Education Partners

As part of our ambition to develop a Centre of Excellence, we work in partnership with other educational bodies to broaden the scope of our courses, share knowledge and provide courses of the highest calibre.

Our education partners - The Robert Gordon University, Banff & Buchan College and the Scottish Agriculture College contribute significantly to the work of the Centre and our collaborative effort allows students to benefit from practical field course experience and access to the very best lecturers.

Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) was established in 1990.

SAC provides a range of both Undergraduate and Post Graduate courses, advice & Consultancy Services, which serve the training needs of land-based industries and the rural economy.

SAC has teaching campuses in Aberdeen, Ayr, and Edinburgh, as well as 23 advisory offices, 8 veterinary centres, and 5 research farms.

Much of SAC’s work is carried out in partnership with government departments, Local Authorities, and other academic organisations. Courses are often vocational in nature and are often designed in consultation with industry in order to ensure good employment prospects for graduates.

Banff & Buchan College (BBC)

In 1592 the Head of Clan Fraser received permission under Royal Charter to build an educational college, and the town’s tradition of supporting local industries continues to this day.

Banff & Buchan College is a Further Education College which offers a range of courses including specialised courses that have been developed to cater for the training needs of the Fishing and Offshore Industries, including the Construction, Hydraulics, and Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Sectors.

BBC’s trainers deliver offsite programmes using specialised tools & equipment, including work programmes that are delivered within the policies of the Fyvie Estate in partnership with STSTC.

The Robert Gordon University (RGU)

The origins of the Robert Gordon University date back to 1750 when Robert Gordon willed his entire estate to build an educational establishment. At the same time, John Gray established Grays School of Art & Science. In time, the two colleges merged to form the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology (RGIT). In 1992 university status was awarded.

There are 13,000 students at RGU studying a wide range of courses – 145 courses in all, at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. RGU also provides a range of distance learning facilities over the internet via its virtual campus.

Professor Michael Pittilo, Principal & Vice Chancellor of RGU, and a director of STSTC until February 2010, took great pride in working to build links with potential employers in the Health, Business, and Industry Sectors, to ensure that RGU students enter the job market with the skills that employers are looking for. According to the Times University Guide 2009, RGU was named as the top university in the UK for graduate employment.