Access to high-quality education is fundamental to creating opportunities, supporting social mobility and enabling individuals and communities to thrive.
At ARU, we are committed to delivering an inclusive, innovative and professionally relevant educational experience that equips learners with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed throughout their lives and careers.
Innovation in teaching is a defining feature of the ARU experience. Since their introduction in 2021, our award-winning Ruskin Modules have brought together students from different disciplines to tackle real-world challenges linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, fostering collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The initiative won the Green Gown Award for Next Generation Learning and Skills in 2023 and was Highly Commended at the International Green Gown Awards in 2024, with more than 11,000 students participating by 2024.
We continue to invest in teaching quality, learning environments and student success. In 2023, the University achieved a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), recognising outstanding student experience and outcomes. ARU was also named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023, reflecting our commitment to educational innovation, widening participation and real-world impact.
Educating students to address global challenges
A distinctive feature of the ARU learning experience is the inclusion of Ruskin Modules, which are part of most of our undergraduate degrees. Each Ruskin Module revolves around a complex challenge in our changing world – all aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Students explore these challenges in an interdisciplinary way – working collaboratively with learners from across the University, developing the ability to approach real-world problems from multiple perspectives.
This approach helps students build important real-world skills - critical thinking, communication and teamwork. The innovative design of Ruskin Modules was recognised as part of ARU's Gold-rated Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment, and in 2023, the Ruskin Modules won the prestigious Next Generation Learning and Skills category in the national Green Gown Awards. By that point, more than 11,000 students had participated in the programme. Judges recognised the modules' interdisciplinary approach and their ability to engage students with complex social and environmental challenges that affect communities around the world.
Learning through real-world experience
Another example of ARU’s commitment to interdisciplinary and applied learning comes from our Live Briefs, where students work on real challenges set by employers, community organisations and industry partners, enabling them to apply academic knowledge to practical situations. These experiences help students connect directly to the world of work, and develop professional skills, gain confidence and better understand how their studies connect to societal needs. Live Briefs are a distinctive feature of ARU's approach to education, reflecting the University's commitment to experiential and employer-engaged learning.
Expanding access through degree apprenticeships
ARU is one of the UK’s leading providers of degree apprenticeships. These provide flexible routes into higher education for learners who wish to earn while they learn. Working in partnership with more than 1,000 employers, ARU has supported over 7,800 apprentices to develop new skills and achieve degree-level qualifications while remaining in employment. By combining workplace experience with academic study, degree apprenticeships support lifelong learning, career progression and workforce development across the region. Our 2025 Impact Report highlighted the value of our apprenticeship to learners and employers: 99% of apprentice alumni said that they learnt new skills and knowledge that helped them to contribute at their place of work in a practical way, and 78% of employers agree that ARU apprenticeships offer a good return on investment.
Developing entrepreneurial and innovative graduates
Through the Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy (AREA), ARU supports students to develop entrepreneurial skills, creativity and innovation. Open to students from all disciplines and study levels, AREA provides mentoring, enterprise education, networking opportunities, business planning support and practical entrepreneurship experiences. A key feature is the interdisciplinary Ruskin Enterprise module, which helps students explore how knowledge gained through their degree can be applied in entrepreneurial contexts. AREA works alongside external organisations including NatWest, Barclays Eagle Labs Academy, Arise Innovation Hubs and the Federation of Small Businesses, helping students develop the skills and confidence needed to create, lead and innovate.
ARU is nationally-recognised for the quality of our support to student entrepreneurship. In 2025, we are ranked seventh in the UK for student start-up companies, and first amongst universities in the East of England. In 2024, ARU became the first UK university to receive the prestigious Entrepreneurial University of the Year award from the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education.
Supporting student growth through mentoring
ARU's mentoring programmes connect students with experienced professionals who provide guidance, support and advice as they prepare for future careers. Through Mentoring at ARU, students develop confidence, improve employability skills and gain insights into professional working environments. The programme is available to all students and provides targeted support for groups that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education and graduate employment, including students from lower participation backgrounds, care-experienced students and students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. By building relationships with experienced mentors, students are able to develop professional networks, explore career options and strengthen their readiness for employment.
Interdisciplinary learning
Society's most pressing challenges require knowledge and perspectives from multiple disciplines. Interdisciplinary learning is embedded throughout the student experience, most visibly through Ruskin Modules and collaborative learning opportunities that bring together students from different subjects and backgrounds. This approach encourages learners to work across traditional disciplinary boundaries, develop broader perspectives and gain the skills needed to address complex global challenges. Research undertaken through our Centre for Innovation in Higher Education has also explored the value of interdisciplinary learning in supporting student engagement, employability and educational development.
Employer-informed learning
By working closely with employers, we ensure that learning remains relevant, practical and responsive to workforce needs. Courses are regularly informed by industry expertise, while students benefit from placements, employer-led projects, professional mentoring and networking opportunities. ARU’s TEF Gold award specifically recognises our strong engagement with employers and its responsiveness to regional skills needs, including initiatives that bring employers directly into curriculum design and course development. Through this collaborative approach, we help students develop the knowledge, skills and experience needed to succeed in a rapidly changing employment landscape.
Last updated: October 2026
To request additions, corrections or changes to the information in these pages, please contact: Dr Zareen Bharucha: [email protected]. Please use the subject line ‘ARU SDG’.