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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

Choices may include Anatomy and Physiology of the Horse, Business Management, Equine Therapy and Equine Behaviour (subject to timetable restrictions).

Equine Management (Double module)

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 Training (Option)

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

Equitation (Option)

A broad overview of equitation within differing equine pursuits. Investigating changes in style throughout history and recent advances in research to help improve horse and rider performance.

Year 2

Elective

Students can select from a range of modules, which may include Developing the Horse and Rider, Industry Project, Business and Entrepreneurism, Breeding and Stud Management (subject to timetable restrictions).

Equestrian Coaching and Performance Analysis

Coaching and performance analysis will be investigated both academically and practically. The application of technological aids to help assess performance will be used to further analyse development.

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 Practice and Consultancy for 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.

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.

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.

Equine Commercial Management and Global Developments (1.5 module)

This module aims to address the types of organisation that require commercial managers within the Equine Sector and the responsibilities that are fundamental to the role of a commercial manager. An up to date critical review of the advances of equine industries across the world.

Manipulation of the Equine for Performance (1.5 module)

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.

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.

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

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 the riding modules.

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 Preliminary Teaching Test is offered on site as an additional part time course subject to additional fees and application.

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 4 – 6 weekends spread throughout the year.

2 Equipment and/or Clothing: Riding hat to current standards (PAS015; ASTMF1163; SNELL E2001) riding boots, gloves, jodhpurs plus schooling and jumping whip and body protector subject to current standards for jumping lessons (if riding).

Extra Costs:

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

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

· Jodpurs (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) - £400

· 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