James, Earl of Wessex, is heading to university this fall after earning the A-level results he needed for his chosen course.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Aug. 13 that the 18-year-old son of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, will attend the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Town & Country reported that the typical entry requirement for the course is a minimum of 104 UCAS points across three A-levels, roughly equivalent to BCC, and confirmed that James will go directly to university.
The choice also follows some hands-on experience away from the classroom. Since leaving Radley College earlier this summer, James has reportedly been working part-time as a farmhand at King Charles’ Sandringham Estate, where he has been spotted driving tractors.
James Is Going Straight From Radley to University
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James attended Radley College, an independent boarding school in Oxfordshire, before completing his A-levels this summer. “Having achieved the grades he needed, The Earl of Wessex will be going to the Royal Agricultural University to study Rural Land and Property Management,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement reported by Town & Country. “He will head straight there without taking a year out.”
His individual results will remain private, but the Royal Agricultural University lists a typical offer of at least 104 UCAS tariff points across three A-levels, with BCC given as an example. The university’s three-year full-time course begins on Sept. 28.
James has already been getting an early taste of rural work. PEOPLE reported that he has been gaining practical farming experience at Sandringham since leaving Radley, following earlier reports that he had been working on the King’s Norfolk estate and driving tractors.
His Degree Goes Well Beyond Farming
Despite the university’s agricultural name, James’ chosen degree covers considerably more than farming. The Royal Agricultural University describes its BSc (Hons) Rural Land & Property Management course as preparation for careers across rural business, estate management, consultancy and countryside property.
Students study areas including law, property valuation, planning and development, building construction, agriculture, finance and the management of rural estates. The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and includes assessed work experience.
Potential career paths listed by the university include estate management, land and property consultancy, valuation, residential sales and lettings, town and country planning and work involving utilities and compulsory purchase.
The University Already Has Strong Ties to King Charles
James will also be attending an institution with a longstanding relationship with the royal family, including his uncle. Founded as the Royal Agricultural College in 1845, the school was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria that year. According to the university, sovereigns have served as patrons throughout its history.
King Charles became president of the Royal Agricultural College in 1982 when he was Prince of Wales. He visited the institution several times in that role, including attending its graduation ceremony in 2015.
Following a review of royal patronages, the Royal Agricultural University announced in 2024 that Charles had accepted its patronage. The university said at the time that the King’s connection reflected his longstanding personal interest in sustainable farming, food production and land management.
Lady Louise Graduated From St Andrews This Summer
James’ university announcement comes only weeks after his older sister, Lady Louise Windsor, completed her own undergraduate studies. The 22-year-old graduated from the University of St Andrews on July 2 after four years at the Scottish university. PEOPLE reported that Louise received a degree in English and plans to take a gap year before deciding on her next career move.
Louise and James have both maintained relatively private lives despite being grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II. Their parents deliberately chose not to have them publicly use the HRH styles and Prince or Princess titles to which they were entitled as male-line grandchildren of the monarch.
When Louise turned 18, she continued to be known as Lady Louise. James similarly continued using his courtesy title, Earl of Wessex, after reaching adulthood in December 2025 rather than publicly adopting the style HRH Prince James.