Anglia Ruskin University offering qualifying law degrees recognised in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Anglia Ruskin University has its origins in the Cambridge School of Art opened in 1858 by John Ruskin. In 1960 this became the Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology (CCAT). In 1989 CCAT merged with the Essex Institute of Higher Education to form the Anglia Higher Education College. The merged college became a polytechnic in 1991, using the name Anglia Polytechnic, and was then awarded university status in 1992.

Initially Anglia Polytechnic University (APU), it retained the word 'polytechnic' in its title because "the term 'polytechnic' still had value to students and their potential employers, symbolising as it did the sort of education that they were known for – equipping students with effective practical skills for the world of work" although in 2000 there was some self-doubt about including the term 'polytechnic' - it was the last university in the country to have done so. Wanting to keep the 'APU' abbreviation, a suggestion put forward by the governors was 'Anglia Prior University' (after a former Chancellor), but the Governors decided to keep 'polytechnic' in the title.

The University eventually reconsidered a name change, because "Nowadays, few remember the old polytechnics and technical colleges, and there was no longer any added value to students or faculty in retaining the word 'polytechnic' in the title. Indeed, it was sometimes seen as a hindrance, especially in non-vocational subject areas." From over two hundred suggestions and consultations with staff, students and local residents, communities and businesses, the University chose Anglia Ruskin University (thus incorporating into the title the surname of John Ruskin, who founded Cambridge School of Art in 1858, which eventually became the university), with the new name taking effect following the approval of the Privy Council on 29 September 2005.

Past lecturers include Odile Crick, wife of Francis Crick; she created the simple iconic image of DNA as two intertwined ribbons linked by 10 rungs per turn of the double helix that appeared in the article in Nature announcing the discovery of its structure. Author Tom Sharpe was a lecturer in History at CCAT between 1963 and 1972 and Anne Campbell, the Labour MP for Cambridge from 1992 to 2005, was formerly a lecturer in Statistics at CCAT .

There are five Faculties of study at Anglia Ruskin University:

• Ashcroft International Business School
• Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Health and Social Care
• Faculty of Science and Technology
• Faculties are sub-divided into departments or divisions.

HSHS, the former Homerton School of Health Studies, was acquired by the University from the Trustees of Homerton College in 2005, after working closely in partnership for a number of years. The two organisations have now integrated to form the Faculty of Health and Social Care.


Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge and Chelmsford, UK

Cambridge Campus
East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT
Chelmsford Campus
Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ Contact us
Call: 0845 271 3333
International: +44 1245 493131
Email: answers@anglia.ac.uk