Writtle University College and ARU have merged. Writtle’s full range of college, degree, postgraduate and short courses will still be delivered on the Writtle campus. See our guide to finding Writtle information on this site.

Scholarships and bursaries

We know that undertaking a degree course is a big commitment in lots of ways – including financially. We've developed a range of scholarships and bursaries to make this easier for some of our most talented students.

Our scholarships and bursaries for UK and international students are outlined below.

  • British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM

    Two students working in the engineering workshop

    British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM

    What is it? In partnership with the British Council, we're offering five scholarships to female students from from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

    Who is it for? International students starting one of five one-year Masters courses in engineering at ARU in September 2024.

    How much is it worth? The full scholarship includes tuition fees, airfare, monthly living stipend, and a Career Development Bursary. There is an additional financial allowance for applicants who have children.

    How do I apply? Complete the application form.

    Key dates: Apply by 8 April 2024.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM

  • Merit Scholarship

    Student in library

    Merit Scholarship

    What is it? Our Merit Scholarship is open to undergraduate students from the UK (and eligible EU/EEA students) who are taking exams in summer 2023 and expecting to achieve BBB.

    Who is it for? UK or eligible EU students studying a full-time undergraduate degree on our Cambridge, Chelmsford or ARU Peterborough campuses.

    How much is it worth? £1,000.

    How do I apply? You’ll automatically receive our Merit Scholarship if you meet the eligibility criteria and register as an ARU student.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our Merit Scholarship

  • ARU Bursary

    Fashion design student with mannequins

    ARU Bursary

    What is it? Our ARU Bursary is for students who have an annual household income of £42,875 or less.

    Who is it for? UK or eligible EU students studying a full- or part-time undergraduate or integrated Masters degree on our Cambridge, Chelmsford or Peterborough campuses.

    How much is it worth? Up to £300 per year.

    How do I apply? You’ll automatically receive our ARU Bursary if you meet the eligibility criteria and register as a student.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our ARU Bursary

  • Alumni Scholarship

    Studying in the library

    Alumni Scholarship

    What is it? Our Alumni Scholarship is for students who have completed an ARU degree course and want to undertake further study.

    Who is it for? UK or eligible EU students starting a postgraduate taught or postgraduate research degree.

    How much is it worth? Either a 20% discount on postgraduate taught courses, or a £400 discount on postgraduate research programmes.

    How do I apply? You’ll automatically be assessed for our Alumni Scholarship when you apply for a course.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our Alumni Scholarship

  • ARU Peterborough Postgraduate Scholarship

    A male student working on a computer

    ARU Peterborough Postgraduate Scholarship

    What is it? The ARU Peterborough Postgraduate Scholarship is for students joining one of three Masters degrees in Peterborough.

    Who is it for? UK or eligible EU/EEA students studying a full-time postgraduate degree at ARU Peterborough.

    How much is it worth? £4,000.

    How do I apply? You’ll automatically receive the scholarship if you meet the eligibility criteria and register as a student.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our ARU Peterborough Postgraduate Scholarship

  • Sport Scholarship

    ARU sports scholarship

    Sport Scholarship

    What is it? Our Sport Scholarship is designed to support talented athletes during their time at ARU.

    Who is it for? Undergraduate and postgraduate students who compete at regional, national or international level.

    How much is it worth? There are two levels of scholarship, ranging from £1,400 up to £12,500 per year.

    How do I apply? Complete an application form, including a supporting statement outlining why you’re suitable for this scholarship.

    Key dates: Applications are open year-round.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our Sport Scholarship

  • MBA Scholarship

    Student in financial markets lab

    MBA Scholarship

    What is it? Boost your career prospects with our prestigious Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. Study in Cambridge and take advantage of our scholarship, which takes the form of a fee reduction.

    Who is it for? UK or international students on our MBA course.

    How much is it worth? £4,000 for a one-year course, or £2,000 for a two-year course with placement.

    How do I apply? We will automatically consider you for this scholarship when you apply for the MBA.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our MBA Bursary

  • International Excellence Scholarship

    Student in class with a whiteboard in the background

    International Excellence Scholarship

    What is it? Our International Excellence Scholarship is awarded to students who can demonstrate exceptional academic and extra-curricular achievement.

    Who is it for? International students studying an undergraduate or postgraduate taught degree.

    How much is it worth? £4,000.

    How do I apply? Complete an application form and submit a 500-word supporting statement outlining why you’re suitable for this scholarship.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our International Excellence Scholarship

  • International Merit Scholarship

    Business students with sheet of notes and ideas

    International Merit Scholarship

    What is it? Every year, we award a number of Merit Scholarships to international students who are starting a course at ARU.

    Who is it for? International students applying for an undergraduate, postgraduate or research degree.

    How much is it worth? Between £1,000 and £2,000.

    How do I apply? You’ll automatically receive our International Merit Scholarship if you meet the eligibility criteria.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our International Merit Scholarship

  • International Alumni Scholarship

    Student with whiteboard in the background

    International Alumni Scholarship

    What is it? If you’re already an undergraduate or postgraduate student at ARU and want to move onto further study at ARU you may be eligible for our International Alumni Scholarship.

    Who is it for? International students who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at ARU and are applying for a postgraduate or research degree.

    How much is it worth? £3,000.

    How do I apply? You’ll automatically receive our International Alumni Scholarship if you meet the eligibility criteria.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our International Alumni Scholarship

  • International Early Payment Discount

    Design student with Macs in the background

    International Early Payment Discount

    What is it? Pay your tuition fees early and take advantage of our special discount.

    Who is it for? International students taking an undergraduate or postgraduate degree course, and studying full-time.

    How much is it worth? £400 up to £1,000.

    How do I apply? There is no need to apply. Simply pay your tuition fees, minus the discount, by the payment deadline.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our International Early Payment Discount

  • GREAT Scholarship

    Student sitting outside, with university halls in background

    GREAT Scholarship

    What is it? In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, we're offering four scholarships to students from China (two places), Turkey (one place) and India (one place).

    Who is it for? International students starting a full-time postgraduate taught course at ARU in September 2024.

    How much is it worth? £10,000.

    How do I apply? Complete the application form for your country.

    Key dates: Apply by 24 May 2024 for China and Turkey; by 28 June 2024 for India.

    Full details and eligibility criteria for our GREAT Scholarship


The small print

You can apply for more than one scholarship. However, if your application is successful, you'll just receive the one: this will be the highest value scholarship of those you've applied for.

The exception is our Alumni Scholarship, which you can combine with some other scholarships or bursaries.