Country life comes with the territory at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU). A bucolic 25-acre campus in the Cotswolds and small student population lend themselves to a collegiate atmosphere at an institution renowned for its long history of land-based learning. On the outskirts of the market town of Cirencester, students roll up their sleeves to get industry experience at Coates Manor Farm, which grows wheat, barley and oilseed rape; Kemble Farms, a large dairy complex, and Leaze Farm, which has a 300-cow calving herd. Fossehill Farm provides livery stabling for students who want to bring their own horse to university. The RAU has a tradition of royal patrons and King Charles joined the list in May 2024. Every British monarch since Queen Victoria has visited the RAU at least once.

What is Royal Agricultural University’s reputation? 

The RAU makes the most of its international reputation as the first high-level agricultural college in the English-speaking world. It was established in 1845 after a meeting of the Fairford and Cirencester Farmers’ Club, which expressed concern at the lack of government support for agricultural education, and gained university status in 2013.

Results improved in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). Half of the work submitted was considered world-leading or internationally excellent, leading to 102nd place in our research index. The RAU has six research clusters — sustainability, regeneration and biodiversity in agriculture; livestock health and welfare; food policy, quality and security; equine science; rural economy; and cultural heritage — and prides itself on taking a global perspective, collaborating with scientists, farmers and innovators  as far afield as China, Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa. The RAU leads a global group of agricultural universities researching sustainable business models to reduce food poverty, decrease the carbon footprint of agriculture, and protect the livelihoods of farmers. In 2022 the RAU launched the first undergraduate programmes at the International Agriculture University (IAU) in Tashkent as part of a long-term partnership with the Uzbekistan Ministry of Agriculture.

Rated triple silver in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), the RAU was  praised for “excellent academic practice” across the university. Feedback from undergraduates in the latest National Student Survey was less favourable, however. The RAU plunged to the bottom of our table for satisfaction with teaching quality and the wider undergraduate experience (both 131st). For the student experience, the RAU fell 123 places out of the top ten. In our main academic league table, the RAU continues to be held back by a student-to-staff ratio exceeding 21:1. Only 68 per cent of students achieved first-class or 2:1 degrees (121st).

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?

Equine degree programmes have been consolidated into one course with different pathways. There are new degrees in environment and sustainability; and foundation degrees have been added in equine management; residential estate agency; and business and enterprise.

What are the Royal Agricultural University’s entry requirements – and my chances of getting in?

Requirements start from 48 Ucas tariff points to a maximum demand of 112. In an effort to widen the intake the university introduced a contextual offer for 2023 entry for UK students who meet widening participation criteria. Demand surged for the RAU during the pandemic and has remained consistent, helped by the addition of foundation years on all BSc courses.

What are the graduate prospects?

Students can spend a sandwich year in industry as part of their degree, and entrepreneurial activity is encouraged. The RAU is one of only six universities — and the only specialist provider — to be made a Centre of Excellence by the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs. However, with only 68.7 per cent of graduates in high-skilled jobs or further study 15 months after their degrees, RAU is in the bottom 25 in our analysis of graduate prospects.

What is the Royal Agricultural University’s campus like?

Campus facilities include Farm491, an agritech incubator and innovation space focused on the future of farming and food systems. There is also an equestrian centre providing stabling and livery facilities as well as research and teaching space. The RAU has been awarded £5.8 million by the Office for Students to build a new Land Laboratory Teaching Centre, which will provide an integrated facility to train students in climate-smart, resilient agriculture and land management. 

Added to the farm-based settings, a partnership with the neighbouring Bathurst Estate also gives students access to 15,000 acres of farmland, forestry, environmentally managed land, real estate and heritage properties, along with a range of rural enterprises for teaching, research and knowledge exchange. 

The university’s Cultural Heritage Institute in Swindon focuses on archaeology, applied heritage and historic environment management.

Everything you need to know about the Royal Agricultural University’s student life and wellbeing support

On campus, a hub houses student facilities, including the union. A range of sports such as lacrosse, hockey, rugby, tennis, croquet and netball can be played on site. Polo is played at a club 12 miles from campus and students can row at Gloucester Rowing Club or shoot at Hollow Fosse. Christmas and May balls are social highlights and Rag (raising and giving) week involves a tractor pull and fancy dress. There are easy opportunities to explore the Cotswolds and London is 90 minutes away by train.

To support student welfare there are daily drop-ins with a mental health professional, the Talk Campus student platform and free counselling referrals.

What do the students say? 

“The RAU is one of a kind. It may be small, but it is mighty. On the academic side, the lecturers operate an open-door policy and academic support hours. Students are a name, not a number here. The RAC/U Alumni network is second to none and has a global reach, which is useful when looking for placement opportunities and jobs following graduation.”
Alexandra Godfrey, students’ union vice-president (learning) 

What about student accommodation at the Royal Agricultural University?

Accommodation is allocated on a first come, first served basis and students are advised to apply early. 

How diverse and inclusive is the Royal Agricultural University?

The RAU has risen in our social inclusion index for England and Wales from 112th last year to 110th and almost one in ten students has a disability, ranking 26=. With only 55.6 per cent of the intake drawn from non-selective state schools (108th), its record does nothing to dispel the RAU’s “Oxbridge of the countryside” nickname. Only 3.6 per cent of the intake of students are from black and ethnic minority backgrounds (114th). Efforts to broaden its appeal include two Next Generation scholarships, which pay £6,000 a year to eligible students from a minority ethnic community.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the Royal Agricultural University

The Kaleb Cooper Agriculture Bursary — backed by Jeremy Clarkson’s sidekick in his TV hit, Clarkson’s Farm — aims to support students from a non-agricultural background who want to follow their dreams to work on the land. The £3,000 award comes with a work placement with Cooper or his industry partners.  About 11.5 per cent of new entrants in 2023 qualified for some form of financial help. Eligible students from low-income households can receive a bursary between £1,000 and £3,500. A wide range of individual awards targeting specific groups is available too, such as the £1,000 Pembrokeshire County Show Student Bursary. The Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust bursary is worth up to £4,000 over the length of a course and open to students from Devon or Cornwall.