Anglia Ruskin University

Summary

History

In 1858, John Ruskin, the leading English art critic of the Victoria era, opened a School of Art in Sidney Street, Cambridge. This School of Art has now much expanded beyond its original confines, and after a number of mergers became Anglia Polytechnic, which was awarded University status in 1992.

In addition to the Cambridge campus, the University now has a campus in Peterborough and Chelmsford, and in 2015 introduced a new campus in the heart of London, where students study subjects including business, law and finance at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Over the years the University has invested over £100 million in their campuses, which involved upgrading existing buildings and facilities, and providing new social spaces, buildings, and facilities.

University Environment

Anglia Ruskin has three main campuses:

Cambridge campus

- the campus is in the heart of the city, having been recently redeveloped to the tune of £35 million. Facilities on campus include: the Lord Ashcroft International Business School, lecture theatres, the library, an open-access area with 250 computers, a bookshop, a range of catering outlets, a Students’ Union, a gym, a medical centre, the halls of residence, student support services, a mock law court, forensic science lab, a Science Centre, the Ruskin Gallery and the Mumford Theatre.

Chelmsford campus

- the campus is located on the bank of the river Chelmer, about 10 minutes walk from the city of Chelmsford. Facilities on campus include: the Lord Ashcroft International Business School, School of Medicine, MedBIC - a centre to support medical technology businesses, lecture theatres, the library, two coffee shops, a bookshop, a sports hall and gym, a Students’ Union and the Student Village with on-campus accommodation.

Peterborough campus

- at Guild House, Peterborough opened in 2011. It’s a dedicated healthcare site where the University trains many of its region’s nurses and healthcare professionals. Facilities on the campus include: a skills lab with state-of-the-art nursing equipment designed to mirror a real-life nursing environment, health library with plenty of space for group work and discussion or individual silent study, a café and large breakout area.

Academics

Faculties, Departments & Institutes

• Faculty of Arts, Law & Social Sciences

• Anglia Law School
• Cambridge School of Art
• Department of English & Media
• Department of Humanities & Social Sciences
• Department of Performance
• Language Services Unit

• Faculty of Health, Social Care & Education

  • School of Nursing & Midwifery
  • School of Education & Social Care

• Lord Ashcroft Internation Business School

• Faulty of Medical Science

• Faculty of Science & Technology

  • Department of Biology
  • Department of Biomedical & Forensic Sciences
  • Department of Computing & Technology
  • Department of Engineering & the Built Environment
  • Department of Psychology
  • Department of Sport & Exercise Sciences
  • Department of Vision & Hearing Sciences

Research

12 subject areas withing Anglia Ruskin were classified as world-leading under the recent 2014 REF, bettering their 8 submissions under the 2008 results. Their Vision and Eye Research Unit was recognised for its work in improving eye and healthcare for diabetic patients of South Asian origin with its findings directly impacting healthcare policymakers and professionals, charities and economic analysts around the world. 

International & Industrial Opportunities

Anglia Ruskin participates in a number of study abroad and exchange programmes enabling students to spend up to a year studying at an overseas institution.

Fees & Finance

Scholarships

The University has a range of scholarships for UK and EU students. This includes:

• Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship
• Achievement Scholarship
• STEM Scholarship
• Alumni Scholarship
• Sport Scholarship

Bursaries

There is an EU undergraduate bursary of £800, paid in the first year, available to EU undergraduate students studying full-time at the University.

The University's Books Plus scheme helps students with study-related costs like textbooks and equipment. Most first-year students are eligible for £400 Books Plus credit. 

Facilities

Learning Facilities

The University has large multidisciplinary libraries at Cambridge and Chelmsford and a specialist Health library in Peterborough. There is an extensive Digital Library that provides on and off campus access to databases, e-journals and e-books supported by on site collections of printed books and journals. The libraries offer a range of spaces and facilities including provision for group work and discussion, silent study, use of multi-media, PCs, and Wi-Fi for laptops. The libraries also run a comprehensive programme of information and study skills training.

At Cambridge, facilities also include rehearsal spaces for performing arts courses, a suite of forensic science labs complete with a scene crime unit, spacious art studios, a TV studio, a mock law court, a suite of multimedia sound and recording studios, the Language Centre, Multimedia Language Laboratories, and the Human Energy Sports Science Laboratory.

The Anglia Law School Law Clinic at Cambridge offers free legal advice and gives students the opportunity to work on real-life cases with qualified solicitors.

At Chelmsford the facilities include a mock law court and simulation skills labs that mirror real-life hospital wards, a perfect training ground for nurses and midwives.

The Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab in the Lord Ashcroft Business School in Chelmsford has a 'ticker' displaying worldwide share prices and a portfolio manager to trade and invest; it plays a major role in the University finance courses.

Students have the opportunity to study a foreign language as part of their course through the Anglia Language Programme. Languages taught include French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Chinese.

Sporting Facilities

In Cambridge students use the neighbouring Parkside Pools and Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre with a swimming pool, health spa, sports hall, climbing wall and squash courts. On campus there is a dance studio, tennis court and fitness centre. The University’s playing fields near Howes Close Sports Ground is home to the football, rugby and cricket teams.

In Chelmsford, the Mildmay Sports Centre on campus comprises of a sports hall for badminton, football, basketball and indoor cricket. There is access to playing fields and an artificial pitch within walking distance of the Sports Centre, and a trim trail which runs throughout the campus. There is also a separate room on campus with a sprung wooden floor for fitness classes.

In Peterborough, students can join the various gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes around the city at discounted rates.

The University has over 30 sports clubs, from cricket and rugby to fencing and ultimate frisbee – all offering great coaching and many competing in British Universities competitions. It offers a number of sports projects the students can volunteer to particpate in. These include helping out at sporting events such as Race for Life, developing sport by becoming a Sports Leader or Coach, supporting people with injuries, and delivering projects with local organisations through the mentoring of young people and adults.

The University also offers selective sports scholarships and bursaries to students of high sporting potential. Awards range from £500 to full fee scholarship up to £12,500 a year, and are available in a variety of sports including cricket, rowing, athletics and swimming.

Students' Union

Students’ Union

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) Students’ Union supports over 120 different societies, from course-specific groups to hobby clubs, and special interest meet-ups. Joining a club is a great way to meet new people, build friendships and expand your horizons.

The Union organises the Fresher’s Week, themed events from fashion shows, regular club nights to International Week and summer balls.

The Students’ Union also has a Volunteering Office where you can meet with a Volunteer Centre Coordinator to discuss your volunteering needs and help you to find your perfect role. Volunteering is a good way to develop your confidence, connect with other passionate people, and it looks great on your CV. Examples of volunteering opportunities include leading activities to motivate and engage people with serious mental illness to live more independently through art, music, drama, and exercise or encouraging children to read and talk about books during their summer break.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

On all the campuses, chaplains of various denominations and faiths work together to help with many aspects of student life, offering practical support and advice. Students can leave requests for prayer or join in the daily prayer of the Chaplaincy. The Chaplaincy also have dedicated prayer rooms for the Muslim students. Students can find information about local faith communities, spiritual support for Christians and other faiths, and opportunities for helping others whilst at Anglia Ruskin.

Health & Wellbeing

The Counselling and Wellbeing Service offers a free and confidential service to promote mental health and wellbeing. Professional counsellors are available to give advice on personal or university-related issues which might range from grief, relationship difficulties, panic attacks, exam anxieties and stress. They also run one hour workshops throughout Freshers’ Week focusing on settling in, transitions, and stress and anxiety. In addition, depending on student demand, one-off workshops are conducted throughout the year and include dealing with procrastination, presentation preparations and assertiveness. Structured groupwork programmes offer a psycho-educational focus on key issues including stress and anxiety management, and boosting self-esteem.

The Study Support Service provide services, support and advice for disabled students (including dyslexic students) and study skills support for all students. They support students who are blind or partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing, wheelchair users or those with other mobility difficulties, dyslexic, dyspraxic, within the autistic spectrum or have Asperger syndrome, mental health difficulties, unseen conditions such as epilepsy or a combination of these.

On the Cambridge campus there is an NHS GP Medical Centre which is open during the semester offering a full, confidential and general medical service. Both male and female doctors are available at the Medical Centre.

Career Facilities

Anglia Ruskin’s Employability Service provides impartial advice to help students make informed decisions about thier education and future career, as well as helping them find work whilst studying.

The Employability Service runs a programme of events throughout the year, including workshops, such as writing CVs and mock interviews; employer events such as the company presentations; and fairs such as the Nursing Job Fair, and the Autumn Graduate Fair.

The Employers Mentoring Scheme offers mentoring to all second year students to help them enhance skills that can improve their employability, develop their business awareness, gain access to employer networks, and plan an individual programme to meet their personal development needs.

Facilities also include an online jobs board, employability news, labour market information and an online careers library.

Accommodation

In Cambridge there are halls of residence on and off campus, and shared houses within two miles of the campus. In Chelmsford there is a Student Village just across the road from the campus, with flats for 3, 5, or 6 students sharing. NHS accommodation is available for nurses and midwives in the Peterborough campus.

International

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification.

Scholarships

The International Merit Scholarship scheme provides awards of either £1000 or £2000 to well-qualified students. Awards are made on the basis of academic merit and level of competence in English language.

The International Excellent Scholarship award of £4000 is available to students who have achieved ABB grades or above at A-level (or international equivalent qualification) applying to study for a full-time undergraduate degree. As well as looking at academic excellence, the University is interested in why you want to study at ARU, your career goals, work experience, and relevant activities you take part in outside of your studies.

International Support

The International Student Advice Service offers a range of free specialist services to international students. This includes visa and immigration advice, and tuition fee advice.

Anglia Ruskin University Language Services Unit offers English language support to non-native speakers of English. Modules include Advanced English aimed to improve communicative competence in English using authentic, contemporary materials; English for Study aimed to support students in their academic writing, note taking, and presentation abilities; and Business English aimed to support students who are seeking a career in the business world. They also provide drop-in academic English language support sessions for academic vocabulary, presentations in English, writing introductions and conclusions, referencing and grammar and punctuation.

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