With A Level results day just around the corner, the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) is advising students not to panic.

Students who don't get the grades they were hoping for in their A Levels or Scottish Highers should take time to think and chat through all their options.

The Cirencester-based university is offering places through Clearing on all of its undergraduate courses and foundation degrees starting this September, across subject areas ranging from agriculture and rural land management to real estate, business and wildlife conservation and equine science.

Liam Dowson, head of student recruitment at the RAU, said: "We understand that this can be a nerve-racking time for those students who may not get the grades they were hoping for, but we want to reassure them all that everyone who applies to study with the RAU will be carefully considered on an individual basis.

"And remember that Clearing is also open to new applicants - those who have perhaps done better than expected and, although they hadn't previously applied, they now have the opportunity to go to university.

"As well as our standard undergraduate programmes, we also offer two-year foundation degree courses, which are designed to be practical with an emphasis on hands-on experience. Afterwards. you can either choose to continue onto a one-year top-up course to gain a full bachelor's degree, or go straight out to work.

"Whatever the circumstances, our message is don't panic, take your time and think through all your options. We are here to help and there is lots of support on offer."

The RAU is holding a special Clearing open day on Saturday August 19, giving any prospective students and their families the opportunity to have a look around and find out more about life and study at the specialist university.

Liam Dowson continued: "You can find us on social media or call us on 01285 889912 any time between now and September. However you do it, please do get in touch and our friendly and professional team will be happy to help and chat through your options with you."

Professor Peter McCaffery, RAU vice-chancellor, said: "The Royal Agricultural University may be more than 175 years old, but we are more societally relevant today than ever, as we equip a new generation of students to meet the most pressing challenges that face us in the world today - climate change, food security, sustainable land use, biodiversity loss, heritage management and more. Come and see for yourself!"

Student Maisie Rorison, who is studying for a BSc in agriculture, joined the RAU through Clearing in September 2021.

She said: "I was set to study security studies at Canterbury Christchurch, 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.

"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.

"Although I had never seen the university, having only heard about it through my friends plus a bit of Googling, I knew deep down it was the right one. Sometimes taking that leap is the right thing to do."

For more information about Clearing and the courses available at the RAU, go to the RAU website, email admissions@rau.ac.uk or call the RAU's Clearing hotline on 01285 889912.