The university’s landmark merger with Writtle University College near Chelmsford, Essex, in February has brought a fresh direction, with courses in agriculture, horticulture, equine and canine studies, and animal management studies. Anglia Ruskin has its origins in the Cambridge School of Art — opened by John Ruskin, the art critic, in 1858 — and has long been the main provider of health and social care graduates in the east of England, producing qualified social workers, nurses and operating department practitioners. The university also opened the county’s first medical school in Chelmsford in 2018. Another pioneering area has been degree apprenticeships, offered with different starting dates in the academic year.
What is Anglia Ruskin University’s reputation?
A large institution with more than 30,000 undergraduates, ARU, formerly Anglia Polytechnic, has a history of innovating with its courses: the BOptom (Hons) — replaced in 2023 by a four-year taught master’s optometry programme — was the first of its type in the UK. The university’s hearing aid audiology course was the first to lead directly to registration. ARU took a step up in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in 2023 to replace its silver award with gold. The judges commended the university for “outstanding” course content and delivery “that inspired students to actively engage in and commit to their learning … across courses and student groups”. Student experience was rated gold in the report, although this is at odds with Anglia Ruskin's position outside the top 100 in both measures of our National Student Survey analysis — at 101st for teaching quality and 117th for the wider student experience, having previously been at 37= and 73.
Contributing to ARU’s overall rank of 130th (second from bottom in our main academic league table for England and Wales) is its relatively low continuation rate, often a side effect of a diverse student community. More than half of ARU students are mature and only 88 per cent of students are projected to carry on with their studies from the first to second year, ranking 113th.
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) nine subject areas were judged to have a world-leading impact. Some of the best results were in communication, cultural and media studies; music, drama, dance, and performing arts; and sociology. ARU’s music therapy research for patients with dementia was recognised with the presentation of a Queen’s Anniversary prize in 2022.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
As well as gaining Writtle’s raft of land-based degrees, ARU is launching primary education with qualified teacher status being offered at Chelmsford, Cambridge and Peterborough. Biology and a top-up in applied sport science and coaching are also new to the Cambridge site and Chelmsford has introduced degrees in biomedical engineering, supply chain management and computer games design. At Peterborough, a degree in biomedical science has been launched.
What are Anglia Ruskin University’s entry requirements – and my chances of getting in?
A contextual offer scheme operates in most subjects — including medicine, which accepts applications from the most disadvantaged students with two grades lower than standard. Unusually, Anglia Ruskin does not require maths A-level for some of its engineering programmes, as part of its efforts to diversify the intake.
What are the graduate prospects?
Many courses offer an optional year in industry and shorter-term work experience opportunities while others include live briefs from industry partners. At the Peterborough campus courses have been co-created with regional organisations with a focus on work-ready skills. ARU Temps is an on-site recruitment agency that fixes students up with paid temporary work and internships that fit around their studies.
What is Anglia Ruskin University’s campus like?
ARU Writtle is the university’s new 370-acre campus in the Essex countryside. A £10 million investment programme over the next five years will improve its specialist teaching facilities for agriculture, horticulture, animal management and science. Its sister campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford and Peterborough have facilities for hands-on learning too. The £30 million Peterborough campus, expected to have 12,500 students by 2030, was set to open the doors of its newest teaching building, the Lab, in September 2024 – featuring specialist labs for microbiology and engineering suites. Another new resource is XRP (eXtended Reality Peterborough) which gives students the sense that they are inside a virtual reality headset. In Cambridge, ARU’s city-centre campus has the red-brick arts school and healthcare facilities such as simulated hospital wards. There are lifelike crime scene rooms in the Science Centre and at the law clinic, lawyers work beside students to provide legal advice to the community. In Chelmsford, the university’s riverside base hosts the £20 million medical school. ARU also has two London bases, in the City and Docklands, mainly for business and law students.
Everything you need to know about Anglia Ruskin University’s student life and wellbeing support
ARU has co-produced a podcast series with students focusing on mental health. Students can talk through anything from minor concerns to bigger issues, such as panic attacks, grief or the challenges of managing a long-term health condition, with ARU’s wellbeing advisers, counsellors and qualified mental health advisers.Support can be via one-to-ones or workshops. Students are also trained as peer wellbeing mentors. There is a sexual violence advocacy service and in October ARU holds Shag (Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance) week to encourage students to think carefully about consent.
There is a Muslim prayer room at the Chelmsford campus and for sports a multi-use games area with an all-weather sports pitch as well as the Old Factory gym, which has sled tracks and a spin studio. The Cambridge site has a gym, fitness studio and tennis court.
Cambridge is geared up for undergraduates, offering student nights at pubs and bars on rotation as well as more peaceful pursuits such as punting on the River Cam. Chelmsford is not without history as one of the first Roman settlements.
What do the students say?
“Studying at ARU provides more than just academics. ARU provides equal opportunities for everyone. ARU celebrates diversity, and you can see this in our cafeteria's global menu and our celebrations of different faiths and festivals. ARU isn't just a place to study; it's a place where everyone belongs and can thrive together.”
Muneeb Iqbal, ARU students’ union president and master’s in public health graduate
What about student accommodation in Anglia Ruskin University?
ARU Writtle guarantees a space in halls to first-years who confirm it as their firm choice by the end of May. Only students who have firmly accepted an offer for a full-time place in Cambridge and Chelmsford can apply for accommodation for one year, but there is no accommodation guarantee.
How diverse and inclusive is Anglia Ruskin University?
More than two thirds of students are aged over 21 when they enrol and widening access is part of the university’s mission. The foundation year centre (ARU College, Navitas) helps those enrolled to develop study skills so they can progress to a degree programme in computing and digital technology, business, animal sciences, health and medical sciences, art and design, psychology and public health.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Anglia Ruskin University
Financial help includes the ARU Bursary of up to £300 for those whose household incomes are less than £42,875 and help with travel (£500 per year) and laptop purchase (£400) for those whose incomes are under £25,000.
For UK and EU students who enter with grades of BBB, there is a range of £1,000 merit-based scholarships. Sport scholarships are worth up to £12,500 per year for students who compete at regional, national or international level.
