Royal Agricultural University

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The RAU has achieved IS014001 - the international standard for environmental management - a regularly audited structured system to protect the environment. As part of this, we have created an Environmental Action Plan outlining ambitious targets and a program for achieving these. We also have an Environmental & Sustainability Policy, which is signed off by the Vice-Chancellor. The Sustainability team are provided with resources and a stable budget to undertake this work.
The Royal Agricultural College (RAC), now the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), is the oldest agricultural college in the English-speaking world and has been at the forefront of agricultural education since 1845.
"To be a center of excellence for developing the leaders of tomorrow in sustainable development relating to the rural economy, built environment and food chain, and to provide leadership regionally, nationally and internationally through its education, research, and knowledge exchange activities."
The Royal Agricultural University is a limited company and a registered charity. The directors and trustees are all non-executive.
There are between 12 and 18 independent governors appointed to serve for up to three terms of three years on the Governing Council. The Governing Council can also appoint up to five co-opted governors who provide unique skills to the Council or work on particular projects. Three elected staff representatives and two Student Union Officers also sit on Governing Council but are not directors or trustees.
Beneath the Governing Council are a range of sub-committees that either report to it directly or through the Senior Management Group. Governors chair these sub-committees.
Enterprise With a strong entrepreneurial focus, we are committed to enhancing our students' real-life business experiences.
From student societies to organized workshops and awards, the RAU provides students with the opportunity to develop their business ideas and receive tailored support. Budding entrepreneurs can benefit from their lecturers' bountiful knowledge and experience, and the robust industry links the University has carefully cultivated over the years.
Your Carbon Management Plan commits the RAU to a 34% decrease in CO2 by 2020, signed off by the Governing Council. To achieve this, we have invested in a range of renewables on campus, including a 500kW biomass boiler powering all lecture blocks and our new accommodation blocks. This is fuelled by locally sourced woodchips and has reduced the University's carbon footprint by over 100t/CO2 per year. We were fortunate to benefit from a grant to support this from the South West Regional Development Agency, delivered by Regen SW. We also have several solar photovoltaic arrays, rainwater harvesting systems, and air source heat pumps. Our building developments incorporate energy efficiency measures, such as LED lighting and natural ventilation. Residential carbon emissions made up 26% of our total emissions in 2015/16.
Sustainability and environmental matters are a core element of our teaching, research, and consultancy activities. Much of our expertise and teaching relates to the management of natural resources and property, and, as such, sustainability underpins much of what we do. You will learn about different principles of sustainability relevant to your course and develop holistic skills such as long-term planning, critical reflection, and lateral thinking. Please take a look at our Student Sustainability Opportunities page for more information.
RAU sustainability is incorporated throughout the University community, including sustainability inductions for new staff, engagement with trade union representatives, and staff and student champion schemes. If you want to find out more about this, look at our Student Sustainability Opportunities page or contact the sustainability team.
The Royal Agricultural University is situated on the outskirts of the market town of Cirencester. During the summer months, accommodation is available on a bed and breakfast or dinner, bed, and breakfast. All year-round, the University is available for weddings, functions, parties, and day meetings. Several ground-floor rooms are located close to the dining areas, and accessible meeting, function rooms, and lecture theatres available for hire.
The Royal Agricultural University is committed to being a community in which equality of opportunity is a reality for all applicants, students, staff, prospective staff, and the governing body. It aims to develop an inclusive culture, free from discrimination, harassment, and victimization. To help students and staff understand how the University spends its money, the RAU developed a "clear, simple way of presenting information" about its income and expenditure.

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