Equine Science - 2012 entry
BSc (Hons)
- single
Typical A-level offer: BBC or equivalent
Overview
Lab work
Lab work
Students at Common Leys Farm
Abingdon and Whitney College
This course is run by the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
Our Equine Science course offers students the opportunity to study a science-focused degree with the flexibility to build in other interests by including modules in areas such as business and management. This three-year course produces graduates who proceed into a wide variety of different areas for both employment and postgraduate study, both within and outside of the equine industry.
Most teaching is carried out at Oxford Brookes, with a small number of modules based at Abingdon and Witney College’s 'Witney Stud', allowing theory to be linked to practice.
Why Brookes?
- You'll access the expertise and resources of both Oxford Brookes University, who accredit the degrees, and Abingdon and Witney College.
- 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 go on trips to research centres, studs, racecourses and sales enabling you to see how the industry works and preparing you for future employment.
- Respected industry figures deliver guest lectures.
- The combination of modules from across equine, life sciences and business subject areas allows students to graduate with a combination of scientific literacy and management skills.
Teaching, learning and assessment
The majority of teaching takes place at Oxford Brookes. In the first year, one day per week is spent at the college's stud farm. Students who are in halls have bus travel subsidised. Since the farm runs as a commercial enterprise, you will gain real-life experience and practical skills, and benefit from its facilities. Other facilities include modern dissection laboratories for teaching Anatomy and Physiology modules.
To keep students abreast of current research, we organise external visits and invite guest lecturers in. You will also have opportunities to participate in research or commercial projects. Other teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group projects and independent research.
Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on transferable skills, which often form part of the assessment of individual modules. Assessment methods vary according to the range of knowledge and skills covered. At least 50% of the assessment in all modules is coursework-based, and project work is assessed entirely by coursework.
Learning outcomes
The training of horses is a global industry which requires skilled individuals to manage and develop its financial and scientific improvement. This course aims to:
- provide an integrative framework for the major disciplines of the equine industry (husbandry, nutrition, training, veterinary medicine, breeding and stud management)
- develop broad theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of the biological and economic systems relating to husbandry and management of the horse
- develop the scientific and economic skills required to formulate, study and interpret problems and processes pertaining to horse management in practical and business situations
- facilitate work-related learning by offering students the chance to interact with relevant practitioners and potential employers
- provide a range of teaching and learning experiences to help focus students' career aspirations and decision-making skills.
In detail
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Kate Moore
I enjoy the lab work, for instance how to test blood. I found that really interesting.
See full profile »Course content
Year 1 modules provide a sound foundation in scientific principles, anatomy and physiology, and industry knowledge, as well as introducing you to data handling and statistics. A feature of your first year is a series of tutorials with your academic adviser (a member of the teaching staff who is responsible for overseeing your academic progress). The tutorials are designed to help you adjust to academic life at university and establish good study habits.
Year 2 offers a mixture of compulsory and optional modules. With in depth study of nutrition, preventative medicine, veterinary techniques and performance science, you will develop an appreciation of the close relationship between scientific and management principles. Other modules which you can study at this stage include Equestrian Event Management, International Business, Introduction to People Management, Microbiology and Haematology.
In your final year the choice of optional modules, including Equine Genetics, Equine Ethics and Welfare, International Stud Management and Equestrian Land Management, together with your dissertation, will allow you to develop specialist knowledge in a chosen area. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on transferable skills such as IT, communication and critical evaluation.
As courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown below.
Year 1
- Business for the Equine Industry
- Equine Anatomy and Physiology
- Equine Bioscience
- Equine Breeding and Stud Practice
- Practical Horse Husbandry
- Skills for Life Scientists (double)
- The Equine Industry
- The International Thoroughbred Industry
Year 2 and final year
- Dissertation or Final Project (double)
- Equestrian Event Management
- Equestrian Land Management
- Equine Behaviour
- Equine Endocrine and Reproduction Physiology (double)
- Equine Ethics and Welfare
- Equine Genetics
- Equine Injury and Rehabilitation (double)
- Equine Nutrition
- Equine Performance Science
- Evolution and Animal Development (double)
- Haematology and Immunology
- Independent Study in Life Sciences
- Infection, Immunity and Immunology
- International Business
- International Stud Management
- Introduction to People Management
- Microbiology
- Preventative Medicine and Veterinary Techniques (double)
- Research Methods for Sport and Health Sciences
- Training and Developing the Athletic Horse
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, Tattersalls sales, as well as racecourses, training establishments and seed specialists.
Study abroad
Information about exchanges, European work placements and other study abroad programmes is available here.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
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Department
Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
Course length
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: part-time study is possible
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane / Abingdon and Witney College
Start date
September 2012
UCAS code
D322 BSc/EQS
Fees / funding
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Tuition fees
UK/EU students
Full-time: £9,000
Part-time: £750 per module. You can take up to five modules per academic year.
Tuition fees
International students
Full-time: £11,750
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
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Typical offers
A-level: BBC or equivalent
IB Diploma: 30 points
Advanced Diploma: in Environment and Land-based Studies at grade C
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 (equivalent to 280 UCAS tariff points). 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 280 UCAS points).
If your combination of qualifications doesn't match our typical offer, please contact our Admissions tutor.
Specific entry requirements
A-level: You must have studied science post-16, either at A-level or equivalent qualification (see our typical offers). Preferred A-level subjects include Biology, Chemistry, PE and Maths.
GCSE: Mathematics, English Language and Double Integrated Science (or equivalent) at grade C minimum
If you do not have a background in science, we encourage you to consider our Foundation Degree in Equine Science and Management (which includes a top-up route to an honours degree qualification).
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.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
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.
Credit transfer
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Student experience
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Why Oxford is a great place to study Equine Science
As a student in Oxford you'll be at the heart of the UK's most successful economic region and in a centre for leading industries which will provide you with a host of work placement and other learning opportunities.
One of the world's great academic cities, Oxford is a key centre of debate, with conferences, seminars and forums taking place across education, science, the arts and many other subjects. It is a vibrant city with plenty of attractions for its large student population, from theatres and cinemas to museums, art galleries and music venues. A bustling and stunning cosmopolitan city, Oxford has excellent shopping, restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs.
Situated in the heart of rural England and home to around 150,000 people, Oxford offers students a clean and safe environment less than an hour from London and international airports.
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 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 Oxford Brookes, students are encouraged to gain practical experience at the stud farm. In addition to the new land-based development, stabling and practical teaching areas have been incorporated to enhance the pre-training and equitation provision.
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.
Accommodation
At Brookes we understand that when you live away from home it's important to be somewhere that you feel comfortable and safe.
After graduation
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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.
