Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) offers an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, distance learning, degree apprenticeships and accelerated two-year degree options.
Courses have been designed with employability at their core. Many are professionally accredited and offering placement opportunities, and are available with start dates in January, March, May, and September, giving students the flexibility to join throughout the year.
ARU's campuses are in three vibrant cities and one picturesque town in the Essex countryside: Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough and Writtle. All have their own unique charm, style and opportunities to explore. ARU's city centre locations are just over an hour from London by train, offering excellent transport links for commuting students and access to work and leisure opportunities.
ARU Writtle is a 10-minute bus ride from Chelmsford town centre. It is a leading provider of equine, veterinary physiotherapy, animal science and management, canine, and agriculture degrees, with a history dating back 130 years. The campus sits on a stunning 150-hectare estate and offers a variety of specialist teaching facilities, including a working farm.
ARU's recent accolades include:
Anglia Ruskin University students on Whatuni says:
''I find my university a great place to study because they have so much systems in place to help and support students through university life.''
''I just love this university I am really really amazed by the the educational system of this institute.''
''There is so much support around whether it is academic or pastoral. It's a very positive and inclusive university.''
Read honest reviews from real students at this uni
4.03.63.8
4.2ARU has recently invested £115 million in its facilities, including:
Students can take a virtual tour of ARU's campuses including lecture halls, classrooms, accommodation, and social spaces, as well as the local city.
Anglia Ruskin University students on Whatuni says:
''Good money advice team and student union, very helpful staff and good campus.''
''University ambience is really cosy like from classes to reading room.''
''Great support system easy access to online materials.''
Cambridge is known for its rich heritage and vibrant cultural scene, where students find a lively mix of comedy and nightlife, alongside independent retailers and plenty of places to eat and drink.
Chelmsford, by contrast, has a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere, centred around its impressive cathedral and a lively mix of pubs and bars.
The Writtle campus sits just outside Chelmsford and offers a quieter, countryside setting with a village-style character. Students based in Peterborough enjoy a wide choice of world cuisines, busy shopping and leisure venues, and a strong sense of history.
3.0ARU is a career-focused university and supports its students to build the skills employers value most. Student reviews praise ARU for the employment services it provides.
ARU's dedicated careers and employability service offers advice and guidance for students to amplify their career prospects and stand out from the crowd, including:
Students also have access to the on-campus recruitment agency, ARU Temps. This team supports students in sourcing part-time, paid, flexible work that can fit around busy study schedules.
ARU's strong focus on entrepreneurship and career skills has seen graduates ranked in the top 15 per cent nationally for employment or further study after graduation.
The university ranks first in the East of England for UK graduates progressing into senior roles and joint top in the region for overall employment outcomes. Around 90 per cent of UK undergraduates are in work or further study within one year of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey, HESA 2025). ARU is also a leading provider of degree apprenticeships, allowing students to earn a degree while working, without paying tuition fees.
3.6Most of ARU's university accommodation is located on or nearby to campus.
Cambridge and Chelmsford offer accommodation close to the city centre, while ARU Peterborough offers purpose-built student housing at Taverners Hall by Symonds & Greenaway. ARU Writtle is home to 14 halls of residence, all set in beautiful gardens on the main campus, and even includes a meal allowance to use at the catering outlets on site.
For further piece of mind while living away from home, ARU have residential assistants who are ARU students who live in halls. They manage out-of-hours emergencies, help students when they're locked out, and provide information and support to help new students settle in.
Anglia Ruskin University students on Whatuni says:
''They are clean and you feel safe.''
''If I submit a maintenance request they're there either same day or the next.''
''Really nice facilities and environment.''
Anglia Ruskin University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to its students, which are reviewed annually. These range in value from £300 per year to £12,500 per year and may be based on need, merit, or a combination of both.
Examples of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries available to domestic students include:
ARU welcomes students with a wide range of qualifications and work experience. It works to ensure that every individual has the resources and support needed for academic success.
Typically, entry onto an undergraduate degree requires a minimum of:
Students for whom English is not a first language must demonstrate an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5, or an equivalent qualification.
Specific entry requirements vary between courses and are typically expressed in UCAS tariff points. It is recommended that students check for any course-specific entry requirements prior to application.
Students who do not meet these requirements may be able to make use of one of the university's many alternative routes to admission, and prospective students are encouraged to contact the admissions team for further information.
Clearing
From July 1st, students can apply for clearing directly through ARU's website. From results day onwards, students should call the Clearing hotline number, with the following items to hand:
Once students receive an offer they can apply for accommodation.
Tuition fees at Anglia Ruskin University are charged annually to undergraduate students at the following rates:
Costs may differ depending on the chosen course and the pathway used to gain the qualification. Prospective applicants are advised to check directly with the university for full details of tuition fees and costs related to their studies.
From science and engineering to the creative arts and everything in between, ARU has over 230 degrees to choose from across its four campuses, with many including the option to take a foundation or placement year.
Each course has its own specialist equipment and resources that support and enhance student learning. The university is growing, having opened a new science centre in Cambridge in 2017, and it continues to open new facilities at all campuses.
ARU is ranked a Gold-standard university for teaching in the most recent Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF2023), so students can be confident they'll be taught by the best. Their lecturers are passionate about what they teach, and include authors, government advisors, and winners of accolades including National Teaching Fellowships and Queen's Honours.
In order to accommodate students' existing commitments and lifestyles, ARU offers September and January start dates for most courses, with some courses providing the additional flexibility of March and May starts.
Anglia Ruskin University students on Whatuni says:
''I love the fact that they teach us in a small class and that we get to work together with different people.''
''The contact time of professors is great their way of teaching is marvellous.''
''The course schedule gives you plenty of time to plan around for study and fun''
Across all subject areas, ARU's teaching staff combine strong academic expertise with real-world industry experience, collaborating with local employers and professional accreditation bodies to help students build the skills they need for successful careers after graduation.
Business and Law
Business students have access to Bloomberg Financial Markets Labs at the Cambridge and Chelmsford campuses, providing access to live portfolio management.
Law students work with qualified solicitors in ARU's law clinics and practice their arguments in mock court rooms.
Health, Medicine and Social Care
ARU is the leading provider of health, social care and education programmes in the East of England, and its output includes training doctors through Essex's first ever medical school.
Science and Engineering
Students get full access to advanced technical learning resources, such as engineering workshops, psychology laboratories, 3D-printing suites and the university's dedicated science centre.
Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
ARU aims to engage and deepen understanding of people and communities. Its internationally recognised Master's in Children's Book Illustration is the first of its kind in the UK, while its Master's in Music Therapy has earned a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2021 for research supporting people living with dementia.
Anglia Ruskin University students on Whatuni says:
''ARU Cambridge is a great location for students.''
''Each week you get to have a practical session in the lab, which I really enjoy. There are also seminars each week held by guest talkers.''
''I love our method of teaching.''
ARU students enjoy many clubs and societies and are encouraged to create their own if one does not currently exist.
Team ARU delivers a programme of competitive and social sports and fitness activities for all levels, including:
Non-sporting societies include:
3.8Anglia Ruskin Students' Union (ARSU) is active across all campuses, promoting student voices and delivering events.
Students can get involved in the running of ARSU or in the activities and opportunities it oversees.
Anglia Ruskin University students on Whatuni says:
''There are several events that are held for example the global event which allows international students to show different cultures of their countries.''
''And also the student union every day different events engages student mind from stress.''
''It feels very safe and a good place to hang out.''
4.1ARU is committed to providing outstanding student services to help all students realise their potential, both academically and personally. It offers a variety of specialist teams which provide year-round support both on-campus and online, including:
Anglia Ruskin University students on Whatuni says:
''The student support is on top''
''So far I can't find any fault because I have access to so much learning materials and support with wellbeing.''
''The staff is really helping towards students.''
4.1
