Hartpury College


Hartpury College, officially Hartpury University and Hartpury College, is a provider of further and higher education specialising in the agriculture, animal, equine, sport and veterinary nursing sectors. The university and college is set in a 360 hectare estate located in Hartpury, near Gloucester, in Gloucestershire, England.

History

The college was established in the post-World War II era of the late 1940s, as an agricultural college with 50 students. The college remained relatively unchanged until 1990, when a rapid expansion programme started with the provision of a larger variety of further education courses.

Higher education

Hartpury's link with the University of the West of England began in 1997 when Hartpury was awarded Associate Faculty status. In 2017, Hartpury was granted ‘Taught Degree Awarding Powers’, and in the same year was awarded the Teaching Excellence Framework Gold award. Hartpury College gained full university status in 2018 and changed its name to Hartpury University and Hartpury College..

Animal cruelty allegations

In June 2017 images circulated online and on social media depicting several students from Hartpury College killing animals and posing with the corpses. The college expelled one student and suspended several others. One particular incident involving the killing of a fox sparked widespread outrage. However, the College and Gloucestershire police both issued statements concluding they were satisfied the killing was not an act of cruelty, and that one of the students, who was training as a gamekeeper, had killed the animal to end its suffering after it had been hit by road traffic. The police declined to take further action.

Rugby union

Hartpury College is known for its development of rugby players, with many former students playing at the highest level. The college hosts Hartpury College R.F.C, which has a close association with the professional club Gloucester Rugby.

Alumni Association

The college has an alumni association called Connect, with membership automatically conferred on former students from both Further and Higher Education programmes, as well as current and former members of staff.