Based on a 12 hectare site at the University’s Cirencester campus, the new Innovation Village will push the boundaries of sustainable design to ensure a development that is beautiful, carbon neutral, rich in nature, and inspires innovation through its environment.

Our Innovation Village will bring together industry, food producers, farmers and landowners to create a global innovation park to spark entrepreneurial solutions for sustainable land use and a net zero future.

Welcome to the RAU

We hope that you enjoy our virtual postgraduate event

This is your opportunity to find out more about postgraduate courses at the Royal Agricultural University and the support available during your studies.

This virtual event was live on Thursday 10 April 2025, and recordings are now available on demand*. If you have any questions, please send an email to opendays@rau.ac.uk 

Funding Postgraduate study is slightly different to what you may be used to with your Undergraduate degree. So, we have put together this video which outlines the Postgraduate student loans available to UK students. We would also recommend taking a look at our Scholarships and Bursaries page.

If you have any questions regarding student finance, our Student Fees team is here to offer support and advice to help you. Email studentfees@rau.ac.uk.

The John Edgar Trust (JET) is a Hampshire-based charity dedicated to helping people in southern England to achieve their potential in farming and rural enterprises.

Our Information Technology (IT) resources, systems and services are essential to the day-to-day operation of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU). This policy underpins our overarching Information Security Policy and is designed to make clear the responsibilities that all our students, staff and authorised third parties must be aware of, and act in accordance with, when using any of the IT facilities, or accessing the information, provided by the RAU.

Accordingly, for clarity we use the following definitions in this policy:

Congratulations on receiving your offer. Starting university is one of the most exciting times of your life.

By now you'll already be thinking about what lies ahead and what you should do to prepare for your course and all that follows. We're here to guide you along the way.

Congratulations on receiving your offer. Starting university is one of the most exciting times of your life.

By now you'll already be thinking about what lies ahead and what you should do to prepare for your course and all that follows. We're here to guide you along the way. This handy timeline breaks down all the important phases between now and when you start your course, and shows you the things to do next.

For January starters: You'll be emailed separately with dates and more information about Registration.

The Royal Agricultural University is superbly located on the outskirts of Cirencester in the heart of the Cotswolds. We are easily accessible by train, coach and car from most parts of the UK.

Address: Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6JS.

A Fellow is a person of eminence who has made a significant and distinguished contribution to the industries and professions associated with the work of the Royal Agricultural University.

Fellowships are normally awarded at the annual Graduation ceremony for the award of degrees.

The Royal Agricultural College (RAC), now the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), was the first agricultural college in the English speaking world. In 1842, the seeds were sown 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 appointed and Earl Bathurst was elected President.