The Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) exists to support the development of land-based industries and communities through Higher Education and training, specialist research and development and advisory and consultancy services.

SAC's mission is to "enhance the rural economy and environment". It has three main teaching campuses in Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...

, Ayr

Ayr

Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...

, and Aberdeen

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....

, as well as a network of 23 advisory offices, eight veterinary centres and five research farms. Much of SAC's work is in partnership with government departments, local authorities and other academic and research organisations.

SAC is split into three main working divisions: Education & Training, Research & Development and Consultancy and Advisory Services.

Education

SAC is an internationally renowned Higher Education institution offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes from three campuses, as well as training and on-line study opportunities. Programmes are offered on a full-time or part-time basis and cover a wide range of topics including the environment, business, leisure, agriculture, horticulture and science. SAC's courses are vocational in nature and are often designed in consultation with industry, to ensure good employment prospects for its students. SAC offers NC, HNC

Higher National Certificate

A Higher National Certificate is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom.In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the HNC is a BTEC qualification awarded by Edexcel, and in Scotland, an HNC is a Higher National awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority...

, HND

Higher National Diploma

A Higher National Diploma is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. This qualification can be used to gain entry into universities, and is considered equivalent to the first or second year of a university degree course....

, and postgraduate courses, as well as degree (BSc

BSC

BSC is a three-letter abbreviation that may refer to:Science and technology* Bachelor of Science , an undergraduate degree* Base Station Controller, part of a mobile phone network; see: Base Station subsystem...

, BA) courses. Its degrees are awarded by the University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...

 or the University of Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...

.

The college's educational programmes are offered at three main campuses. The Aberdeen campus is on the Craibstone Estate, about 5 miles (8 km) from the city centre. In Edinburgh, SAC is located within the King's Buildings

King's Buildings

The King's Buildings are a campus of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and contains most of the schools within the College of Science and Engineering, excepting only part of the School of Informatics and the Institute of Geography, which are located at the central George Square campus...

, a University of Edinburgh campus on the south side of the city. The Ayr campus is currently located at Auchincruive

Auchincruive

Auchincruive is a former country house and estate in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located east of Ayr, on the north bank of the River Ayr. Auchincruive House was built in the 18th century on the site of an earlier mansion. In 1927 the estate became the West of Scotland College of Agriculture,...

, to the east of the town. In September 2011 the Ayr campus will be relocated to a new campus near the centre of Ayr, which will be shared with the University of the West of Scotland.

Research

SAC’s R&D programme aims to develop and provide knowledge that will have practical impact and help address the needs of the land-based industries. This includes the forging of appropriate partnerships and collaborations with other bodies. SAC's programme has four research areas: Land Economy and the Environment, Crops and Soils, Sustainable Livestock Systems, and Animal Health.

Consultancy

SAC provides a range of consultancy services to more than 12,000 customers in Scotland, United Kingdom and worldwide. More than 360 consultants, veterinarian

Veterinarian

A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....

s, technicians and support staff deliver services to farmer, rural business, food processing and supplier markets.

External links

• Scottish Agricultural College