BSc (Hons) Equestrian Sports Performance

• A minimum of 112 tariff points from A and AS levels. A science subject is preferred
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – a minimum of grade DMM in an Animal, Equine or Science related subject
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – a minimum of grade D*D* in an Animal, Equine or Science related subject
• Access to HE Diploma – a minimum of 112 tariff points
• Scottish Higher – a minimum of 112 tariff points from Higher and Advanced Higher in an Animal, Equine or Science related subject
• T Level – M (Merit)
• Mature students (aged 21+) will be considered on an individual basis on their prior knowledge and experience. This may be assessed by interview, completion of coursework/essay or other methods. There may be a requirement for a formal qualification to be completed first e.g. Access to Higher Education course

• Introduction to Psychology for Equestrian Sports
• Equine Sports Horse Industry and Management
• Equine Anatomy and Physiology
• Introduction to Rider Fitness and Training
• Principles of Equitation
• Introduction to Scientific Communication

• Equine Nutrition and Health
• Equine Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics
• Equine Injury and Rehabilitation
• Research Methods

Optional

• Physiological Measurement Techniques for Equestrian Performance
• Sports Nutrition for Equestrian Athletes
• Work Based Learning for the Land Based Industries
• Experiential Learning

Choose two optional modules

• Contemporary Issues and Developments in Equestrian Sports
• Equine Fitness and Performance
• Dissertation at Reaseheath

Optional

• Biomechanical Analysis of Equestrian Performance
• Rider Performance Optimisation
• Advanced Equine Nutrition

Choose two optional modules

The programme is designed to allow the students to have options at all levels that would ideally reflect their chosen career path upon graduation. On this degree you will study:

• Year 1 – SIX core modules
• Year 2 – FOUR core modules with TWO optional modules 
• Year 3 – THREE core modules with TWO optional modules 

Optional modules are normally chosen during March of the academic year to then be delivered the following academic year. 

Incoming students are requested to choose their modules online via the University of Chester portal before commencement of their degree. 

Modules will need to have a minimum of 6 students for them to be offered for delivery.

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity, plus field trips. Your actual contact hours may depend on which optional modules you select, but the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each year of the course: 

Year 1:  

30% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity 

Teaching, Learning and Assessment:       360 hours 

Independent Study:                                        840 hours 

Year 2:  

21% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity 

Teaching, Learning and Assessment:       260 hours 

Placement:                                                         150 hours 

Independent Study:                                        780 hours 

Year 3:  

14% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity 

Teaching, Learning and Assessment:       170 hours 

Independent Study:                                        1030 hours 

Class sizes vary depending on module being studied. Some shared modules may be taught in large groups in the lecture theatre although most will be taught in groups up to 30 students.

Assessment Methods

Assessments are designed to encourage both academic skills and skills valued in the workplace. They include a combination of coursework and timed online assessments. Coursework may take many forms including: essays, reports, data processing, presentations, academic posters, seminar discussions, interviews, critical reviews, portfolios of evidence and practical competency assessments. The timed online assessments vary, depending on the nature of the module and level of study, but may take the form of multiple-choice papers, essays, practical assessments, data handling questions, and short answer quizzes.  

The balance of assessment by timed online assessment and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by coursework is as follows:  

Year 1 

42% coursework 

37% timed online assessments

22% practical 

Year 2 

66% coursework 

28% timed online assessments

6% practical 

Year 3 

70% coursework 

14% timed online assessments

16% practical 

Feedback

Opportunities for feedback on your progress will be available throughout your course. This will be provided in many formats, including written and verbal. Feedback on graded work is supplied online via Turnitin or directly from the module tutor. The majority of assessment submissions are made online via Turnitin and feedback for coursework is provided within 20 working days after the submission date.

Written feedback will be supported verbally should the student require clarification. Formative assessment feedback will be provided at the time of completion where possible, with more detailed summative feedback for reports.

Timetables will be distributed during induction week. 

Students will be expected to attend all timetabled sessions. In years 1 and 2 sessions are typically timetabled 3 to 3.5 days per week and in year 3 they are timetabled over 2 to 2.5 days per week.

Students have the option of completing the level 5 module ‘Work Based Learning for the Land Based Industries’ module which includes 150 hours of work-based industry placement and professional development.

Students studying the alternative ‘RC5508 Experiential Learning’ module may also undertake industry-based placements as part of their experiential learning.

The responsibility of finding a suitable placement lies with the student who is also responsible for any financial cost associated with such placement.

To safeguard the wellbeing of our horses, comply with health and safety requirements, ensure high levels of animal welfare and ensure a high-quality student experience we have to make an assessment of who can ride our horses safely, and this is based on a number of factors.  These factors can impact on our decisions regarding which students are able to ride as part of their course.   

Current research from the Saddle Research Trust and Animal Health Trust with leading equine professionals, scientists and researchers has advised that horses should only be carrying 10- 20% of their own optimum bodyweight when being ridden, this includes the clothing and tack used. If carrying over 20%, there is a substantial effect on the horse’s gait, behaviour, soundness and welfare in response to rider weight. 

The pool of horses that we have access to at the College does fluctuate each year, but we try to ensure that their general size, age and health are reasonably constant within an agreed tolerance, to appeal to and accommodate as many students as possible.  However, this does mean that for some students who are at either end of the optimum height and weight for our horses, we may not be able to allow them to ride safely as part of their course.  General guidelines for height/ weight ratios can be found below, however, this is used as a guide and are only one part of a holistic assessment of the individual for riding.  An experienced and qualified member of staff will assign horses to students for riding and rider height and weight will be considered to ensure both horse welfare and the health and safety of the individual. 

Rider weight guidelines: 

Whilst rider height, weight and fitness are factors in our riding assessment, it is important that students do not view this as any prompt to eat or diet unhealthily.   

The main factors we have to consider when assessing suitability of riders in the Equestrian Centre are: 

• Weight a horse can carry safely 
• Rider weight and height 
• Rider ability and balance 
• Level and duration of work 
• Range and frequency of use 
• Availability of horses 

Our rider assessment involves an initial questionnaire to be completed by the student, which will evaluate rider experience. Following successful acceptance of the initial paper assessment, students will need to attend a holistic Ride Standard Setting Session to assess student riding ability on the mechanical horse. If riding skills are suitable, students will then progress to an assessment on a live horse, with extensive feedback provided by one of our BHS coaches. 

Interviews may be used to help make decisions on applications, mature applicants and those where further information is required.

Tuition Fees

As a student at UCR, you will have two main costs to meet; your tuition fees and living costs.

Our full-time tuition fees for UK and EU students, entering University, can be found on our student finance page. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.

Tuition fees for international students can also be found on our student finance page.

Additional Costs

Study Tours

Optional study tours may be organised by your course team. Costs vary depending on location, duration and activities although have typically cost £350 in previous years.

Equipment costs

Equestrian yard uniform, consisting of grey jodhpurs and a grey polo shirt, is expected to be worn for all practical sessions. Branded UCR polo shirts are available through the UCR online shop for approximately £15.

Students would be expected to provide their own PPE with minimum riding hat standard of PAS015, Level 3 (Blue; 2018) body protector (for jumping if riding) and suitable leather riding boots (not chaps). Students should also be prepared to purchase riding gloves and a waterproof coat without a hood.

You can expect equipment costs to be in the region of £300 depending on brand and retailer.

Lab coats are provided however students can purchase their own if preferred.

You may wish to take the opportunity to undertake additional training and qualifications such as British Horse Society (BHS) qualifications. These will be an additional cost to the degree.

The equine centre hosts a range of riding clinics and affiliated and unaffiliated equestrian sporting events in a range of disciplines. These events are usually an additional cost and are typically £10-£50.