Careers and employability
Be your best
Your future career prospects are important, and we're here to help you prepare for the world of work. This year ARU ranked 5th in the country and top in our region for UK undergraduates in employment or further study 15 months after graduating.
- We'll help you take practical steps to follow your chosen career path, secure jobs and work experience, or start a business. We'll also support you in developing key skills for the workplace.
- Our Employability Service offers careers advice and organises events including CV help and company visits.
- We work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.
- If you've got a brilliant business idea, you can develop and test it through our virtual support hub. There's also the chance to win start-up funding in our annual Big Pitch competition.
- There're loads of opportunities to gain experience through our student volunteering scheme.
- ARU Temps can help you find part-time work that fits around your studies. You’ll have the opportunity to gain essential experience, develop your skills and earn while you learn.
- And finally, you can learn a new language as part of our Anglia Language Programme – available to all ARU students.
Our careers and employability services
At ARU, we're dedicated to breaking down any existing barriers for our students – and preparing you to pursue a career you love.
Our Employability Service works with you throughout your time at ARU and after you graduate.
We offer:
- careers advice, including one-to-one appointments with our experienced advisers
- help with your CV, job searches, applications and interview preparation
- campus job fairs, workshops and employer visits
- an online portal packed with useful careers resources
- Our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.
We can help you secure work experience, placements and internships.
Many of our courses include these opportunities, either as part of a placement year or as modules. Others have mentorship, industry collaboration or work on live projects as a key part of the learning process.
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.
Visit the following pages for an overview of opportunities in specific areas:
The Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy is a hub for start-ups, ideas generation and innovative projects. We offer:
- mentoring support and guidance
- seminars to help you develop ideas from concept to execution
- interactive sessions on developing your presenting, team-building ad financial planning skills
- opportunities to network with successful entrepreneurs
- We're also home to the Student Business Start-up Support hub, which offers online support and weekly drop-in sessions. Perfect if you've got a brilliant business idea that you want to develop – whichever course you're studying.
There are loads of ways to get involved at ARU, try new things and gain valuable experience.
Our Students' Union has a thriving volunteering programme, with hundreds of opportunities to get involved in the local community and develop your skills.
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 new city-centre Law Clinic in Cambridge. You'll work on real-life cases under the supervision of qualified solicitors, and receive full on-the-job training.
Enhance your CV and boost your income while you study.
ARU Temps can help you find part-time work that fits around your studies. It's a great way to gain experience and skills.
You can 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 my be some restrictions to working hours, as stated on your visa.
Visit our online jobs board at any time to see the latest vacancies.
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 Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish, and you can study on campus in Cambridge or Chelmsford. Visit our Anglia Language Programme page to find out more.
We're proud to hold an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award. Originally established to encourage women's participation and career development in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine), Athena SWAN now recognises representation, progression and success for all.
Employability and Careers Team
Our Employability and Careers team and our Placements Team are here to help you enhance your CV and stand out to employers. We hold lots of events and workshops (both online and on campus), and we can help you explore your career options. Email employability@aru.ac.uk for information.
Placements
Considered a placement? It might be just what you need to learn new skills and gain experience. Visit our Placements page to find out more.
ARU Temps
ARU Temps will help you secure paid part-time work to fit around your studies. Gain essential experience, develop your skills and earn while you learn.
You’ll be able to register with ARU Temps, our university recruitment agency, to hear about part time work to fit around your studies. It’s simple to start searching and applying for roles – just register online. You can contact us on temps@aru.ac.uk
Have any questions?
If you’re thinking about studying at ARU and have any questions about employability and careers, please email them to student.services@aru.ac.uk
Already a student?
You can contact the Employability and Careers team whether you’re on campus or studying from home. You can arrange to attend a virtual drop in, speak with us on the phone or send any questions about job applications and interviews to us by email employability@aru.ac.uk
You’ll still be able to access the Career Centre 24/7 online at arul.ink/career-centre and you can also find out about our events and activities tailored to your course. If you can’t attend an event in person, we’ll have lots of online workshops and live events that you can join.
Our Placements Team offers online support and virtual meetings for anyone interested in placements and internships. Just email placements@aru.ac.uk