Accommodation and commuting

Residential meal plans in Cambridge, Chelmsford and Writtle

A wrap being prepared at an ARU catering outlet

Eat well, stress less, and focus on university life.

Starting university is exciting – but it can also be busy, overwhelming and a big change. Our optional residential meal plans are designed to make everyday life simpler, so you can focus on settling in, studying, and enjoying your time at ARU.

Why choose a meal plan?

  • Save time: less cooking and cleaning, more time for studying or socialising.
  • Better budgeting: regular weekly credit helps your money last the whole term.
  • 10% student discount in ARU catering outlets.
  • Easy and cashless: use your student card to pay.

Cambridge and Chelmsford meal plans

While all student bedrooms have access to full kitchens, this £25 a week optional meal plan adds a weekly food budget to your student card, so you can eat on campus without worrying about day-to-day costs.

What’s included

  • £25 food credit each week during term time.
  • 10% discount in ARU catering outlets.
  • Credit added to your student card automatically
  • Simple, contactless payments using your student card.

Important information

When you book your accommodation, you can choose to be fully self-catered or add on a meal plan.

  • Meal plans run alongside your accommodation contract.
  • No credit is added during Christmas closure weeks (two weeks) and Easter closure weeks (two weeks).
  • Catering outlets are open for breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday, and do not open evenings or weekends.
  • Meal plans are for ARU catering outlets only (Student Union outlets are not included).
  • You can cancel within 14 days of your accommodation contract start date, or your Meal Plan purchase date (whichever is later).
  • A £50 advance payment will be required if you choose to add a Meal Plan.

Find out more about food and drink in Cambridge and food and drink in Chelmsford.

Writtle meal plans

Accommodation at Writtle is designed differently to our other campuses. You'll have access to a snack kitchen, and you can select either a Standard or Enhanced Meal Plan, offering you convenient access to hot meals on campus. Self-catered accommodation is not available at the Writtle campus.

Standard Meal Plan

  • Evening meal Monday–Friday, and brunch at weekends during term time (29 weeks).
  • 10% discount in ARU catering outlets for any extra purchases.

Enhanced Meal Plan

This optional £25 a week upgrade offers more choice and flexibility. It includes:

  • Everything in the Standard Meal Plan.
  • £25 extra food credit per week to spend in catering outlets – ideal for lunches, snacks, drinks and extra meals.

Important information

  • Meal plans run with your accommodation contract.
  • Meals are non-transferable, and no refunds are available for any meals not taken.
  • You can upgrade to the Enhanced Meal Plan at any time, but you can only downgrade within 14 days of your accommodation contract start date or your Enhanced Meal Plan purchase date (whichever is later).
  • No Enhanced Meal Plan credit is added during Christmas closure weeks (two weeks) and Easter closure weeks (two weeks).
  • A £50 advance payment will be required if you choose to add the Enhanced Meal Plan.

Find out more about food and drink in Writtle.

Student Dining Credit

Prefer flexibility? Friends and family can top up Student Dining Credit anytime via ARU’s online shop — to use on its own or alongside a meal plan. You’ll need your student’s name, ID and email to get started.

Example pricing

  • Meal deal (sandwich, crisps and a drink) from £4.95
  • Barista coffee from £2.70
  • Hot meals £3.75 - £6.95
  • Breakfast from £3.25