UCR - University Centre Reaseheath
University Centre Reaseheath

Equine Science

Why study Equine Science at UCR?

If, like us, you’re fascinated by horses and want to turn your passion into a purposeful career, there’s nowhere better than UCR to achieve your goal.

Our focused degrees offer a proven route to a wide range of professions, from yard manager to equine legal advisor, and many of our graduates are already running their own successful businesses.

People in Action - Equine thermal camera

Industry Focused

At UCR you can specialise in growth areas such as equine behaviour and welfare, bio-veterinary science, sports performance, or training and rehabilitation. Whichever path you choose, our industry experienced lecturers will guide and inspire you.  

Our degrees are strong on science, so you’ll discover the latest research and industry innovations while honing your laboratory skills, helping you to stand out from the crowd.  

We like to stimulate your thinking, and you’ll be encouraged to apply for internships and to attend or even present your research at conferences. Several of our undergraduates have won prestigious BEF MAREC Internships at Virginia Tech’s Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Centre in the USA. 

You’ll also work hands-on with our range of over 60 horses including retrained racehorses and high level school masters, and be supported if you wish to gain British Horse Society qualifications. 

We work closely with a network of industry mentors and hold equine career events packed with demonstrations and presentations, giving you a clear picture of the path you might like to take. And our high profile within the sector means that our work placements are relevant and aspirational, so you build up invaluable experience and transferable skills.

Career Ready

Our modern Equestrian Centre has all the facilities you’d expect on a professional yard, such as an indoor school and outdoor arenas with competition surfaces, stabling for over 60 horses and plenty of areas for practical teaching. High-tech equipment includes a gait analysis system, a mechanical horse, and VO2 Max Testing equipment for riders, and we have excellent laboratories for scientific study. 

We’re a well recognised competition centre and you’re welcome to assist or compete at our weekend dressage and showjumping events. We also host public lectures and demonstrations, with well known guests including event rider Ros Canter, behaviourists Monty Roberts and Richard Maxwell, dressage riders Michael Eilberg and Gareth Hughes and show jumpers Ben Maher and Geoff Billington.  

Equine Science Courses

Access to Higher Education

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Land Based Studies)

1 Year

Full-Time

Equine Science

Foundation Degree in Equine Training and Rehabilitation

2 Years

Full-Time

Equine Science

BSc (Hons) in Equestrian Sports Performance

3 Years

Full-Time

Equine Science

BSc (Hons) in Equine Bioveterinary Science

3 Years

Full-Time

Equine Science

BSc (Hons) Equine Behaviour and Welfare (Top-Up)

1 Year

Full-Time

Student Success

Sophie Booth | BSc Equine Science

“I chose this particular degree because it was science based and also allowed me to follow my passion for horses.”

Sophie excelled at University Centre Reaseheath, where she gained a first-class Equine Science degree and some outstanding experiences, including being able to present her research at the Alltech Equine Science conference.

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