Overview
About ARU College
ARU College is partnered with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), which boasts campuses in the UK cities of Cambridge and Chelmsford. ARU is a distinguished university, offering a full range undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and has been named the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year (2023).
ARU College provides both undergraduate and postgraduate pathways into a large variety of degrees available at Anglia Ruskin University, in subject areas including:
- Architecture
- Art and Design
- Business and Management
- Engineering, Computing, and Technology
- English, Media and Drama
- Health and Social Care
- Humanities and Education
- Music
- Law and Policing
- Medical and Life Science
- Psychology
- Sport Science
- MBA
Outside of class, students have access to exemplary support through a range of options and resources provided by the university’s student services team. The university prides itself in fostering a supportive atmosphere that enables all students to reach their full potential.
The Cambridge campus is located only a short walk from the bustling city centre, and is home to state-of-the-art facilities including the Ruskin Gallery, the Mumford Theatre, and a dedicated science centre, and law clinic. The iconic city is renowned for its historic allure, combining picturesque architecture and quaint green spaces, as well as its academic excellence and thriving intellectual atmosphere.
The Chelmsford campus is located in the modern, characterful city of Chelmsford. An interesting and lively city with plenty to see and do, it has received the Purple Flag accreditation for its exciting, vibrant and safe nightlife 11 years in a row (2024). The campus is positioned within walking distance of most of the city’s top social and entertainment spots.
Business students at the Chelmsford campus further benefit from the expertise provided through one of the region’s largest business schools, as well as Arise Chelmsford, an innovation centre designed to support new businesses.
Campus and accommodation
Both the Cambridge and Chelmsford campuses offer expansive library facilities and dedicated amenities for each of their respective departments. Each campus also boasts its own centrally located accommodation options for eligible students.
At the Cambridge campus, Peter Taylor House features a newly established chill-out area and advice hub within the students' union. In Chelmsford, the on-campus accommodation is conveniently situated near the student union bar and chill area, providing students with easy access to social spaces and amenities.
Students applying to university-owned accommodation are advised to carefully check deadlines and eligibility criteria in advance.
Students can also rent privately through a student accommodation provider or letting agency, with plenty of options available near to both campuses. ARU College is able to provide guidance relating to reputable agencies and other accommodation queries.
Humanities/Social Science facilities
Art & Design
The artistic legacy of the Cambridge School of Art dates back to 1858. Facilities include darkrooms, a film processing room, and a FuturesLab with 3D printers. The Ruskin Gallery provides a unique exhibition space, surrounded by the prestigious Cambridge School of Art’s artist studios.
Degree pathways* include:
- BA Computer Games Art
- BA Fashion Design
- BA Fine Art
- BA Graphic Design
- BA Animation and Illustration
- BA Interior Design
- BA Photography
- BA Fashion Communication and Branding
Media
Media and drama degrees at ARU provide an immersive experience, with state-of-the-art facilities that elevate learning. These include a film studio with overhead lighting, tracks, dollies, and green screen, and a multi-camera television studio with modular set panels and modern set dressing.
Degree pathways* include:
- BA Drama
- BA Drama and English Literature
- BA Drama and Film
- BA Digital Media Production
- BA Film
- BA Film and Media
- BA Media and Communication
- BA Media Production
- BA Musical Theatre
Business & Law
Get access to cutting-edge facilities with a Business or Law degree. These include mock law courts, and the impressive Bloomberg Financial Trading Rooms, where students gain hands-on experience in the dynamic world of financial markets.
Degree pathways* include:
- BSc Business with Economics
- BSc Banking and Finance
- BSc Business Management
- BSc Business with Marketing
- BSc International Business Management
- LLB Law
- Master of Business Administration
- MSc Marketing
- MSc Supply Chain Management
Education
Facilities include the Early Years Resource Room and the Primary Education Room, primed for hands-on learning and research. Students also benefit from extensive work placements, totalling at least 80 days over three years.
Degree pathways* include:
- BA Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner)
- BA Montessori Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner)
- BA Primary Education Studies
*All bachelor’s degrees offered are honours degrees
STEM facilities
Engineering, Computing and Technology
ARU is home to a range of cutting-edge facilities, including a brand-new Science Centre, psychology labs, and advanced engineering and manufacturing workshops. Meanwhile, engineering and manufacturing students in Chelmsford have access to specialist engineering workshops, electronics and microelectronics labs, a concrete lab, industry-standard software, and 3D printing facilities.
- BSc Artificial Intelligence
- BSc Audio & Music Technology
- BSc Building Surveying
- BEng Civil Engineering
- BSc Computer Games Technology
- BSc Computer Games Programming
- BEng Computer Science
- BSc Construction Management
- BSc Cyber Security
- BSC Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
- BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering
- BEng Mechanical Engineering
- BEng Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering
- BSc Quantity Surveying
- BSc Software Engineering
Life Sciences
Life science students benefit from ARU’s GBP 3 million SuperLab complex, offering 83 student workstations and four lecturer workstations. Supporting courses including pharmaceutical science and medical science, the complex provides space for students to perform practical sessions and experiments.
Degree pathways* include:
- BSc Animal Behaviour
- BSc Biology
- BSc Biomedical Science
- BEng Computer Science
- BSc Crime & Investigative Studies
- BSc Forensic Science
- BSc Ecology and Conservation
- BSc Medical Science
- BSc Pharmaceutical Science
- BSc Zoology
Health & Social Care
Mock hospital wards and nursing skills labs at both the Cambridge and Chelmsford campus provide students with immersive, practical learning experiences, preparing them for the demands of real-world healthcare settings.
ARU College offers International Foundation in Healthcare. This Foundation Year course progresses to BSc Public Health but students can choose to progress onto BSc Nursing (Adult) instead (upon successful faculty interview).
*All bachelor’s degrees offered are honours degrees
What’s new
Praise for Anglia Ruskin University
ARU has received significant recognition from a number of reputable and prestigious organisations, solidifying its reputation as an outstanding provider of higher education.
ARU was named the University of the Year in the 2023 Times Higher Education Awards, recognising the university’s commitment to excellence. In 2022, it ranked first in the UK and twentieth globally for health and well-being (THE).
ARU has also achieved the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award, highlighting its dedication to providing outstanding education. Furthermore, due to the focus on employability within its courses and the excellent careers support it supplies, the university ranks among the top 15 percent in the UK for graduate employment (HESA, 2023).
ARU’s education courses rank seventh in the UK (Guardian University Guide, 2024), achieving a 90 percent score in the ‘teaching on my course’ category in the National Student Survey (2023). Complementary medicine courses also rank in the top 10 in the country (Complete University Guide, 2024).