SCOTLAND’S RURAL College has topped the UK list for providing business value to small and medium sized enterprises, more than any other higher education institution in the UK.

A new study by 'Universities UK' conducted over a four-year period found that SRUC generated more than £57.5 million of income through its consultancy and veterinary services.

SRUC was ranked above the University of Liverpool (£54m) and the Royal Veterinary College (£31.5m), with the University of Edinburgh (£16.5m) and the University of St Andrews (£12.5m) the only two other Scottish entries in the top ten.

In terms of the UK, Scotland as a whole finished above the North West (£83.5m) and London (£76.1m), with SRUC responsible for more than half of Scotland’s £102m total revenue.

This news follows SRUC recently being named as one of the top 50 UK universities by Times Higher Education.

Read more - SRUC ranked in top 50 UK universities

Principal and chief executive, Professor Wayne Powell, said the new report showed the value of SRUC’s operating model, which 'embraces mission diversity', giving equal emphasis to research, education and business engagement through consultancy, contract research and services.

“While this is a tremendous accolade, this is not an overnight success story but builds on the long-term commitment that SRUC and its predecessor, SAC, has to serving the farming and rural communities across the length and breadth of Scotland," he said. “At a time when the education sector is under huge pressure and traditional university business models are being challenged, the most resilient institutions have multiple strings to their bows."