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The overall ranking is decided by students from this institution rating them in a 2026 Whatuni review. This forms the basis of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs for short).
4.04.32.8209 Student reviews
Sort:Latest reviewsLondon prices but in the Cotswolds
The best part is it's such a small campus and student body you don't feel lost or unengaeged and the lectures are able to know you. There's not much to do on campus and we're some what isolated from town, reinstating a shuttle bus could be great.
The RAU is a great place to study at. The campus is situated in a lovely part of the Cotswolds with Cirencester within walking distance. The facilities are good, and are being upgraded currently. The staff are all very helpful including generally with the Academic Support Tutors and subject specifically with the lecturers who are always willing to answer any questions you have. In terms of improvements, the RAU could improve car parking as whenever there is an event on parking is difficult.
The university is in such a beautiful area in the Cotswolds. The university itself is breathtaking and definitely ideal for someone who wants to get away from the city. The student union is very inclusive and active, my old university that i transferred from there was no student union that was introduced to me. The facilities and lab is great and for being able to stable my horse here has allowed me to bring a piece of home with me. The university could be improved by improving the housing situation on campus. The rooms are usually in a poor condition (moved in with mold, flaking wall paper and carpet stains), there’s also been serveral issues with heating. I know these things are expected when living at university, but it is one of the highest rent costs out of all my friends universities and they often ignore emails so i feel like my voice isn’t being heard.
Very rural and tranquil compared to urban universities, this means however that night life is more restricted.
The social life is great but some of the lecturers could do with going into more detail about the subject they are teaching to ensure the topic is properly understood.
It is a small university which makes it more intimate and the lectures are more inclined to be more helpful. I enjoy the location that its not right in the centre of town and it is more out giving it a bit of a country feel. there is a sense of purpose being here.
This place is different from other universities, the social part is pretty cool if you embrace it. The study work is quite interesting and the different ways of learning is important. The only issue is how far it is from larger towns, Cirencester is a bit of a walk in the rain. And taking buses to places you have to walk a wee bit to get to the stops.
Lovely rural location. Small uni means you get to know lots of people
The RAU is quite a small uni which is really helpful for reaching out to your lecturers for help, if you're looking to study agriculture or land management this is the place to go due to the amount of connections the RAU has.
Could do with a pool for wellbeing
RAU has some of the most beautiful architecture and as a smaller university it can be much more helpful in filling needs of the students. I believe a more in depth relationship between students and professors as lectures can be difficult to stay connected when just copying from a powerpoint. yet this does differ for teachers.
The university is small which means you will come across the same people a lot. The positive of this is that you'll get to know the people and it becomes more of a community
It’s nice that it’s small. You don’t feel so lost in the number of people. However it would be nice if the uni had more extra curricular activities
Good courses that are very relevant to agricultural careers. A really nice campus with good student life. It’s a bit far from town, but overall I don’t mind as the walk is fine.
Good atmosphere due to being small. Cirencester good for pub crawl. Boring with all the free time
Night outs can be expensive Everyone is usually very welcoming
Best part is location worst part is that the lectures aren’t able to organise things properly
The best aspects about this uni is how connected everyone and everything is. I feel constantly in touch with my friends and lecturers (who are quite possibly some of the nicest people I’ve had the privilege of meeting). I never feel out of my depth and I’m ALWAYS offered support and help even if I haven’t directly asked for it. The teaching style and method is also incredibly engaging with very little for me to grope about. It is practical and, most importantly, relatable. Although I’m learning the theory of business, my lecturers make sure to apply the theory to everyday events/businesses to really help us understand. I’d say the worst aspect would be how small the university is and how far away everything seems to be. It can sometimes feel very isolating and lonely. However, this is a double edged sword as the size of the uni is also a benefit (as stated above, It makes you feel very connected)
4.2
The best thing about the rau is the accomodation. All the rooms are large and comfortable, clean and in great condition. The only bad experience I have had at the rau is some lectures not being as in depth as I expected as most of the work is done in our own time as pre lecture material, instead of learning in lectures.
I prefer some course content more than others, for example applied plant science is more interesting to me than business and finance, which I sometimes feel like the lecturer struggles to relate back to my course
Improving the WiFi should be a top priority as it is shocking, especially when trying to do work.