Your Applicant Day in Cambridge

For applicants to: Biology or Zoology

Smart Moves: Exploring How Animals Make Decisions
Step into the intriguing world of animal behaviour in this interactive activity! You’ll observe how woodlice find their way through a simple maze, discovering how these tiny creatures make decisions in a complex environment. You’ll investigate how different environmental factors affect their choices and uncover the science behind decision-making in animals. This is a unique chance to see how even the smallest creatures can reveal big lessons about adaptability and problem-solving in nature.

Discover Aquatic Biodiversity: Uncover the Secrets of Freshwater Ecosystems 
Dive into the hidden world of freshwater habitats in this hands-on activity! You’ll learn how to use microscopes and taxonomic identification keys to uncover the incredible diversity of aquatic life. Find out how these tiny organisms are vital indicators of environmental health and how biodiversity links to the sustainability of ecosystems. This session offers a unique chance to see environmental science in action and understand why protecting our planet’s waterways matters more than ever.

Animated Shorts
Animation and Illustration is a captivating blend of art, creativity and storytelling. Get an insight into animation techniques and sequential work, utilising the latest industry, digital software. You'll also experience what it’s like to be a student at ARU, while connecting with future course mates, engaging with expert lecturers, and hearing from current students as you explore everything the Cambridge School of Art has to offer.

360 Escape Room
Come and play in our digital media studio: explore our sound recording and 360 cameras and discover how to create your own stories. Explore ARU’s campus, design clever puzzles, and test your creations on a VR headset. Experience what it’s like to be a Digital Media Production student as you collaborate with future course mates, engage with lecturers, and hear from current students. Discover the innovative community of Cambridge School of Art and bring your creative ideas to life! 

Future Bodies: A Metamorphosis of Form
For applicants to: Fashion Design, Fashion Communication and Branding
Step outside the box in this innovative workshop, where you'll explore unconventional approaches to the human form in fashion design. Use critical theory and two-dimensional techniques to create striking images that can be used in fashion promotion, such as for a zine or magazine spread. Discover what it’s like to study fashion at ARU, connect with future course mates and lecturers, and gain insights from current students while immersing yourself in the creative atmosphere of Cambridge School of Art.

Experimental Collaborative Floor Drawing
Join us in creating a large-scale collaborative drawing inspired by music, where rhythm, scale, and layers of gestural marks come together in a vibrant masterpiece. Experience the essence of being a Fine Art student at ARU as you explore creative processes and techniques. You’ll have the chance to connect with future course mates, engage with expert lecturers, and get insights from current students while discovering the dynamic community at Cambridge School of Art.

Design Process
How do designers come up with new ideas? In this workshop we’ll start with conceptual design and explore the design process, transforming concept into final outcomes with some hands-on making. You’ll also have the chance to dive deeper into your course, connect with future course mates and current students from Cambridge School of Art, and experience the vibrant ARU community firsthand.

Creative Creatures
Explore hybrid animal and human forms in our outstanding print room facility. We will be working with mono-print, stencils, mark-making and colour to give you an idea of the creative and experimental play that happens on our BA illustration course. We encourage drawing with many different materials and approaches from line work to collage, analogue print to digital design and animated images to 3D work. Whatever it takes to create the image. Join us to explore print, colour and shape and the fascinating realm of hybrid forms, fuelled by your imagination. This workshop will be led by Kate Winter.

 

Model-Making an Interior
In this hands-on session, you’ll use limited materials to create a 3D model in response to a short text, exploring the concept of ‘enclosure’. This creative challenge will give you a glimpse into the world of interior design and spatial thinking. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet future classmates, connect with your course lecturers, and experience what life as a student at ARU is really like, all while developing your skills in 3D modelling and creative problem-solving.

Performing Arts Taster Session
For applicants to: Acting, Drama, Musical Theatre
Join us for an exciting taster of life at ARU, where you will take part in a collaborative day working with fellow applicants, current students and lecturers on our performance courses. In the first session, you’ll team up with students from all three disciplines for a high-energy acting class. This is your chance to meet future classmates while exploring core acting techniques. After a short break, we’ll break into discipline-specific groups to dive deeper into skills unique to each course. Whether you’re exploring Acting, Drama or Musical Theatre, it’s an unmissable opportunity to experience your future studies in action!

Film and Media: Exploring Visual Storytelling
For applicants to: Film, Film and Media
Dive into the fascinating world of film and media in this interactive session. You’ll explore how visual storytelling shapes and reflects ideas about society, from themes of representation to analysing the transformation of stories across different mediums. Through creative activities and thought-provoking discussions, you'll uncover the power of visual representation, touching on topics such as gender, comics, and screen media. This is a great opportunity to meet future classmates, your course lecturers and gain insight into life at ARU, all while expanding your understanding of how media influences our world and shapes our ideas.

Step into the world of Sci-Fi filmmaking at ARU!
For applicants to Film & TV Production
In this hands-on session, you’ll help shoot a thrilling science fiction scene, exploring the endless creative possibilities this genre offers. You’ll work with state-of-the-art equipment, including Arri cameras, as part of the camera, lighting, or sound teams. Want to be in the spotlight? You can even star in the scene yourself! This is a fantastic opportunity to meet future classmates and your lecturers and experience life as a student at ARU, all while bringing a sci-fi vision to life!

Collaborative Music Recording in Studio 5
For applicants to: Audio and Music Technology, and Music Production
Get a taste of life as a music student at ARU in our state-of-the-art recording studios! In this hands-on session, you'll collaborate with your fellow students as producers and sound engineers in a drum recording workshop. While setting up microphones, dialling in preamps, recording audio, or working the mixing desk, you'll have the chance to chat with current students and staff about what the course has to offer. It's a great way to meet future classmates, connect with your course lecturers, and experience life at ARU, all while diving into the world of professional music recording and mixing!

Creative Writing: Building a Fictional World
For applicants to: Creative Writing, Writing and English Literature, Writing and Film
Bring your writing materials and dive into a series of short exercises designed to help you create a dynamic and believable fictional world. You’ll develop characters, conflicts, and key locations that make your story come alive. This is a great opportunity to meet future classmates, connect with your course lecturers, and experience what it’s like to be a student at ARU. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and the tools to bring your imagination to life.

The Future of the Impossible: Building a Billion-Dollar Idea
For applicants to: Business, HR, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Events, Tourism, Entrepreneurship, Accounting
Step into the role of innovators and disruptors as you pitch a bold business idea that could change the world. Working in teams, you’ll design a product or service that tackles real global challenges while exploring business planning, marketing and finance. The session finishes with a high-impact 2-minute pitch to bring your idea to life.

Level Design Workshop
BA (Hons) Computer Games Design
You will be given a choice of level design activities, using industry-standard tools to manage how the space in the game influences the player experience. You might decide to challenge them with game mechanics, evoke particular moods, tell them a story, or involve them in a mystery. We will discuss how these goals relate to the goals of the design course and other games courses.

Jumpstart Game Programming: Blueprints in Action
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming
In this hands-on activity, you’ll dive into an Unreal Engine project designed to spark your creativity. Fix gameplay mechanics, tweak physics, and bring interactivity to life by building your own obstacle course. You’ll solve challenges through Blueprints, Unreal's visual scripting system, combining your problem-solving and development skills.

Introduction to Unreal Engine 5
BA (Hons) Computer Games Art
In this session, we will introduce Unreal Engine 5, covering the basics of navigating the software and setting up projects. Participants will use modular level assets to start building their first level, gaining hands-on experience with arranging reusable components to create the foundation of a game environment. This workshop will familiarize attendees with UE5’s interface and core tools, providing a strong starting point for their first assessed project.

For applicants to: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Software Engineering and Applied Computer Science (Top-up)

Forensic Hands-On: Examining a Hard Drive for Evidence
This session will introduce digital forensics, showing how digital devices work and how to find information that could support an investigation. We’ll get hands-on experience examining hard drives and exploring techniques like hashing, which helps verify data and connect multiple areas of computer science and forensics. The NetLab setup makes it easy to try these tools and processes in a safe, practical environment.

From Artificial Neurons to Modern AI: How Machines Learn to See
In this session, you’ll explore the fascinating world of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and their key role in today’s artificial intelligence. It begins by uncovering how ANNs are inspired by the human brain, explaining how artificial neurons and network structures work together to learn. Through a simple object detection example, you’ll see how an ANN processes data, adjusts itself and gradually improves its ability to recognise patterns. Connecting these core concepts to cutting-edge AI systems, this session offers an accessible introduction to how basic learning techniques evolve into powerful tools behind many intelligent technologies today.

Experience Education at ARU
Join us for an immersive Education taster day that will spark your curiosity and challenge your thinking. Engage with the 'Big Education Question' through an interactive Mentimeter activity, where your voice shapes the discussion. Dive into a hands-on session exploring the development of a child, using interactive equipment and exploring the campus for inspiration, to uncover answers to key questions. Conclude with a thought-provoking 20-minute lecture on topics such as ‘Education for All,’ ‘Global Education,’ or ‘Social Justice in Education.’ You’ll have the opportunity to connect with future course mates, meet our passionate lecturers, and experience what it’s like to be an Education student at ARU. This is your chance to explore the field and shape the future of learning!

Language and the Body
For applicants to: English, English Language and Communication, English Literature, Liberal Arts
Discover how our identities are interpreted like texts in this engaging session. You’ll explore the fascinating interplay between language, the body, and identity, and uncover how we 'read' people in much the same way we understand characters in novels. Along the way, you'll meet future course mates, connect with your course lecturers, and experience what life as a student at ARU is truly like.

Knowledge and Power: Past, Present and Future
For applicants to: History, International Relations and Politics, Philosophy and Sociology
In this interactive session, dive headfirst into the complex and fascinating world of knowledge and power. Talking with our expert lecturers in History, Sociology, Politics and Philosophy, you will discuss the nature of knowledge and power and how they affect the world and the people around us. The session will discuss how knowledge and power have arisen and taken hold in the past, in dictatorships and democracies; how they are exemplified in the present, in structural power imbalances; and how they might manifest in the future with the advent of artificial intelligence. The session will also give the opportunity to meet with future students and learn about what it’s like to be a student at ARU!

Cracking the Genetic Code: Discover the DNA of a Strawberry
Step into the world of biomedical science and explore the blueprint of life! In this hands-on session, you’ll extract DNA from a strawberry using everyday household items, seeing firsthand the molecule that carries the instructions for every cell in the body. You’ll discover how biomedical scientists study DNA to understand disease, develop new treatments and advance precision medicine. Join us to experience the excitement of biomedical research and imagine the role you could play in this groundbreaking field!

Microscopic Marvels: Discover the Hidden World of Tissues
Step inside the microscopic world and explore the building blocks of life! In this hands-on session, you’ll examine a variety of tissue samples under the microscope, including examples of diseased cancerous tissues. You’ll observe the intricate structures of healthy and diseased tissues and see how biomedical scientists study the body to understand disease and develop treatments. This is a unique opportunity to experience the fascinating science behind fighting illness and improving human health.

Discover Midwifery: Hands-On Skills and Insights at ARU
Discover more about midwifery, meet our students and academics and learn about the history of midwifery. Get hands-on in our skills lab, for a flavour of all the skills you need to be a competent and confident practitioner.

Navigating Nursing Today: Professionalism, Challenges and Expectations
Step into the world of nursing with an energising, hands-on experience at ARU! Join us for an engaging session that explores the realities of modern nursing—from professional expectations and behaviours to the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s ever-evolving healthcare environment. Then, head into our cutting-edge Skills Lab and get hands-on with our high fidelity mannequins and simulation equipment. Experience the essential skills and real-world decision-making that help shape confident, compassionate and competent nurses. Whether you’re considering nursing or ready to take the next step, this session will inspire you and give you a taste of the exciting career journey ahead.

Operating Department Practice: the NHS's Best-Kept Secret
Gain an understanding of the diverse role of the ODP and the perioperative environment, along with an overview of our BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice course including academic and placement elements. Immerse yourself in our skills lab where you'll explore and practice the key skills required to become a confident and competent practitioner.

Exploring Optometry: Discover the World of Vision and Eye Care in Our Clinic  
Step into the world of Optometry and discover what it takes to help others see the world clearly! This hands-on workshop will introduce you to the Optometry profession and show you how vision is measured. You’ll gain insight into how people see and explore the fascinating science behind it The session also includes a guided tour of our state-of-the-art University Eye Clinic, giving you a glimpse of where real-world learning meets cutting-edge technology.

Can You See What They See? Explore the Science of 3D Vision
Step into the world of vision science in this interactive workshop! Discover how optometrists measure sight and learn the techniques used to assess and evaluate vision. Then, take your understanding further as you explore 3D perception, finding out how we experience depth, perspective and the three-dimensional world around us. Through hands-on experiments, you’ll see firsthand how our brains interpret visual information to help us navigate everyday life.

Ready to Save Lives? Dive into Paramedic Skills and Real-Life Scenarios
Join us on our Applicant Day and take part in an interactive scenario that gives you a taste of life as a Paramedic student. You'll be taught skills, then will use your own problem solving abilities to apply your knowledge to a scenario. Paramedics often apply routine skills in sub-optimal settings. Problem solving and autonomy are therefore key skills all Paramedics need to be able to provide the best care to their patients.

Discover the World of Social Work: Theories, Skills and Standards in Action
Dive into the world of social work. We'll explore key theories, uncover how they’re used in real life, and discover the professional standards that shape this incredible field.

For applicants to: Crime and Investigative Studies, Forensic Science

Behind the Tape: A Crime Scene Experience
Step into the shoes of a forensic investigator and immerse yourself in the world of crime scene analysis! In this hands-on session, you’ll explore realistic crime scenes, each with its own unique story and challenges. You’ll have the chance to examine evidence, uncover crucial clues, and think like a detective to piece together what happened. This immersive experience gives you an exciting insight into the skills and science behind solving crimes. Are you ready to crack the case?

Blood in Action: Unlocking Secrets in the Splatter  
Dive into the fascinating world of bloodstain pattern analysis! In this hands-on session, you’ll experiment with drops of blood on different surfaces, from carpets to glass, to uncover the stories hidden within each splatter. Discover how forensic experts interpret these patterns to reconstruct crime scenes and reveal what really happened. It’s a captivating way to explore the science behind solving mysteries and see how even the smallest details can reveal big secrets.

Experience Criminology and Policing at ARU
Join us to explore the fascinating world of criminology in this interactive workshop! Using real-life case studies and group discussions, you’ll discover how society defines crime, investigate the role of the media and culture in shaping our perceptions of crime, and consider the ways in which we best respond to crime and criminal behaviour. You’ll analyse key crime types, debate controversial policies, and reflect on how criminology helps shape justice in the real world. This dynamic session will introduce you to the engaging teaching style of our criminology and policing courses, offering a hands-on introduction to core concepts and debates to challenge your thinking and ignite your curiosity. It is a great opportunity to meet your future classmates, connect with our passionate course lecturers, and experience what it is like to be a Criminology student at ARU!

Law in Crisis: Solve the Mystery
Investigate a mock high-stakes legal case packed with clues, witness statements and key evidence. Acting as legal detectives, you’ll analyse the facts, apply legal principles and prepare a persuasive argument. The challenge concludes with presenting your case in front of a judge and jury, just like in a real courtroom.

Knowledge and Power: Past, Present and Future
For applicants to: History, International Relations and Politics, Philosophy and Sociology
In this interactive session, dive headfirst into the complex and fascinating world of knowledge and power. Talking with our expert lecturers in History, Sociology, Politics and Philosophy, you will discuss the nature of knowledge and power and how they affect the world and the people around us. The session will discuss how knowledge and power have arisen and taken hold in the past, in dictatorships and democracies; how they are exemplified in the present, in structural power imbalances; and how they might manifest in the future with the advent of artificial intelligence. The session will also give the opportunity to meet with future students and learn about what it’s like to be a student at ARU!

For applicants to: Psychology, Psychology with Criminology, Psychology with Clinical Psychology, Psychology with Education

Speech and Music Perception: From Noise to Meaning
Ever wondered how you can follow a conversation in a noisy room? How does the brain process speech differently from other sounds, and what connections exist between speech and music? In this session, you’ll explore the fascinating ways our brains perceive, interpret and relate speech and music, discovering how complex sounds are transformed into meaning.

Learning From Others: What Babies Do Best
Babies often appear helpless, yet research in child development reveals that they are surprisingly clever learners. Even before speaking, infants understand other people’s actions, goals and intentions. This talk explores how they learn by watching and imitating those around them, and why this ability is far more sophisticated than simple copying. Infants can tell the difference between mistakes and purposeful actions, focus on intentions rather than exactly how they do it, and apply what they learn in new situations. These skills help them pick up tools, language and social rules without formal instruction, showing how imitation transforms newborns into active participants in their social and cultural worlds.

For applicants to: Sport and Exercise Science, Sport Coaching and Physical Education, Sport, Exercise and Health Science, Sports Therapy, Strength and Conditioning with Rehabilitation, Applied Sport Science and Coaching (Top Up)

We recommend that you wear sports-appropriate clothing for indoor practical activities.

Overhead Squat Assessment: Exploring Human Movement
Step into the world of sport and exercise science with the Overhead Squat Assessment! In this interactive session, you’ll learn how fitness professionals use this key tool to spot muscle imbalances, enhance performance and prevent injury. Get hands-on experience assessing posture, alignment, and movement patterns, while discovering how biomechanics informs training and rehabilitation. Whether you’re passionate about fitness, rehabilitation or human performance, this session offers a practical insight into the fascinating mechanics of the body in motion.

Inspirational Leadership in Sport: Motivating Teams to Succeed
What makes a leader truly inspiring in a sporting environment? In this session, you’ll explore how coaches and team leaders use verbal and non-verbal communication to motivate athletes and shape team performance. We’ll look at research on effective leadership skills and examine how inspirational messages can influence players’ attitudes, effort and outcomes. Whether you’re interested in coaching, team dynamics or sports psychology, this session offers a practical insight into the art and science of leading in sport.

Unlocking Flexibility: Sports Massage for the Posterior Chain
Discover the power of sports massage in this hands-on session focused on the posterior legs, particularly the hamstrings. You’ll learn practical techniques to enhance flexibility, support recovery and improve overall muscular function, perfect those interested in sport, health or physiotherapy careers. Come prepared with shorts and ready to practice, as we explore how targeted massage can improve range of motion and help athletes perform at their best.

Heat Stress and Exercise Recovery: Understanding Thermoregulation and Cooling Strategies
Discover how the body manages heat during exercise and why excessive heat can affect performance and recovery. This session introduces practical methods for assessing core temperature in applied settings and explores evidence-based cooling techniques to enhance safety, athletic performance and post-exercise recovery. The session blends physiological principles with real world applications relevant to sport, exercise and environmental extremes.