Transfer to ARU

Starting university is a big deal. But if your first year isn't quite going as you'd hoped, or has left you wanting something more, transferring to ARU might be the answer.

Here's how

We welcome applications into Year 2 or 3 for most of our undergraduate courses, though please note there are a few exceptions (see below).

Follow these steps to apply.

  1. Find your perfect course: search for a course by name or explore subject areas.
  2. Make an application: follow the links on individual course pages.
  3. Ask your current university or college for a transcript. This is a record of the modules you've studied so far and the grades you've achieved. We'll ask to see this when we're reviewing your application.
  4. Ask your current university or college for your module guides. These will differ in format for each institution but should include similar content. An example can be found in 'The application process’ section below. We'll ask to see this when we're reviewing your application.

When you're considering courses at ARU, look for those that relate to the subject you're currently studying. Don't worry if the module content isn't exactly the same – the important thing is that it's broadly compatible.

If you have any questions about transferring to ARU, speak to us on live chat or email [email protected].

Here's why

ARU student Kira

Full of opportunity

"ARU welcomed me with open arms and really saw my potential."

Kira Barnard, BA (Hons) Fine Art

Kira's story
ARU student Lizzie

Friendly and open

"I am part of a course that makes me feel important and I know that ARU is the place where I can do my best."

Lizzie Knott, BA (Hons) Illustration

Lizzie's story
ARU student Tabitha

Vibrant and inspiring

"I know the names of everybody in my year and we all work together to guide and push each other."

Tabitha Wall, BA (Hons) Illustration

Tabitha's story
ARU student Emma

Invaluable experience

"Making the decision to transfer to ARU is the best decision I have ever made."

Emma Scrivener, BSc (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management

Emma's story

Course availability and entry requirements

Visit our undergraduate course page to search for a course, or browse by subject area. You'll find an application link on all our course pages.

We'll consider applications for advanced entry to most of our courses, though there are a few exceptions. These are listed below.

Before you apply

If you're applying for advanced entry, you should previously have studied a course in the same subject area. We'll ask to see the following documents when you apply, so it will help to have them to hand:

  • full official transcript of your previous study detailing the module breakdown and the grades you have achieved
  • for complete qualifications: certificate(s) confirming the award
  • for qualifications still to be completed: a list of pending modules with associated credit weightings
  • certified translations of documents that are in a language other than English
  • in addition, we will request a syllabus outlining the content, learning outcomes and level of your previous studies, often referred to as module guides, an example of which can be found here.
  • we expect that your previous accredited learning will have been completed within the last five years. If this is not the case, we will ask for evidence of how you have kept your knowledge up-to-date, including:
    • CV: covering your employment history since qualifying, detailing how you have maintained learning and giving a list of completed continuing professional development (CPD) activities, with certificates if available
    • reflective statement: explaining how you have maintained learning in the subject area you wish to study at Anglia Ruskin University. We generally expect between 750 and 1,000 words
    • employer reference (on letter headed paper): from your most recent employer detailing how your job (and associated CPD) have enabled you to keep up-to-date with information and current practices in your chosen subject area.

If you are seeking admission with prior learning based on APCL, you cannot be granted more than two-thirds of the total credit requirement for the course on which you wish to register. The marks or grades obtained from accredited prior learning do not contribute to the determination of the classification of your Anglia Ruskin award.

Making your application

  • For our full-time undergraduate degree courses, you can usually apply through UCAS. However, during Clearing you can apply directly to us. Clearing typically runs from July through to September. Whether you're applying through UCAS or direct to ARU, you'll find an application link on all our course pages.
  • If you're interested in a part-time course at ARU you may be able to apply to us directly.
  • When you apply, please specify the year of entry you are applying for (for example, Year 2) or mention it in your personal statement. Tell us about your previous studies at higher education level and/or any relevant experience.
  • We may ask to see some additional documents as part of your application process. You may be able to attach documents to your application, or you can send the documents through afterwards (we'll contact you to ask for the documents we need).

If you'd like help with your application, please email [email protected] (UK applicants) or [email protected] (international applicants).

You should first meet the standard entry requirements for the course you want to apply for. Our entry requirements are published on individual course pages. For advanced entry, your suitability (whether based on qualifications or experience) is assessed on an individual basis. We'll consider the following:

  • compatibility of content, learning outcomes and level of your previous studies with that of the ARU course
  • your academic achievement, as evidenced by the grades on your transcript
  • reference and personal statement describing the ways in which you have kept up-to-date with information and current practices in your chosen subject area
  • the credit equivalence of your previous studies: most of our full-time undergraduate courses consist of 120 Anglia Ruskin University credits per academic year, or 60 ECTS credits under the European credit transfer and accumulation system. Our Masters courses consist of 180 Anglia Ruskin University credits.

If you'd like to discuss your eligibility for APEL, please email [email protected] (UK applicants) or [email protected] (international applicants). We'll be happy to help.

Students seeking admission with prior learning based on APEL may be granted no more than half of the total credit requirement for the course on which they wish to register.

We welcome applications to years 2 or 3 for most of our undergraduate courses.

There are a few exceptions. We accept applications to Year 2 only for:

The Nursing and Midwifery Council permits ARU to consider Accreditation for Prior Course or Experiential Learning for up to 50% of the BSc (Hons) Nursing course. If you have undertaken prior study relevant to the BSc (Hons) Nursing course you can apply for this to be considered. Evidence of a detailed transcript of your previous study will be required to assist in the mapping of your previous study to our BSc (Hons) Nursing. Our team will review this and advise at which point of the course you would be eligible for entry based on your previous studies. Please apply through UCAS for Advanced Entry, by selecting Year 2 as your entry point.

We don't accept transfer applications for:

Transferring to another course at ARU

If you're already studying at ARU, it may be possible to transfer to a different course. The first step is to discuss options with your course leader.

Transferring from ARU

At ARU we understand that on rare occasions, a student may wish to transfer from ARU to another university to continue their studies. ARU wants to help you to achieve your ambitions and will support you in whatever choice you make as you continue your higher education. More information for current students thinking of transferring away from ARU.