Scotland’s Rural College | Campus, programs, and more

About Scotland’s Rural College

The Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) merged with Barony, Elmwood, and Oatridge Colleges to form Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) in 2012. We can trace their ancestors back over 100 years thanks to these institutions. SRUC has a strong and expanding international work history in research, teaching, and consulting. They have collaborations and activities in over 50 countries worldwide, including Europe, Brazil, and China. Scotland’s Rural College commits to an integrated approach across education, research, and consulting to ensure that research findings reach as many people as possible.

Why study at Scotland’s Rural College?

Here are a few reasons to pursue education at SRUC-

• The courses at SRUC look at the groundbreaking science that supports land-based and rural industries.
• SRUC’s consultancy business provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise to rural and agricultural businesses across the UK. Its research division provides cutting-edge insight and innovation to government, industry, and rural communities in Scotland, the UK, and internationally.
• Guest speakers, practical classes, and, depending on your course, laboratory work may include in addition to traditional lectures.
• You will also attend seminars and tutorials, give group presentations, work on projects, and complete written assignments. 
• The university doesn’t limit learning to classrooms. It will include study tours, field trips, and real-life case studies.

Quick facts

• It is Scotland’s national provider of land-based college and university-level education.
• They have a variety of teaching campuses throughout Scotland.
• The college provides excellence in research.
• They have industry connections.
• Oatridge is the home of the Scottish National Equestrian Centre.
• The college is Elmwood’s owner of an 18-hole golf course.
• Academic progression is the process of moving from one level of study to the next.
• Knowledge transfer brings real-world expertise into the classroom.
• They have collaborations with the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Scotland’s Rural College ranking

World University Rankings by Times Higher Education

2023	2022	2021
401	401	401

QS WUR Ranking by Subject

2022	2021	2020
101-150	101-150	51-100

Subject areas

The following are the subject areas at the college-

• Agriculture
• Animal Care
• Business
• Professional Cookery
• Animal Sciences
• Biological Sciences
• Conservation
• Engineering
• Environment
• Equine & Horse Care
• Forestry & Arboriculture
• Garden Design
• Golf
• Horticulture
• Landscaping
• Poultry
• Rural & Estate Skills
• Sustainability
• Agricultural and Renewable Technology
• Veterinary Nursing

Courses at the college

At SRUC, they provide academic courses for the entire journey, from entry-level to master’s degree completion. They will support your lifelong learning with a wide range of professional development courses to help you and your business thrive.

Some courses are as follows-

• Agricultural Technology
• Agriculture
• Animal Nursing
• Applied Animal Behavior and Animal Welfare
• Animal Welfare Science
• Bioscience
• Ecological Economics
• Ecological Surveying
• Environmental Protection and Management
• Environmental Management
• Food Production
• Food Safety
• Garden and Greenspace Design
• Garden Design

Postgraduate studies

There are numerous reasons to pursue postgraduate study, including the desire to continue working on a subject about which you have developed a strong interest. Or to advance your career opportunities.

SRUC provides one-of-a-kind postgraduate study opportunities. Their unrivaled industry connections, combined with their own highly regarded consultancy and research divisions, provide students with the knowledge, expertise, and facilities befitting a national institution.

SRUC is Scotland’s specialist higher education institution for courses in land-based industries and pursuits, applied food, plant and animal sciences, and sustainable land use.

Some of the courses are as follows

• Agricultural Professional Practice 
• Wildlife and Conservation Management 
• Zoonoses and Epidemiology of Animal Infectious Diseases 
• Organic Farming 
• Applied Poultry Science
• Ecological Economics
• Food Security

Campus

SRUC has six campuses spread across Scotland. Each has a unique environment and set of resources to offer, but they are all firmly rooted in the SRUC ethos of putting your experience as a student at the center of everything you do.

SRUC has access to a variety of student housing options, both on campus and in the surrounding area. This includes residence halls on the Elmwood, Oatridge, and Barony campuses.

• Kings Buildings, Edinburgh
• Riverside, Ayr
• Barony, Dumfries
• Craibstone Estate, Aberdeen
• Elmwood, Cupar in Fife
• Oatridge, West Lothian

International students

Scotland is a popular tourist destination with a population of over 5 million people. Scotland’s culture and traditions are wellknown around the world. Scotland’s food, music, costume, literature, poetry, and landscape all draw visitors, but the Scots’ friendliness and welcome to newcomers set them apart.

Scotland welcomes over 1.5 million visitors yearly, and over 25,000 international students choose Scotland for its high-quality education and exciting, diverse, and welcoming experiences. Castles, lochs, mountains, the highlands and islands, and beaches are an attrition. Wilderness areas, swirling kilts, skirling bagpipes, and, of course, whisky abound in Scotland! There are numerous reasons to study abroad, in Scotland, and at SRUC.

Research

SRUC’s research focuses on rural, environmental, and land-based activity, and it serves as the foundation for their education and consultancy. Their work focuses on animal health and productivity, animal welfare, and crop production, as well as promoting low-carbon farming and increasing farm output through efficiency and innovation.

• Animal and Veterinary Sciences 
• Crop and Soil Systems 
• Future Farming Systems 
• Rural Economy, Environment and Society 

Admission requirements

• SRUC evaluates overseas qualifications using UK ENIC (formerly UK NARIC).
• Applicants should, ideally, arrange for their letter of comparability via Ecctis’ Statement of Comparability service.
• They evaluate each application on an individual basis.
• To meet the English language entry requirements of SRUC’s courses, those who speak English as a second language should take an IELTS, TEOFL, or Cambridge examination before applying.

English language requirements

The Academic IELTS English exam is preferable by SRUC as proof of English language proficiency. The following is the required level of English language ability for each level of study

For postgraduate studies-

• IELTS 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (for courses they teach in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh)
• IELTS 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (for MSc Applied Applied Animal Behavior and Animal Welfare Welfare in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh)
• IELTS 6.5, with at least a 5.5 in each component (for Distance Learning courses)

For admission to undergraduate degree programs, IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.

IELTS 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.0 in each component is necessary for admission to HNC/HND courses. You will need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a UKVI-approved center if you need a student visa to study at Scotland’s Rural College.

Key takeaways

• SRUC courses examine the cutting-edge science that underpins land-based and rural industries.
• The Scottish Rural College of Agriculture (SRUC) is Scotland’s specialist higher education institution for courses in land-based industries and pursuits, applied food, plant and animal sciences, and sustainable land use.
• SRUC has access to a wide range of student housing options, both on and off campus. It includes residence halls on the Elmwood, Oatridge, and Barony campuses.
• Those who speak English as a second language should take an IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge examination before applying to meet the English language entry requirements of SRUC’s courses.

Did you find this blog helpful? Do share your views and perspectives in the comments below. Please contact us for more information on Scotland’s Rural College by clicking here. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

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FAQs

Q1. Is there specialist mental health support at the college?

Answer- Yes, you can make an appointment to see a counselor on campus. They can usually schedule appointments with their counselor within a couple of weeks. This support is confidential and the university provides it during your college day to help support your well-being. It does not require you to wait on a long waiting list or travel to appointments.

Q2. The course you are studying at the moment doesn’t feel right, can you change it?

Answer- If you believe you want to change your decision, speak with your Year Tutor and Student Support staff. They can help you understand why you’re feeling this way and discuss other options.

Q3. What are the fees at SRUC?

Answer- Fees for campus-based courses for home students are £1285 for HNC/HND courses and £1,820 for degree courses. Fees for students from the rest of the United Kingdom vary depending on the program and level. International students, including EU students, must pay £15,000 in tuition.