The Royal Agricultural College could soon become a university.
David Willett, the minister for Universities and Science, has approved plans for 10 higher education institutions, including the Cirencester college, to apply to become universities.
Principal Professor Chris Gaskell said: "We welcome the announcement from the Minister that 10 institutions have been granted the opportunity to apply for university status and title, and that the Government has taken this step to recognise quality over quantity in higher education.
"We are very pleased to confirm that the Royal Agricultural College will indeed be taking up this opportunity."
He added that agriculture, food and land management, subjects taaught at the college, were some of the most important industries in the world.