Royal Agricultural College to apply for University title

‘University’ best describes what the institution does and aspires to do.

Royal Agricultural College students graduate

Following the announcement by David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, about the application by a number of specialist higher education institutions, including the Royal Agricultural College, for university status and title, the Principal, Professor Chris Gaskell CBE, said:

Royal Agricultural College students at work

“We welcome the announcement from the Minister that ten institutions have been granted the opportunity to apply for university status and title, and that the Government has taken this step to recognise quality over quantity in higher education.

“We are very pleased to confirm that the Royal Agricultural College will indeed be taking up this opportunity.”

“The Royal Agricultural College is a world-class higher education institution. The first agricultural college in the English-speaking world, and based in Cirencester for over 165 years, we have a strong reputation for the quality of our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, our research and our connections with the industries we serve.”

“Our decision to apply for the change in title reflects our view that ‘university’ best describes what the institution does and aspires to do; university title will benefit our students, their employers and the industries to which they contribute – and agriculture, food and land management are some of the most important industries in the world today.”