Arden University

Arden University: online and blended degree study

Arden University is a higher education institution that provides distance learning and blended learning qualifications. Its course catalogue covers foundation year entry degrees, foundation degrees, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, MBAs and apprenticeships. Teaching is delivered online for students worldwide or through blended study at its UK study centres and its Berlin campus.

The university presents its mission as preparing students for the future workplace, with a choice of course and learning method intended to match individual development needs. It also operates a dedicated business arm, Arden for Business, and maintains research and knowledge exchange activity.

Subject areas and qualification levels

Arden's academic offer is organised by subject and by qualification level. The subjects listed include Business and Management, Computing and Data Science, Criminology, Engineering, Finance and Accounting, Forensics and Criminal Investigation, Graphic Design, Health and Social Care, Human Resource Management, Law, Marketing, Project Management and Supply Chain and Logistics, and Psychology.

Qualification levels range from foundation year entry degrees and foundation degrees through undergraduate and postgraduate study to MBAs and apprenticeships. The university also offers top-up degrees, as stated in its own description of its qualifications.

AI-focused degrees developed with Google Cloud

Arden has introduced new AI-focused degrees developed with Google Cloud. According to the university, these programmes incorporate Google Cloud content in their modules, include realistic AI tasks within the subject of study and are intended to provide evidence of AI literacy for future employers. The institution has published a press release about this collaboration.

Study modes: online, blended and full-time

Online learning is presented as a way to obtain a recognised and accredited degree when attending university in person is not possible. The university states that its learning technology allows students to decide where, when and how they study, and that online degrees can be followed from anywhere in the world.

Blended learning is offered across the UK study centres. Full-time courses are available for international students at the Berlin campus. The university describes its online mode as suited to those who need to fit studies around full-time work or family commitments.

Campuses and study locations

Arden reports nine global study locations. These comprise online study, a campus in Berlin and eight UK campuses, including three in London. The London campuses are in Ealing, Tower Hill and Holborn, each described as easily accessed by public transport. The Birmingham campus has a student library, spacious classrooms, an IT suite and relaxation areas. The Manchester campus is located in Spinningfields, central Manchester. There is also a campus in Leeds, described as being in the heart of Yorkshire.

The site's navigation also lists Nottingham and Newcastle among its locations.

Accreditations, rankings and recognition

The university maintains a section on accrediting bodies and partners, and states that it holds recognised and accredited degree status. It reports that in July 2025 it was named the 5th best university in the UK for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey, based on an analysis of NSS 2024 results carried out by Times Higher Education. It also cites a Trustpilot rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 842 user reviews and an award as the number one UK Higher Education Institution at the EducationInvestor Awards 2026 for its commitment to investment in higher education.

Student support and career services

Arden provides wellbeing services, disability support, success coaches and academic persistence support, as well as a cost of living portal. Careers, employability and alumni services are also listed. Prospective students can attend virtual events, webinars and open days, and can chat with student ambassadors. The university operates a refer-a-friend scheme that offers a reward of £500.

Its academic structure includes the Faculty of Business and Innovation and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology, with schools covering Business Management and Creativity, Management and Executive Education, Leadership and Service Industry Management, Psychology, Criminology, Criminal Justice and Law, and Applied Technology and AI.