We look forward to welcoming you to the Royal Agricultural University where a new and exciting chapter of your life is about to begin.
We understand that you may have many questions about arriving here and these pages should hopefully go some way to providing answers. Please spend time in particular reading the Registration Information – completing your online self-registration before you arrive is vital to ensure there are no delays to receiving your student ID, moving into accommodation and starting your studies. Your first few days with us should be all about enjoying settling in here, not queuing and waiting to join in.
Registration information
Soon after 14 August 2025 you will receive an email from the RAU’s Registry Team, with your log-in credentials and additional details of how to complete your self-registration.
Before arriving, please log into the Student Portal and complete all the steps to self-register, especially:
- Check and update all your details to enrol
- Upload a valid form of photographic ID
- Upload a passport style photo for your student ID card
- Pay / confirm funding for your tuition and accommodation
Checking your ID and preparing your student ID card are manual processes. Please keep in mind at this time of year it can take a few days to go through any last-minute submissions, so upload your details as soon as possible.
Timetables
Once you've completed your self-registration your personal timetable will be available. This will show details of your lectures, seminars and other teaching events – when and where they take place, and who is leading them. You can find a link to your personal timetable on the Gateway home page.
If you're having issues with your timetable, please read the timetable FAQs by clicking the link.
Laboratory sessions
All students participating in laboratory activities will require their own full length “Howie” Type lab coat. These can be purchased through the following websites:
The quality of the coat needs to be of sufficient standard to protect from chemical spillage. No student will be admitted into the laboratory activities without a lab coat for Health and Safety reasons.
International students
Each year we offer an optional International Students' Welcome day to welcome new EU and international students. The welcome day takes place before the start of the new academic year in September and helps international students prepare for their time with us.
Health Centre
The medical service for RAU students is provided by the Phoenix Surgery who can be found at 9 Chesterton Lane, Cirencester GL7 1XG. Students are advised to register with Phoenix Surgery unless they are already registered with another local doctor. As students, you will be able to see your ‘home’ doctor as a ‘temporary resident’ during the holidays but should remain permanently registered with Phoenix Surgery during your time at RAU. This is important because your record will then be available should you require medical attention. All international students are eligible for NHS treatment provided they are studying in the UK for six months or more. Following registration, you will receive a letter confirming that you are a patient at the Phoenix Surgery.
To register please use the following link. New patient registration (RAU student) – Phoenix Health Group.
