Study Art and Design at Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin University is a leader in promoting creativity, innovation, and artistic skills. As a university of innovation and inspiration, it generates future creators and change-makers of tomorrow. Its prestigious Cambridge School of Art, established in 1858, is globally famous for its sophisticated education in arts and design. The School boasts a 160-year history and combines convention with cutting-edge technology to empower emerging artists, designers, and storytellers.

This institution is a renowned destination celebrated for students' artistic evolution, preparing them to make an unforgettable mark on the worldwide landscape of art and design. ARU goes beyond conventional education and encourages a transforming artistic journey that produces visionary innovators.

Considering Anglia Ruskin University or exploring other top UK universities? ScholarshipKart offers expert guidance to help you discover the perfect course and university fit for your career goals. Let our expert counsellors help you make a smart, well-informed choice for your future abroad.

Cambridge School of Art: Where Creativity Meets Opportunity

The Cambridge School of Art, a breeding ground for creative talent, has produced a generation of industry leaders who have shaped the worldwide art landscape. Embedded amid Cambridge's age-old conflation, this institution facilitates artistic research, risk-taking, and interdisciplinary collaborations. This one-of-a-kind environment, which integrates convention and innovation, encourages students to push creative limitations and develop their artistic perspectives.

A Legacy of Excellence

The Cambridge School of Art, an incubator where classical creativity meets digital innovation, provides an educational setting unmatched by any other. Students engage in an experience where time-honoured skills meet the cutting edge, resulting in creative expertise.

  • A rich artistic heritage: The School boasts 160+ years of creative excellence. An excellent place for creative growth.
  • World-class faculty: Mentorship from world-class artists, practising designers, educators and industry experts sculpt emerging talents with industrial knowledge and skills.
  • Innovative curriculum: A creative university for arts and design programs that intrigues students who dare to explore, take risks, and tell stories through creativity and innovation over multiple domains.
  • Unmatched industry connections: Unrivalled industry constellations, including live projects, industry visits, collaboration and networking possibilities, and global exhibition opportunities.

Undergraduate Programs: Shaping the Future of Art and Design

A variety of undergraduate courses are available to aspiring artists and designers, each serving as a unique canvas for their interests. These meticulously designed programs, precisely built like exquisite instruments, provide students with technical competence, intellectual depth, and industry guidance, guiding them on a productive and rewarding artistic journey.

Explore Your Creative Calling through ARU’s popular undergraduate courses in Animation & Illustration, Computer Games Design, Digital Media Production, Fashion Communication & Branding, Fashion Design, Art, Health and Wellbeing, Photography, Visual Effects and Children's Book Illustration.

All the full-time undergraduate courses are of 3 years duration and 4 years with placement where students can seize opportunities in the industry, acquire real-world experience, and evolve job-ready upon graduation.

Postgraduate Programs: Elevating Artistic Mastery

ARU provides a transformative experience through a master's program for people looking to go deeper into their artistic discipline, exploring new paths to new levels of expertise.

Innovate, Inspire, and Impact

ARU’s Postgraduate Taught degree (MA) degrees will boost your creative vision with the help of experienced artists while obtaining invaluable expertise in exhibition organization and collaborative initiatives. This voyage will help you network with local art organizations, developing an invaluable support system for your artistic profession. At ARU, you can pursue Master’s programs in Graphic Design, Human-Centred Design, Illustration, Interior Design Innovation, Art, Health, Well-Being, and Children's Book Illustration.

Further, ARU offers MPhil and PhD programs in Art and Design and Fine Art for students with a strong desire to conduct research.  These higher education degrees encourage the rigorous pursuit of artistic inclinations, encouraging students to reach the peak of educational scholarship in their respective professions.


Five Reasons to Study at Anglia Ruskin University

ARU Art & Design: Where Creativity Thrives

1. Elite Education: Premier Programs

The National Student Survey 2024 results demonstrate ARU's dedication to providing a great student experience. Particularly, its BA (Hons) Illustration, BA (Hons) Fine Art, BA (Hons) Fashion Design and BA (Hons) Animation & Illustration scored highly for Learning resources, Learning opportunities, and Assessment and feedback. (National Student Survey 2024).

ARU's Art and Design programs are prominent for their integration of legendary artistic underpinnings with modern practices. From courses that emphasise experimentation and practical application, access to industry-standard facilities, and teaching, guidance, and mentorship from practising professionals, ARU courses prepare creators of tomorrow through their dedicated and inspirational education. 

The distinct blend of empirical education and experiential learning encourages creative ingenuity and educates students for flourishing careers in the arts and design.

2. Apex Facilities: Pinnacle Resources 

ARU offers its students access to cutting-edge materials meant to help them develop their talents and educate for future professional success. This access to innovative tools and facilities guarantees that students have the newest knowledge and hands-on expertise they need to succeed in their preferred industries.

ARU's art and design students have access to a comprehensive set of resources, including the full Adobe Creative set, large-format printing and scanning, and video editing facilities.  Dedicated fashion workshops provide industrial sewing, finishing, embroidery, and seam sealing technology. Digital cameras, lighting kits, specialist equipment, and darkrooms for colour and black-and-white processing are all examples of photography supplies. Printmaking, 3D, and letterpress workshops offer an array of creative opportunities.

Exhibition possibilities are abundant, particularly at the Ruskin Gallery, which is integrated into the Cambridge School of Art's studio complex, and through online platforms such as Creative Showcase and Present. The Cambridge site has a variety of resources, including a Futures Lab, 3D workshops, computer laboratories, and dedicated studios, giving students exposure to a whole creative atmosphere.

3. Cambridge: Art's Epicentre, Inspire & Innovate

ARU's Cambridge campus is brimming with a lively, collaborative community emerging as the hub of the university's intellectual and creative network. As an influential centre of artistic innovation, with Victorian structure and modern amenities, it promotes connections across varied creative industries. Located near Cambridge's historic city centre, ARU offers an exemplary student environment. Students benefit from the city's rich cultural and social ambience.

Cambridge is a dynamic metropolis with spectacular architecture, a panoramic riverbank, and a vibrant social life. In 2019, The Sunday Times voted Cambridge as one of the best places to live in the UK. The city is a globally known powerhouse for education and employment and welcomes a varied population, resulting in an extensive and interesting social experience.  The city boasts a vibrant music scene, including The Junction and the Corn Exchange and bars, clubs, and student gatherings.

4. Launching Professional Futures: Charting Career Success

Develop professional networks and display your work to industry professionals at the special VIP Industry Preview during the annual Graduate Showcase and notable London graduate exhibitions, as well as numerous other chances to showcase during your studies. 

Setting priorities for professional readiness, ARU's undergraduate programs include work placement and entrepreneurial courses taught by practising, well-connected professionals. 

As a Cambridge School of Art graduate, you can acquire a work placement through our 'Working with the Creative Industries' module, commit to a full placement year, and get valuable experience through industry-driven activities such as actual project briefs.

5. Legacy of Leaders: ARU's Notable Alumni

Cambridge School of Art alumni have accomplished tremendous success in multitudinous creative fields. An extensive education, industry-focused learning, and hands-on experience with real-world projects support their vision, success and professional growth. ARU graduates have outperformed what they started with and succeeded as influential artists, illustrators, designers, and innovators, reflecting the school's adherence to developing significant creative professionals.

Reaching distinction in their chosen professions and receiving renowned Outstanding Alumni Awards, these alumni’s careers demonstrate the transforming potential of an ARU education:

  • Professor Dame Magdalene Odundo: An artist of international renown
  • Kristin Roskifte: A freelance illustrator and Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize winner.
  • Thomas Taylor: An author and illustrator of children's books, cover designer of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
  • Mark Coulier: Creative Director of a leading make-up effects company, Coulier Creatures FX.
  • Bethan Woollvin: A freelance illustrator, won the New York Times' award, the World Illustration Award, the Macmillan book prize, and the Best Curriculum Support award.
  • Beatriz Lostale Seijo: Winner of the prestigious Victoria & Albert Student Illustrator of the Year Award.
  • Andre Rosendo: The founder of Portuguese student recruitment agency Ok Estudante and CEO of Vermilion Group, an advertisement, design and student services company.
  • Matt Power: Worked on the BAFTA-award winning hand-held version of the game LittleBigPlanet.
  • Nic Benns: An Emmy-award-winning and BAFTA-nominated director of many film and TV titles and advertisements.
  • Dan Hillier: Winner of the Best Art Vinyl award for his design work on Royal Blood's debut album.
  • Ronald Searle: A renowned cartoonist and graphic artist, and the creator of St Trinian's series of books and films.

The unprecedented achievements of revered alumni highlight the profound impact of an ARU education.

Anglia Ruskin University is a thriving creative hub that produces artists and designers that are set to make an impact in their disciplines. ARU transforms artistic goals into actual results by providing industry networks, exceptional facilities, and a vibrant community. Whether your passion is illustration, fashion, or digital media innovation, ARU affords the ideal environment for artistic development. 

This dynamic journey via creative discovery prepares students to determine the foreseeable future of art and design. Are you prepared to seize this opportunity? Initiate your artistic journey at ARU and establish yourself in an international creative environment.

From application deadlines to visa approvals and scholarship opportunities, ScholarshipKart handles it all. Book a Free Consultation and get dedicated support at every stage of your UK education journey and turn your dream of studying at Anglia Ruskin University into a reality.

Post Date: Jul 04, 2025

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