ARU - Chelmsford

I am coming this September to study Bsc Pharmaceutical Science at ARU Chelmsford. I just wanted to know more about Chlemsford in your words about the part time jobs scene, accomodation rent , campus , connectivity with London and also would i able to save up to pay the tution fees for the second year by doing part time after paying the accomodation rents every week ? Please let me know all about it in your words.

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

Original post by Notvardaan

Hi there,

Welcome to ARU Chelmsford! I’d be happy to share some insights.

Part-Time Jobs
For part-time jobs, the town has various opportunities. Many students find jobs in local shops and cafes, and platforms like Indeed are useful for job hunting. I work in town and earn £11.72 per hour for 10 contracted hours a week. Depending on my course schedule, I sometimes get extra hours. This means I take home at least £468.80 a month. However, this doesn’t cover my rent. ARU Temps is another option, offering temporary work on campus or for university events, usually paying around £12 an hour. These jobs can be occasional, but they’re a good way to earn extra money.

Accommodation Rent
Accommodation costs vary widely. I live in private student accommodation close to campus, costing about £175 per week at the moment, but will be increasing to £195 a week next year. When I started in 2021, university accommodation was around £135 per week for first-year students, but it has likely increased since then. It’s possible to apply for university accommodation in later years, but it’s not guaranteed. Renting a house with friends is often more economical. For example, I have friends paying around £460-£550 per month for shared houses, excluding bills. With bills included, it usually totals around £520-£550 per month. ARU provides a helpful website called Student Pad to find off-campus housing.

Campus and Connectivity
The ARU Chelmsford campus is compact and conveniently located. There are several amenities nearby, including a Subway, a convenience store, a Chinese takeaway, and a supermarket. Most off-campus accommodations are within a short walking distance. The town center and train station are about a 15-20 minute walk from campus. Traveling to London is relatively easy, with trains to Stratford and Liverpool Street taking a minimum of 30 minutes. With a 16-25 railcard, which you can get with a Santander student account, an open return ticket costs around £15-£16. Without the railcard, expect to pay around £20-£25.

Financial Considerations
Balancing work and study to save for tuition and living expenses can be tough. With my current job, I rely on a maintenance loan to cover rent and other expenses. Personal spending on food, shopping, and social activities can range from £450-£600 a month for me, even when trying to save. Saving enough to pay for tuition next year through part-time work alone would be challenging, but not impossible if you can secure enough hours and manage your budget strictly.

I hope this gives you a clearer picture of life in Chelmsford. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions. Good luck with your studies!