Meet our Humanities and Social Sciences students, alumni and staff

Discover the inspirations, educational experiences and career journeys of students, alumni and staff from our School.

Criminology & Policing

"I didn't want to go home" - Hear Emma's thoughts on our BA Criminology

"I loved all the modules on the course – I don’t think there was one I didn’t like."

Emma Moldevanu, Probation Officer & BA (Hons) Criminology graduate

"There are lots of extracurricular activities going on, as well as field trips and our Crime Day"

Dani Redgrave, BA & MA Criminology

How Criminology at ARU helped me follow my interests - Dani

"We are deeply committed to a student-centred approach and provide a robust support network... For those seeking to gain practical vocational skills, life skills, and a degree, ARU is an ideal place."

Paul Nelson, Senior Lecturer Criminology and Policing

"The expertise of the lecturers, their passion for their research interests, has inspired me to consider future employment in the world of social research."

Kayleigh Chilten, MA Criminology / BSc Policing and Criminal Justice

"I find immense enthusiasm in teaching students... [They] appreciate how discussions on a particular topic transition into personal experiences from my professional background."

John Greenan, Course Leader BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing

"I cannot thank my course lecturers more highly... I still keep in touch with them. They were such an inspiration."

Lauren Tabbinor, BA (Hons) Criminology

English & Writing

"Some of the skills that I picked up, like organisational skills, have had a massive impact on my later career."

Clive Thompson, BA English Literature

"English is Everything" Clive explains how our BA English Literature helped change his life.

“If I could work in the English department at ARU I would do it in a heartbeat. The team there are great and the teachers are great. Everyone’s so cool.”

Beth Restor, BA (Hons) English Language and EL Teaching

"I looked around the ARU Cambridge Campus and their larger library, and that was what swayed my decision."

Kiera Hewitt, BA (Hons) English Literature graduate & Customer Service Advisor for CUPA

“I looked up to all my lecturers and the level of knowledge they had, the passion they put in, and the time they’d invested into their field of work.”

Jyoti Singh, BA (Hons) English Language

“That's what the course really gave me - something that still gets me excited now, even though it's a few years later. It's very cool.”

Lettie Ndlovu, BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics

"As a child, I was always reading. I was the kind of kid who would bring a book to the party."

Dr Cassie Gorman, Associate Professor and Course Leader BA English Literature

'After studying modules such as Revealing English Structure, I can now confidently answer the complex questions ESL learners have.'

Charlotte Quince, BA (Hons) English Language and English Language Teaching

'It was really exciting to be independent from home and to be able to go out and mingle with others from different parts of the UK as well as the world.'

Joanna Adeyinka, BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics

"...the ability to develop independent research and writing skills to a professional standard were a result of the education I received from ARU."

Stephen Trinder, MA Intercultural Communication

Social Sciences

"The Master’s helped me to seek my own opinion and ideas, and start a career in the humanitarian sector."

Kristin Cataldo, MA International Relations

"It was an unbelievable experience, which probably I would not get in my home country if I studied international relations here"

Indre Valaityte, MA International Relations

Beth: Balancing Life and Learning on ARU's MSc International Social Welfare and Social Policy

"I felt inspired whilst studying, and really savoured having access to an amazing library, lectures and being able to explore Cambridge."

Claire White, BA (Hons) Philosophy and founder of Heart Led Sounds

"I had so much support from my lecturers, and my peers as well... there was very much this whole support system there."

Natasha Doe, BA (Hons) Politics

"I think I always loved history essentially, but it had been taught in such a negative way... How you’re taught is absolutely crucial."

Dr Lucy Bland, Professor of Social and Cultural History

"I already had good critical thinking skills and the course is just making them better - I lacked the knowledge and the terms to actually use them."

Luke Ford-Busson, BA (Hons) Philosophy

"Remember to keep looking for things that...hold your passion... If you told my younger self she was going to be an academic and a lecturer, she would have laughed in your face!"

Dr Mirna Guha, Course Leader MA Sociology

Abby - Improving my writing and research with the MA History at ARU

"Suddenly, I could see into the past, the construction of gender and alcohol as a social problem. It had always been there, but now it shone into view..."

Dr Rachel Ryder, Senior Lecturer Sociology

"The curriculum on the ARU History course was brilliant. It was comprehensive and varied; it included subjects I knew I’d be fascinated by and introduced me to fields I hadn’t yet explored."

Charles Redwood, BA (Hons) History

"I loved the lectures and the discussions in seminars, not only because I was interested in the subject, but because you could see how passionate the lecturers were."

Daisy Murray-Smith, BA (Hons) History

Amy - Convinced By A College Trip To ARU