SRUC strategy 2026-2031
For a Sustainable Future
Our vision:
To be a global tertiary powerhouse, a place-based university college working collaboratively to build a sustainable future for the natural economy.
Our mission:
We will define what tertiary education means in the 21st century. We will create a high-performing innovation and skills ecosystem that powers a natural capital-based economy. We will help to address major global challenges of climate change; food, water, and energy security; and biodiversity loss. We will drive imaginative new ways of working between business, government, communities, and academia.
Our purpose:
To deliver sustained impact and innovation in the natural economy and create a sustainable future for our staff and students, communities, business, and the environment, in Scotland and globally.
In summary:
Embracing the future with innovation and excellence
After gaining taught degree-awarding powers, we are visioning what a future university college will look like. We know that with change will come challenges and opportunities. Our opportunity is to build a global tertiary powerhouse that works with our natural capital to create a sustainable future for people, communities, businesses, and the environment in Scotland and globally.
With the support of our community, the guidance of our colleagues, deep connections with business all over Scotland and the dedication of our students, the future of SRUC is bright, filled with the promise of innovation and the potential for transformative impact on our world.
A future-focused strategy building on our success
We are in a powerful position at an opportune time, and the potential for growth should not be underestimated as we aim to establish a truly global tertiary powerhouse for the natural economy.
We will retain our place-based mission, focused on natural capital to support a green recovery in the more rural parts of Scotland, while simultaneously driving imaginative ways of working between business, government, communities and academia.
The power of institutional innovation to drive success
Our overarching goal at all times will be to reinforce and maximise the full potential of our strategic distinctiveness. We will create and capture economies of scale where they add value to our mission. We will create a more radical business model that catalyses system change and enables us to build a compelling narrative nationally and globally, making sure we are seen as a proactive and visible leader in the natural economy.
Education and student experience
We will become a global tertiary university college focused on supporting a vibrant natural economy that attracts ambitious UK and international students to excel academically through flexible, blended learning at a top 200 World University.
We will deliver an integrated model to improve efficiency and productivity across SRUC, recognising the importance of practitioners and consultants working alongside academic colleagues.
A new model for success
To reinforce and maximise the full potential of our strategic distinctiveness, our three geographically-based faculties have been replaced by two discipline-based, pan-SRUC schools:
School of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences
The opening of our new School of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Scotland's first new vet school in 150 years, signifies our commitment to the next generation -those who will lead and power our natural economy in the years to come. It is using a range of innovative teaching methods to help us prepare students for work in the increasingly important rural mixed practice, agricultural and food sectors.
School of Natural and Social Sciences
Launched at the Royal Highland Show in 2025, the School of Natural and Social Sciences has a broad remit that covers the applied natural and social sciences with the purpose of enhancing productivity, food security, environmental management, mitigation and adaptation with the local and international community. It couples natural and social sciences to address development goals both locally and globally.
Research and impact
We will target status as the UK's premier institution for research impact power in agriculture, food and veterinary science, using national and international collaborations across the natural economy to grow our research power, reach and impact with the UK and globally.
We will seek to bring together academic, industry, and policy experts to address key global and local challenges in collaborative research work. By facilitating joint working across our organisation, we will aim to shape the next generation of interdisciplinary research leaders and practitioners.
Enterprise and innovation
We will embrace innovation and drive entrepreneurial growth in the natural economy to create new opportunities for rural communities, while helping to shape global best practice in sustainable industries to create new avenues for attracting additional investment.
We will foster a culture where sustainability and entrepreneurship are integrated into every aspect of learning, research, and enterprise, with targeted programmes that develop practical skills and innovative mindsets.
Commercial activity
We will guide a thriving and sustainable natural economy to meet the global challenges of climate change, food security and biodiversity loss through our diverse portfolio of experts, assets, products, and services.
We continuously seek to understand and offer solutions, knowledge and parnerships to meet the evolving needs of the agricultural, food and land-based industries. We offer globally-recognised expertise, data-driven solutions and global partnerships which create tangible value for customers, stakeholders and the wider industry.
This continued focus on sustainable and commercial leadership will further support SRUC to deliver an environmental place-based natural economy.
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Strategic aims
#1
Reinforcing and maximising our distinctiveness
#2
Drive multiple and diverse revenue streams
#3
Enabling staff and students to flourish
#4
Grow and amplify our reputation and brand
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Enterprise Academy for the Rural & Natural Economy
Our Enterprise Academy was established to champion sustainable thinking and entrepreneurial action across education, business and research at SRUC and in our wider communities.
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Major projects
Our major projects help to develop the physical and technological infrastructure required to undertake cutting-edge research and provide a world class teaching environment in our sector.
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Study with us
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Business Services
Our business services work across food supply chains and the natural economy to help clients rise to the challenge of climate change and scientific and technological transformation.
Business Services
Research
Working with industry and policy makers, our staff and students design, develop and deliver real-world change to benefit the global natural economy.
Research