At ARU, we are committed to building a supportive community where students feel welcomed, heard and valued.
We're dedicated to supporting your wellbeing, providing opportunities to engage with your peers, and connecting you with the tools and services you need to succeed. Chat to us on Ask ARU (current students).
Student Services and the Students’ Union are your first points of contact if you’d like information, advice and guidance while you’re studying with us.
We also offer a confidential service to promote mental health and wellbeing. You can talk to the Counselling and Wellbeing Service about anything that's worrying you, from minor concerns to major issues, from grief to relationship difficulties, panic attacks, exam anxieties, stress, and anything else.
Read on for more information about the additional resources available.
At ARU, we're working to achieve race equity by becoming actively anti-racist through cultural change.
Our Race Equality Advocates are students who have worked with ARU to support anti-racism and promote race equality. They played an important role in shaping ARU’s Race Equality Strategy, organised events, developed resources, and worked with staff to make the curriculum more inclusive.
Their work continues to make an impact. Our Advocates created podcasts, blog posts, videos, and tools that raise awareness and support race equality at ARU.
Read more about our commitments on our Race Equality page.
The ARU Students' Union encourages and supports students from underrepresented groups to form communities, share experiences, and campaign on issues that matter to them, such as race equity. Society Committees are elected by their membership, and a full list of the SU's societies, and how you can start one, be found at angliastudent.com/societies
If you're a care leaver, or care experienced, there's a dedicated team at ARU who'll support you throughout your time at uni..
You'll find more information on our Support for care leavers page.
Our Outreach Team is here to support and guide you before and after you apply.
They can help if you're just starting to think about higher education, want advice about personal statements and student finance, and more.
Find out more about support before and after you apply or contact the team on [email protected].
When your status changes from an ‘applicant’ to a ‘student,’ our Student Experience team takes over as your point of contact. They’ll support you throughout your studies with:
Find out more about support throughout your studies or contact the team on [email protected].
Many of our students choose to commute to university, and there are lots of events and activities – in person and online – to help you make friends and settle in.
As a student you can access a range of travel discounts, either through your NUS (Totum) card, or by using student and young person railcards or bus passes. We have also negotiated discounts with some transport companies, including Abellio Greater Anglia and , or special discounts we have negotiated with transport companies.
We've compiled a list of travel discounts to help make your journey better for your finances on our Travelling to campus page.
First-generation (or first-in-family) students are those whose parents have not completed a university degree. You’re still a first-generation student even if a sibling, foster parent, care worker, or an estranged or biological parent (if adopted) has attended university.
ARU offers a wide range of support to help you thrive at university. Get guidance on student finance, accommodation options, and academic skills through dedicated student advisers, workshops, study support, and subject librarians. Wellbeing services include counselling, peer wellbeing mentors, and chaplaincy support. Careers advice is available for job searches, CVs, and placements. You’ll find a strong sense of community through our Welcome Buddies scheme, the Students’ Union, and Team ARU activities.
Discover more by visiting our support and facilities page.
Starting university can feel overwhelming, especially if you're the first in your family to attend. But you're not alone. ARU offers plenty of support to help you prepare.
Visit our Preparing for University page for key info on student finance, Welcome Week, accommodation, starting your course, and more. You’ll also find FAQs and helpful links.
We have a Student Experience Team at ARU who are here to support and signpost first-generation students. They will make your experience at ARU both enjoyable and valuable. You can contact them by emailing: [email protected]
Visit Starting University: Information for Parents for guidance on support, preparation, and how to help your student. Join Amplify Your Network for free advice and insights for those supporting students in Years 10–13.
Please note that we can't share details about students over 18 without their consent, but support is always available.
ARU recognises the barriers and reduced access to higher education that impacts potential students from the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boater (GTRSB) communities.
We've made a commitment to support both potential and current GTRSB students to ARU by signing the GTRSB into Higher Education Pledge.
For more information about the work we're doing to support you, visit our Gypsies, Travellers, Roma, Showmen and Boaters into Higher Education Pledge page.
Through the ARU Students’ Union, you can join LGBTQ+ societies where you can meet other LGBTQ+ students and allies. You can also start up a new society and grow your own community based on your identity or area of interest.
You're also welcome to join ARU’s LGBTQ+ Research Group, where staff and students come together to research LGBTQ+ issues and look at ways to improve queer people’s lives.
Read more about support for LGBTQ+ students and some of the research and events taking place at ARU.
We’re here to give you support and advice if you become pregnant while studying:
We also run the ARU Breastfeeding Support Hub, which offers professional support around breastfeeding and lactation as well as practical, social and emotional support for families. You are welcome to breastfeed in any space on campus.
We know that studying alongside being a parent can feel like you're taking on a lot. But you're not alone, and there's plenty of help and support at ARU. This includes:
You might be eligible for extra financial support, such as benefits, tax credits or help with childcare costs. Our student finance pages for undergraduates and postgraduates have more information, or you can speak to our Money Advice Service for free, confidential advice.
"A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.” (Carers Trust)
Whether you join ARU as a carer or unexpectedly become a carer while studying with us, you'll get the support you need.
This includes:
As a carer, you might be eligible for extra financial support, such as benefits, tax credits or a council tax discount. Our Money Advice Service can tell you more.
Our Disability and Neurodiversity Service offers information, advice, and specialist support to students with disabilities, including mental health difficulties, ongoing medical conditions, and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. They can also help with questions about Disabled Students’ Allowance.
You could become a Disabled Students’ Rep through our Students’ Union and be the voice and representation for students with a disability in the SU Executive Committee.