My RAU experience

I decided to come to RAU to enhance my knowledge in the agri-business space. The university's reputation in these fields aligned perfectly with my passion for creating solutions to the challenges we currently face to achieve the SDG goals.

My RAU experience

I joined the RAU because I was looking for a course that integrated business with agriculture. There have been many highlights studying at the RAU, however one that stands out was when during one of my modules we had guest lectures come and talk about their respective area of expertise. I’ve found that the small size of the university means that you are known personally by your lecturers and they are more willing to have one on one chats and respond to emails, and having those smaller lecture sessions results in more detailed learning.

Life is governed by strategy and at every point in time you need somebody who can help you to develop your strategy in your business, and I tell my students something - you are going to be paid for your brains, you're going to be paid for the decisions you take based on your understanding of strategy.

Enterprise is really important as a fundamental skill. Students get involved from day one at the RAU with the Enterprise Programme.

At the end of last year we conducted some focus groups and from that we have launched a new enterprise offering. This will be support in three different ways.

To start off with we have Ignite Inspire, this is for all students, we will be conducting workshops, we will have guest speakers along, and this is for everyone to just offer some inspiration for them.

The food and agriculture supply side is under considerable pressure and it requires innovation thinking, it requires leaders to be able to respond to those challenges to ensure we have sustainable supply systems, resilient food systems and be able to respond to the climate action needs.

Food and agriculture is right at the heart of those issues. The MBA programme is designed for those that have had a bit of experience and can build on that experience to develop their own leadership skills.

We have this new novel MBA in water management driven by industry and practitioners looking at a holistic view of integrated water management and the importance of water resources.

What's unique about this new MBA in Water Management, with a collaboration between WRC and the RAU, is our 100 years of expertise in water and waste management, and also the RAU's focus on the interface with how that impacts the environment.

My RAU experience

The course is a great springboard for anyone wanting to launch their career in business, especially agribusiness. It gives you a strong grounding in fundamental business practices whilst allowing you to further specialise in an area of interest. I completed my work placement within the public relations office at McLaren, which combined the theory I’d learnt with my passion for motor racing.

This course proved invaluable in preparing me for my future career progression. 

My RAU experience

The Foundation Degree Course of Business and Enterprise (FdSc) at the Royal Agricultural University has given me the core business discipline and entrepreneurial mindset to achieve my personal goals whether I aspire to set up my own business, lead an organisation to success, or excel as part of a strong team.

The two year foundation degree course provides a very practical learning approach, supporting students to develop skills which are easily transferable to every business.

Why did you choose to study this course?

I come from a farming background in a small town in South Wales and liked the idea of being at a small university where it would be easy to get to know faces.

What do you think is the best part about this course? 

The modules and lecturers that really make you think. They ask questions that make you evaluate things and look at things in a different light. It really pushes you to deepen and broaden your understanding.