Is Anglia Ruskin University a good university? Well, I believe it is an excellent university, let me convince you. Starting university can be daunting and when the majority of students who attend Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) do not live in Cambridge, it may feel like a challenging task. Cambridge is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, formed in the 12th century it has had many years to curate its uniqueness and with such a rich history, there is an array of activities and attractions to see. There are many things that I would recommend to make the most of your stay here comfortable and dare I say- exciting, from quiet scenic places to interesting attractions and university events there is a plethora to dive right into. In this list, I will tell you 7 things that will convince you that ARU at Cambridge campus is a good university.
1. Unibuddy
When joining the university, you automatically join a scheme that allows new students to become mentees of older years in their facility or course. It’s an opt-out scheme, which means that until you request not to, you will always have someone to help navigate any aspect of university life for the first semester. Anglia Ruskin University is renowned for this scheme; students have reported that their mentors’ constant presence is a comfort as they are always available if they need help. I am also involved in this scheme and the support from the staff allows me to give my all in supporting the mentors to help their new years. The new years are also given free drink vouchers so keep an eye out for yours!
2. Cambridge nightlife
Now, for the night-time activities. There are many pubs and a few noteworthy clubs in Cambridge. There are pubs along the river if you prefer a calming view when unwinding, or MASH- a popular nightclub amongst the students, even a Wetherspoons if you are on a student’s budget. We all know there are times we still want to throw it down without breaking the bank. There are many things to enjoy in the night for all different types of people and in ARU there are many different types of people from many walks of life so you will be sure to fit right into university life.
3. Lots of great walks
Now, how many people are Harry Potter fans? Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone! If you are a nostalgic watcher or a superfan I’m sure you would love to see the places in which the movie has been shot. Even if you are not an avid supporter, the architecture is still something to amaze at, many of the spots are secluded and are perfect to study- for free! For example, behind Emmanuel Collage, there is a pond decorated with willow trees and flowery grounds perfect for studying surrounded by Georgian and Victorian architecture. As well as the parks, I would recommend taking a boat ride on the River Cam where you can ride in a traditional punt boat with a guide who manoeuvres the boat with a stick down the river so you can take in the historical bridges. I have found many spots like these during walks in Cambridge and I have still a lot more ground to cover. It is important to take breaks when studying and Cambridge is one of the best places to find mindfulness during exam season.
4. Wellness
The transition into University is difficult. Moving away from family and living alone for the first time or even if it’s attending a new institution having to start afresh, these milestones are ones that we are doing alone. If help is needed, ARU has a whole department at your disposal. I have personally used counselling and well-being support several times and they assure to help wherever they can, using all resources the university offers, to make sure you are transitioning and prioritising your mental health. The department consists of counsellors, mental health advisors, well-being advisors, well-being coaches, and student sexual violence advocates. The university has the best support systems in the UK for students and has even been awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its world-leading music therapy work. If you need more information on mental health; read more articles about mental health on the Unifresher page.
5. Museums
Whatever you are studying, from STEM subjects to the arts and humanities. There is a museum for all! Cambridge’s main museums include The Fitzwilliam Museum, holding Ancient Egyptian artefacts, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the University Museum Of Zoology, the Scott Polar Research Institute, and the Cambridge Museum of Technology, to name a few! They all have something of interest or relevance to your subject and of course, experts in the fields who occupy the museums. If you happen to go through all 12 museums, and you’re thirsty for more, hats off to you. London is a short 45-minute train ride away and you can explore to your heart’s content. Let me know if you go through all of London’s 170 museums, I will be thoroughly impressed!
6. The university community
I would recommend attending the university freshers week. There you will see all the pop-up stalls of societies. They are perfect for finding new friends who share your hobbies, or you could find new things that interest you. I can guarantee there will be at least one society which will pique your curiosity. All societies have events throughout the year that would be free to attend, you can download the ‘Handshake’ app which allows you to attend networking events and build your CV or meet like-minded people in your desired field, for advancement in your career. This is essential to make the most out of the university and ensuring to making it the best university for you. Your respective faculty will also send relevant events that may interest you so keep an eye out for those emails!
7. Amazing libraries
At the end of each semester, exam seasons are usually well underway, and thank goodness that ARU has an extensive library spanning four floors. Open 24/7, they hold all relevant academic material and have librarians who you can consult with to allow you to have your best shot at the best grade you can get. But when you have multiple exams or assignments it is hard staring at the same four walls no matter where you sit in the big library. Fortunately, Cambridge has 10 free libraries that they can use, 8 are public, and the other 2 only students studying in the city of Cambridge can access, which is perfect for when you need to crunch out the last bit of your revision.
Anglia Ruskin University is a diverse university, it holds a plethora of courses, so it invites many kinds of people to the vibrant city of Cambridge. The historical city supports the university as it caters to the student’s needs. But is Anglia Ruskin University good? To make full use of the university, you have to take advantage of what the city offers, together you will leave after your stay in Cambridge a new well-rounded person. I was hesitant when I moved from the north to a southern city but with the combined effort of the University and the public events the city hosted. I have become fond of my university and the city of Cambridge and believe wholeheartedly that ARU is an excellent university that I genuinely would recommend to prospective new students, looking to study at a university that has their student’s best interests at heart.
