Royal Agricultural College

Royal Agricultural College

Age: 166

History: The first agricultural college in the English-speaking world. Gained the Royal Charter from Queen Victoria in 1845. Received state funding in 2001, putting it on an institutional par with other universities.

Address: On the outskirts of Cirencester, in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Ambience: Beautiful countryside, union bar and student sport. Buildings mirror the Oxford style, with quadrangle and tower.

Vital statistics: Takes 650 undergraduates and 250 postgraduates, from 40 countries.

Added value: The first agricultural college to award its own degrees. It has college farms which provide a first-class field laboratory for students. There is the opportunity to take part in countryside sports, such as clay pigeon shooting.

Easy to get into? 120 UCAS entry points for foundation degrees. 240 - 300 UCAS entry points for honours degrees, depending on the course. Relevant work experience or advanced GNVQ at merit level will also be considered. All applicants are interviewed.

Glittering alumni: Sir David Naish, recent president of the National Farmers Union; Jonathan Dimbleby, broadcaster; Simon Pott, once president of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors; Marcus Armitage, winner of the Grand National.

Transport links: Cirencester is a mile and a half from campus. Direct trains from London and Bristol, then a taxi to the college.

Who's the boss? Professor Chris Gaskell, former pro-vice-chancellor of the University of Liverpool, became principal in 2007.

Teaching: Scored 88 per cent for student satisfaction in the National Student Suvey.

Research: Recognised as a top research establishment, particularly in soil chemistry, plant nutrition, and crop development and protection.

Nightlife: A bar with a Friday night disco. Four balls a year. Student union events, Rag Week activities and countryside pursuits also take place. But it is at the heart of the Cotswolds, so don't expect too many wild nights clubbing.

Any accommodation? Yes, but at a price. A single room in catered hallls costs between £150 and £200 per week, and there are a limited of rooms in a self-catered hall for £115 per week. Utility bills are not included.

Cheap to live there? Pretty good - local rents are around £70 to £80 per week.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time home undergrads starting in 2011. The Royal plans on charging the maximum tuition fee of £9,000 per year as of 2012.

Bursaries: Up to £1,695 per year available to undergraduates whose family income is below £25,000 per year in 2011. An additional £500 may be awarded to students who fulfil further criteria. There are also a range of scholarships based on various factors.

Prospectus: 01285 889 912; www.rac.ac.uk

UCAS code: R54