Careers and employability
From your first day at ARU, we'll support you to build the skills and abilities employers value in graduates.
In the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 we're rated outstanding for our approaches to supporting student success – both during your studies, and beyond.
Meanwhile in the the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024 we're ranked:
- top 10% in the country for the number of graduates going into employment or further study 15 months after graduating
- 5th in the country and 1st in the East of England for the number of undergraduates who were employed as managers, directors or senior officials 15 months after graduating.
Career development and support
We offer a wide range of opportunities to support and guide you on your chosen career, develop your professional awareness and showcase your talents.
You’ll study an innovative curriculum designed to build transferable skills, challenge mindsets and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work.
- Ruskin Modules focus on sustainability and let you explore new ways of thinking.
- Live Briefs allow you to apply what you’ve learnt in the classroom, gain hands-on experience working with clients, and add value to a business.
Many of our courses also include optional placement years and internships.
"The Live Brief was definitely one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done during my degree. Having the freedom to investigate my areas of interest while also being able to discuss things that were quite topical was great. I was able to develop project management skills and realise the importance of effective communication as well as my own motivation for independent research."
Our careers and employability services
Life at ARU is what you make it.
We encourage you to take an active lead building your unique professional profile by dedicating time during your studies and alongside them to gain the most out of what’s on offer.
Getting involved with activities outside of your course – such as volunteering or becoming a member of a club or society – looks great on your CV and can showcase key skills that employers are looking for in graduates.
Throughout your time at ARU and after you graduate, you'll have access to a dedicated careers and employability service.
We offer:
- careers advice, including personalised appointments with our experienced advisers
- help with your CV, job searches, applications and interview preparation
- an online Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates
- campus job fairs, workshops and employer visits
- an online portal, the Career Centre, packed with useful careers tools and resources
- access to Handshake, a dedicated platform to help you connect with employers and find placement and graduate job opportunities
- once you graduate, lifelong access to the Alumni Career Centre.
Challenge yourself to embrace as many opportunities as you can, and amplify your career possibilities.
If you’re career focussed and thinking about your future, many of our courses include the opportunity to go on placement. Others have mentorship, industry collaboration or 'Live Briefs' as a key part of the learning experience.
Placements are available in most subjects and give you the opportunity to develop your transferable skills, while working in industry.
If you're studying law, there's the chance to gain hands-on experience working with qualified solicitors in our Law Clinic.
If you're studying nursing, midwifery, medicine or other healthcare courses, you'll spend a significant amount of time on clinical placement.
We can help you to explore, seek, and secure work experience, placements and internship opportunities.
Enhance your CV, boost your income and gain experience and skills.
ARU Temps is our campus recruitment agency and part of ARU’s Employability Service. It provides paid temporary work including Student Ambassador opportunities to fit around your studies. It’s also a unique resourcing tool for employers.
Register online with ARU Temps before you start your course, and drop into see us on campus when you arrive.
International students are welcome to register too – though note there may be some restrictions to working hours, as stated on your visa.
Visit our online jobs board at any time to see the latest vacancies.
Volunteering is your chance to get involved and give something back to your community. Gain life experience and develop skills that you’ll be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.
You could work with organisations on projects that make a social impact, through Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE)). One recent project focused on helping young people living with diabetes. It's a great way to gain skills in team-working, problem solving, creative thinking and presenting.
Our Students' Union has a thriving volunteering programme, with hundreds of opportunities to get involved in the local community and develop skills that employers look for in graduates. These can include communication, team working, and emotional intelligence.
You could also become a Students' Union Rep or Officer, working with students and staff across ARU.
If you have a particular interest you want to indulge while you're at uni, join (or create) a society. You can choose from stand-up comedy, cheerleading, vegan, K Pop, LGBTQ+, Harry Potter, and about 100 more...!
Law students can volunteer in our Law Clinics in Cambridge and Chelmsford. You'll work on real-life cases under the supervision of qualified solicitors, and receive full on-the-job training.
Explore the world of business through a comprehensive series of activities, events and networking opportunities.
The Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy (AREA) can support you in:
- generating ideas
- starting (or scaling up) your own business
- going freelance
- building skills in areas such as leadership, pitching and presenting.
You can also hear from guest speakers, take part in an annual pitching competition, and use the AREA CoLab space to exchange and develop ideas.
In 2024, we became the first institution in the UK to receive the prestigious Entrepreneurial University Award, in part because of our support for enterprise and student entrepreneurship.
Learning a language can help to boost your employability – and your confidence.
Our Anglia Language Programme is open to all ARU students. We offer courses in French, Japanese and Spanish, and you can study on campus in Cambridge or Chelmsford.
Questions?
If you’re thinking about studying at ARU and have any questions about employability and careers, please email them to [email protected]
Already a student?
We’re here to offer you help and guidance in a way that suits you. You can come along to one of our drop-in sessions on campus – here’s where you will find us:
Cambridge: Career Centre, 1st Floor Open Access Area, Lord Ashcroft Building – Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm
Chelmsford: ARU Temps, Ground Floor, Queen’s Building – Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm
Peterborough: Student Support Centre, Ground Floor, University House – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12pm-2pm
You can also speak with us on the phone (01245 684277) or send any questions about job applications and interviews to us by email at [email protected]
Our events and appointment slots are bookable via Handshake. Activate your Handshake account.
Careers resources and tools can be accessed 24/7 online via the Career Centre.
Our Placements Team offers drop-in support and appointments for anyone interested in placements and internships. Get in touch at [email protected].