Undergraduate student applications to the Royal Agricultural College (RAC) have seen an encouraging increase, bucking the national trend.  By the UCAS deadline of the 15^th January, the overall figure for national applications for 2012 entry was down by 7.4% compared to 2011, while undergraduate applications at the RAC had increased by 8.3% for the same time period.  

The College, which was established in 1845, remains a popular choice amongst students, especially those wanting to study agriculture, food supply chain studies, business, and land and property management. 

Professor Chris Gaskell, RAC Principal, commented: “These application rates are very encouraging, both for us as a College and also for the industries such as agriculture and food that we serve. The career opportunities, as shown in the employment rates of RAC graduates, are really very good, and in jobs that are both rewarding and relevant.  All in all, a really good time to be coming to the College.”

In response to the increased fees in 2012, the RAC offers a range of funding opportunities to students, including Means-Tested Support. The College has also recently launched an Academic Excellence Scholarship worth £2,000, for which all new RAC undergraduate students who achieve at least AAB grades at A-Level or equivalent may be eligible.  For a full list of funding available and eligibility criteria, see our Funding Opportunities.

Most of the RAC’s three-year degree courses enable students to undertake a work placement, allowing them to gain valuable experience and contacts alongside their studies.  Students graduating from the College are equipped with the skills needed in today’s employment market; the RAC is ranked 8^th in the UK for graduate employment with 96.6 per cent of 2010 graduates in employment or further study within six months of graduation (HESA). 

The College offers a number of open days throughout the year. For the opportunity to come and visit the RAC, talk to lecturers, meet current students, and visit the beautiful historic campus and brand new halls of residence, register on one of our 2012 open days.