Our mission as a specialist University is to lead the charge for sustainable farming and land management by equipping a new generation to address global challenges and to thrive through change.
Caring for the land is more relevant and vital now than ever before. Climate resilience, nature recovery, health, wellbeing and thriving communities all rely on how we treat the land. Our enduring commitment leads to a duty to redefine and transform the future of land, food and society.
How we achieve this is every bit as important as the outcome itself. Our mission is underpinned by five values all staff and students are expected to work by and which we inspire those we work with to follow.
- Collaborative
- Open-minded
- Resourceful
- Responsible
- Inclusive
You can read more about our values within our vision and strategy.
There are four core obligations in our Academic Regulations forming our contract with students that must be followed to qualify for a higher education award here.
Complying with rules, regulations and policies
Students must comply with RAU regulations, policies and procedures, national laws, and relevant
partner-institution rules and regulations.
This means:
- Understanding where to find official RAU policies and procedures and following them
- Acting consistently with RAU Values when making decisions and interacting with others
- Treating University property and facilities responsibly
- Following health and safety guidance at all times
Keeping up-to-date with programme information
Students must actively manage their studies by engaging with the VLE (Gateway) and monitoring their student email account.
This means:
- Checking the VLE regularly for deadlines, updates and learning materials
- Ensuring correct module registration
- Responding promptly to University communications
- Attending timetabled sessions
- Engaging with, and responding to, academic tutors and academic support staff
Paying monies owed promptly
Students must pay any monies owed to the University promptly.
This means:
- Ensuring payment or funding arrangements are in place
- Responding quickly to finance queries
- Understanding that debt may affect access to services such as the VLE or progression
Behaving responsibly on and off campus
Students must be mindful of how their behaviour reflects on the wider community and take responsibility for how their actions affect the reputation of the RAU.
This means:
- Acting consistently with the RAU Values at all times
- Demonstrating professionalism in placements, fieldwork and community setting
- Avoiding behaviour that causes harm, distress or risk to others
- Using social media prudently and respectfully
Learning is a partnership that is only effective when we share responsibility. Our Learning Community framework is bound by three characteristics along with our RAU values:
- Care
- Communication
- Engagement
As a student, you will:
- Engage respectfully in academic sessions, discussion and group work
- Treat fellow students, staff and visitors with courtesy and empathy
- Uphold academic integrity by referencing properly and avoiding misconduct
- Make reflective use of feedback and support services
As an institution, RAU will:
- Offer accessible academic and wellbeing support
- Provide opportunities for student voice, co-creation and feedback
- Encourage student engagement in academic governance
- Deliver fair assessment processes and clear information
The goal of learning at RAU is to empower graduates with the knowledge, skills and resilience prized by employers and critical for those planning independent employment or further learning and research. Our Graduate framework sets four attributes we expect students to aspire to throughout their study with us, and to support their fellow students in developing together.
We inspire our graduates:
- To take a professional approach - to be reflective, self-aware team members with excellent communication skills approaching new challenges with flexibility and confidence
- To have a sustainable mindset - to commit to environment and regeneration, demonstrating an understanding of global complexity and system thinking.
- To be an innovative thinker - to have commercial acumen and curiosity, seeking innovative solutions to the real-world.
- To be technically skilled - to enter the workplace as technically and digitally skilled practitioners who value practical knowledge and scientific evidence.
This is a journey, one where you will grow, learn, develop and enhance yourself. We do not expect you to meet the highest standards from day one, nor do we wish you to stop developing further when you leave. You are expected to seek to live up to these values, commitments, characteristics and attributes, and expect to see them in the actions of your fellow members of RAU.
This is what it means to be a RAU student and someone who cannot live up to this code is not entitled to remain part of our student community.
Students abiding by this code of practice should expect RAU to support their learning by:
- providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment
- delivering high-quality teaching and support
- communicating clearly and promptly
- ensuring transparency, fairness and respect in decision-making
- listening to students to continually improve the learning experience
- taking all reasonable measures to protect students from being adversely affected by any disruption to programme delivery or the wider student experience
- protecting freedom of speech within the law
- working with key sector employers to ensure RAU graduates are valued
- protecting the integrity and standard of RAU qualifications with external regulators of degree-awarding powers