SRUC
SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) is a specialist land-based higher education and applied research institution serving students, farmers, and rural businesses across Scotland and the UK through tuition, consulting (SAC Consulting), veterinary diagnostics, and proprietary platforms including Farm-twin, Agrecalc, and the EGENES genetic evaluation system.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersEdinburgh, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What SRUC does
SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) is a specialist land-based higher and further education institution headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, operating as a company limited by guarantee and registered Scottish charity with 501-1000 employees across five campuses (Edinburgh, Dumfries, Aberdeen, Cupar/Elmwood, and Broxburn/Oatridge). The institution delivers education from foundation through PhD across more than 20 land-based disciplines, including agriculture, animal sciences, veterinary medicine, horticulture, food, environment, and sustainability, with degree programs awarded jointly with the University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow. SRUC runs an applied research and consulting portfolio anchored by SAC Consulting (agricultural and rural business advisory), Veterinary and Laboratory Services processing over one million samples annually, and a set of proprietary technology platforms including Farm-twin (the world's first open-source digital twin for dairy farming), Agrecalc (carbon calculator), EGENES (the only UK genetic evaluation centre with ICAR Quality Seal, managing over 50 million records), GreenShed (circular methane-capture farming), Pneumonitor (calf-health sensor), HerdPlan (herd health planning web application), and SeedPod (Scottish food and drink development hub). The institution is funded through a combination of Scottish Government grants, UKRI/Defra/EU research funding, tuition fees differentiated by student residency (£1,285-£20,000 per year), commercial consulting fees, and statutory roles such as the Scottish Farm Business Survey and EPIC disease outbreak centre. SRUC has been awarded three Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education, a Queen's Anniversary Prize, and FAO recognition for sustainable livestock innovation, and is ranked in the top 100 universities globally for Zero Hunger research. The MI:RNA Diagnostics AI-veterinary spin-out (founded 2019, $4 million Series A) demonstrates an emerging commercialization pathway for proprietary IP.
SRUC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SRUC
- Legal name
- Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)
- Website
- https://sruc.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) is a specialist land-based higher education and applied research institution serving students, farmers, and rural businesses across Scotland and the UK through tuition, consulting (SAC Consulting), veterinary diagnostics, and proprietary platforms including Farm-twin, Agrecalc, and the EGENES genetic evaluation system.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SRUC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education and Agricultural Research
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Educational Support Services (611710), Junior Colleges (61121)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Land-Grant–Like/Extension-Oriented Private Research Universities (Applied Outreach) (EDAHABAK)
Keywords
Where SRUC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edinburgh
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
SRUC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition Fees - Scottish Students: Scottish students pay reduced fees for undergraduate programs (£1,285-£1,820 per year depending on level) and postgraduate programs (£4,835-£9,800 per year). Many students have fees paid through SAAS bursaries/grants.
- Tuition Fees - RUK Students: Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland pay higher fees (£7,600-£9,790 per year for undergraduate, £11,400 for postgraduate). Some RUK students may have fees covered through government bursaries.
- Tuition Fees - International Students: International students pay the highest fees (£17,000-£20,000 per year for most programs, £18,000 for PhD). A £5,000 deposit is required before enrollment.
- SAC Consulting Services: SRUC's SAC Consulting provides agricultural advisory, rural business consultancy, estate management, and technical services to farmers, landowners, and rural businesses across Scotland and the UK.
- Veterinary and Laboratory Services: SRUC Veterinary Services provides diagnostic testing, disease surveillance, and animal health certification services, processing over one million animal and material samples each year through veterinary and analytical laboratories.
- Research Grants and Contracts: SRUC receives funding from Scottish Government, UKRI, Defra, EU Horizon programs, and industry partners for research projects in agriculture, food systems, animal health, and environmental sustainability.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Scottish undergraduate full-time: £1,285-£1,820 per year |
| Subscription | Annual | RUK undergraduate full-time: £7,600-£9,790 per year |
| Subscription | Annual | International undergraduate full-time: £17,000 per year |
| Subscription | Annual | Postgraduate taught (MSc/MRes): £9,800-£20,000 per year |
| Subscription | Annual | PhD programs: £5,238-£18,000 per year |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual modules and micro-credentials |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
SRUC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) is a specialist land-based higher and further education institution that delivers academic programs from foundation to PhD level across agriculture, animal sciences, veterinary medicine, horticulture, food and environmental subjects. Alongside education, SRUC operates SAC Consulting (independent agricultural advisory for rural businesses), Veterinary and Laboratory Services (diagnostic testing and disease surveillance processing over 1 million samples annually), and proprietary research platforms including EGENES genetic evaluation, Agrecalc carbon calculator, and Farm-twin digital twin.
Product overview
SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) is a specialist land-based educational and research institution offering a portfolio of platforms, tools, and services. The core offerings include educational programmes spanning further education to doctoral research, business consulting through SAC Consulting, and veterinary/laboratory services. Key technology platforms include Farm-twin (AI-powered digital twin for dairy farming), Agrecalc (carbon calculator), EGENES (genetic evaluation data lab), GreenShed (circular farming), Digital Dairy Chain, Dairy Nexus, and Pneumonitor (calf health sensor). The institution also operates specialized facilities including a Vertical Farm and SeedPod food business hub. SRUC has spun out MI:RNA Diagnostics (AI-powered veterinary diagnostics). These platforms work together to support sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural economy development through research-driven innovation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Higher Education Programs Degree and postgraduate programs (BA/BSc/MSc/PhD) across agriculture, animal sciences, veterinary medicine, horticulture, food, sustainability, business, and environmental subjects, awarded by SRUC or in partnership with University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow. Targets school-leavers to mature students.
- Further Education and Vocational Training Vocational qualifications (HNC/HND/CertHE/DipHE) and skills training in agriculture, animal care, horticulture, engineering, countryside management, golf, equine, and rural estate skills, delivered at campuses across Scotland and via school partnerships and apprenticeships.
- SAC Consulting Independent research-driven consultancy for agricultural, food and land-based businesses across Scotland and the UK, including farm business advice, rural estates management, environmental consulting, and the Scottish Farm Business Survey. Targets farmers, landowners, and rural businesses.
- Veterinary and Laboratory Services Diagnostic testing, disease surveillance, and animal health certification services delivered through veterinary and analytical laboratories across Scotland. Processes over 1 million animal and material samples each year. Includes Premium Cattle Health Scheme and Premium Sheep and Goat Health Scheme.
- Edinburgh Genetic Evaluation Services (EGENES) An award-winning national genetics data lab producing genetic and genomic evaluations for all UK dairy cattle, sheep, and major beef breeds on behalf of AHDB. The only UK genetic evaluation centre accredited with the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) Quality Seal, managing over 50 million records.
- Agrecalc A consultant-supported carbon calculator that helps farmers, advisory clients, and value chain businesses assess and manage their carbon footprint and emissions. Targets agricultural businesses, advisors, and food supply chain operators.
- Farm-twin The world's first open-source digital twin platform for dairy farming, integrating real-time sensor, telemetry, and AI prediction data to provide farmers with an at-a-glance view of their entire dairy operation. Targets dairy farmers and farm advisors.
- GreenShed A circular farming system that retrofits existing cattle sheds to capture methane from waste and grow indoor crops, with the potential to generate up to £40,000 additional annual income per farm. Targets dairy and cattle farmers.
- Pneumonitor A commercial sensor system for dairy farmers that measures real-time temperature, humidity, pressure, gusts, and volatile organic compounds at calf height to prevent pneumonia in calves. Targets dairy and livestock producers.
- HerdPlan A web application developed by SRUC Veterinary Services to enhance health risk management for beef and sheep farmers, enabling entire farm teams to collaboratively plan and manage herd health. Targets beef and sheep farmers.
- Digital Dairy Chain A collaborative programme offering innovation and productivity support services to businesses and individuals in the dairy supply chain across Cumbria, South and West Scotland, positioning the region as a global leader in advanced sustainable dairy manufacturing.
- SeedPod A development hub for the Scottish food and drink industry providing business growth programmes, global consumer insights, commercial-grade manufacturing incubator units, and demonstration areas for start-up, early-stage, and established food and drink businesses.
- Genomica A microbiome research software tool developed at SRUC's Monogastric Science Research Centre that transforms complex multi-step genetic data analysis into a fast, automated workflow. Targets scientists and researchers working with large genomic datasets.
Quantifiable outcome
- £297 return for every £1 invested through EGENES genetic evaluation services
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use SRUC
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
SRUC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature9 records
SRUC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- The James Hutton InstitutecoreThe James Hutton Institute hosts the Potatoes in Practice 2026 event at Balruddery Farm in partnership with SRUC and Agrii. SRUC collaborates with the Institute through the National Potato Innovation Centre for potato breeding, crop management, and precision agriculture research.
- AgriicoreAgrii, an agricultural inputs and services company, partners with SRUC and The James Hutton Institute to host the Potatoes in Practice 2026 event, providing exhibitors, technical seminars, and working field trials on potato innovation.
- National Potato Innovation CentrecoreSRUC participates in the National Potato Innovation Centre in partnership with The James Hutton Institute, coordinating potato innovation and industry engagement across research and practice.
- Scottish Government - Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks (EPIC)coreSRUC participates in EPIC, a Scottish Government-funded research organization providing timely analysis and advice during livestock disease outbreaks.
- Plant Health Centre (James Hutton Institute led)majorSRUC serves as a sector lead in the Plant Health Centre, a Scottish Government-funded virtual centre coordinating plant health knowledge across forestry, horticulture, environment, and agriculture sectors in Scotland.
- Moredun Research InstitutemajorSRUC collaborates with Moredun on AI biosecurity tool development using Artificial Intelligence to summarize official documentation on animal biosecurity for tailored farmer advice.
- Digital Dairy Chain PartnerscoreThe Digital Dairy Chain project involves collaboration with local and national businesses across Cumbria, South and West Scotland to transform dairy production systems and establish the region as a global leader in advanced sustainable dairy manufacturing.
- University of GlasgowmajorSRUC delivers the MSc Animal Nutrition program in partnership with University of Glasgow - the first masters level animal nutrition programme delivered entirely part-time and online.
- University of EdinburghmajorSRUC offers MSc Food Security and MSc Ecological Economics programs awarded by University of Edinburgh, combining SRUC's agricultural expertise with Edinburgh's academic infrastructure.
- Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)coreEGENES produces national genetic and genomic evaluations for dairy cattle and beef breeds on behalf of AHDB, the statutory body for agricultural and horticultural development in the UK.
- National RobotariumminorSPOT robotic dog developed by the National Robotarium will be demonstrated at Potatoes in Practice 2026 for agricultural monitoring applications in partnership with SRUC.
- Borderlands Deep Tech Accelerator HubmajorSRUC is a key partner in the Borderlands Deep Tech Accelerator Hub, set to open in the Scottish Borders, focusing on robotics, space, artificial intelligence, and deep tech innovation.
- UK Government's Veterinary Medicine's Directorate (VMD)majorSRUC researchers work with VMD to create a country-wide surveillance programme for antimicrobial resistance in healthy cats and dogs.
- MI:RNA DiagnosticsminorMI:RNA Diagnostics, a spin-out of SRUC founded in 2019, combines microDNA with AI to detect diseases in companion and production animals. The company raised $4 million Series A funding.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SRUC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentPeers
Direct peers
- Cranfield University: UK specialist postgraduate-only university with strengths in agriculture, water, and environmental science. Comparable to SRUC's applied research, SAC Consulting-style industrial engagement, and postgraduate portfolio.
- James Hutton Institute: Scottish Government-funded crop, soil, and land use research institute. Directly comparable as a Scottish agricultural research organization partnering with SRUC on Potatoes in Practice and the National Potato Innovation Centre.
- Royal Agricultural University: UK specialist university focused on agriculture, land management, food, and rural business. Closely comparable to SRUC in mission, scale, and land-based higher education focus, though with greater emphasis on business and real estate.
- Moredun Research Institute: UK veterinary and animal health research institute collaborating closely with SRUC on AI biosecurity tools. Comparable as an animal health research partner with overlapping livestock and veterinary science capabilities.
- Harper Adams University: UK specialist land-based university focused on agriculture, animal sciences, veterinary nursing, and engineering. Directly comparable to SRUC as a higher education institution with applied land-based research and industry engagement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SRUC social profiles
Digital presenceSRUC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
SRUC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SRUC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SRUC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
SRUC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SRUC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SRUC
What does SRUC do?
SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) is a specialist land-based higher and further education institution that delivers academic programs from foundation to PhD level across agriculture, animal sciences, veterinary medicine, horticulture, food and environmental subjects. Alongside education, SRUC operates SAC Consulting (independent agricultural advisory for rural businesses), Veterinary and Laboratory Services (diagnostic testing and disease surveillance processing over 1 million samples annually), and proprietary research platforms including EGENES genetic evaluation, Agrecalc carbon calculator, and Farm-twin digital twin.
Is SRUC a public or private company?
SRUC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SRUC founded?
SRUC was founded in 2012. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is SRUC based?
SRUC is headquartered in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does SRUC make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Tuition Fees - Scottish Students are the primary driver. The others are tuition Fees - RUK Students, tuition Fees - International Students, SAC Consulting Services, veterinary and Laboratory Services and research Grants and Contracts.
Who are SRUC's main competitors?
Rothamsted Research is listed as a peer. Direct peers are Cranfield University, James Hutton Institute, Royal Agricultural University, Moredun Research Institute and Harper Adams University.
Does SRUC have an API?
No public API is recorded for SRUC.
What industry is SRUC in?
SRUC's product category is Higher Education and Agricultural Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAK, Land-Grant–Like/Extension-Oriented Private Research Universities (Applied Outreach). Its NAICS code is 611310 and its SIC code is 8200.