Equine Business Management BA (Hons)

Course code D4N2

What is special about this course?

The BA (Hons) Equine Business Management programme will introduce you to all aspects of today’s modern equine business.

It will help equip you with the skills you need for a career in equine business management including marketing, research, and sports science, as well as specific equine modules such as: equine selection; equine business management; equitation; work placement; current issues and legislation in the equine industry; equine behaviour; equine anatomy, physiology and health; and equine fitness, nutrition and welfare. Additionally, this programme is endorsed by the British Horse Society and we offer free training towards BHS exams.

You will undertake project work where you will investigate real-life situations, which will enable you to put what you have learned into practice. You may also have the opportunity to take part in equestrian events and activities organised throughout the year.

Guest speakers and the use of equine evidence-based research will ensure you have access to relevant and current industry information.

This programme offers unique flexibility: you can choose a riding or non-riding route (or a mixture of both) and enjoy access to our equine campus, horses and staff, or you may choose a remote study option, coming to us for blocks of time or using your own training centre at your own expense.

Special features

  • Small classes give you a more personal experience of university
  • You will undertake equine-related classes and research projects using practical situations
  • Access to our purpose-built equestrian centre, where you will be taught by professional staff highly experienced in the industry
  • Access to industry links and possible employment opportunities
  • Access to a unique range of quality horses
  • Riding and non-riding routes are available from year 1
  • Opportunities to take part in equestrian events and activities may be offered throughout the year
  • Opportunity to study remotely from your own location  (this option is not open to all international students – please check with Programme Leader) 
  • International students will have the opportunity to study remotely in years 3 and 4 following a specific framework

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

Entry to year one (CertHE):

  • 3 Scottish Highers at Grade C or above or equivalent OR
  • 2 A levels at grade C or above OR
  • NC in Equestrian Skills or Business Studies including level 6 study
  • Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) may also be considered for those who have gained British Horse Society qualifications. Please contact the course team for more details

Advanced entry to year two of the degree:

  • Direct entry to year 2 may be possible with an HNC in an equine-related subject, or business subject with equine experience

Advanced entry to year three of the degree:

  • Direct entry to year 3 may be possible with an HND in an equine-related subject, or business subject with equine experience

 

Access routes

  • It may be possible, with some additional bridging, to access with HNC Business or HND Business subjects

Year 1 - CertHE

Core modules are:
Semester 1

  • Introduction to business

Semester 2

  • Horses for courses: introduction to the equine industries

Semesters 1 and 2

  • Introduction to equine fitness, nutrition and welfare

You will also choose three option modules which may include:

Semester 1

  • Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science

Semester 2

  • Introduction to sports coaching and leadership
  • Introduction to the customer centred business

Semesters 1 and 2

  • Activity performance and skill acquisition
  • Introduction to equine anatomy physiology and health
  • Introduction to equitation

Year 2 - DipHE

Core modules are:
Semester 1

  • Managing an equine business
  • Equine behaviour

Semester 2

  • Horses for courses: introduction to the equine industries (core bridging module for those entering year 2 with non-equine level 7 qualifications)

You will also choose four option modules which may include:
Semester 1

  • Retailing

Semester 2

  • Principles of sport and exercise psychology
  • Movement analysis

Semesters 1 and 2

  • Equitation: practical application
  • Applied coaching and leadership
  • Introduction to equitation 7 (for those who have not completed this module and are at, or working towards, stage 1 standard)
  • Work placement
  • Event planning and organisation

Year 3 - BA

Core modules are:
Semester 1

  • Current issues and legislation in the equine industry

Semester 2

  • Research skills

You will also choose four option modules which may include:
Semester 1

  • Developing entrepreneurial effectiveness
  • Sport and exercise science: a critical analysis

Semester 2

  • Marketing communications
  • Niche tourism (equine)
  • Employment law in the human resource context
  • Small business planning

Semesters 1 and 2

  • Work placement
  • Advanced Equitation
  • Design, manage and evaluate human fitness and physical performance

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

Core modules are: 
Semester 1

  • Equine behaviour and welfare management

Semesters 1 and 2

  • Dissertation

You will also choose three option modules which may include:
Semester 1

  • Strategic marketing
  • Innovation and enterprise

Semester 2

  • Major event analysis
  • Business strategy
  • Legal issues in sport and fitness
  • Niche tourism (equine) - if not selected in year three

Semesters 1 and 2

  • Work placement
  • Advanced methods for coaching and instruction
  • Advanced equitation (if not taken in year 3)

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time

You can choose to study this course:

  • via a non-riding route, online with scheduled sessions and tutorials
  • via a riding route, in-person, on campus
  • via a riding route, online with scheduled face-to-face and practical sessions

 
Non-riding route
Fully online, on-campus or from your own location:

  • You will learn through a combination of scheduled video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via our virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
  • You can choose to be based on-campus or study fully online from your own location

 
Riding routes
In-person, on-campus:

  • You will be based at our Rural Studies Centre in Thurso
  • You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures and tutorials, recorded lectures, practical sessions at stables, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutor
  • You will typically undertake a minimum of two intensive four-week blocks of riding and practical activity in years 1 and 2, and one intensive two-week block of riding in year 3

 
Online, with intensive sessions on-campus:

  • You will be based at your own location, with intensive sessions held at our Rural Studies Centre in Thurso
  • You will learn through a combination of video conference lectures and tutorials, recorded lectures, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutor
  • You will typically undertake a minimum of two intensive four-week blocks of riding and practical activity in years 1 and 2, and one intensive two-week block of riding in year 3

 
Online, from your own location:

  • You will be based at your own location, working with a BHS accredited coach, or equivalent, at your own expense
  • You will learn through a combination of video conference lectures and tutorials, recorded lectures, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutor
  • You will schedule your own practical sessions with your coach

 

International students

  • Students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK will be based at our Rural Studies Centre in Thurso
  • Years 3 and 4 are available to international students who wish to study remotely from their home location outside of the UK

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 4 years
  • Part-time: 8 years

Where can I study my course?

  • North, West and Hebrides - Rural Studies Centre, Halkirk
  • This course can be studied on-campus, or online from anywhere in the world. All students should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, UHI North, West and Hebrides
  • If you wish to study in person, on campus, you will be based at our Rural Studies Centre - please click on the link to find out more

Start date

  • September
  • January (part-time only)

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Degrees 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £1,820 £1,820
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £915 £915
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £305 £305

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

Full-time Level 2023-24 2024-25
Year 1 CertHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 2 DipHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 3 Degree £9,250 £9,250
Year 4 Honours free free

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Year Level 2023-24 Full-time With scholarship 2024-25 Full-time
With scholarship
Year 1 CertHE £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 2 DipHE £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 3 Degree £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 4 Honours £13,980 Free £14,988 Free

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

  2023-24 2024-25
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £13,980 £14,988
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year** £6,990 £7,494
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module)** £2,330 £2,498

Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

There could be additional student costs for remote study, working with an accredited coach and optional work placements depending on location of placement.

What can I do on completion of my course?

A degree in Equine Business Management will provide you with excellent career prospects. Endorsed by the British Horse Society as training towards BHS exams, this award enables you to develop knowledge and skills highly valued by employers. Graduates could anticipate going on to jobs in public, private and voluntary organisations, taking on such roles as:

  • Yard manager
  • Coach
  • Schooling and training horses
  • Riding centre manager
  • Equine tourism
  • Equine research
  • Equine assisted learning
  • Equine rehabilitation
  • Self employment

You will also have the potential to become a local entrepreneur, with business start-ups in the equine, tourism and business sectors.

Can I progress into further study?

An honours degree may be used as a pathway to postgraduate study, such as a PgCert Equine Leadership and Management, or PhD study.

Is there more information available online?

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Apply for Equine Business Management BA (Hons)

I want to start in Jan/Feb 2025 or Aug/Sep 2025 or Jan/Feb 2026

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.