When did you join the RAU and what brought you here?

My first experience of the RAU was when I became a PhD student in 1993. After completing my PhD I did a range of jobs but got a call in 2002 asking if I could cover for a member of staff who was off sick. This then lead into some more regular lecturing and I was a peripatetic lecturer until 2008 when I became a part time member of staff. In 2012 I became full time and gave up my other jobs.

When did you join the RAU and what brought you here?

I joined the RAU in June 2016. My brother came here as a student some years ago and I wanted to join a University that had strong roots in agriculture, farming and food production.

How did you get into Agricultural and Food Policy?

I was born and bought up on a farm and my under graduate degree is in politics and geography so it made sense to combine those two interests which is why I joined the NFU and spent 25 years in various lobbying and representative roles.

When did you join the RAU and what brought you here?

I first came here in 1992 to do a PhD in Rhizobium (nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with legumes - peas, beans, clover). I also worked on a project looking at the genetics of native UK equine breeds before leaving to work on prawn genetics in the USA and Thoroughbred genetics in Ireland.  I was also a visiting lecturer in around 2002 & 2003 running the UG & PG Equine genetics and breeding modules at that time.  I started full time at RAU in October 2014 – on the same day that the students arrived!

When did you join the RAU and what brought you here?

I joined the RAU in Oct 2010. My first deep impression of the RAU stemmed from its long history. Secondly, its small but beautiful campus, friendly people I met, etc, made me feel comfortable to work in. 

Travelling during your studies

If you are a current RAU student on a Tier 4/Student Visa and you want to visit other European countries you will need to get a Schengen Visa. This is a visa scheme within the European Economic Area and Switzerland to travel between all of these countries with one visa.

Usually you will need a short stay or travel visa that will allow a visit of up to three months in any six-month period.

International students who want to study on an RAU Undergraduate or Postgraduate, Taught, full-time programme or do their PhD studies here will need to obtain a Student visa before the start of their studies.

New student route

On 5 October 2020 at 09:00 the Tier 4 route closed and has been replaced by the Student route. If you have already applied under the Tier 4 route you do not need to take any action. The two routes are very similar and are updating our website to reflect these changes

The Graduate Route launched in July 2021

The Graduate Route is a post-study work visa available to international students who have successfully completed an eligible degree at undergraduate level or above at RAU and who have a valid Tier 4 or Student Visa at the time of application. The Graduate Route also replaces the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) visa.

The Graduate Route is an unsponsored, post-study work visa. Graduates in this visa will be able to work in the UK for the duration of the visa. The type of work included

Since 1 December 2020 there have been changes in the UK Immigration rules.

Please click the link to see if you need a visa to come to the UK.

In order to enter the UK you must hold a valid visa.  

The Standard Visitor Visa can be used for the following reasons: