794 Anglia Ruskin University reviews

My course has been enriching in many aspects, and I have gained a lot of confidence in myself as a researcher, presenter, networker, and person. This has occurred through participating in research training events, presenting at seminars, and working on conferences at the university, such as the Cambridge Arts Network conference. My supervisor and other lecturers in the Cambridge School of Creative Industries have guided me and assisted me in making connections with other researchers.

I enjoy the opportunities to connect with other researchers, and the flexibility in making my own schedule allows me to be able to attend conferences and training. As this is my first research degree, I have been used to taught courses, so getting used to not having class with other students has been a big change, and is something to get used to. Because of this, I have to find these academic and personal connections through my own initiative, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

1

I appreciate you that they put on many events for students, but I do think that they could work harder to better understand students’ needs. As an international student doing a research degree, I wish there was more support provided by the student union to help with issues that arise with living abroad and doing research.

The research specific facilities are nice, and hopefully there will be even more spaces created for researchers to work and socialize in the near future.

Cambridge has endless possibilities for researchers and creative-minded people, and as a centre of academic excellence, Cambridge definitely does not lack in inspiration. There is always a lot to do, and nightlife is great. Anything you could want is in Cambridge, and London is only a short 45 minute train ride away!

There is a club or society for basically any interest, so anyone will be able to find a group of students with similar interests as themselves.

If you reach out for help, tutors and university workers are there to provide guidance, and I have received a lot of assistance and advice in many matters regarding visas, financial aid, academics, etc.

The employability service have an accredited pathway which increases your employability skills in a targeted fashion, and allows you to register accomplishments to this end. they also host various events and careers fairs throughout the semester. There are coordinated opportunities for volunteering which are also logged and recorded enabling you to chart the skills you have gained and connecting those to your employability profile. Registering with the Employment Bureau, which is different to the Employability service, enables you to search for internal and external vacancies to fit around or following your studies. Lecturers also speak about potential progression opportunities connected to either voluntary roles or for example to research based employment in your field of study.

As a mature student at the postgraduate level my expectations and requirements from the course have centred around the ability to develop higher level research skills, the capacity to produce publishable academic output as standard, and the opportunity to develop a cogent prospective doctoral thesis. Due to the course leaders’ academic and professional expertise, and willingness to engage with and help orient students beyond mere academic supervision, all of these criteria have been met. On top of this, the newness of the University enables a rigorous yet creative and often non-canonical approach to the subject. There are great links with other universities through interdisciplinary research clusters, the opportunity to attend research student focussed employment events and training.

5

As a busy postgraduate parent I have only been involved to the extent of being a course representative which has enable insight into some of the logistical decisions behind the structuring of the courses, teaching and content. However I'm not hugely connected with the undergraduate aspects of the SU which I know organise multiple and interesting events, have campaigned for and built a 24 study and play space, and help to organise multiple student run groups.

The library is a good space with separate sections for quiet and silent study and laptops for hire; although many texts are now being sourced online. there are new labs and the Science building hosts an excellent standard of lab for psychology and the biomedical sciences, as well as having specialist optometry facilities and the eye and hearing clinics. However as a social sciences student my experience has been with this faculty for which the facilities have been adequate (we don't need too much in the way of equipment!) There s a gym and plenty of student focussed spaces being developed which allow for more mobile study than just the library, which works particularly well for group work and informal meetings.

Cambridge is a growing town with a vibrant scene for students from both of the Universities here; there are plenty of green spaces and interesting social and academic events throughout the year for example the Festival of Ideas, the Science Festival and so on and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with these at ARU. Outside of this, there is a growing leisure scene which has been long in the making in Cambridge, with climbing centres, pools, and an ice rink due to open this year. Its a good time to come and be busy in Cambridge!

I have no direct experience of these unfortunately but there seem to be quite a few!

The academic tutors I have had experience with have always gone over and above requirements both to make the process of studying clearer, to help with future directions and discuss feedback and assessments etc. the wellbeing service is well used and well represented and there is the option for both group sessions, online support as well as one to one counselling for a range of issues from academic to highly personal

Luckily my degree is in high demand, but the staff do their best to help you be the best you can when you come out the other end.

The staff are brilliant, engaging and friendly, they generally deliver information in a both fun and informative manner. However there arnt nearly enough of them. The Uni has bitten off more than it can chew, I would imagine the prospect of 80 people paying £9,000 a year got them frothing at the mouth and now they cant cope.

9

Rubbish, tiny, very little to do.

Poor. barely any sports facilities, whatever is present is very small.

Chelmsford is a fairly dull place, as is the county its situated in. The town is a commuter belt town which means its expensive. If you want to use the trains, you'll have to sell some organs..

There are very few decent clubs and societies, there are little to no sports facilities and when you do finally find a club you like in small print you'll see its only done at the cambridge campus.

The support offered by individual staff members is great, the University has employed some great people, certainly for my course.

With systems such as the Employment Bureau, it is easy and accesible to quickly find work inside or outside of uni in interesting areas that match your degree.

What I like the most is the the freedom and the constant attempt to get the students to practice with the equipment provided to them rather than explaining theory. What I like the least is some of the scheduling and other areas of organization that could be improved.

25

I don’t usually get involved with them due to lack of interest or lack of time, but they always have been nice and helpful when I needed something from them.

They could be improved, but they are quite professional and work fine for the things we are tasked to do.

Cambridge is a lovely city with a lot or friendly people and interesting things to do.

While I haven’t joined one, the people who have enjoy being part of them.

While there might sometimes be issues with schedules and organization, the tutors counseling and feedback is always provided when necessary with good critical evaluations.

11

Very friendly and helpful lecturers and good lectures

They're good and I feel I'm provided with what I need

Good city life, lots to do

Modules to prepare for work are great

Some certain attitudes to ideas

Efficient

More PA facilities, please

Very modern

Very attentive

9

Should have more practice rooms

Peaceful and culturally stimulating

Don't have a lot of experiences with clubs/ societies

Experience, skills

9

Need more rehearsal space!

Like a mini London

An absolute must life experience