Opened by the influential art critic John Ruskin in 1858 as the Cambridge School of Art, Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) now occupies four campuses: Cambridge, Peterborough, Chelmsford and Writtle. Its academic focus has moved beyond the canvas and encompasses a range of specialisms tailored to a population of more than 30,000 undergraduates. ARU 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. Widening access is ingrained at the university, and about half of students are aged over 21 when they enrol. It also offers degree apprenticeships for roles including medical doctor, physiotherapist, social worker, data scientist, civil engineer and police constable.
What is Anglia Ruskin University’s reputation?
Formerly Anglia Polytechnic, ARU has a history of innovating with its courses. The university opened Essex’s first medical school in Chelmsford in 2018 and since the 2024 merger with Writtle College, courses in agriculture, horticulture, equine and canine studies, and animal management studies have joined the ARU fold.
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) nine subject areas were judged to have made 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.
ARU took a step up in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), replacing its silver award with a gold. The student experience was also rated gold in the TEF report, although this is at odds with Anglia Ruskin's ranking in both measures of our National Student Survey analysis — at 99= for teaching quality and 109th for the wider student experience, having previously been at 37= and 73 two years ago.
ARU’s relatively low continuation rate also hampers its overall ranking in our main league table. Only 85 per cent of students are projected to carry on with their studies from the first to second year, ranking 109=, although this is often a consequence of a diverse student community.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
ARU is offering 24 new degrees in 2025 and 2026, spanning the fields of science and engineering, business and law, education, and game design.
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 who have achieved two grades lower than standard. Unusually, Anglia Ruskin does not require a 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 up students with paid temporary work and internships that fit around their studies. Even so, ARU remains outside the top 100 of our graduate prospects measure, based on 69 per cent in skilled employment 15 months after their degrees.
What is Anglia Ruskin University’s campus like?
Hands-on learning facilities are to the fore. The £30 million Peterborough campus, expected to have 12,500 students by 2030, opened its newest teaching building, the Lab, in 2024, featuring specialist labs for microbiology studies and engineering suites. In Cambridge, the city-centre campus is the base for the redbrick arts school and healthcare facilities that include 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 riverside base hosts the £20 million medical school, and ARU Writtle is the university’s 370-acre campus in the Essex countryside. ARU also has an outpost in London Docklands, mainly for business and law students.
When can I visit?
aru.ac.uk
Everything you need to know about Anglia Ruskin University’s student life and wellbeing support
Cambridge is geared up for undergraduates, offering student nights at pubs and bars. There are sports facilities at all sites but Peterborough, where students get discounted membership at local leisure venues. Chelmsford has 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. The Writtle campus has added new sporting resources — such as rugby and cricket pitches, outdoor and indoor courts, archery lanes and a croquet lawn.
A counselling and wellbeing service offers one-to-one support as well as workshops and podcasts. Students are also trained as peer wellbeing mentors.
What do the students say?
“Life at ARU is vibrant and welcoming. The lecturers are passionate and approachable, and they bring their real-world experience into the classroom. There’s a strong emphasis on employability, with great placement opportunities and career support.”
Regina O'Sullivan, BA (Hons) film and TV production and MSc brand management graduate
What about student accommodation in Anglia Ruskin University?
First-years who have firmly accepted an offer for a full-time place in Cambridge and Chelmsford are guaranteed accommodation, but there is no similar assurance for those based in Peterborough or Writtle.
How diverse and inclusive is Anglia Ruskin University?
Ranking 39th in our social inclusion index, widening access is part of the university’s mission. More than half of students are aged over 21 when they enrol.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Anglia Ruskin University
Financial aid includes the ARU Bursary of up to £300 for those where the household income is less than £42,875 and help with travel (up to £500 a year) and laptop purchase (£400) for those whose incomes are under £25,000.
Sport scholarships are worth up to £12,500 a year for students who compete at regional, national or international level.
For students who enter with grades of BBB, there is a range of £1,000 merit-based scholarships paid as tuition fee discounts.
