Royal Agricultural University

HISTORY

The Royal Agricultural University or RAU (previously known as the Royal Agricultural College or RAC) is a university located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. Established in 1845, it was the first agricultural college in the English-speaking world.

The Royal Agricultural University was founded as the Royal Agricultural College in 1842, at a meeting of the Fairford and Cirencester Farmers’ Club. Concerned by the lack of government support for education, Robert Jeffreys-Brown addressed the meeting on “The Advantages of a Specific Education for Agricultural Pursuits”. A prospectus was circulated, a general committee was appointed and Earl Bathurst was elected President. Funds were raised by public subscription: much of the support came from the wealthy landowners and farmers of the day, and there was no government support. The first 25 students were admitted to the College in September 1845.

Queen Victoria granted a Royal Charter to the College in 1845 and sovereigns have been patrons ever since, visiting the College in every reign. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales became President in 1982.

The College gained full university status in 2013 and changed its name accordingly. It had 1,200 students in the 2015/16 academic year and saw a 49% rise in applications between 2008 and 2013. The Royal Agricultural University was named the safest university in the South West in 2013, and is ranked top in the UK for spending on facilities.

COURSES 

The university provides more than 30 land-based undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes to students from over 45 countries through the School of Agriculture, the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, the School of Equine and the School of Real Estate & Land Management.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The RAU seeks the most academically able students from a wide range of backgrounds.

For information about entry requirements, please visit their website.

ACADEMIC STRENGTHS

High teaching quality of teaching and research throughout industry-relevant degrees, devised with employers, and placements.

98.2% employability rates: 3rd in the UK for graduate employability (HESA, 2015).

High standard of student support and resources to enable students to achieve full potential (top 10 for degree completion, Complete University Guide 2016).

Top 25% of UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2015).

TEACHING STANDARDS

High quality of teaching with courses managed by experienced staff, all of whom are leaders in their fields and many of whom are involved in consultancy, research and training activities, both in the UK and overseas.

Ranks in the top 25% of all 160 UK universities for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (2015).

All courses demonstrate the RAU’s strong links with the industry and are developed and revised with industry partners and advisers. Industry professionals also provide guest lectures, visits and placement opportunities.

Degrees are accredited by industry and professional bodies including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), following a partnership with the RAU’s School of Real Estate and Land Management for more than 80 years.

Graduates from the RAU’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SBE) receive dual qualifications; a degree from the RAU and equivalent professional qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). The school is also a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS).

CAREERS GUIDANCE

The Royal Agricultural University Careers Service offers guidance and career advice to students and graduates.

They have a wide range of resources to help the student, whether they are just starting to think about work or they are changing career and need some direction.

They are a friendly team with a great deal of enthusiasm for what they do.

Drop-in guidance sessions or pre-book an appointment with a Careers Adviser for advice on:

• How to find and develop a career
• Identifying and developing skills
• Finding a job or work placement
• Applications, CV’s and interviews
• Further study options
• Thinking about self employment

A dedicated Student Job portal lists hundreds of job opportunities for students and alumni alike, contributing to the RAU’s 98.2% graduate employability rates (3rd in the UK, HESA 2015).