Anglia Ruskin University celebrates its inclusive and diverse student community and we want to make sure that your educational experience here is a positive one.
We take our equality duties very seriously and aim to promote inclusion in all our activities. The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnered status, and pregnancy and maternity. These are known as the protected characteristics.
Under the Act's general duties, we work to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between members of the ARU community. On a day-to-day level, we aim to be as inclusive as possible in everything we do. Read more about our reports and objectives.
Our Student Charter sets out our commitment to you and our expectations of you within the ARU values of ambition; innovation; courage; community; integrity and responsibility.
We want all of our students to be able to work, study, and live in a safe and supportive environment. If you experience hateful, sexually violent, harassing or discriminatory behaviours whilst studying, you can talk to us about it. If you are unsure if you have experienced one of these, our Code of Conduct in the Rules, Regulations and Procedures sets out the behaviours which are not acceptable within our University community. You can find more information about this and the support available to you on our Harassment Support pages.
ARU Students’ Union is very active in driving forward equality initiatives for students through the work of their Campaign Reps. Campaign Reps represent different groups of students and/or focus on particular aspects of student life. They lead a yearly priority campaign to promote change to the benefit of the students they represent.
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.
Disability, dyslexia and mental health support
Disability and Dyslexia Support provides support and advice for disabled students and students with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia as well as arranging your reasonable adjustments (including individual exam arrangements) whilst you study 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
Trans equality
We have a Trans Equality Policy Statement which sets out our commitment to supporting Trans* staff and students within our community.
Trans Equality Policy Statement
Students who are pregnant
If you are pregnant, you are encouraged to contact a Study Support Adviser and consult our Health and Wellbeing pages.
Student parents and carers
If you are a student parent or carer, we have information which could help to support you in your studies.
Care leavers
We're committed to supporting care leavers throughout the higher education experience. Access more information on the support available on our Care Leavers page.
Community engagement
We're keen to promote and support education, exchange knowledge, open up our campuses and be good neighbours through our Community Engagement work. Feel free to come along to our events which often pick up on themes relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion such as talks, debates and performances.