Current students - what do you think of Anglia Ruskin Uni

I've heard mixed reviews about Anglia Ruskin Uni, and it's one I'm really considering applying to. I'm looking to do the Zoology with Foundation Year Degree and the only review I've found on it was pretty negative.

I was wondering if any Anglia Ruskin students/friends of students could shine a little light?

Thanks!

I'm at Cambridge so I know the city pretty well and Anglia Ruskin's kinda on a main road, as opposed to being in the centre, but it's not what I'd call a "rough" area! The clubs are generally OK - they tend to get fairly packed, but I've never seen any trouble.

I'm not sure what the rate of theft/burglaries is for Ruskin students since people at Cambridge tend to live in college accommodation (security's that tight that it's like living in a castle!), but the only "ongoing" crime problem I'm aware of is the sex attacker, who tends to target young female students. Having said that, things have gone quiet and I haven't heard any more about him within the past few months.

ARU has two campuses though, so maybe that's the other one? I would agree that the crime rate in Cambridge seems pretty low from the perspective of a student, though I rarely leave the very centre of the city.

I'd just like to speak as a first year student at ARU (Cambridge campus) and say how I am quite literally having the time of my life. I'm staying in Peter Taylor House halls on campus which is fantastic because everywhere on campus is less than a 3-4 minute walk away, and I've made the best friends on my floor.

The university campus itself really is quite small, in comparison to the other universities I visited like Aston for example, but I like its size because it feels more cosy and homely.

The staff are amazing and cannot stress enough how important it is to us that we should talk about any issues or concerns we have whatsoever with our tutors, whether this be course-related or us feeling homesick or otherwise. The uni makes sure there is plenty of information on employment and there are many drop-in sessions and workshops you can visit to enhance your CV suited to your course/future career, and also offer jobs on campus.

The uni in terms of location really is absolutely ideal - everything is a walking distance away, you don't even need a bike (although you see like a thousand of them everywhere you look). The shopping centre is about a 5 minute walk away from the uni, and the town centre is a 10 minute walk away in the opposite direction. Not to mention Tesco express which is practically right on the uni's doorstep and such a life saver at times. The nightlife is good, I mean the main clubs people go to include Revs, Lola Lo's, The Place, Fez and Ballare, and there are lots of bars to visit too, and most places are also a walking distance away.

The downsides of the uni include that as of this year I believe, the student union bar went bust and so the not-very-big room where parties were held all the time is only open about once a month or so when there is a special occasion i.e. Halloween or Christmas etc. but that's pretty much the only negative thing I have to say about the uni. I absolutely love it.

Plus, on Mondays if you say "BLAM" to the person at the till at Nandos down the road you get a 20% student discount for being an ARU student

But yeah, all in all it's an amazing uni. I'm loving my course, the staff, the other students, and the uni itself. I've only been here 3 months, but I can't wait for the rest of the 3 years. ARU all the way

I'd just like to speak as a first year student at ARU (Cambridge campus) and say how I am quite literally having the time of my life. I'm staying in Peter Taylor House halls on campus which is fantastic because everywhere on campus is less than a 3-4 minute walk away, and I've made the best friends on my floor.

The university campus itself really is quite small, in comparison to the other universities I visited like Aston for example, but I like its size because it feels more cosy and homely.

The staff are amazing and cannot stress enough how important it is to us that we should talk about any issues or concerns we have whatsoever with our tutors, whether this be course-related or us feeling homesick or otherwise. The uni makes sure there is plenty of information on employment and there are many drop-in sessions and workshops you can visit to enhance your CV suited to your course/future career, and also offer jobs on campus.

The uni in terms of location really is absolutely ideal - everything is a walking distance away, you don't even need a bike (although you see like a thousand of them everywhere you look). The shopping centre is about a 5 minute walk away from the uni, and the town centre is a 10 minute walk away in the opposite direction. Not to mention Tesco express which is practically right on the uni's doorstep and such a life saver at times. The nightlife is good, I mean the main clubs people go to include Revs, Lola Lo's, The Place, Fez and Ballare, and there are lots of bars to visit too, and most places are also a walking distance away.

The downsides of the uni include that as of this year I believe, the student union bar went bust and so the not-very-big room where parties were held all the time is only open about once a month or so when there is a special occasion i.e. Halloween or Christmas etc. but that's pretty much the only negative thing I have to say about the uni. I absolutely love it.

Plus, on Mondays if you say "BLAM" to the person at the till at Nandos down the road you get a 20% student discount for being an ARU student

But yeah, all in all it's an amazing uni. I'm loving my course, the staff, the other students, and the uni itself. I've only been here 3 months, but I can't wait for the rest of the 3 years. ARU all the way

I'd just like to speak as a first year student at ARU (Cambridge campus) and say how I am quite literally having the time of my life. I'm staying in Peter Taylor House halls on campus which is fantastic because everywhere on campus is less than a 3-4 minute walk away, and I've made the best friends on my floor.

The university campus itself really is quite small, in comparison to the other universities I visited like Aston for example, but I like its size because it feels more cosy and homely.

The staff are amazing and cannot stress enough how important it is to us that we should talk about any issues or concerns we have whatsoever with our tutors, whether this be course-related or us feeling homesick or otherwise. The uni makes sure there is plenty of information on employment and there are many drop-in sessions and workshops you can visit to enhance your CV suited to your course/future career, and also offer jobs on campus.

The uni in terms of location really is absolutely ideal - everything is a walking distance away, you don't even need a bike (although you see like a thousand of them everywhere you look). The shopping centre is about a 5 minute walk away from the uni, and the town centre is a 10 minute walk away in the opposite direction. Not to mention Tesco express which is practically right on the uni's doorstep and such a life saver at times. The nightlife is good, I mean the main clubs people go to include Revs, Lola Lo's, The Place, Fez and Ballare, and there are lots of bars to visit too, and most places are also a walking distance away.

The downsides of the uni include that as of this year I believe, the student union bar went bust and so the not-very-big room where parties were held all the time is only open about once a month or so when there is a special occasion i.e. Halloween or Christmas etc. but that's pretty much the only negative thing I have to say about the uni. I absolutely love it.

Plus, on Mondays if you say "BLAM" to the person at the till at Nandos down the road you get a 20% student discount for being an ARU student

But yeah, all in all it's an amazing uni. I'm loving my course, the staff, the other students, and the uni itself. I've only been here 3 months, but I can't wait for the rest of the 3 years. ARU all the way

As a second year at the Cambridge campus I also have only positives to say about ARU. With assignments tutors must give your work back within 20 working days (this is quick compared to what many of my friends at other 'better' unis get); their feedback is useful and detailed; the tutors get to know you individually, and the uni's attendance monitoring gives you motivation to get to lectures. Student Services are also fantastic. They help out with any problem, no matter how tiny, and make you feel valued.
As to the odd comment about 'high crime rates' which a previous post described, I can safely say that that is *******s! Cambridge is a beautiful, safe city, and the uni is a minute walk to the police station!