Considering attending Anglia Ruskin University? Check out their open days to see the campus for yourself and find out what their own students say about the place in these reviews...
Tell us about your overall university experience so far.
I enjoy my course. Getting a job depends on what I do. My accommodation was nice and clean. I enjoy shopping in the city and I joined...
University rating
Tell us about your overall university experience so far.
I enjoy my course. Getting a job depends on what I do. My accommodation was nice and clean. I enjoy shopping in the city and I joined the cheerleading society.
Facilities
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Student support
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Students' union
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Local life
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Societies and Sports
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Lecturers and teaching quality
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Career prospects
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University halls
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Tell us about your overall university experience so far.
This Uni is very good for commuting in and out of. It’s location of Cambridge is amazing, with lots of shopping and local community...
University rating
Tell us about your overall university experience so far.
This Uni is very good for commuting in and out of. It’s location of Cambridge is amazing, with lots of shopping and local community events - especially for course!
However, as a student with autism I found accessing help and wellbeing very difficult and not very intuitive when I was struggling at the start of the term. They were fully booked and I could not access anyone for other a month so have since given up.
Yet, the Uni building itself is very clean and a comfortable environment to walk around in. Toilets are well kept and clean - and the three dining areas on campus have recently been revamped and give the feeling of staying in a fancy indie cafe. Lots of plants and pretty fairy lights.
And, whilst I commute in, a have had a chance to briefly review the on-campus student accommodation through a friend of mine. It’s very clean and quite spacious. Though, he had been put on the lower floor that was designed more for wheelchair bound students. So he may have had the advantage there with space.
ARU is a good university. But a big one. You will likely make close friends and form a community within your courses department (in my case, Games Desgin). But it’s hard to find a community beyond that. Especially if you are travelling in and out.
Facilities
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Location
Institution Location
Student support
How good is the support offered by the uni? Think both academic (tutors/feedback) and personal (counselling, etc).
Campus look and feel
Institution Campus look and feel
Student life
Institution Student life
Students' union
What do you think of your Students' Union in terms of student representation and facilities?
Course rating
Course rating
The lectures I have are very nice and kind., and create a fun and enjoyable environment to discus games and the industry. With many helpful tips going forwards with my career (Well, if you like working for a major
AAA company who specialises 3D - I must add. This course does not touch on 2D game design or getting you to become an indie.)
They are also very easy to get in contact with at pretty much any time of the day. Our course uses a discord sever for lectures and announcements. Way better than teams or zoom ever could be! This means the lectures are always very easy to contact - even on weekends, if you have an issue.
Also, as someone with social anxiety, I think the work-life balance is perfect. We have two in-person days, and then 2, one hour lectures online each week. There are no exams. Only coursework to be completed by the end of each term - and some group activities. Which, were admittedly very fun and well organised!
However, when it comes to getting actual study support (essay wise) I have not been given the best of advice by them, and have instead had to turn to my DSA support tutor instead. They are very helpful with practical work however, and I suspect that’s their strong suit.
Course content
Course content
Work placements and internships
Work placements and internships
Lecturers and teaching quality
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Career prospects
How does your uni make efforts to increase your employability (careers department, work placements, transferable skills)?
Tutor contact time
Tutor contact time
Subject facilities
Subject facilities
University location
University location
Cambridge is a great place to shop and explore. There is lots of good food to be found here, and some great geeky shops just by the Uni.
There is lots of pretty parkland, and the river area is just delightful. Alongside the inner city being filled with lots of fancy shops, bakeries and a amazing hot chocolate place called Knoops, I take my friends too. And a great donut place called Crosstown (which if you are from London, you may be familiar with!)
And it’s very easy to commute into - be it from London or across East Angelia (Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and the Rest of Cambridgeshire). The train station area is great and the walk down to the Uni really isn’t too bad!
However… the city has some major problems when it comes to beggars and somewhat scammy charities targeting students. Partially for a short, younger looking woman like myself, I constantly get hassled for looking vulnerable. Be advised, don’t where your Uni ID when you put in the town, as it paints a target on your back for these people.