This one-year Equine Studies Degree will suit you if you have already completed an approved HND or Foundation Degree in equine studies (subject to grades) or a related area and wish now to progress to a BSc Honours degree. By studying at Aber you will benefit from the reputation that our BSc Equine Studies has in professional circles and you will receive a high-quality academic and vocational education.
And if that is not enough, here’s also why we think Aberystwyth is a great place to study and become an Equine Scientist:
Superb teaching and research facilities;
Expert, internationally renowned and passionate teaching staff;
A fantastic equine centre with Olympic size indoor arena, all-weather manège, round pen, horse walker and livery facilities;
A stunning coastal location with extensive hacking and trekking facilities and miles of unspoiled beaches to gallop upon.
Student Satisfaction and Employability Results
95% of students agreed that staff are good at explaining things (NSS 2020).
98% of our graduates were in work or further study within 6 months, 3% more than Biological Science graduates nationally, (HESA 2018*)
Overview
Aberystwyth University one of the country’s leading equine centres for teaching and research on all matters equine. In this one-year ‘top-up’ you will study a range of subjects including equine exercise physiology, equine nutrition, stud management and breeding and equine marketing and business management. You will also conduct a piece of in-depth research and write a dissertation on an equine-related subject of particular interest to you, under the guidance of a supervisor.
When you have completed it you will have a broad range of relevant skills and knowledge to allow you to follow a rewarding career in the equine industry.
A detailed course structure can be found by clicking the tab ‘course content’. Topics within the course may include:
Equine exercise physiology
Equine breeding and stud management
Equine marketing and business management
Advanced equine nutrition
Animal bioethics
This course will be delivered through a balanced programme of lectures, seminars, workshops, practicals, field visits, and lab work. Guest lecturers and expert external teachers also contribute to the curriculum to pass on their industry expertise and knowledge. The department also organises visiting riding lecture demonstrations.
You’ll be taught by a combination of scientists with an international reputation and equine business, stable management and riding experts. Our staff are passionate teachers, with years of experience of communicating the science and management of the horse. Two of the staff recently became senior fellows at the Higher Education Academy! Be assured you will be learning from the best!
We have all the facilities you need to develop into a first rate equine scientist. Facilities include:
State of the art laboratories
Olympic size indoor arena
Stables, horse walker and all-weather ménage
Livery facilities
You will be taught within IBERS (the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences), one of the largest and best resourced institutes of its kind in Europe.
Winner 'Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology’ category award at the Times Higher Education Awards 2013
Winner of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) ‘Excellence with Impact Award’
Students can elect to study a number of IBERS modules in the medium of Welsh. Ask the department for further details.
Our Staff
The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.
Modules
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.
* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh
Employability
You will be fully supported with developing your employability skills throughout the degree scheme. The degree may allow you to develop a range of transferable skills highly valued by employers. You will join a department that has excellent facilities to support your studies; £55 million pounds has been invested over the last five years in IBERS infrastructure. You will have access to highly specialised facilities, the Lluest Equine Centre is a British Horse Society approved training centre offering tuition for BHS stages (Riding and Care) up to Instructor level. These facilities enable students to develop their specialist skills and knowledge preparing them for a successful transition into the workplace. Guest lecturers and expert external teachers also contribute to the curriculum to pass on their industry expertise and knowledge. The department also organises visiting riding lecture demonstrations whenever possible.
The department has resources on the virtual learning environment, Aberlearn Blackboard to support your development and has a dedicated Twitter feed to keep students informed of career developmental opportunities and work experience. Students have participated in a work experience module to help them identify and reflect on the employability skills they are developing through their work experience.
The department has a close working relationship with the Careers Service and has an IBERS link careers adviser to support students with their career development. Employer events are organised to allow students to gain an insight into different graduate employers and develop their networking skills. The IBERS Employer Advisory Group invites a variety of employers to advise on curriculum and employability development to ensure students are acquiring the right skills needed by graduate employers. The Careers Service can also help and support you sourcing work experience opportunities locally and nationally. Students from the department have participated in work taster opportunities in local secondary schools to gain experience in a career they are interested in pursuing.
Your BSc in Equine Studies will equip you for a career such as the management and supervision of equine enterprises, such as a stud manager, trainer, groom, feed research officer, horse passport officer or RSPCA inspector. Graduates also find work in agri-businesses, scientific journalism, teaching and research.
Learning & Teaching
What will I learn?
You may study a range of modules including equine exercise physiology, equine nutrition, equine stud management, animal breeding, animal behaviour and welfare, and equine marketing and small business management. You will also conduct a piece of in-depth research and write a dissertation on an equine-related subject under the guidance of a supervisor. On graduation you will be fully acquainted with the latest developments in the field, and will be capable of implementing a truly twenty-first century standard of horse care.
How will I be taught?
This course will be delivered through a balanced programme of lectures, seminars, workshops, practicals, field visits and lab work. You will receive the opportunity to learn about concepts and methodology relating to equine science, supplemented by laboratory research and experimentation.
Assessment methods may take various forms including essays, practical exercises, oral presentations, exams, lab reports, worksheets, case studies, practical reports, portfolios, magazine articles, webpages and podcasts. In all these areas you will need to demonstrate scientific rigour and apply a systematic approach to the problems with which you are presented.
The University's scientific community and the Institute's supportive staff will greatly assist you in your equine training. You will also benefit from the many opportunities within the institute and the university to develop your theoretical and practical expertise so that, upon graduation, you are perfectly positioned for the next stage of your career.
You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree course, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You should feel free to contact them at any time for help and advice.
You will also have the opportunity to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) at Aberystwyth. This is a structured process of self-appraisal, reflection, and planning, which will enable you to chart your personal, academic and professional development throughout your time at university. By recording your academic performance, and highlighting the skills you already have and those you will need for future employability, the PDP portfolio will equip you with the necessary tools to plan effectively, develop successful approaches to study, and consider your future career options and aspirations.
Student Views
What I love about Equine Studies is that I've learned to ride all kinds of horses and to take what I know and adapt my riding style to suit each individual horse. I've learned things about horses to a level that I never would have achieved otherwise; nutrition, for example, has always been a bit of a mystery to me. Great course! Jessica Lee Macnamara
Equine Studies allows you to study a wide variety of equine-related topics, so there is always likely to be something that you will really enjoy. The staff are friendly and helpful, especially the yard staff. You can speak to the staff as if they are your friends as well as tutors. The horses in the yard give a great opportunity for anyone, no matter what your level of riding ability. A really good course for anyone who loves horses. Lisa Ann Ainscough
