Join a supportive, welcoming community where you’ll be listened to and valued.
We’ll provide a set of tools and services for you to succeed at ARU, as well helping you meet peers who’ll understand where you’re coming from.
Who you’ll be able to contact for information and advice:
You can also chat to us now on Ask ARU (current students).
We’re working with students like you to create an equitable, anti-racist culture.
Our Race Equality Advocates support your education and life at ARU. They:
Find out more about race equity at ARU.
Your Students’ Union you can help you join – and form your own – societies for people who share your background and experiences to:
Find out how you can start or join a society.
If you're a care leaver, or care experienced, there's a dedicated team at ARU who’ll support you throughout your time at university.
Find more information on our Support for care leavers.
Our Outreach Team will support and guide you before, during 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.
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:
Many students choose to commute to university, and at ARU there are lots of events and activities – in person and online – to help you make friends and settle in.
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. These include the national 16-25 Railcard, and discounted bus fares offered by local operators.
You're a first-generation (or first-in-family) student if your parents haven't 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.
We offer a range of support to help you thrive at university:
You’ll also find a strong sense of community through our Welcome Buddies scheme, the Students’ Union, and Team ARU sports 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. We offer plenty of support to help you prepare.
Visit our Preparing for University page for info on student finance, Welcome Week, accommodation, starting your course, and more. You’ll also find FAQs and helpful links.
Our Student Experience Team is here to support you when you start studying. You can contact them at [email protected].
Visit Starting university: information for parents for guidance on support, preparation, and how to help your student.
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.
If you become pregnant while studying, we’re here to give you support and advice:
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're 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.
They're here to support you if you have a disability, including mental health difficulties, an ongoing medical condition, or 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.