Applied Equine Science

Course overview

Apply theory to practice on a campus equipped with world-class equestrian facilities, including competition arenas, equine therapy and rider performance centres, as well as over 200 horses and riders of all levels.

This MSc Applied Equine Science degree provides the ideal opportunity for you to advance your existing expertise within the field of applied equestrian science.

You’ll build on previous knowledge and skills, studying a diverse range of industry-informed modules that have been designed to give you specialist understanding of the interaction of science with real-world equine practice.

Key to the course is developing your understanding of new technology in the field, with opportunities to utilise our state-of-the-art equipment, including thermography, gait analysis and electromyography. Data collection and measurement through your modules and thesis will enable you to uncover new knowledge in line with your own interests and industry needs.

You’ll be encouraged to attend and present at industry conferences to develop your academic and industry networks, including at our own annual Alltech-Hartpury Student Research Conference.

What you'll study

MSc degree

The full master’s degree covers a core range of applied biological science-based topics. Subject areas include pathologies that impact performance management, research-informed practice within clinical rehabilitation, and the impact of management on equine cognition and behaviour.

The compulsory modules within the course are aimed at supporting you to develop core foundations of equine science, whilst many also allow you to tailor your assessment to your specific areas of interest or career goals. The optional modules enable you to draw stronger focus on areas of particular personal interest.

The postgraduate dissertation exemplifies this, as you're able to design, undertake and report on an independent piece of research, in line with your interests or goals, with support from specialist staff.

Regardless of your choice of modules, the course will increase your understanding of the way science can improve current practice to maximise performance, extend career length or aid performance horse selection, with a core goal being to optimise the horse’s welfare.

Postgraduate Diploma

These qualifications form part of and are at the same level as the full master’s degree. They provide the ideal opportunity for you to develop your professional expertise via shorter part-time qualifications to fit around commitments, whilst allowing flexibility to progress each qualification through to the next level including the full master’s degree.

The Postgraduate Diploma form part of and is at the same level as the full master’s degree. It provides an ideal opportunity to develop your professional expertise via a shorter qualification to fit around commitments, whilst allowing flexibility to progress through to the full master’s degree.

The Postgraduate Diploma includes  compulsory and optional modules around a range of applied topics and equates to approximately two-thirds of the master’s degree. 

Modules

Below you’ll find the compulsory and optional module indicators for the full MSc degree.

Students on the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma courses will be able to select from both compulsory and optional modules in line with interests and career goals.

Please visit our document library for more module information.

How you'll study

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential while you're here so that you can achieve your personal and professional goals.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one. This will range from your lecturers, supervisors and personal tutor to our specialist academic (Achievement and Success Centre), employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) and wellbeing teams.

Our academic support teams run regular workshops, alongside offering one-to-one sessions, which can be attended on campus or virtually. Alongside this, you'll find a comprehensive bank of online study skills resources to help you make the most of your qualification.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your understanding of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions.

Further details

Your career

Industry opportunities on this course largely come from our own businesses on campus (see facilities tab), as well as the networking facilitated through guest lecturers and field trips.

On-campus opportunities

Our commercial equine therapy and performance centres offer opportunities for students to gain industry experience to support their careers. With teams made up of expert personnel alongside volunteers, you could have the opportunity to get hands-on with clinical cases and to network with the range of allied professionals that involved in the rehabilitation and management of the horses, including veterinarians, farriers, nutritionists and more.

Furthermore, opportunities exist to gain valuable industry experience by volunteering at the national and international level events hosted by our Equine Centre. These include the Five Star Hartpury Horse Trials and the Hartpury International Festival of Dressage.

Find out more about our commercial equine activities below.

Field trips and guest lecturers

Field trips and industry professionals in lectures form an important part of your learning, enabling you to experience different businesses, careers and best practices.

Recent field trips have included visits to places such as Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Tweenhills Farm and Stud, and Kingswood Stud, home of the Kurtsystem. The trips facilitate both industry networking and the opportunity to experience the application of science in practice with those using it on a daily basis.

Guest lecturers are selected to extend your learning and professional networks, recently including physical therapists, veterinary surgeons, research scientists in reproductive immunology, artificial Insemination technicians and performance coaches.

Graduate destinations

Whether you have already defined your career goals or you’re keen to explore your options, these programmes provide opportunities to develop both the specialist and transferable skills needed for a range of graduate careers. Our teaching staff, professionals on campus and careers team are available to provide expert advice and guidance, as required.

Recent graduate destinations have included:

• Animal Health Technician, Equine Hospital
• Research Ethics Officer, University Hospital
• Nutritional Advisor, Saracen Horse Feeds
• Marketing Executive, Animal feed manufacturer
• University lecturer
• Equine Events Coordinator, Hartpury Equestrian

Tuition fees and financial support

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

Below you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course, as well as costs associated with living and extra-curricular activities that might be of interest.

Clothing and footwear (circa £100)

A number of modules require clothing and footwear suitable to wear on the yard, eg. long trousers and boots.

Hartpury University branded clothing is also available through our online shop, for those who wish to purchase it. However, this is not essential.

Optional field trips 

Field trips are generally included in the course fees.  However, extra costs may be required for specific optional trips.

Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.

Livery

We have stabling for 230 horses on campus. If you're interested in having your horse at Hartpury on DIY livery while you study, please visit our livery page for details and costs.

Equine Academy

If you have the talent and drive to develop your skills as an equestrian athlete alongside your studies, you may be eligible to join our Equine Academy. For further details including costs, please visit our Equine Academy page.