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Introduction
Why choose this course?
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.
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.
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 (placement year)
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
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.
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
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.
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
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.
Assessment
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.
Career Opportunities
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.
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