The Royal Agricultural University's growing reputation for entrepreneurial success has been recognised with a nomination in the Times Higher Education Awards.

The Cirencester university is one of six finalists in the outstanding entrepreneurial university category of the leading higher education awards.

Head of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship Dr David Bozward said: "We are delighted to have been shortlisted for in these prestigious awards.

"As a university we have developed close links between our degree curriculum and the student enterprise activities which means students develop a more in-depth understanding of entrepreneurship.

"A good example is our BSc (Hons) rural entrepreneurship and enterprise degree which supports student who have a business idea as well as those who want to take over an existing business."

The university's enterprise programme provides a supportive environment for students to develop enterprise skills and business ideas via its Think, Try, Launch, Grow framework of support.

The programme has been supporting students for more than 13 years to get involved with enterprise and explore their business ideas.

In addition, the university provides access to two live student-led social enterprises Cotswold Hills wine and Muddy Wellies beer.

In 2019 the RAU was recognised as a centre of excellence by the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs and named enterprising learning provider of the year at the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative and IOEE awards.

The winners of this year's THE Awards will be announced in a virtual ceremony on November 26.