get to know you better. Successful candidates will receive a final offer along with their accommodation assignment.

  • Pre-arrival Training – if successful before the end of the academic year, successful applicants will be offered times to shadow current Residential Advisers and learn from their experience. We will also invite you to join the ResLife MS Teams site, to get a sense of our internal correspondence and what the year will look like, and we’ll keep you updated on any useful personal development resources.
  • In-person Induction Training – RA training occurs two days before Induction (TBC). You'll work alongside fellow recruits in a series of interactive workshops designed to prepare you for the role. Topics include an introduction to the role, mental health awareness, consent and healthy relationships, and delivering ResLife events.
  • Continuous Professional Development Training - We want you to get the most out of your time with us, and we offer opportunities to develop new skills. Some of these are provided to support your personal and professional growth. While most of this training is optional, there may be occasions where certain learning will be mandatory.

To apply, please read the RA Expectations Sheet and submit a completed application form to reslife@chester.ac.uk.