RAU ranked one of the UK’s Top Ten Universities

26 Apr 2019

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has been ranked among the top ten universities in the UK, in a prestigious set of awards based on the views of students themselves.

The RAU was placed 10th in the University of the Year category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019, rising from 16th in 2018. It also ranked sixth in the Job Prospects category.

Whatuni collected over 41,000 student reviews from 160 universities and colleges, travelling more than 43,000 miles across the UK in six months.

Students answered questions on topics such as how well their university helped them find employment and what they liked most and least about the way their course is taught.

The winners were announced at a ceremony on 25 April at The Brewery in London, hosted by comedian Omid Djalili, with Swansea winning the University of the Year title.

Simon Emmett, CEO of IDP Connect which owns Whatuni, said: “This year’s strong results are a clear indicator that despite the increasing cost associated with accessing a university education, students recognise and value the opportunities, support and teaching that they receive.”

The success comes in the same year the RAU was made a Centre of Excellence by the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs – only the sixth university to gain this accreditation.

Julie Walkling, Director for Students at the RAU said: “Students are the focus of everything we do. Our nomination recognised the transformative, inclusive experience being created here at ‘OurRAU’, where students’ opinions matter and staff strive to improve teaching, facilities and the sense of community.”

The RAU offers a range of courses in agriculture, animal science, business, environment, equine science, farm management, food, real estate and rural land management.

This year it launched two new postgraduate degrees designed to help students becomes leaders in UK food and agriculture, post-Brexit: an MBA in Innovation in Sustainable Food and Agriculture and an MSc in Sustainable Food and Agriculture Policy.