Professor Barry Dent Scholarship and International Exchange
This prestigious international exchange programme has been established in recognition of Professor Barry Dent and his unique career in farm management and agribusiness.
Professor Dent was Principal of the Royal Agricultural College (RAC), now the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), from 1997 until 2002.
Before joining the RAC, his career took him and his family around the world and, while in New Zealand, he was Professor of Farm Management and Rural Valuation at Lincoln College, now Lincoln University, near Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island, and became Director of the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU), making a significant contribution to research and teaching at Lincoln.
This scholarship and international exchange honours Barry’s career at both institutions and it is hoped that this scholarship, which will be awarded annually, will provide an excellent opportunity for students to gain overseas experience as part of their degree studies.
It is hoped they will form networks for their future jobs and career and help forge a stronger relationship between the two institutions. The international exchange will support students undertaking degrees relevant to agriculture in both the UK and New Zealand.
About the scholarship
- The award is worth £3,000 for one full-time student
- The scholarship is to cover international flights, travel insurance and living costs
- Students are expected to pay normal home university tuition fees whilst on exchange
- The scholarship, for the RAU exchange student travelling to NZ, will be from the start of the RAU’s second semester (February to June 2026)
- The student will study at Lincoln University in New Zealand
- Students can choose to extend their stay abroad outside of the Universities’ semesters, but any additional travel, accommodation, or subsistence costs during that time will not be covered by the scholarship
- Course work is mutually credited back into a student’s degree between the two institutions
- Normal student visa requirements apply
- The successful student will be asked to appear in publicity for this bursary. This means that by entering, you consent to be involved in promotional activities, including but not limited to use of your photograph, biography, and quotes
- You may also be asked to support the promotion of the exchange in following years by appearing in or submitting video or written content, including social media, websites and print publications where appropriate
Selection criteria and eligibility
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:
- Be an RAU student entering into your second year of the 3-year degree programme in BSc (Hons) Agriculture or the 4-year BSc (Hons) Agriculture programme with placement year
- Be a positive ambassador for the RAU and Lincoln University when representing the UK and New Zealand overseas
- Produce a travel and study illustrative diary, containing photographs, at the end of the exchange on learnings and experience for academic assessment along with a profile and photograph of yourself for marketing purposes
How do I apply?
To express your interest, please fill in and submit an Application Form. Applicants who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.
Deadline for applications
Applications should be submitted to development@rau.ac.uk by 5pm on Monday, 16 June 2025. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
How will I know if I have been successful?
All applicants will be informed in writing of the outcome, once a decision has been made and no later than the end of June 2025.
Contact us
For further information about the exchange programme, please email: Philip.hudson@rau.ac.uk.
View Terms & Conditions.