Equine Behaviour, Health and Welfare BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): DC38; DC39
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: Three years full-time or four years with placement
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
- Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
This course reflects the growing awareness of the need to develop a greater understanding of equine behaviour. This course covers all areas of equine behaviour, health and welfare, offering an extensive range of subjects from anatomy and physiology to equitation science. The course will help you build the fundamental knowledge of behaviour and physiology – as well as the laboratory skills – needed to optimise the welfare of horses in our care, allowing them to thrive and perform as required in industry.
If you have any questions about our Equine Science course, you can now chat to our experienced lecturers and course leaders through Unibuddy.
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You'll be based at our Brackenhurst Campus where you'll benefit from our extensive Equestrian Centre. Throughout the course you'll use the centre to gain the practical and research skills needed for careers in the equine industry. We also offer student livery at the centre. -
You can spend six months on international exchange with a partner university in Australia or Canada during your second year of study. The equine team have close links with the University of Guelph, Canada. We also have an optional international equine management module which runs as a ten day field course in Switzerland based at the Swiss National Stud. -
Your course complements study towards the internationally recognised British Horse Society (BHS) examinations and United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC). We also offer sport scholarships to elite athletes across a range of sports, including high-level riders. -
We're in the top 15 in the UK for Agriculture and Forestry courses (The Guardian University Guide 2022; Complete University Guide 2023).
What you’ll study
Your learning will be based upon equine behaviour, health and welfare, including the anatomy and physiology of the horse, and equitation science. You'll develop your knowledge in specialist areas including:
- equine learning and cognition
- behavioural analysis
- disease and diagnostics
- optimising equine welfare
- therapeutic use of horses
Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology
Study the fundamental biological systems of mammals, and how these work together to maintain homeostasis.
Equine Behaviour and Welfare
Explore the roles that evolution and domestication have played in the development of innate and learnt equine behaviour. Assess the consequences of a variety of current approaches to horse management on behaviour and welfare.
Academic, Research and Professional Skills
Develop the practical, technical and communication skills required for the application of science to the equestrian industry.
Science of Equitation
Investigate and apply the science behind the riding and training of horses, whilst developing the horsemanship skills required by industry.
Equine Management and Health
Study the veterinary science of horse health, and practically apply these principles to the management of the horse.
Equine Nutrition
Learn how to apply the fundamental science of nutrition to equine feeding practices. Consider how discipline and sustainability of food sources influence nutritional management around the world.
Applied Exercise Physiology
Investigate the physiological responses to exercise and training in the equine and human athlete, developing your understanding of the demands of equestrian sports
Research Methods for Animal Sciences
Explore research principles as applicable to animal science, and use these to plan and execute a small group research project.
Equine Learning and Cognition
Discuss the various approaches to horse management and training and the biological basis of learning. You’ll also look at the neural adaptations that occur in relation to different types of learning and memory.
Assessing and Optimising Welfare
This module will give you an understanding of equine welfare issues, including behavioural, health and physiological factors. You’ll also evaluate current national and international research addressing optimisation of equine welfare, and look at product design and development.
Reproduction, Breeding and Genetics
Study the physiological basis of equine reproduction, and evaluate the veterinary and stud management practices and technologies used to support the selection and breeding of performance horses.
Human Animal Interaction
Discuss ideas and findings in human, equine and sports psychology and use these to design appropriate therapeutic uses of the horse. The module will also introduce you to the use of animals in a wide range of human therapies and how they can aid different areas of personal development.
- This is a placement year for students on the four year course.
Dissertation
Carry out an original investigation into a topic area of your choice – plan, execute and analyse your project, demonstrating critical independent thought and key project management skills.
Emerging Issues and Ethics
Investigate and examine emerging welfare and performance issues related to the equestrian industry worldwide, and critically consider these using established ethical philosophies.
Equine Disease and Diagnostics
Understand equine diseases in regional and global context, and develop practical ability in laboratory and non-laboratory procedures used in industry and veterinary science
The Sustainable Equine
Recognise and explain developments in research that influence emerging advances for sustainability in equids. You’ll also critically evaluate current international issues relating to sustainability in the equine industry.
Advances in Equitation Science
Study the practical aspects of applying equitation science in the equine industry. You’ll look at key areas of interest and determine and develop key areas for change.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Our current students and recent graduates tell you all about their time at NTU and what they've gone on to do next.
Student Work
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
You’ll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, group discussion and practical work. Throughout the course, you’ll also hear from external industry professionals through guest lectures and demonstrations. You'll also get the opportunity to take part in field trips to a range of equestrian and research establishments.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (26%) and independent study (74%)
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (26%) and independent study (74%)
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (20%) and independent study (80%)
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study.
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (50%), written (33%) and practical (17%).
- Year 2 coursework (59%), written (33%) and practical (8%)
- Year 3 coursework (50%), written (17%) and practical (33%)
Careers and employability
Your career development
Upon graduation you'll be equipped to enter a variety of careers. Our graduates have entered fields as diverse as nutrition, veterinary-related roles, equine behaviour retraining, equine assisted therapy and equine charities.
Our students have gone on to work for companies such as:
- the Irish equine Aqua Centre
- the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)
- Newmarket Equine Hospital
Some students have continued on to postgraduate study in equine and animal subjects, or embarked on second degrees in physiotherapy-related degrees.
Excellent placement opportunities
You'll be encouraged and supported to gain relevant industry experience at appropriate organisations throughout the course. Our students have previously been based at places such as behaviour clinics, rehabilitation and retraining centres in the thoroughbred industry in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the USA and the UK.
Students have carried out placements at companies such as:
- Australian Equine Behaviour Centre (Andrew McLean)
- Bellerive Stud, Australia
- Bennett Equine Sport Rehabilitation
- Fittocks Stud Newmarket
- Hartstone Equestrian Ltd
- Pakiri Beach Horse Riding, New Zealand
Why undertake a placement?
- You will gain vital experience in a vocational position.
- It will boost your CV and build useful contacts for your future career.
- There are some exciting and challenging opportunities available within organisations such as Kentucky Equine Research, and Sydney, Edinburgh and Liverpool Universities.
- You will also have the opportunity to carry out research for your final year dissertation.
- Your placement opportunity may lead to a supplementary Certificate or Diploma in Professional Studies.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
Study on an equine course at NTU and you'll have access to our extensive Equestrian Centre. The centre is also used by various organisations including local pony clubs and the Great Britain eventing team (senior and junior).
Throughout your course you'll use the Equestrian Centre to gain the practical and research skills needed for careers in the equine industry.
The centre is a British Horse Society (BHS) approved training and livery establishment and also holds a full local authority riding school licence.
Facilities include:
- a range of stabling types for comparative study, including social housing and combi barns pioneered by NTU
- international-size indoor and outdoor riding arenas
- a horse walker
- a Racewood equestrian simulator
- a 40 x 20 research arena surrounded by a 7-foot fence to allow loose schooling
- observation holes in the fence, allowing you to observe horses from outside the arena
Our horses
There are approximately 30 horses at the Equestrian Centre, including school masters, competition horses, and youngsters. The horses are available for:
- riding instruction
- coaching
- stable management
- research.
Student livery
We offer a limited DIY student livery.
Entry requirements
What are we looking for?
- A-levels – BBC, including a Science subject; or
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM, including relevant Science modules; or
- City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma - DMM, including relevant Science modules
- 112 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent qualifications, including an A-level equivalent in a Science subject; and
- GCSEs – English and Maths grade C / 4.
For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology and Psychology.
Applicants without A-levels will have their applications assessed for subject compatibility.
Other qualifications and experience
We consider equivalent qualifications and combinations, please see UCAS course search for details and use our calculator to help you work out how many UCAS points your qualifications relate to.
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Contextual offers
As well as assessing your application and qualifications, we use contextual data and information to make offers for this course. Depending on your circumstances, we may make you an offer up to two grades below the standard entry criteria. Find out how we assess your application.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions and Enquiries Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
What are we looking for?
- A-levels – BBC, including a Science subject; or
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM, including relevant Science modules; or
- City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma - DMM, including relevant Science modules
- 112 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent qualifications, including an A-level equivalent in a Science subject; and
- GCSEs – English and Maths grade C / 4.
For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology and Psychology.
Applicants without A-levels will have their applications assessed for subject compatibility.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Additional costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
You will be charged a maximum of £60 for any compulsory residential trips in the UK, and a maximum of £400 for compulsory overseas residential field courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. Non-residential day excursions are included in the tuition fee and other non-compulsory opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at full cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Other costs
All students will be expected to provide their own riding equipment to include jodhpurs or breeches; hairnet; riding hat; gloves; long boots or jodhpur boots with matching half chaps; polo short and sweatshirt.
All students will also be expected to provide their own appropriate fieldwork clothing, including walking boots (with ankle support), wellingtons and waterproof trousers and coat.
Tuition fees for September 2022 entry
Mode of study | International tuition fee |
Full-time | £15,600 |
Full-time with placement | £15,600 + £1,385 (placement year) |
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Additional costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
You will be charged a maximum of £60 for any compulsory residential trips in the UK, and a maximum of £400 for compulsory overseas residential field courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. Non-residential day excursions are included in the tuition fee and other non-compulsory opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at full cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Other costs
All students will be expected to provide their own riding equipment to include jodhpurs or breeches; hairnet; riding hat; gloves; long boots or jodhpur boots with matching half chaps; polo short and sweatshirt.
All students will also be expected to provide their own appropriate fieldwork clothing, including walking boots (with ankle support), wellingtons and waterproof trousers and coat.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statementBe honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Advice on writing a good personal statement
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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