BSc

Equine Science (with integrated year in industry)

Equine Science (with integrated year in industry) Code D323 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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You are viewing this course for September start 2023

Key Facts

D323

  • UCAS Tariff

    120 - 104

  • Course duration

    4 years

Further details on entry requirements

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With a long history of teaching equine science and outstanding teaching facilities for this specialist subject area, the Equine Science degree at Aberystwyth University will provide you with a rigorous scientific training with an equine focus. This degree will prepare you for a professional career in the equine industry and its allied services and will equip you with the strong scientific skill set demanded by a wide variety of employers.  

Course Overview

Our Equine Science degree will provide you with a solid grounding in the biological sciences with specialism in horses. This will include topics such as physiology, genetics and metabolism, equine anatomy, equine exercise physiology, equine industry, nutrition and reproductive physiology. At the same time, your scientific training will be augmented with more applied aspects, such as equine management practice.  

The taught component of the Equine Science with integrated year in industry course (D323) is identical to its three-year sister course BSc Equine Science (D322). The year in industry is taken in your third year, is supervised and assessed, and will count towards your degree grade. During your year in industry, you will pay a discounted tuition fee. 

Why study Equine Science at Aberystwyth University?  

  • You will have access to superb teaching and research facilities including state-of-the-art labs.  
  • You will be taught by our internationally renowned passionate teaching staff who are experts in their fields for animal science and equine research.  
  • We have superb facilities, including a large equine teaching centre with Olympic size indoor arena, all-weather manège, round pen, horse walker, weigh bridge, solarium, stables and foaling boxes with CCTV, demonstration areas and livery facilities including turnout.  
  • Our equine centre is a British Horse Society (BHS) Approved Training Centre, where you can study for your BHS qualifications.
  • Aberystwyth is located in an outstanding coastal location with miles of unspoiled beaches to gallop upon, just a few miles from the equine centre!  
  • All students on this course will have the opportunity to undertake work experience, international student exchanges, internships, bursaries and training towards BHS exams.  
Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff in the Department of Life Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Department has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Modules September start - 2023

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Animal Breeding: Genetics and Reproduction BR25220 20
Applied Nutrition of Livestock, Horses and Companion Animals BR20720 20
Human, Equine and Canine Exercise Physiology and Locomotion BR25320 20
Research Methods BR27520 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Equine Business BR26120 20
Immunology BR22220 20
One Health Microbiology BR26520 20
Veterinary Health BR27120 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Integrated Year in Industry BRS0060 60

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Behaviour and Welfare of Domesticated Animals BR35120 20
Equine Nutrition and Pasture Management BR35720 20
Equine Stud Management BR32520 20
Research Project BR36440 40

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Equine Marketing and Small Business Management BR34720 20
Veterinary Infectious Diseases BR34120 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

The Equine Science degree with integrated year in industry will prepare you for a wide range of employment opportunities in equine and animal science, research and development, advisory and technical support work, enterprise management and education, in the UK and overseas. 

Our graduates are currently pursuing careers in the following: 

  • Research scientist 
  • Working at nutrition companies 
  • Stud manager 
  • Agriculture business 
  • Scientific journalism 
  • Teaching (primary and secondary schools, FE colleges). 

While studying Equine science, you will develop specialist skills that may include: 

  • an ability to evaluate the nutrition, training and welfare needs of horses 
  • undertaking physiological assessment and monitoring. 

Completing a year in industry will allow you to: 

  • apply the learning from your course to the work environment 
  • make valuable industry contacts 
  • develop practical skills related to your area of study 
  • enrich your final year of studies with an enhanced appreciation of its applicability to your career 
  • greatly enhance your CV and increase your prospects of success in the job market. 

Please note that we do not have automatic work placements for every applicant. You will be responsible for securing your own work experience, with the support of our dedicated Year in Industry Coordinator and careers advisor to maximise your chances of success. If you are unsuccessful, you will be able to convert your course to the three-year version of the BSc Equine Science degree. 

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?  

In the first year you will be introduced to the anatomy and physiology of the horse, and the effects of exercise and training upon specific body systems. You will explore the biology of key functions within livestock, horses and companion animals, including digestion, reproduction, growth and development and lactation. Alongside your equine focus, you will study more generalised biological topics including genetics, metabolism and micro-organisms.   

An optional equine study tour will include visits to a range of different commercial organisations including racing training stables, studs and allied enterprises such as racecourses, and sales. Other enterprises may include veterinary laboratories, veterinary practices or schools, equine sporting events, non-thoroughbred breeding and/or training centres, and auction houses.  

In the second year you will explore topics such as the applied nutrition of horses and livestock, comparative exercise physiology, and mammalian reproductive anatomy and physiology.  

In the third year, you will undertake your work experience placement in an industry related to equine science.  

In your final year you will study animal welfare and welfare assessment methods, the scientific principles of equine grassland management, modern reproductive technology and equine stud management. A compulsory research project will allow you to perform in-depth research under the guidance of a supervisor. Your project may be based on laboratory experiments or fieldwork exercises, comprise a computer modelling exercise or involve data analysis.  

How will I be taught?  

You will be taught through a variety of methods including lectures, seminars, workshops, practicals, field visits and lab work. You will receive thorough training in concepts, research and methodology relating to equine science. You will explore this learning in laboratory research and experimentation, as well as hands-on exercises.   

Assessment  

You will be assessed through a range of methods including essays, practical exercises and reports, oral presentations, lab reports, exams, portfolios, reflective diaries, feed analysis and / or rationing exercises, magazine articles, webpages and podcasts.  

Personal Tutor    

You will be assigned a personal tutor who will be your main contact throughout the duration of your studies. Your personal tutor can help you to settle in when you first arrive and will be available to help you with academic or personal matters.  

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 120 - 104

A Levels BBB-BCC with B in Biology

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh and Mathematics

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-DMM with a specified subject

International Baccalaureate:
30-28 with 5 points in Biology at Higher Level

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall with 7 in Biology

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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