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BA (Hons) Equine Management

BA (Hons) Equine Management

About the course

The course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Central Lancashire. Our Bachelor of Art (BA Honours) ensures that you develop skills and knowledge of the fundamental areas of equine management and equestrianism, whilst offering optional and elective modules to personalise your chosen route of study. You will be prepared to enter careers in areas such as research and development, welfare, breeding, nutrition and therapy. This degree allows you to understand and apply new and existing scientific principles to the management and development of the horse.

The defining element of the honours degree is the research project, where you conduct independent research on a chosen subject. Our equine undergraduate research students produce outstandingly high quality research, with many able to present their research on a national or international platform.

Based at our Preston campus with its renowned International Equine Arena, you will be putting theory into practice working with the college horses within the centre’s excellent facilities. You will benefit from our industry links for trips and guest speakers, and may also have opportunities to benefit from external research collaborations. You may progress to one of our MSc programmes to further enhance your research and specialism.

As a Myerscough equine degree student, you will benefit from individualised support within a welcoming culture, ensuring that you follow in the footsteps of our previous students with their outstanding high achievements and excellent student satisfaction.

Applicants are invited to top-up from a relevant Foundation Degree or HND into the final year of the BA (Honours) course and will need to demonstrate skills in research methods at Level 5 to enable them to progress smoothly onto the programme. Those applicants whose previous programme of study has not covered research skills at the appropriate level will be asked to complete a bridging module "Research Methods", which may be taken during the summer prior to entry onto the course.

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Course modules

Year 1

Academic and Professional Skills

This module develops the students’ key academic, professional and transferable skills in order to help the transition from further to higher education; from more dependent to more independent modes of learning.

Business Management

This module introduces key areas of management activity such as human resource management, leadership, marketing and finance to allow students to develop further knowledge and skills to improve future employability in land based industries.

Elective

Modules can be chosen from the FdSc and BSc routes subject to timetabling.

Applied Equine Husbandry

This module aims to increase the student’s ability practically around the horse, whilst delving deeper into the research surrounding the overall care. The module will prepare students to work safely around the college horse to ensure they can work independently with the horses within other modules.

Equine Anatomy and Physiology

The purpose of the module is for students to be able to describe the structure and function of the main body systems of the equine at the gross anatomical, macroscopic and microscopic level. Students will also develop laboratory skills and techniques whilst conducting investigations to increase their knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the equine.

Science of Equine Behaviour and Training

This module aims to develop a practical understanding of a range of training methods, behaviour evaluation and behavioural modification techniques through theory and practical sessions.

Year 2

Elective

Students can select from a range of modules from the FdSc and BSc routes subject to timetabling.

Research Development

Experimental design and data analysis are core themes in this module. It will introduce concepts of statistical testing and further develop skills in presenting and interpreting results of scientific investigations. The module will give students vital skills in formulating research questions and designing an effective experiment.

Website Design and Analysis

Technical skills are developed and applied to the design and development of websites and this is a practical hands –on subject. The theoretical side will cover such issues as emerging marketing / web techniques & technologies and the motivation behind such. The practical side will give you hands-on experience of developing Web pages using these techniques & technologies.

Management of the Equine Athlete

The underpinning theories of physiology and biomechanics required to develop and maintain the successful equine athlete are delivered in this module.

The International Equine Industries

This module aims to provide the student with knowledge of international functionality of equine industries including their historical development. The module will address the differences between home practices and those of the global industry and what creates these differences.

Professional Development for Careers in the Equine Sector

This module aims to develop an awareness of ethical concepts relevant to equine business. The module will develop the ability, competence and confidence to market consultancy services and develop a professional image by communicating and negotiating with potential clients within the equine sector.

Year 3

Equestrian Performance Strategies

The module aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the factors controlling the performance of horse and rider.

Research Project (Double module)

Students will be given the opportunity to design and carryout a piece of investigative research into a topic that interests them. This will allow them to demonstrate the skills that they have developed throughout the course including the abilities to design an original investigation, to work independently, and to produce a coherent and critical report.

Global Equine Business Development

This module aims to address global developments and entrepreneurism within the equine industry with links to marketing and product development.

Culture and Society in Sport

This module gives the opportunity for the students to explore the effects of culture and society on both equestrian and mainstream sports.

Manipulating the Equine for Performance

This module consolidates most areas of previous learning to encourage the students to consider the morality of humans’ treatment of performance horses. The specific aim of the module is to critically review current practices that are applied through humans’ use of the performance horse.

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

5 GCSE passes at Grade C (4) or above (including Maths and English or equivalent)

Plus 104 UCAS Tariff points from one or more of the following:

  • 3 A-levels (A2) at C or above
  • BTEC/C&G Level 3
  • 4 Scottish Highers at C or above
  • 4 Irish Highers at C or above
  • International Baccalaureate at 24 points
  • Access to HE Diploma in a relevant discipline

AS levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively.

Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent.

All offers may be subject to a successful interview.

Please note there is a maximum weight limit of 14.5 stone for any elective ridden modules on this course.

Learning and assessment

Learning Environment:

This course makes the most of the extensive equestrian facilities on site including a wide range of horses, large indoor and outdoor arenas and up-to-date specialist therapy and research equipment. Students will also have access to specialist IT hardware and software. Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and group presentations will form an important part of the course.

Assessment:

Students will face a variety of assessments including examinations, essays, technical reports, group and individual presentations, individual study projects, case studies and practical assessments.

Additional Information:

Study trips are organised to supplement the learning in specific modules. Examples include, Twemlowes AI and Embryo Transfer Centre, Newmarket, Northern Equine Therapy Centre, Sync Equine, British Society of Animal Science annual conference, Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre, many elite athletes have opened their yards to Myerscough student visits. Enrichment trips have included Horse of the Year Show, ladies day at Aintree and Badminton Horse Trials. Guest speakers often visit and include industry experts in areas such as equine reproduction, nutrition, training and behaviour, coaching and elite equestrian athletes. Students are encouraged and supported to showcase their research projects at national and international conferences, including the International Society for Equitation Science and the European Federation of Animal Practitioners.

What work experience can I get?

Through core modules and electives, students will gain hands on experience in a variety of scenarios to build skills that can be used in a working environment.

Progression

On successful completion of the course, students may apply for postgraduate study including MA and MBA qualifications.

Careers

The course prepares students for management level careers in many areas of the equine industry. These include:

Professional Yard Manager

Performance Analyst

Equine Events Manager

Independent Business Owner

Consultant

Sales

Equine Trainers

Equestrian Coaches (subject to additional British Horse Society qualification, or equivalent)

Equine Journalism

Marketing

Product design

Professional accreditations

During their course of study, students are encouraged to study for the appropriate British Horse Society Stage qualification. Training for Stages I, II and III as well as Stage II coaching is offered on site as an additional part time course subject to numbers. There nay be an additional fee and an application will need to be completed.

Special requirements

1 Morning, Evening and Weekend Duties: will be required on the College Yard during the first year of the course. Morning and evening yard duties are timetabled between 9am and 5pm. Weekend yard duties are carried out on a rota basis, usually comprising of 8 weekend days spread throughout the year.

2 Equipment and/or Clothing: Riding hat to current standards (PAS015 2011; ASTMF1163 2004a onwards; SNELL E2016) riding boots, gloves, jodhpurs plus schooling and jumping whip and body protector subject to current standards (purple label Level 3 2009) for jumping lessons (if riding).

Extra Costs:

Additional costs for items that are essential for the course include:

· If riding: Jodhpur boots, long leather or riding boots - £100

· Jodhpurs (plain navy or black), riding hat, hair net, gloves - £90

· Laboratory coat - £10

· College polo shirt, sweatshirt and Jacket (or plain navy or black) - £80

· Strong boots or wellingtons for yard work - £30

Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for the course include:

· College padded Gillet - £33

· College rugby shirt - £25

· Field trips and visits (including possible overseas trips) - £600

· If jumping; Body protector - £70

· If riding: Long & short whip, non-suede gaiters, white shirt and tie - £75

· Waterproof trousers - £22

Latest news, Equine studies

University Centre Myerscough, St Michael's Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, PR3 0RY

For all enquiries please see our contact page or call 01995 642222.

UK Provider Registration Number: 10004478