University of Chester connects campuses through 100-screen digital signage network

The University of Chester has built a digital signage network spanning more than 100 screens across its campuses in Chester, Warrington and Birkenhead, helping improve communication, wayfinding and student engagement.

Working with digital signage platform NowSignage and integrator Roche AV, the university uses screens throughout teaching spaces, communal areas and catering outlets to deliver student communications, campus updates, wayfinding information and live event broadcasts.

Originally introduced to improve internal communications, the network has evolved into a university-wide tool supporting both central messaging and localised content across multiple locations.

Building a connected campus experience

Operating across multiple campuses presents challenges when communicating consistently with students and staff.

The university wanted to ensure students received the same core information regardless of location, while still allowing individual campuses to share content relevant to their own audiences.

Today, students across Chester, Warrington and Birkenhead receive a mix of university-wide announcements alongside local updates tailored to their campus.

Ben Dempsey Sawin, Digital Signage Specialist at the University of Chester, said: “NowSignage has helped us create a more connected experience across our campuses. Even though NowSignage has grown over the last five years, the platform remains simple to manage and easy for teams across the university to use.”

Supporting communication, navigation and live events

The screens are used throughout the day to display student communications, including Student Union events, open day information, student voice testimonials, surveys and campus announcements, as well as timetables, building maps and wayfinding information.

They also support livestreaming of major university events, including graduation ceremonies, which allows students, staff and visitors to engage with events even when venues reach capacity. This has helped extend the reach of university events while creating a more inclusive experience for students, staff and visitors.

Digital signage has also expanded into teaching spaces, enabling departments to communicate directly with students during periods when attention levels are naturally high.

Giving departments greater control

As the signage network has grown, individual departments have been able to take greater ownership of content management. Using the NowSignage access tags functionality, teams such as catering can view and manage only the screens, playlists and schedules that are relevant to their role.

Daily menu updates, promotions and campus announcements can all be managed without relying on specialist technical support, while the communications team retains visibility across the wider estate.

Mark Sargison, Assistant Director (LIS) - IT Infrastructure at the University of Chester, commented: “We initially expected to have to provide ongoing training and support across departments, but our users have found the system intuitive and simple to use.

“We have been using NowSignage since 2021 and have been consistently impressed, recommending them to others exploring new signage solutions. The team have always been receptive to our feedback and ideas, and we look forward to seeing how the platform evolves.”

Looking ahead

The university is continuing to expand its digital signage estate with the introduction of outdoor displays, including a large LED screen currently being installed outside a new campus building. The display will support both signage content and live event streaming, extending communications beyond indoor environments.

Nick Johnson, CEO at NowSignage, said: "Every interaction a student has on campus is an opportunity to inform, engage or guide them. The University of Chester has created a connected communications network that enables teams to share relevant information across multiple campuses and react quickly to changing needs, while keeping management simple behind the scenes. It's a strong example of how organisations can create more responsive experiences at scale without adding operational complexity."