A land-based college which specialises in offering agriculture courses to its students has officially been granted university status.
Hartpury University has been granted university status by the government in a landmark year for the institution, it was announced today (17 September).
Hartpury – formerly University Centre Hartpury – will operate alongside Hartpury College on its 360-hectare campus just outside Gloucester and Cheltenham.
It follows the Privy Council’s decision to approve Hartpury’s application for university title after a rigorous assessment process.
In a statement, the university said it will continue to be a specialist institution for the needs of the land-based and agricultural sectors.
Hartpury University Vice-Chancellor, Russell Marchant said: “Achieving university status has been a strategic ambition for us, for the last six years. It has been an incredible journey and we’re excited to have finally reached our destination, especially as this year Hartpury College celebrates its 70th anniversary.
“University title recognises the quality of the teaching at Hartpury, which is also evidenced by our recent TEF Gold, and the wide range of research projects in our specialist areas of Agriculture, Animal, and Equine and Sport.
“Importantly, it also highlights the significant impact we can have on our industries by training the next generation of people who will work in agriculture, sport, equine and animal in the UK and across the globe.
Mr Marchant added: “University title allows our graduates to go out into the world of work with a badge that enables employers to recognise the quality of the academic provision is as it should be against other universities.”
Hartpury University is home to more than 1,650 students completing degrees as well as higher education diplomas and postgraduate research in Equine, Animal, Agriculture and Veterinary Nursing.
