Royal Agricultural University

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) is a specialist UK higher education institution, dedicated to providing cutting-edge education in the agricultural disciplines. It is renowned as a university that offers a range of industry-relevant postgraduate courses in areas ranging from rural estate management to agricultural technology and innovation. 

The university has a distinguished history, having been the first institution in the English-speaking world to be established with a specialised focused on agricultural subjects and skills. With an educational heritage going back over 170 years, Royal Agricultural has and continues to be a major influence to development in the land-based sector in the UK and beyond. 

The university offers its courses from an attractive, green campus site stretching over 25 acres in the town of Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Facilities include a fully-equipped equine centre, working dairy farm, acres of arable land and modern classrooms. Students also benefit from access to Farm 491, a business incubator for agri-tech, and an innovative Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Programme.  

Cirencester offers students a quintessential countryside lifestyle, as a vibrant market town nestled on the edge of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With plenty of shops, boutiques, cafes and pubs, students will find everything they need in this welcoming town. It also offers easy access to nearby towns of Gloucester, Bristol and Oxford, offering plenty of nightlife and professional opportunities between them. 

Prospective postgraduate students can choose from a robust range of specialist programmes of study at Royal Agricultural University. Students benefit from the university’s focus on the agricultural disciplines, which allows RAU to focus all of its resources and research talent on a smaller number of disciplines. 

As a result of this, students can feel confident that they’re studying at one of the country’s leading institutions for higher education in the land-based and agricultural sectors. 

Available courses include graduate certificates and graduate diplomas in agriculture, MSc courses in areas such as business management, real estate, and sustainable agriculture and food security. Master’s by research and PhD qualifications are also possible, allowing students to develop their own influential research with the support of talented supervisors and the university’s various industry links. 

Part time learning options allow students to work while they study, gain other professional experience or manage personal commitments. The university is continually developing its digital tools and approach to education, allowing students to complete parts of their study online from wherever they like. 

Entry onto a postgraduate programme at Royal Agricultural University is subject to the satisfaction of each course’s specific entry requirements. These typically relate to previous academic qualifications, but may also consider a student’s professional experience or application quality, as well as interview performance. 

Students applying for the MSc in Real Estate, for example, will typically have an undergraduate honours degree at 2:1 level or higher, in a relevant subject area. Those with lesser qualifications may be considered in light of relevant professional experience in a real estate background. 

Applicants for the Graduate Diploma in Agriculture will typically already have an undergraduate honours level qualification in a discipline other than agriculture, with a 2:1 grade or above. Applicants with international or professional equivalents will also be considered. Practical experience in the agricultural sector is desirable. 

Students applying for a PhD programme at RAU will be expected to have a master’s degree or equivalent international qualification, related to their chosen area of study. Applicants with lesser qualifications in combination with significant professional experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Entry requirements may change over time, so students should check with the university before applying. 

Royal Agricultural University is a specialised institution that thrives due to its myriad links with industry across the agriculture and rural management sectors. Employers of all sizes value graduates with an RAU postgraduate qualification, as its reflects the expertise and industry-ready skills that the university is known for.  

The university achieves an impressive further study or employment rate for its students through an impactful, applied curriculum and a broad suite of careers-focused support services. 

A significant portion of the university’s postgraduate courses are accredited by professional bodies, such as the MSc in Real Estate or MSc in Rural Land Management which are certified by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The Chartered Management Institute and Chartered Association of Business Schools are other accreditors of RAU courses. 

The depth of hands-on experience made possible through the university’s industry-standard facilities, along with ample opportunities for work experience and placements, make RAU postgraduates highly employable after they graduate. 

Entrepreneurial and innovative postgraduates are given the tools and space to thrive through business incubation labs such as Farm 491, as well as specialised enterprise and start-up support from the university. 

Accommodation

Royal Agricultural University offers postgraduate students a unique on-campus accommodation experience, or access to a good range of local private rental opportunities, depending on their preferences. 

The university provides a range of self-catered and catered living options on campus, where students can enjoy living amongst acres of lawns, gardens and park spaces – in addition to being just minutes away from study areas, the library, classes and a range of food and drink options. 

Accommodation options range in size, and include shared facility or en-suite options. Quiet, peaceful surroundings make it a perfect place for focused postgraduate study or for socialising with like-minded people. All accommodation options are modern, well-furnished and offer a safe, comfortable and convenient place to live. 

Students may choose to live in privately rented accommodation in the nearby town of Cirencester, where a number of apartments or houses are available. This is a great choice for groups of friends or those with family, and gives students even closer access to shops, other amenities and transport links to other parts of the country.  

The university’s support teams can offer advice and assistance with the rental process, including finding somewhere to live and managing the paperwork. 

Postgraduate students at the Royal Agricultural University can make use of a wide range of scholarships and bursaries during their time there. This is a great way to cover the cost of studying, from tuition fee waivers to stipends and awards towards living or research costs. 

Some of the available scholarships and bursaries include: 

• The RAU Alumni Discount, which offers students a 20% discount to tuition fees if they have already completed a course at the university. 
• The Clyde Higgs Postgraduate Scholarship, which offers an award of £5,000 to students on eligible courses who have achieved a 2:1 grade or higher in their undergraduate degree and submit a strong application. 
• The Geoffrey Cragghill Memorial Scholarship, which provides a £2,000 award to students on a master’s course within the School of Real Estate and Land Management, conducting work on a relevant dissertation topic. 
• The RAU Sports Scholarship, which offers funding up to £3,000 for one year to students who demonstrate outstanding ability and professional potential in their chosen sport. The value of this funding is dependant on the level at which the applicant is currently performing. 

Students can explore the full range of scholarships and bursaries available to postgraduate students on the university’s website.