Prince William The Student: Royal Starts Cambridge University On Agricultural Management Course

Prince William The Student
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Prince William is to return to life as a student on Tuesday by beginning a bespoke course in agricultural management at Cambridge University, amid controversy over his grades.

The Duke of Cambridge was accepted onto the course, designed just for him, with an ABC in his A-levels despite the prestigious institution usually requiring at least A*AA.

Student paper the Cambridge Tab described the Duke's grades as "mediocre", adding: "The Tab will be running a #WheresWills liveblog for the duration of term. The funniest photos of the Prince will receive a free Tab t-shirt."

After being warned by a criminal law barrister Bernard Richmond QC this may amount to harassment, the paper's editor said the liveblog was "just an idea".

The course is run by the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership, an institution belonging to Cambridge University's School of Technology, of which Prince Charles is a patron.

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Prince William arrives at Cambridge University
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The Duke of Cambridge arriving at St John's College, Cambridge with vice-chancellor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz along with Master of St John's Professor Christopher Dobson and Polly Courtice, director of the Programme for Sustainability Leadership (credit:PA)
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The University of Cambridge's Programme For Sustainability Leadership lecture rooms in Cambridge city centre where the Duke of Cambridge returns to life as a student today by beginning a course in agricultural management. (credit:PA)
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William will learn about the issues facing the UK's rural communities and the farming industry during the 10 week course. The Duke's studies will give him a good grounding for his future role running the Duchy of Cornwall, a portfolio of land, property and investments he will inherit from his father the Prince of Wales when Charles becomes king. (credit:PA)
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Cambridge classicist and TV presenter Mary Beard has even weighed in, telling the Daily Mail she hopes the royal will "meet some of our more ordinary students, struggling with making ends meet, worried about careers, future and debt".

Prince William graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2005 with a 2:1 degree in geography and the cost of the Cambridge course is to be met privately.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said, “The course has been designed to help provide the Duke with an understanding of contemporary issues affecting agricultural business and rural communities in the United Kingdom.”

On Tuesday, William travelled on the 9.44am train from London King's Cross to begin his studies on an agricultural management course organised by the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership at the famous university.

He is expected to make the 46-minute commute each day for the course, which has been designed specifically for him but which will see him study alongside ordinary PhD students in some classes.

The course, which will end in March, has been designed to help him prepare for when he inherits the Duchy of Cornwall estate.

He will have 20 hours of teaching time each week, including work in small groups as well as one-to-one tuition and his own additional reading. He will also go on a series of field trips.

He will be taught by academics specialising in geography, land economy and plant sciences.

Modules he is expected to study include rural and planning policy, farming and supply chains, site management, agricultural policy and conservation governance.