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Royal Agricultural University
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Established in 1845, the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has been at the forefront of land-based education for more than 175 years. The university is a key contributor to the agricultural and environmental sector.
The RAU is an institution with a rich educational heritage, utilising extensive industry connections to provide an innovative, forward-thinking approach to an range of land-based educational courses. Working closely with business leaders and employers, the RAU equips its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to build successful careers in the land-based sector.
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire the university’s campus has a population of over 1,200 students and offers some 20 programmes at foundation and honours degree level across four schools:
Alongside access to arable and dairy farms and an equine centre, students benefit from an award-winning enterprise and entrepreneurship programme. This is supplemented by Farm491, RAU’s agritech business incubator, created to encourage innovation in the sector.
Enjoyment is consistently noted by student reviewers as one of the recurring themes of their time at the RAU. Students praise both the high level of their educational and social experience while studying across RAU’s 25-acre picturesque campus.
Royal Agricultural University students on Whatuni say:
“Good course, helpful, friendly lecturers, lots of fun.”
“Great university because it is small. Everyone knows everyone.”
“Could not ask for more from university.”
Courses at RAU are led by prominent academics working at the forefront of their fields. Operating in collaboration with business leaders and employers, RAU staff design and deliver innovative courses that prepare students with the critical skillset necessary to actively shape the future of the land-based sector.
83% of the RAU’s final-year undergraduates surveyed by the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS) gave the university a score of 83% for the quality of the learning community – 15% higher than the national average for the UK.
Courses at RAU evolve year-on-year, with input from key industry advisors, to address the issues and technologies at the heart of the ever-changing land-based industries.
Students can take full advantage of the fantastic industry contacts the university has to offer through a varied guest speaker programme, field visits and work-based placements.
Royal Agricultural University students on Whatuni say:
“Good course structure, friendly approachable lecturers.”
“Lecturers are always happy to help.”
“Plenty of group work.”
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSEntry requirements vary from course to course, but a general pre-requisite of at least 96 or 104 UCAS points are necessary for entry onto courses at RAU.
Please see the Royal Agricultural University website for full details of entry requirements.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORSend a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONThere are over 300 dorm rooms on the RAU campus, spanning ten halls of residence. There are both catered and self-catered facilities on offer, depending on student preference, as well as a mixture of en-suite and shared bathroom facilities available.
The university surgery, launderette, cafe, bar and shop are all within a short walking distance from the halls of residences. Campus accommodation includes Wi-Fi, housekeeping, car parking, security and a university gym. Accommodation fees are inclusive of all energy, utility, and cleaning bills. Accessible rooms are available in four of the halls to suit access needs.
Accommodation prices vary depending on location, type of room and whether students select self-catered or half-board halls. Costs can range from £6,302 to £8,519 a year.
If students opt to live off campus, the university can offer assistance with finding accommodation and is also available to help students secure privately rented accommodation in their second and third years.
Student reviewers consistently mention the high standard of the university’s accommodation, noting how clean and well-maintained the halls of residence are.
Royal Agricultural University students on Whatuni say:
“The accommodation is great, we have a kitchenette all be it being a catered block, being half board, I can always make what I want for lunch.”
“I live in self-catered en-suite halls and they are fantastic. Our rooms are cleaned regularly too and have massive common rooms.”
“Cleaners are great. Bed is comfy.”
Students benefit from an extensive range of facilities, including a variety of farming systems on sites close to the campus. These facilities include the predominantly arable-cropped Coates Manor Farm and the Bathurst Estate’s 15,000 acres of farmland. There are also forestry, real estate and heritage properties accessible from the university’s main campus.
Students enjoy access to Kemble Farms Ltd (a large dairy operation) and Leaze Farm (a 300-cow autumn block calving herd). The RAU’s Equestrian Centre provides DIY livery and supports students’ equestrian education. The John Oldacre Rural Innovation Centre gives students the opportunity to top up their studies with short courses, which are often highly desirable to future employers. Opened in July 2018, the state-of-the-art Alliston Centre houses the Cirencester Growth Hub (Gloucestershire businesses) and Farm491 (agri-tech entrepreneurs). In addition to these highly specialised facilities, there is also a health centre, multiple IT suites, and a well-equipped library on campus.
Student reviewers rate the facilities at the RAU positively, commenting on the high standard and diversity of specialist facilities, in addition to their accessibility to students.
Royal Agricultural University students on Whatuni say:
“The university has many facilities include a gym, library and 24hr computer room facilities.”
“It has everything you could ever need.”
“For such a small university they are surprisingly good!”
What's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 511 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWR Robin Reviewed 06 Mar 23 Nice close community, accommodation could be improved with kitchen facilities and more funding for... READ FULL REVIEW
T Tegan Reviewed 28 Feb 23 Friendly, small so very one on one type of learning Could be improved with better business lecturers... READ FULL REVIEW
The Royal Agricultural University benefits from a close-knit community that provides students with a home away from home. Students are supported by personal tutors throughout their courses and are taught in small cohorts, allowing them to forge close professional connections with lecturers and other academic staff.
The Royal Agricultural University has a dedicated student support services team to help students during their time at RAU, as well as a student peer-to-peer support group. STARs (Student Team Advice Representatives) are a team of current students who have been trained by the Student Support Services Team to offer help and guidance in all aspects of university life.
Students have been very positive about the level of support available to them in reviews of the RAU, particularly in regard to the ample support they receive from their tutors and the wider student support team.
Royal Agricultural University students on Whatuni say:
“Always around to help you when you need it.”
“Learning support is amazing.”
“Had counselling and student support - outstanding.”
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITEThe agriculture and food curriculum at RAU actively responds to current and future issues through a focus on technological innovation, political policy and socio-economic issues. Teaching is supplemented by work placements, where student can put their learning into practice and make valuable industry contacts.
Students on real estate and land management courses join a powerful graduate network, which includes students who have gone on to work at major organisations such as Savills, Strutt and Parker, Knight Frank, Fisher German and Deloitte Real Estate. Students regularly gain industry contacts throughout their Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accredited degrees.
Graduates from the full business degree courses receive dual accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute. Students gain industry insight from guest speakers through the award-winning enterprise and entrepreneurship programme. Alumni of the RAC have gone on to pursue successful careers worldwide with companies including Mitsubishi Motors and Unilever.
Students on equine courses are taught by a team of industry-linked staff with a wealth of teaching experience. From a base in the Cotswolds, students are ideally positioned to take full advantage of world-leading sporting venues including Cheltenham Racecourse. Equine courses include a 15-week work placement and opportunities for international study tours.
On environment, wildlife, conservation and heritage management courses, students are provided with the necessary skills to manage a wide range of countryside, wildlife and rural heritage sites. Graduates have gone on to work for prestigious organisations in the sector, such as The Wildlife Trust, National Trust, and RSPB.
The students’ union represents students at RAU and ensures that their voices and opinions are heard throughout the university’s wider community. RAU’s students’ union runs events on campus, including a weekly sports night and club night, as well as a variety of balls which are renowned for booking top name acts in the entertainment industry. There are regular film nights, trips off campus and themed nights out organised by the students’ union.
The SU aids students throughout the academic year to raise money for charitable causes of their choice, through a varied fundraising and events programme. Student reviewers regularly mention the diverse events programme as one of the social highlights of their time at Royal Agricultural University, positively noting the frequency of events, the friendly students’ union team and their dedication to inclusivity.
Royal Agricultural University students on Whatuni say:
“Easy to get involved.”
“Lots to keep everyone busy.”
“SU are excellent, representative and supportive.”
There are a range of sports, clubs and societies on offer to students. Sports clubs at RAU include football, netball, rugby, hockey, clay pigeon shooting, darts and horse riding. A choir, International Society, Officer Training Corp, African Caribbean Society, Racing Club, beekeeping club and an Entrepreneur Society are but a few of the possibilities at RAU. Many of the RAU sports teams regularly compete in the British Universities and Colleges Sports League (BUCS).
The students’ union also supports a variety of local projects in the community which students can involve themselves in. These projects equip students with valuable work experience and organisational skills. The community projects help students forge local links within the wider social community and enable them to meet like-minded peers. This diverse range of community projects are run at a variety of local markets, schools, and gardens.
Royal Agricultural University students on Whatuni say:
“Mainly sports but rugby is good.”
“Lots of clubs that put on lots of activities.”
“Most societies are great fun and very social.”
The RAU’s picturesque campus grounds are located within close walking distance to the bustling town of Cirencester, a thriving cultural hub which is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Cotswolds.
Cirencester offers students a diverse range of restaurants, unique boutique shops, pubs, and bars. The town is linked by good transport networks that provide access to a variety of towns and cities including Bath, Bristol, Oxford and Cheltenham. London is also less than 90 minutes away from the town and served by a direct train service.
Nearby attractions in close proximity to Cirencester also include the Badminton Horse Trials, Cheltenham Races (including the renowned Gold Cup), Gloucester and Bath rugby. These are supplemented by a range of shopping options and cinemas located in the nearby towns of Cheltenham, Gloucester or Swindon.
Royal Agricultural University students on Whatuni say:
“Nice town Cirencester, good shops, pubs, and bars.”
“Not in a city but in a town, lovely community with things going on all the time, in the countryside so lots of country pubs and beautiful walks.”
“Very quiet, nice pubs though.”
The RAU draws from a wealth of experience when designing and implementing its undergraduate courses. Academic staff work closely with leading business figures in the sector, providing students with the skillset necessary to proposer in land-based industries.
91% of undergraduates find themselves in employment or further study within six months of leaving the RAU (Destination of Leavers from High Education Survey, 2021).
Many of the courses at RAU are professionally accredited. Real estate and rural land management degrees are accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), while students studying for business management and enterprise degrees receive accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS). In 2019, the RAU became just the sixth university in the UK to be made a Centre of Excellence by the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE).
RAU graduates have gone on to a wealth of future careers throughout the land-based sector, with students progressing into jobs leading innovation and change in industry, informing future land-based policy and setting up their own businesses.
Students tend to rate their job prospects highly after studying at the RAU due to the close industry links the university provides.
Royal Agricultural University students on Whatuni say:
“Good career fairs, support for placements.”
“Providing free training to bolster my CV.”
“People came and offered us jobs.”
The RAU provides a range of scholarships and bursaries for prospective undergraduate students, offering financial support to those who are eligible.
Bursaries
RAU Support Bursary (Stream 1)
£1,000 per year (up to a maximum of three years)
RAU Support Bursary (Stream 2)
£3,500 per year (up to a maximum of three years)
Scholarships
RAU Ethnic Minority Excellence Scholarship
£9,000 per year (up to a maximum of 3 years)
Pilkington Farms Partnership prize
Final year tuition fee £9,250, as a fee waiver
RAU Sports Scholarships
Up to £3,000 per year (up to a maximum of three years)
Sir Emrys Jones Scholarship
£1,500 per year (up to a maximum of 3 years)
Walter Smith Award
£2,000 per year (up to a maximum of three years)
More detailed information about funding, including how to apply and eligibility, can be found on the RAU website.
Typical undergraduate fees at the Royal Agricultural University are as follows:
UK Students Per Year: £9,250.
International Students Per Year: £13,900
The Royal Agricultural University has a dedicated student fees team on hand to deal with any queries relating to fee statuses.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTION
Royal Agricultural University
As well as a wide range of courses, studying at Royal Agricultural University offers you loads of opportunities to boost your CV thanks to the careers department. You might even have the chance to do a work placement or sandwich year during your degree.
As well as providing you with opportunities to develop academically and professionally, you'll have a wide range of clubs and societies to join. You'll be able to pick up a new hobby and make loads of new friends by joining some of the clubs and societies on offer at Royal Agricultural University.
The world is your oyster! Of course, the exact options open to you will depend on which subject you choose to study. Employers often look to hire graduates, so you can be sure that your degree will give you a wider range of employment opportunities.
No matter what degree you choose, however, you'll have option of going on to further study. If you want to keep studying, your undergraduate degree will enable you to go on to a master's degree or even a PhD.
If you opt to live in uni halls, you'll benefit from free WiFi and all-inclusive rent. Rent for uni halls also includes security and maintenance, so you can be sure you'll be well-looked after. There are several accessible rooms available, which are adapted for disabled students.
Halls also have communal areas such as kitchen facilities where you can meet your flatmates over a cup of tea. You'll also have access to dining facilities where you can share a meal with other students in your accommodation.
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