Equine Science and Management - 2012 entry
Foundation Degree Fd(Sc)
Overview
Abingdon and Whitney College
This course is run by the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
The equine industry is worth in excess of £4 billion annually (BETA National Equestrian Survey 2006). According to employers, there is a shortage of highly-qualified professionals with the broad range of management and science skills required to work with horses.
To meet this need, this two-year foundation degree has been developed as a partnership between Oxford Brookes, Abingdon and Witney College and local employers. It provides a flexible course that will enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to their work within the equine industry.
For students who are not currently employed in the industry, there will be an opportunity to work at Common Leys Farm, near Witney. We are pleased to receive applications from those students returning to education after a break.
The foundation degree will equip you for a successful career or progression to our honours degrees in Equine Science or Equine Science and Thoroughbred Management.
Why choose this course?
- You access the expertise and resources of both Oxford Brookes University who accredit the degrees and Abingdon and Witney College where the teaching takes place.
- You gain vital industry experience through a compulsory 30-day work placement, which will enhance your career opportunities.
- The Common Leys campus near Witney offers excellent facilities such as a commercially-run thoroughbred stud where you can apply your classroom learning immediately in the field.
- You will have the opportunity to go on field trips to studs and attend guest lecturers from industry professionals enabling you to see how the industry works and preparing you for future employment.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching methods vary from module to module. Usually they include lectures, laboratory-based practical activities, sessions at Common Leys Farm, IT workshops, problem-solving classes, online resources and tutorial support.
All teaching takes place at the Common Leys and Witney campuses of Abingdon and Witney College, although you also have access to Oxford Brookes' facilities. Since Common Leys Farm runs as an enterprise, you gain real-life commercial experience and practical skills, and benefit from its facilities. To keep students abreast of current research, we also organise external visits and invite guest lecturers in.
At least 50% of assessment is coursework-based, and project work is assessed entirely by coursework. Transferable skills such as IT and report writing often form part of the assessment of individual modules.
Learning outcomes
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to demonstrate:
- knowledge in a range of scientific, business and equine disciplines
- the ability to apply that knowledge in developing appropriate solutions to work-related problems in the equine industry
- the ability and discipline to complete a major body of work, to a required standard and to deadlines
- the motivation to develop their skills, thereby enhancing their value to industry.
In detail
CONTACT US
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General enquiries
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Stephanie Godfrey
I did my work placement at Common Leys Farm. It has given me the confidence to take on more responsibility, which is really good if I want to work with students later on. If I get good grades, I hope to go straight onto the last year of the degree in Equine Science.
See full profile »Course content
Year 1 modules provide a thorough grounding in equine science and management techniques. You'll also complete a minimum of 30 days' work-based learning at your chosen workplace.
You will broaden your knowledge and enhance your skills in Year 2 and have the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in a chosen area. It is advised that you continue to work within the equine industry as this will greatly complement your final project, which is based on a working equine environment. This project gives you the opportunity to apply the skills developed throughout the course to negotiate, design and complete a project relevant to the workplace.
Throughout the course we integrate transferable skills such as self-management, communication, teamwork, problem solving and IT. Combined with your subject knowledge, this will equip you for a successful career or progression to our honours degrees in Equine Science or Equine Science and Thoroughbred Management.
As courses are reviewed regularly, the module list may vary from that shown below.
Year 1
- Animal Welfare
- Equine Anatomy and Physiology
- Equine Nutrition
- Groundwork Skills and Riding
- Introduction to Business
- Introductory Biology
- Learning and Professional Skills
- Practical Husbandry Management
Year 2
- Advanced Husbandry Management
- Animal Behaviour
- Breeding and Stud Management
- Equine Fittening and Training
- Equine Health Management
- Equine Sports Injury and Therapy
- Industry-Based Project
- Sustainability in the Equine Industry
Work placements
A key feature of all foundation degrees is that the theoretical knowledge acquired in the formally-taught part of the course is applied to real-life situations in the workplace.
During Year 1, you complete a minimum of 30 days' work-based learning at your chosen workplace. A placement at Common Leys Farm (equine unit or stud) is available to those who are unable to find an alternative or show a specific interest in working there. Those who are in full-time employment in the equine industry will need to be assessed before being granted APL (accreditation for prior learning) and will need employer support to complete the required work-based learning outside the stud.
During Year 2, we recommend that you continue to work within the equine industry as this will greatly complement your final project, which is based on a working equine environment. You will be assisted in searching for a suitable work placement.
An additional 'duty day' is also available at Common Leys outside of the normal timetabled days. It is strongly advised that those students not currently employed within a practical equine setting take advantage of this extra day.
Field trips
You go on field trips to studs, racecourses and horse shows enabling you to see how the industry works and preparing you for future employment.
Key facts
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee-ann.penaluna@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208159
General enquiries
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483600
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Department
Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
Professional accreditation
Several modules on the course are closely linked to professional qualification syllabuses, such as the British Horse Society (BHS) qualifications. While specific training for these professional exams is not within the remit of the foundation degree course, the syllabus is such that the content reflects BHS Horse Care and Knowledge beyond that required for Stage 4. Staff will always advise students on their progression towards the standards required and help with identifying the skills covered in the degree course that are needed to achieve the BHS qualifications.
Course length
Full-time: 2 years (2 days per week). Individual modules may be available.
Teaching location
Abingdon and Witney College, Common Leys Farm Campus / Abingdon and Witney College, Witney Campus
Start date
September 2012
UCAS code
D426 FdSc/AB18
Fees / funding
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee-ann.penaluna@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208159
General enquiries
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483600
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International students
Tuition fees
UK/EU students
Full-time: £6,000
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Funding and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see:
Apply / Entry reqs
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee-ann.penaluna@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208159
General enquiries
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483600
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Typical offers
We seek students who have the potential to make good scientists and accept that qualifications are not the only indicator of future potential. Typical offers include:
- 2 years' post-GCSE education (eg A-level, National Diploma/Certificate, Advanced Diploma), equivalent to 80 UCAS points
- 1 year's post-GCSE education (eg AS-level, National Certificate), equivalent to 80 UCAS points, and 1 year's work experience in a relevant industry (a supporting reference will be required).
Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications may be admitted with APL (accreditation for prior learning) or APEL (accreditation for prior experiential learning) in accordance with university regulations.
Specific entry requirements
Students must be at least 17½ years of age.
Please also see the university's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
Please see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Full-time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Student experience
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee-ann.penaluna@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208159
General enquiries
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483600
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Specialist facilities
Abingdon and Witney College has been a leading provider of equine courses since 1971, and enjoys an international reputation for both its practical and managerial education and training. Witney Stud Farm, based at Common Leys, gives students a unique first-hand opportunity to become immersed in the day-to-day working routine of a thoroughbred stud and equestrian centre and to participate in real-life equine business enterprises. While most of the theory elements of the equine programmes are taught at the Witney campus, students are able to gain extensive practical experience at the stud farm. In addition to the new land-based development, more stabling and additional practical teaching areas have been incorporated to enhance the pre-training and equitation provision.
Support for students studying Equine Science and Management
Although this course is not taught at Oxford Brookes, you will have access to all the university’s facilities and support services.
We understand that going into full-time or part-time education can have a big effect on people's lives. There may be a lot of questions you want to ask before you start on a course, and there may be times during your studies when you will want to seek information and advice from a reliable source.
Abingdon and Witney College has a dedicated independent team of advice and guidance staff for the benefit of both students and would-be students. Available throughout the year, they provide information, advice and confidential support services for all students. They are there to enable you to make informed decisions about your studies, and to help you deal with any difficulties which may arise.
General support services
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
After graduation
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee-ann.penaluna@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208159
General enquiries
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483600
SOCIAL MEDIA
RELATED COURSES:
Professional accreditation
Several modules on the course are closely linked to professional qualification syllabuses, such as the British Horse Society (BHS) qualifications. While specific training for these professional exams is not within the remit of the foundation degree course, the syllabus is such that the content reflects BHS Horse Care and Knowledge beyond that required for Stage 4. Staff will always advise students on their progression towards the standards required and help with identifying the skills covered in the degree course that are needed to achieve the BHS qualifications.
Career prospects
Employment in the equine industry is multifaceted. There are many related areas that centre on the horse and require skilled personnel for a variety of tasks. Specialisation in the second year will ultimately help to determine your professional area. Careers such as equine scientists, yard managers, nutritionists, journalists, lecturers, facility managers and equine business advisers are all potential destinations for graduates of this course.
Some students also choose to progress to our honours degrees in Equine Science or Equine Science and Thoroughbred Management.
