Equine Sports Science BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): DC36 / DC37
- Start Date(s): October 2024
- 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 will give you a sound knowledge and understanding of the physiological principles of equine sports science, and enable you to relate them to different equestrian disciplines. It is specifically designed for students wishing to further their knowledge of the science behind the production, management and training of performance horses, and will develop their practical application of key scientific principles.
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.
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96.1% of our Equine Sciences undergraduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees (of those available for work or study, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20). -
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. -
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. -
91% student satisfaction for BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Science (FT) (National Student Survey, 2022).
What you’ll study
Your study will centre on the major scientific themes of performance, nutrition, veterinary science, reproduction, and exercise physiology. You’ll explore the specialist areas of biomechanics and rider performance, as well as looking at how equine performance is affected by behaviour, welfare, health, injury and training.
The course complements study towards the internationally recognised British Horse Society (BHS) examinations and United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC).
Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology
Study the fundamental biological systems of mammals, and how these work together to maintain homeostasis.
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.
Academic, Research and Professional Skills
Develop the practical, technical and communication skills required for the application of science to the equestrian industry.
Equine Behaviour and Welfare
Explore the roles that evolution and domestication have played in the development of innate and learned equine behaviour. Assess the consequences of a variety of current approaches to horse management on behaviour and welfare.
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.
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.
Nutrition for Health and Performance
Explore the effect of nutrition on the health and performance of the sports horse, and how this can be managed.
Sports Injury
Develop a detailed understanding of the common injuries affecting sports horses, and the diagnosis, repair and healing of musculoskeletal tissues.
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.
Biomechanics
Assess the relationship between anatomy and movement, and evaluate methods of biomechanical assessment for horse and rider.
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.
- This is a placement year for students on the four-year course
Optimising Performance
Evaluate established and emerging technologies and training techniques in order to take a multidisciplinary approach to sustainably optimising the performance of the equestrian athlete.
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.
Advances in Rider Performance
Explore the use of current and future training methods and technologies available to human athletes in order to enhance rider performance.
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.
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.
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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.
Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/ seminars/ workshops (26%), independent study (74%)
- Year 2 lectures/ seminars/ workshops (26%), independent study (74%)
- Year 3 lectures/ seminars/ workshops (20%), 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 exam (33%), practical (17%)
- Year 2 coursework (50%), written exam (33%), practical (17%)
- Year 3 coursework (66%), written exam (17%), practical (17%)
Careers and employability
Your future career
Graduates from this course are well-placed to take up a variety of careers within the equine sports industry, in nutrition, veterinary-related, the racing industry and equine charities.
Our graduates work for companies such as:
- the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)
- The Jockey Club
- Newmarket Equine Hospital
Some have also gone on to secure places on the prestigious British Horse Racing Authority Graduate Development Programme. You could also progress on to postgraduate study.
Excellent placement opportunities
You will have the option to take a year's placement in industry.
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.
Students have gained valuable experience through recent placements 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
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 Brackenhurst and you'll have access to extensive and unique facilities which are also used by various organisations including local pony clubs and the Great Britain eventing team (senior and junior).
Students benefit from the equestrian centre by organising their own competitions, taking part in significant research and developing their own coaching skills with other students.
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:
- international-size indoor and outdoor riding arenas
- a horse walker
- a round pen
- crew yards
- 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
- 104 - 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including an A-level Science subject or equivalent.
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Sports Science / Physical Education.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Other qualifications and experience
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.
Access to Higher Education courses
If you’re aged 19+ and don’t have the qualifications to meet the entry criteria, you can study an Access to HE course right here at NTU. These one-year courses are designed specifically as an alternative route to university.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
- 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including an A-level Science subject or equivalent.
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Sports Science / Physical Education.
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
Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% 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, waterproof trousers and coat.
Tuition fees for September 2024 entry are yet to be confirmed.
For guidance, course fees for September 2023 entry are:
Mode of study | International tuition fee |
Full-time | £16,500 |
Full-time with placement | £16,500 + £1,850 (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
Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% 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, 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 statement
Be 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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