Equestrian Sports Science BSc (Hons)

The Equestrian Sports Science programme is unique, enabling you to study both the equine and human as an athlete in relation to elite performance.  Rider performance is becoming an increasingly important focus internationally. The programme at Hartpury which incorporates both equine and sporting expertise and facilities will set you up for a wide variety of career opportunities within the equine and sporting industries.

Equestrian sports are unusual in that they require the co-ordination of effort between the human athlete and the equine athlete.  This Equestrian Sports Science degree will enable you to study the athletic combination of horse and rider and develop research into the interaction between the two. You will develop an in-depth knowledge of the support required for horses and riders competing at the highest levels of competition in all aspects of equine sport.

Studying at Hartpury

The BSc (Hons) degree aims to provide you with strong academic skills which can be applied to your workplace or for further academic study.  Learning is through lectures, seminars, field visits, laboratory-based practicals, therapy centre practicals and industrial visits.  Every year at Hartpury we hold the International Eventing Forum organised by British Eventing and Hartpury Alltech conference which students attend as part of their final year modules. A wide variety of assessment methods are used, including examinations, written assignments, poster presentations, assessed practicals and oral examinations, Individual tutorials are available to support you academically.

We have a range of lecturers with extensive experience from both academic and industrial backgrounds.   The equine team consists of staff from varied backgrounds ranging from veterinary nursing to a Fellow of the BHS.  Senior members of staff have extensive research experience in areas of equine sports medicine, equine performance and biomechanics.  The sports department has national coaching, physiotherapy and strength and conditioning experience within sports teams and local schools.  Many members of staff have active roles within the current sports academies which the students are encouraged to participate in.

Equestrian Sports Science graduates have a range of both sporting and equine careers open to them with students having gone on to study veterinary medicine, Masters degrees in equine science and human therapy.  Other graduates have completed a PGCE and are now teaching science and physical education with one student even setting up their own business specialising in rider fitness.

Areas of study

Level 1

• Animal Nutrition
• Functional Anatomy of Equine Locomotion
• Introduction to Exercise Physiology and Psychology
• Equitation
• Equine Veterinary Science
• Equine Industry

Level 2

• Horse and Rider Performance
• Equine Exercise Physiology
• Equine Therapy
• Applied Equine Nutrition
• Sports Nutrition and Drugs
• Sports Psychology

Level 3

• Dissertation
• Analysis of Equestrian Sport
• Nutrition for the Performance Horse
• Equine Sports Medicine
• Performance Analysis
• Sports Strength and Conditioning

Programme overview

UCAS code

BSc (Hons) – DC46 A

Programme length

BSc (Hons) – three years full-time

Part-time option

Yes

Work experience opportunity

No

Careers

The anticipated opportunities for graduates are numerous: equine-specific possibilities include higher degrees, lecturing positions, research, equestrian sports performance analysis and equine specialist consultancy work.

Other programmes you may be interested in

• Bsc (Hons)/ FdSc Sports Coaching
• FdSc Equine Performance (sandwich)
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science
• FdSc Equine Science and Management

Entry requirements

View the UCAS tariff points system