Overview

Becoming ARU

Over the years, a number of colleges and institutes have become part of Anglia Ruskin. They include the Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology (CCAT) and the Essex Institute of Higher Education (formerly the Chelmer Institute – itself formed from the Mid-Essex Technical College and the Brentwood College of Education). At first, these colleges combined to become Anglia Polytechnic, and then Anglia Polytechnic University in 1992. We’ve been known as Anglia Ruskin University since 2005.

Four main campuses

As well as Cambridge, we have campuses in Chelmsford, London and Peterborough. Our Chelmsford campus was originally in the city centre but moved to a new, purpose-built site in 1992. Today, you’ll find our striking, modern buildings nestled by the river in the city’s University and Innovation Quarter. Meanwhile, our campus at Guild House, Peterborough opened in 2011. It’s a dedicated healthcare site where we train many of our region’s nurses and healthcare professionals.

In 2015 we were pleased to introduce a new campus in the heart of London, where students study subjects including business, law and finance at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

A national and international presence

As well as our four main campuses, we have a number of partner institutions in the UK and overseas, giving you the chance to study for an Anglia Ruskin qualification near to home. The first partnerships were formed in the early 1990s. 

Our International Office, set up in 1992, fosters further links, and makes sure that our international students receive the support and information they need.

Courses

Our early expertise in the arts and education has broadened, and today we offer courses in computing and technology, engineering, law, business, economics, life sciences and more.

We’ve been a leader in the field of health and social care since 1992, when nursing training was transferred from local health authorities to Anglia Ruskin. As well as our three highly regarded nursing courses, we train midwives, operating department practitioners and social workers.

Research

In the last decade, we’ve forged ahead with our research work. We have research-active staff across the university, and a growing reputation in this area.

You’ll now find six high-profile research institutes here. The first of these was our Postgraduate Medical Institute, set up in 2008, which carries out ground-breaking medical research and trains healthcare professionals in a range of sophisticated techniques. The Cultures of the Digital Economy (CoDE) Research Institute followed in 2010, exploring the effects of the digital economy on art, culture and society.

Anglia Ruskin today

We’ve seen lots of changes in the last 159 years, but one thing has remained the same. We’re still passionate about the advancement of knowledge and the education of students.

Today, we’re one of the largest universities in the East of England, with 35,000 students from 177 countries. We’re well regarded for the quality of our teaching and support – with industry-recognised courses, inspiring tutors, and an award-winning Student Services Team.

Anglia Ruskin in the future

We’ve invested over £100 million in our campuses in the last five years. We’ll be adding a further £91 million to keep pace with innovation.

Future developments include a brand new Science Centre in Cambridge with a ‘super lab’ that will serve students of computing and technology, psychology, life sciences, and biomedical and forensic science.

We want our concern for the environment to inform every aspect of what we do. We’re committed to making sustainability a part of every student’s experience by reducing waste, encouraging biodiversity, travelling green, supporting Fairtrade, saving water and more. We also strive to exceed national and sector benchmarks for the sustainability of our buildings and processes.