A new partnership is set to benefit students studying for a degree in rural business management at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC).

SRUC is one of just three universities in Scotland to hold accreditation from the Tourism Management Institute (TMI), which provides professional recognition and endorsement of an academic course for five years.

It offers an alternative pathway for RBM students wishing to pursue a career in tourism, with a separate Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited stream already in place for those interested in working as rural surveyors.

The partnership will enable around 170 RBM students at SRUC’s campuses in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Ayr, and Barony – as well as others choosing tourism modules as part of their Wildlife and Conservation Management course - to access a range of benefits.

These include a discounted student membership with access to the extensive, online resource library and the latest news and trends on destination management, as well as participation in TMI events offering networking opportunities with TMI members and student placements.

It also provides the reassurance that the qualification they gain at the end of their studies is accepted by the professional body for destination management.

Tourism lecturer at SRUC, Claire Donaldson, said: "I am thrilled we are now an official university partner of the TMI which offers a vast range of benefits and opportunities to our students wishing to select the tourism modules.”

Project manager: HE recognition scheme at TMI, Joyce Cawthorpe, said: “We are delighted SRUC has secured TMI Recognition for the tourism pathway of their BA (Hons) Rural Business Management degree.

"We are particularly impressed with the close partnership which SRUC has developed with the tourism industry, in particular, their extensive field trip programme giving students practical opportunities to apply their academic learning to real-life business situations which, in turn, greatly enhances their employability.”