"My interest in film and video began to grow, when I was doing an MA in Choreography in Devon. Then my passion for film studies eventually took over from my dance work. This is when I found out about the Film Studies programme at Anglia Ruskin. This programme appealed to me immediately as it covered very wide range of areas of film studies in theory and practice. So I left the MA degree and came to Cambridge to study which was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life!

"In these last three years, I have become immersed in so many creative activities that have helped me to grow personally and professionally. I have worked for the Cambridge Film Festival, I co-produced a short film, one of my video works was screened in an international film festival, another one was also screened at Arts Picture House in a special woman filmmaker's screening. In addition, I was awarded a grant by Anglia Ruskin University to go and participate in a unique silent film festival in Italy, Le Giornate Del Cinema Muto, I visited Venice Architecture Biennale, I got an artist residency in Germany for two months, where I taught video production course and programmed a film screening event, and most recently my 16mm film was screened at Serpentine Gallery along with many other artist filmmakers.

"The BA Film Studies programme gave me everything I needed academically and in terms of courage, morale and support. The lecturers were all eager to see me develop my talents to the full and for this I will always be hugely grateful.

"Of course as a mature student, I was well aware what I needed to do in order to get a first class degree which was to work really hard! Not only the last two years but from day one - if you look in a dictionary you will find, the origins of the word 'student' are related to the Latin word 'studium', which means 'painstaking application', and that exactly how it has been for me."

"Deniz Johns is without a doubt one of the most gifted, inspired and inspiring film students that we have had the pleasure of teaching on this course. During her time at Anglia Ruskin University, Deniz has enthusiastically embraced every possible opportunity to develop both her critical acumen and her creative practice in the context of film studies. Her dedication was also a clear source of motivation for others, and her presence played a positive role in fostering a real sense of community amongst her peers."

"When I first started the degree, I had never written in scientific English and had never sat a major exam in my life as the Swedish education system is based around coursework and small but frequent tests. With the help of teachers and friends, I soon adjusted to a new way of working.

"For my dissertation, I chose to study expressive writing as I have always been interested in health psychology, especially interventions that can promote health and well-being. I examined how short bursts of writing about a positive experience can influence the perception of physical symptoms off illness and psychological health.

"In line with my predictions, I found that participants who wrote about an positive experience, for as little as four minutes reported greater health effect three weeks after the intervention than participants who wrote about a neutral topic. Although quite stressful, I loved doing my project. I had to design the experiment, get approval from the ethics board, recruit over 50 volunteers to partake in the research and, finally, analyse and interpret the results.

"I really enjoyed my three years as an undergraduate at Anglia Ruskin University. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I've stayed on as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and am studying for a PhD in Children's Development of Emotional Awareness. The standard of teaching is excellent as is the support I have received from my supervisor Rachel Cook."

"Anja is a model student who has worked hard on her degree and achieved great things. There has been a considerable amount of research into Expressive Writing - as developed by expressive writing pioneer James Pennebaker - over the past 30 years and Anja's contribution was looking at positive expressive writing - writing about positive events. Her findings proved that this was beneficial to psychological and physical health.

"We're delighted that she has opted to continue studying with us, on a programme that will give her specialist knowledge of the subject of Children's Development. We know that whatever she chooses to do in the future, she will go onto achieve great things."

"I've always enjoyed my work with young children and their families, and have continued to train and qualify in child care throughout that time. However, although I had a good understanding of the practical side of Early Years Education, I felt I lacked knowledge of the theoretical side of it. I had always wanted to go to university and felt the time was right for me to take on a new challenge.

"I selected Anglia Ruskin University as its Faculty of Education had a solid reputation for its BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme which is now available from both its Chelmsford and Cambridge-based campuses. Anglia Ruskin also has a higher proportion of mature students than most universities, and was it was important to me that the course was available close to home. Anglia Ruskin was also highly flexible about the path I took into higher education. I was able to start my course in Year 2 of a 3 Year course with prior accreditation for the other Early Years courses I had recently completed.

"Naturally I was very nervous when I started, but all the staff and other students were really welcoming and helpful. The course was very hard work, with a huge amount of reading and independent research, and my written academic and IT skills needed a fair amount of work: I found the course, and particularly the seminars with group discussions, really stimulating.

"Exploring how historical, legislative and socio-economic factors have impacted on Early Childhood over the years has changed how I now view early education and care. As an Early Years professional I've always felt that early education and care deserve a higher professional and social status than is currently available. Academic courses such as the one I have now completed, and the Early Years Professional status courses that are now available, can only help to raise standards and professionalise the industry for the benefit of all who use it.

"I enjoyed my overall experience at Anglia Ruskin hugely, and found my time there incredibly challenging and rewarding. I believe the general academic and life skills I gained during the course have expanded my career options and will make me much more employable. I am still looking at my employment options, and am considering such diverse careers as lecturing in Early Years, writing or researching academically, or going onto postgraduate studies.

"Doing a degree is a huge commitment, of time, money and energy but for me the experience has been worthwhile and enjoyable so I would definitely recommend it to others who are debating what to do to enhance their career in the future."

"The course helps early years practitioners with a way of furthering their understanding and developing knowledge and skills to make the link between theory and practice. We have students who take the course with a view to working with children but have an open view about their choice of career. Graduates may choose to take further vocational training eg PGCE in Early Years or Primary Teaching, Social Work or Early Years Professional Status.

"We have close links to early years providers and with advisors in Essex and are developing similar links with providers in Cambridge. Lecturers are active members of the Early Childhood research group at Anglia Ruskin. Staff have particular expertise in the use of outdoor play, early years curriculum, child observation and the application of visual research methods to capture children's voice and children's perceptions."