This course will include horse science, riding, and stable management, providing you with the knowledge and skills required for a career in the equine industry. You’ll gain practical riding experience on the flat and over jumps while studying towards the British Horse Society (BHS) examinations. We also offer a non-riding option for those that want to develop skills that could lead to a career in competition grooming or rehabilitation and therapy.

Our BHS-approved Equestrian Centre has stabling for 65 horses. There is even the option to keep your own horse here. It also features indoor and outdoor riding arenas, turnout fields, a horse walker and a mechanical horse simulator – great for perfecting your position.

What you’ll study

You’ll study the care of horses and improve your riding skills. You’ll gain knowledge of horse science and stable management, which will involve a lot of practical work and being outdoors, to support you with a career in the equine industry.

Careers and employability

After completing this course there are a number of options and routes that you can take. You could choose to continue your studies and go onto a higher education course or pursue a career in an equine-related industry.

If you are successful and achieve the right combination of results, you’ll be able to progress on to the BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Science or BSc (Hons) Equine Behaviour, Health and Welfare degrees right here at NTU’s Brackenhurst Campus.

Future jobs within the equine industry include:

• Competition or Stud Groom – you could earn up to £15,000
• Equine Retail Worker – you could earn up to £15,000
• Veterinary Equine Nurse – you could earn up to £21,000
• Riding Instructor or Coach – you could earn up to £25,000
• Yard Manager – you could earn up to £25,000

Placement opportunities

Work placements are a great way to broaden your knowledge and skills. You will have the opportunity to take part in work experience in a range of equine related sectors.

With our great links to industry you’ll have the opportunity to work in top yards such as:

• Billy Twomey
• Michael Whittaker
• Lucinda Frederick’s.

Other opportunities also include working with a British Dressage Judge or with the British Horse Society.

Networking

All staff remain active within the industry, either by training and competing, judging or examining and pass on their knowledge and connections to students. You will also have the opportunity to go out to shows and network to make your own connections.

Additional certificates

As well as completing your course, you will have the opportunity to undertake additional industry-focused certificates including:

• the British Horse Society Progressive Riding tests 1 – 6
• Ride Safe
• British Horse Society stage 2 or 3, depending on your ability.

Entry requirements

• Four GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above including:
  • Science
  • Maths or English Language (with the other subject at grade 3 / D or above).
• We will accept students with grade 3 / D in Maths or English Language where the other subject is at least grade 4 / C. You will need to complete Maths or English Language GCSE retakes as a mandatory part of your study programme.
• At interview, you’ll need to demonstrate that you can ride at all paces to be offered a place on the course. For the non-riding option you will be given a practical task, which involves tacking up on the yard.
• For the health and welfare of our horses there is a maximum rider weight limit of 14 stone.

Equivalent qualifications will be considered.

You will also be required to attend an interview.

Applications are welcome from mature and international students.

Fees and funding

If you are aged 16-18 and applying for a Level 2 or 3 course

There are no course fees if you’re aged under 19 on 31 August of the year you start your course.

If you are aged 19+ and applying for a Level 2, Level 3 or Access to Higher Education course

If you’re studying your first full Level 3 or Access to Higher Education qualification you may be eligible for free tuition. You will still need to pay the registration fee applicable for your course.

If you are applying for the Level 2 qualification or have already completed a full Level 3 qualification, tuition and registration fees will apply.

To cover the cost of tuition when applying for a Level 3 and Access to Higher Education qualification, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from the UK Government. It is easy to apply, your household income is not taken into account and there is no credit check. You will not have to pay anything back until your income is over £25,000.

Late Applications

If you missed the UCAS January deadline, it’s not too late to apply to join us in September 2022.

Applying to university after the January deadline isn’t anything to worry about – we accept applications for most of our undergraduate courses until Thursday 30 June 2022.