Equine Studies

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.

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.

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