Instagram ‘influencers’ paid to promote new Peterborough university operators - despite never attending

An investigation by Vice has revealed the partnerships between people with large social media followings and Anglia Ruskin.

The university currently has a campus in Oundle Road and will begin running the city’s new fully-fledged university (ARU Peterborough) in 2022.

Anglia Ruskin, which will incorporate its nursing provision to a new campus at the Embankment, said it was “proud to widen participation” and that all posts were “clearly marked as ads”.

Mari Alonso, a lifestyle and travel blogger who has 82,000 followers on Instagram, wrote that you can “change your life” by studying at Anglia Ruskin.

She posted: “#ad What are you grateful for?

“I’m grateful for so many things that I have, so many moments... including my graduation, of course!

“I’m not sure if you guys know, but I graduated as Engineer 6 years ago. It was such a long journey, but so worthy! It contributed a lot to the person who I became today. Every day I was able to learn new lessons that made me stronger! When I look back I say to myself... “WOW Girl, you are amazing, you really are...”.

“Also, it gave me incredible skills that are gonna stay with me forever! No one can ever take the knowledge that I received from my graduation away from me.

“Now if you think it’s your time, there are still spaces to apply in Clearing at ARU! Just go for it! It’s time to change your life! If not now, when? @angliaruskin #goingtoaru #aruproud #angliaruskin.”

Others who were paid by Anglia Ruskin - which also has campuses in Cambridge and Chelmsford - told Vice that although they did not attend the university, they would not promote anything they did not believe in.

A spokesperson for Anglia Ruskin University said: “We are proud to widen participation and encourage more young people to aspire to a university education. This campaign has been conducted with complete transparency, with all posts clearly marked as ads.”