Bachelor of Science Equine Science

The four year B.Sc. degree in Equine Science provides students, who wish to follow a professional career in the horse industry with the opportunity to underpin their career aspirations with specialist knowledge and skills. This programme, unique in Europe, has been developed because of the economic importance of the horse and related industries and the consequential need to produce highly qualified personnel with the specialised knowledge to exploit the potential of these industries.

The overall aim of the programme is to equip you with degree level competence in the disciplines of Equine Science and a choice of professional studies in either Equitation* or Equine Business Management. Graduates of the programme contribute to the continued development of the horse industry through the application of their knowledge, skills and research in Science, Equitation and Business Management.

The programme is four years in duration with two semesters per academic year. All students undertake common modules for the first two years providing a strong base in science. You will take modules in Anatomy and Physiology, Feeding and Behaviour, Reproduction, Health and Disease, and Nutrition. In addition, a strong base in business is established with modules in Economics, Marketing and Accounting.

All students take modules in Equitation in the first two years. These modules involve horse riding and hands-on working with horses.

In the third year of the programme you will select one of the major professional options- Equine Business Management or Equitation. The Equine Business Management option offers modules in Enterprise Formation and Development, Principles of Risk Management, Business Consulting and Strategic Management.

With this option, you can also choose to undertake the study of a language selected from Spanish, French, German or Japanese. The Equitation option offers modules in the Young Horse, Equestrian Facilities, Performance Rider Development and Training and Managing the Performance Horse.

All students undertake an eight month Cooperative Education placement, either at home or abroad, in an equine or related enterprise. This work placement will give you the opportunity to exploit and develop the skills that you have already acquired while simultaneously gaining professional experience of the industry. In year four all students conduct a research project on some aspect of the horse industry.

Throughout the programme, you will be brought into contact with the industry, through visits to centres of excellence, through participation in seminars conducted by expert speakers and through hands-on experience of handling and riding horses.