Overview

Progress into your equine science degree with a foundation year. Develop essential skills in equine biology and undertake work experience in industry. You'll benefit from world-class facilities including an equine therapy centre, industry-standard science labs and a livery yard with over 200 horses.

During the Equine Science (with Foundation Year) (Hons) course from Hartpury College you'll combine theory with practice on this applied science degree, hearing from industry experts in lectures and strengthening your learning through field trips. You'll tailor your studies in your final years, with optional subjects covering biomechanics, nutrition, therapy, behaviour, disease and disorders, breeding and reproduction.

This foundation year pathway provides an alternative route into degree-level study. It's ideal for those who need to gain subject-specific knowledge and skills in order to progress onto the full BSc qualification.

You'll study how the horse's body works, developing your expertise in exercise anatomy and physiology. You'll examine the impact that exercise has on the horse, and how different activities affect this.

You'll be able to choose from a diverse range of modules, specialising in one or two subjects or gaining a thorough grounding in many. You could study equine behaviour, looking at different training methods and natural horse behaviours. You could also develop your specialism in equine nutrition, therapy or sports medicine. On these modules you'll study the performance horse, diagnosing and treating health conditions such as gastric ulcers and laminitis, as well as rehabilitating discipline specific injuries.

If you're interested in breeding and neonatal medicine, you can also learn all about manipulating hormone cycles for thoroughbred and treating prevalent issues at time of labour as well as in the foals' first few months. Whichever subjects you decide to study, you can be confident that you'll graduate with specialist knowledge in your chosen subjects, ready for your career.

Industry opportunities

The optional sandwich year on this degree will give you the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience. Students have recently undertaken work placements at our Equine Therapy Centre, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (University of Edinburgh) and pharmaceutical companies. 

You could also take part in our exchange programme, studying a semester of your degree at Delaware Valley University, USA. Field trips and guests in lectures are central, with recent trips including Lambourn Equine Vets and KWPN Stallion Grading, Holland. Recent visiting lecturers have included scientist David Marlin, and professionals from Saracen, Baileys and the Three Counties Equine Hospital.

Graduate destinations

Career options are diverse. You could set up your own business or choose to work for an employer. Graduates have recently progressed onto:

• British Horseracing Authority Graduate Scheme

• Specialist Sales Manager, Horse and Country TV

• Freelance journalist

• Nutritionist and lab technician roles at leading nutrition companies

• Welfare and Research Officer, HorseTrust

• Postgraduate study - MSc Equine Science, MRes Equestrian Performance