BSc (Hons) in Equine Science and Sports Performance

This course centers on the athletic performance of the horse and rider, preparing students for a career in equestrian performance, coaching or team performance management.

This programme has been developed with extensive industry input to ensure that the graduates will have the necessary combination of knowledge, skills, and experience to be able to contribute to the success and growth of the equestrian performance industry.

The course focuses on the underlying factors which affect performance, adopts quantitative methods to assess performance and then evaluates a range of techniques to enhance performance and assess the impact of external factors on success.

The College Gym

At Reaseheath College we have a state-of-the-art gym facility with equipment that is used in top quality facilities throughout the UK.

The gym is fully equipped to suit the requirements of all gym users, with top specification machines, an Olympic barbell, and weight areas. These are supplied by Technogym, a leading gym manufacturer.

Through the ‘My Wellness’ Technogym account you can use your Smartphone to create a workout and keep up to date with your progress. You can add exercises and change intensities to increase your performance. You can even challenge friends using the app to climb friend rankings.

As an Equine Science and Sports Performance degree student, some of your sessions will be taught in the college gym.

You can find out more about the gym, including the facilities, here.

What will I study?

The ESSP programme is directed towards the competitive rider who wishes to extensively explore the area of sports performance equally divided between the human and equine athlete over the course of the three years.

Entry requirements

A minimum of 112 UCAS points which may be obtained from GCE A Levels, or one of the following qualifications in a relevant subject:

• BTEC National Certificate/Diploma

• OCR National Diploma/Extended Diploma

• Irish / Scottish Highers in a relevant subject

• Advanced GNVQ

• QAA recognized Access to HE Diploma, Open College Units or Open University Credits

• For mature students (aged 21+) substantial work experience will be considered, as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications

• Level 3 Extended Diploma / Diploma.

Further study

• MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy

• Postgraduate study or professional qualifications.

Career Options

• Performance coach

• Team manager

• Equestrian biomechanics analyst

• Equestrian poor performance analysts

• Employed or self-employed roles within a competitive team (e.g.Polo) or larger competition yard

• Equestrian sport performance roles for Sport England, the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) or the British Equine Trade Association (BETA)

• Management roles in equine welfare and allied industry sectors.

Please note: acceptance onto riding units is subject to assessment and weight limit of 13 stone.

Tuition Fees

As a Higher Education student 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 in either 2017/18 or 2018/19 are £9,250. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.

If you are an international student or for the latest information on tuition fees visit the student finance page on our website.

Students are at the heart of all we do at University Centre Reaseheath.

The Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences is a place where academic excellence and student satisfaction go hand in hand to provide a unique higher education experience for our students.

Our portfolio of programmes has been designed in consultation with industry, ensuring that our degrees deliver the academic knowledge and practical skills that employers need and want. This ensures that our graduates are highly successful in the jobs market, with many going on to work for blue-chip companies.

In recent years, the campus has seen over £50 million pounds worth of investment in cutting-edge teaching facilities and student resources, such as on-site accommodation with more planned over the coming years.

In our last review of the quality of the higher education at Reaseheath, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) commended the quality and enhancement of student learning opportunities. They found no areas for improvement and identified many of good practice.

The ‘Reaseheath Experience’ is something many of our former students tell us was the most enjoyable time of their lives. We want our students to succeed in their chosen careers and we recognise that high performers learn through experience as well as through formal learning.

Why University Centre Reaseheath?

Located in rural Cheshire, our campus has top class, industry standard, teaching facilities but still retains its friendly, supportive atmosphere – a combination which delivers both academic excellence and student satisfaction.

• Our degree programmes provide you with the opportunity to study a range of industry recognised secondary qualifications.
• 87% of our students say that staff are enthusiastic about what they teach. Student Experience Survey 2016
• Gain industry insights through work placements, scientific research and through field trips and study tours in the UK and abroad.
• Last year 1 out of 5 Reaseheath students achieved a degree with first class honours or distinction.
• “Reaseheath’s Higher Education programmes are outstanding and the quality and enhancement of student learning opportunities have exceeded UK expectations.”
• Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education Review 2014
• Overall student satisfaction for our Higher Education courses is at 83%. Student Experience Survey 2016

Our Facilities

Over recent years £50 million has been invested into on-campus facilities including, an equestrian centre, industry-leading food centre, sports facilities, a scientific horticultural facility, unique to the UK, and an animal centre and zoo.

A further £31 million investment in our student accommodation, agri-technology centre, and sports facilities is planned for the next four years.

Your Learning Experience

Reaseheath offers a supportive learning environment with a focus on the vocational provision. Our courses ensure that graduates leave with the knowledge, skills and qualifications that employers are looking for.

We support our students with:

• Small group teaching with high levels of individual support
• Lecturers with extensive industry experience
• High number of teaching hours with tutors
• Specialist facilities
• Opportunities for study tours overseas
• Strong links with employers
• Industry-relevant programmes that offer transferable skills
• Additional qualifications to further enhance your career prospects.

Additional Qualifications

Our degree programmes provide you with the opportunity to study a range of secondary qualifications. These specific qualifications are taken alongside your course and provide an opportunity to gain industry-recognised qualifications.

Additional qualifications are specific to each subject area. Where possible we aim to provide these as part of your programme of study but a subsidised cost may be charged for some.

Employers often require industry-specific qualifications in addition to a degree, so these practical qualifications can enhance career prospects and employability. They offer industry-relevant skills and training that employers are looking for and offer graduates a leading position in a competitive jobs market.