Read about the experiences of some of our students who joined through Clearing.
Masie Rorison – BSc Agriculture
Due to the uncertainty of how the pandemic would affect my studies (foolishly thinking COVID would only be around for a year!), I decided to take a year out after completing sixth form.
I was set to study Security Studies at Canterbury Christchurch and, during my year out I did an online Bachelor's degree in Counterterrorism and Transnational Crime with an Australian university which I found fascinating.
However, the realisation that the rest of my adult life would potentially be spent sitting in an office in the middle of London, living the city-life, panicked me as I am an outdoorsy person through and through.
Despite not coming from a farming background, I have always picked up as much work experience on farms, and riding and racing yards, as I could, trying to spend as little time inside as possible.
After meeting some RAU graduates whilst working in racing, I realised that perhaps an agricultural university might be more suited to me. So, on the off chance that the RAU had space for me, I applied through clearing, just 10 days before I was due to move down to Canterbury.
I called the RAU Admissions team to see if there was room for me on the Agricultural Business course. Sadly there wasn’t but there was space on the Agriculture course which I was told was very similar.
After confirming that it was possible for me to enrol, I had to bite the bullet and inform Canterbury Christchurch that I would not be joining them.
Although I had never seen the University, having only heard about it through my friends plus a bit of Googling, it was a big risk to take yet I knew deep down it was the right one.
I'm really enjoying my course. Although I would like there to be more practical sessions, there is still plenty of time for me to gain experience in my own time as well as through my 15 week placement module.
Most of the lecturers come from strong farming backgrounds, either having their own farms or having previously worked in the industry, so their knowledge is of a really high standard.
RAU life is great. The Uni is set within the most beautiful part of the UK. In terms of social life, we have some great local pubs, there are loads of shops in town including many charity shops to find something wacky for a REVA themed night or sports socials!
There are new societies coming out all the time - ranging from your typical sports teams through to ‘cheese and wine’ clubs and mountaineering. There is something for everyone. We all share the same core interests so it's easy to strike up a conversation with fellow students.
For me, I have found it super easy to pick up yard work - there are loads of equine teams looking for extra pairs of hands and they understand the need for us to be flexible to work around lectures. Local dairies are also always looking for relief milkers so that you can top up your ‘beer money’!
Sometimes taking that leap is the right thing to do. Clearing is a really stressful situation but try not to panic. The University understands how worried you are and they really are doing their best to keep you informed on your academic and accommodation applications. They will get back to you as quickly as they can so try to be patient.
Henry Bull - BSc Rural Land Management
Before the pandemic I had offers from Exeter and Edinburgh to study International Relations with geography, however, due to the pandemic I never sat my A-Level exams.
On the morning of results day, I can vividly remember getting the rejection emails from both Exeter and Edinburgh and seeing the highly unfavourable grades given by my teachers.
Having spent two years working towards this point with ambitious expectations, everything was suddenly thrown into turmoil, and I was isolated trying to figure out what to do.
Fortunately for me I picked up the phone to the RAU. All it took was a phone call to the clearing phone line and I had a place at university to study BSc Rural Land Management. The panic was over.
On a rainy day a few days later, I found myself in Cirencester for the first time with my dad. We toured the campus and I remember standing on Bled lawn staring at the misty fields, I felt as if I was back at home in Suffolk.
In the couple of weeks before fresher’s week was to start, I decided I needed some time out of education and again I phoned the RAU. I was amazed by how the RAU accommodated me, giving me a guaranteed place to start a year later in September 2021.
Coming to the RAU has certainly been a different experience to the universities I had planned to, but to anyone considering going through clearing to find a course I would definitely say go for it. You don’t have anything to lose, and you might end up giving yourself an amazing experience.
It might not be what you have or had planned but don’t be scared to take the leap into the unknown. There are many different paths you can walk to get where you want to go, all you have to do is keep moving forward.
George Murphy - FdSc Agriculture and Farm Management
I was originally offered a deferred place to study the Foundation Agriculture and Farm Management course at the RAU as I had thought I wanted to take a gap year but I hadn’t really made any plans for the year, or got any real idea of what I was going to do.
At the start of what should have been my gap year, I was quite bored and I came along to see some friends who had joined the RAU. We went to a few student events and I just decided that I wanted to come to the RAU that year instead.
As I was wanting to change my deferred place, I had to apply again, for that year, through Clearing but I was offered a place on the course I wanted and, luckily, there was still some accommodation available.
As a result, I arrived three weeks after everyone else but that wasn’t a problem at all. I’m now in my second year and it’s been so much fun. I was RAG Chair last year and this coming year I have been elected to be RAG secretary. It’s great to get involved.
My message to anyone thinking of applying to the RAU through Clearing – or anyone who has changed their mind like I did – is just do it!
Even if you haven’t got the grades, just call the RAU and ask if they are able to offer you a place – you might get it, you might not, but you’ve got nothing to lose by trying. You miss every shot you don’t take and you must take every opportunity.
I’m so glad I joined when I did. My year is great – I’ve made loads of really good mates and we have had a lot of parties! Oh, and obviously I’ve done a lot of studying too! I know where the library is! I’ll see how I go but I’m thinking I might apply to do the top up and stay for another year!