BSc

Equine Studies

Key Facts

D325

  • UCAS Tariff

  • Course duration

    1 year

Further details on entry requirements

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If you have already passed an appropriate HND or Foundation Degree at merit level or above, the Equine Studies (top-up) scheme at Aberystwyth University allows you to complete a further year of study to graduate with a BSc degree. 

Course Overview

Our one-year Equine Studies (top-up) scheme will build upon your foundation degree to further develop your skills in aspects of equine management and equip you with an advanced level of understanding in animal breeding and nutrition. 

This skill set will equip you for graduate level employment within the equine industry in the UK and abroad, or for a wide range of advisory, commercial and educational work in the equine and rural sectors. The further development of your business management skills will be readily transferable to graduate level roles in other sectors of commerce and industry, and of great use in starting your own business. 

Why study Equine Studies 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!  
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
Equine Marketing and Small Business Management BR34720 20
Equine Nutrition and Pasture Management BR35720 20
Equine Stud Management BR32520 20
Research Project BR36440 40

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Behaviour and Welfare of Domesticated Animals BR35120 20
Equine and Human Exercise Physiology BR35220 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

The Equine Studies (top-up) course is designed to prepare you for a wide range of graduate level employment opportunities in equine and animal science, research and development, advisory and technical support work, and enterprise management 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). 

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn? 

You will learn about concepts and methodology relating to equine science, supplemented by laboratory research and experimentation. You will become acquainted with equine grassland management in order to utilise its full potential for equine health and will learn about all aspects of equine stud management. You will also gain an understanding of marketing principles as applied to the equine industry, including evaluating the establishment of an equine business venture and reviewing the role of strategic management in entrepreneurial ventures and small businesses. 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.  

Assessment 

You will be assessed through a range of methods including essays, practical exercises, case studies, presentations, lab reports and exams. 

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.  

Student Testimonials

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

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff

A Levels Must pass a Foundation Degree in an appropriate subject area with an overall grade of Merit or above

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh, Mathematics and a Science subject

BTEC National Diploma:

International Baccalaureate:

European Baccalaureate:

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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