Hartpury Annual Report July 2025

Hartpury University Annual Report and Financial Statements > 2024/2025

Hartpury was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War as a small agricultural training centre, welcoming just 50 students. Today, more than 4,600 students study with us across both our university and college, with record enrolments year on year. For decades, Hartpury changed little, until 1990 when a new Principal and Board of Governors embarked on an ambitious period of growth. This began with an expanded range of college courses, followed soon after by the launch of our first higher education programmes. A degree in Equine Studies was introduced in 1992, followed by Equine Science in 1994, and our first postgraduate qualification in 1999. A milestone moment came in 2017 when Hartpury was awarded Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP), and the following year, in September 2018, we achieved full university status. This recognition gave us the independence to develop further and enhance our higher education portfolio. For more than two decades, our symbol has been the acorn – not only reflecting the natural beauty of our countryside setting but also representing the potential within every student. Just as an acorn needs the right conditions to flourish, Hartpury provides outstanding facilities, expert staff and a supportive environment to enable our students to thrive. Hartpury University sits at the head of a unique group structure which includes Hartpury College, a Designated Further Education Institution. This model ensures that further education – the foundation of Hartpury’s history – continues to be protected, celebrated and developed as an integral part of our wider educational offer.

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