BSc (Hons) in Equine Bioveterinary Science

• A minimum of 96 tariff points from A and AS levels to include Biology
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – a minimum of grade MMM in an Animal, Equine or Science related subject
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – a minimum of grade DD in an Animal, Equine or Science related subject
• City & Guilds Level 3 Technical Advanced Extended Diploma (1080 – first awarded in 2019) – a minimum of grade MMM in an Animal, Equine or Science related subject
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (720 – first awarded in 2019) – a minimum of grade DD in an Animal, Equine or Science related subject
• 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

• Equine Sports Horse Industry and Management
• Introduction to Genetics and Breeding
• Veterinary Biosciences
• Scientific Data Collection and Analysis
• Equine Anatomy and Physiology
• Introduction to Behaviour in Animals

• Equine Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics
• Research Methods
• Advances in Equine Breeding

Optional

• Animal Nutrition*
• Equine Health and Epidemiology*
• Veterinary Physiology and Microbiology**
• Equine Nutrition and Health**
• Work Based Learning for the Land-based Industries
• Experiential Learning

*must be taught together

**must be taught together

• Advanced Equine Nutrition

• Advanced Equine Welfare and Ethics

• Recent Advances in Equine Science

• Dissertation (40 Credits)

Optional

• Biomechanical Analysis of Equestrian Performance
• Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology
• Animal Parasitology

Optional modules run subject to sufficient uptake. Module selection will take place in the previous academic year. On this degree you will study:

• Year 1 – SIX core modules
• Year 2 – THREE core modules with THREE optional modules 
• Year 3 – THREE core modules with ONE optional module 

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. 

Please note – this information is subject to change.

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 

68% coursework 

32% written exams 

Year 2 

79% coursework 

25% written exams 

6% practical 

Year 3 

66% coursework 

30% written exams 

4% 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.

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 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 £200 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.