Equine Science

BSc (Hons)

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Key facts

UCAS code

D322

Start dates

September 2024

Course length

Full time: 3 years

Part time: part-time study is possible

UCAS Tariff Points

112

Overview

On our Equine Science degree you will study the reproduction, physiology, behaviour and nutrition of horses. 
 
We run this course in partnership with Abingdon and Witney College. You'll be taught at Oxford Brookes with some sessions at Witney Campus and the college's stud farm at Common Leys. The farm runs as a racehorse stud producing youngstock for thoroughbred sales. So you have the chance to gain real-life commercial experience. And spend time with thoroughbreds as you learn about anatomy and genetics.  
 
You will have opportunities to publish your own research and attend relevant conferences.  
 
On graduating you will have an up-to-date understanding of scientific principles and management theories. As well as the skills to implement them, whether progressing into employment within the equine industry or elsewhere.
 
Possible careers include:

  • Horse Breeder
  • Equine Occupational Therapist
  • Academic
  • Lab Technician
  • Pedigree Analyst 
  • Artificial Inseminator
  • Broodmare Manager
  • Veterinary Assistant or Technician.
Oxford Brookes University Equine Science, BSc Hons degree course student with horses

How to apply

Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

Standard offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 112

A Level: BBC

IB Points: 30

BTEC: DMM

Further offer details

Preferred subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, PE and Mathematics.

We seek to admit students who have the potential to make good scientists and accept that qualifications are not the only indicator of future potential. Typical offers also include:

  • A-level grades BB plus 2 AS-levels at grade C (112 UCAS Tariff points based on the 2017 recalculated criteria). Students studying more than one science subject may receive a lower offer
  • 1 12-unit vocational A-level grade BB plus 1 A-level or 2 AS-levels grade C
  • other recognised qualifications, eg BTEC Nationals or Scottish qualifications (equivalent to 112 UCAS Tariff points).

If your combination of qualifications doesn't match our typical offer, please contact our admissions tutor.

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

GCSE: Mathematics, English Language and Double Integrated Science (or equivalent) at grade C minimum

You must have studied science post-16, either at A-level or equivalent. 

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

English language requirements

Please see the University's standard English language requirements.

International qualifications and equivalences

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English requirements for visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.

Pathways courses for international and EU students

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, or if you would like more preparation before you start, you can take an international foundation course. Once you enrol, you will have a guaranteed pathway to this degree if you pass your foundation course with the required grades.

If you only need to meet the language requirements, you can take our pre-sessional English course. You will develop key language and study skills for academic success and you will not need to take an external language test to progress to your degree.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Credit transfer

Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.

Find out more about transferring to Brookes. If you'd like to talk through your options, please contact our Admissions team.

Application process

Full time Home (UK) applicants

Apply through UCAS

Part time Home (UK) applicants

Apply direct to the University

International applicants

Apply direct to the University

Full time international applicants can also apply through UCAS

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£16,100

Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£16,900

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£16,100

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£16,900

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Please note, tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.

Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students. 

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. 

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Financial support and scholarships

For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

You will need to budget for public transport between Oxford Brookes and Abingdon and Witney College (Witney Campus) where practical sessions are held. This is mainly in semester 1. 

You will need to purchase suitable clothing and footwear to work on the yard for practicals. Optional branded clothing is available from the college.

There may also be additional costs for learning resources such as books, journals and printer credits to aid with the production of coursework.

Field trips

Your course tuition fee covers the cost of all mandatory field trips. The cost of an optional field trip is not included in your course tuition fee, and a separate fee will apply. Please contact our Enquiry Centre (see 'contact us' for details) if you would like more information about the field trip(s) on this course. 

Learning and assessment

Years 1 and 2 ground you in all aspects of equine science and thoroughbred management. The Skills for Life Scientists module will develop your data manipulation, statistics and IT skills. 
 
In Year 2 you will study compulsory modules that deepen your understanding of the relationship between scientific and management principles. These are: 
 

  • Nutrition
  • Behaviour
  • Equine Medicines 
  • Veterinary Techniques 
  • Performance Science

You can also choose from a range of optional modules.
 
At the end of the year you will make an informed choice about where to spend your work placement. 
 
In Year 3 you will spend the year on an industry placement either in the UK or abroad. You will experience your chosen career path. Many students also use this time to collect data for dissertations in their final year.
 
In your Final Year you will specialise further by choosing some optional modules. You will also produce a dissertation on a subject of your choice. 

Equine Science, BSc Hons degree course student taking notes at Oxford Brookes University

Study modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

  • Academic and Professional Skills

  • Equine Anatomy and Physiology

  • Equine Business

  • The International Equine and Thoroughbred Racing Industry

  • Equine Behaviour and Cognition

  • Applied Equine Health

Year 2

Compulsory modules

  • Research Methods

  • Equestrian Land and Resource Management 1

  • Equine Medicine and Veterinary Techniques

  • Equine Nutrition

  • Exercise Physiology

  • Equitation Science

Optional modules

Equine Event and Racecourse Management

Genetics

Year 3

Optional modules

Industry Placement and Personal Development 1

Optional placement year. 

Year 4 (or Year 3 if no placement)

Compulsory modules

  • Dissertation

  • Ethics for Racing and Sports Horses

  • Advanced Development for the Racing and Performance Equine Athlete

  • Applied Equine Rehabilitation

  • Epidemiology

  • Behavioural Science and Psychology

Optional modules

Equestrian Land and Resource Management 2

Equine Event and Racecourse Management

Genetics

Critical Care of the Neonate

Independent Study in Equine Science

Industry Placement and Personal Development 2

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Learning and teaching

The majority of teaching takes place at Oxford Brookes. In Year 1 you will spend one day per week at the college's stud farm.
 
The farm runs as a commercial enterprise so you will gain real-life experience of the day to day management of a stud farm. And you’ll take part in activities that support your future career path.
 
You will learn the vital skills that a Life Scientist needs. Our facilities include modern dissection laboratories for teaching Anatomy and Physiology modules.
 
Our teaching methods include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • group projects
  • independent research.

We also organise external visits and run guest lectures. This helps you stay informed about the latest industry research. You will also have opportunities to take part in research projects.

Field trips

Trips are arranged by module leaders to strengthen the learning experience and help students to link theory to practice. Visits in recent years have included a variety of studs, artificial insemination and embryo transfer specialist centres, UK and international conferences, Tattersalls sales as well as racecourses, training establishments and seed specialists.

For field trip costs see the Tuition fees section. 

Assessment

Assessment methods used on this course

Throughout the course we place emphasis on transferable skills. We assess these skills during individual modules.

Assessment methods vary according to what skills or knowledge is being assessed.

At least 50% of the assessment in all modules is coursework-based. Project work is assessed entirely by coursework.

After you graduate

Career prospects

There is a range of employment opportunities for our graduates, and specialisation in your final year can help to determine your professional area.

Recent graduates have gained positions in racecourses, biomechanics consultancies, event management and further education colleges as lecturers. Others have secured roles in owner services at Weatherbys, gained entry into veterinary colleges or continued in higher education with a Veterinary Physiotherapy MSc, for example, or other postgraduate options, such as PhDs or MBAs.

Careers as equine scientists, yard managers, insurance agents, trainee accountants, nutritionists, journalists, facility managers and equine business advisers are also potential destinations.

Free language courses

Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Information from Discover Uni

Full-time study

Part-time study

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.