BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Management

Location: Oatridge
Study mode: Full Time (4 years), Full Time - International Applicants (4 years)
Subject area: Equine Studies and Horse Care, Animal and Biological Sciences
Start date: September 2025
Agency code: D001

Course overview

This course is a unique programme that combines a range of equine science and management topics. Learning and teaching draws on best practices from across the world and provides you with a broad and strong knowledge base combined with extensive practical experience. The programme will equip you with the skills to apply scientific knowledge to a wide range of practical situations in the equine industry.

Graduates will manage the overall care of horses in a range of equine disciplines and settings such as nutritional advisors, yard managers, stud yards, the racing industry, welfare, and animal/equine behaviour.

Additional Information

: You can apply for this course using the apply now button located at the top and bottom of this page. Detailed information on how to apply can be found on our applications instructions page.

International students can also speak with a local authorised agent in their country who can assist you in applying for this course. Find your local agent by visiting our SRUC in your country page.
: 4 Highers at BBCC to include a science subject.

National 5 (A-C) in English and Maths

Plus two weeks of practical work experience.

Recorded evidence of your riding ability, to include a minimum of walk, trot, canter and jumping should be submitted along with your application unless you are applying for the non-riding version of the course.

It would be advantageous if candidates held BHS Stage 1 and 2 or the Pony Club B test.

Comparable Qualifications:

3 A-Levels BCC, including Biology and preferably English, with GCSE passes in Maths and English.

JCPA plus 4 Irish Leaving Certificate subjects at Higher Level at H3, H3, H3, H3, including Biology and preferably English.
: Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.
: SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.
: Scotland has so much to offer, it’s no wonder that each year thousands of students from across the globe make it their number one choice for their study destination.

Learn more about studying at SRUC in Scotland
: SRUC offers a choice of campus locations and accommodation options. Learn more about each campus, including its facilities and accommodation options, by visiting our campus pages.
: Phone:

From inside the UK: 0800 269 453
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us through an interpreter via Contact Scotland BSL

From outside the UK: +44 (0) 131 535 4000

Email:

Scottish, Irish, and UK students: study@sruc.ac.uk

International students: interrnationalstudents@sruc.ac.uk

Online:

All prospective students are welcome to contact us by filling in our online enquiry form
: HND Equine Studies

HNC Equine Studies

BSc (Hons) Animal Welfare Science

BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Science

BVSci Veterinary Science

What you'll learn

The Equine Science and Management course blends theory and practical elements across all years of the programme. You will learn to integrate and apply equine science and management subjects to real-life practical situations so you can make an effective contribution to the industry. Subjects include anatomy and physiology, health, nutrition, behaviour, welfare and ethics, exercise physiology, horse and rider performance, and equitation science. You will also evaluate global equine industries and business models so you can draw on examples of best practices from across the world.

Course content

Equine Anatomy and Physiology
Equine Nutrition
Equine Health
Equine Selection
Care of the Competition Horse
Lungeing
Using Software Application Packages/Information Technology – Application Software 1
Work Placement
Equine Facility Management
Equine Fitness
Graded Unit 1
Equitation (riding option)
Creating a Culture of Customer Care (non-riding option)
Youngstock (non-riding option)

Managing an Equine Business
Planning Equine Facilities
Equine Behaviour
Equine Grassland Management
Organising an Event
The Broodmare
The Stallion
Graded Unit 2
Riding and Training Techniques on the Flat (this module can be ridden or non-ridden)

Equine Behaviour and Welfare
Advanced Equine Nutrition
Equitation Science
International Equine Industry
Research Skills and Data Analyses
Equine Health and Disease
Equine Breeding Management
Equine Exercise Physiology

Equine Rehabilitation and Therapy
Equine Science in a Changing World
Equine Welfare and Ethics
Equine Business and Innovation
Horse and Rider Performance
Honours Project

Course guide

Would you like a career working with horses?

Are you interested in building the skills and knowledge to make an effective contribution to the equine industry?

Would you like to study a course which offers you an unbeatable combination of fantastic facilities, practical experience and expert knowledge?

Then the Equine Science and Management degree is the course for you!

Click here to read the full Equine Science and Management course guide.

Meet the lecturer

Dr Louise Bulmer

PhD, MSc, BHS II (BHS Stage 4 Senior Coach in Complete Horsemanship)

Louise is our Equine Programme Team Leader at SRUC Oatridge. She has been a lecturer with SRUC since 2007. She lectures across all levels of equine courses, and subjects she delivers include Equine Nutrition, Watering and Feeding, Equine Anatomy and Physiology, and Equine Behaviour.

Louise’s research focuses on gut-brain axis communication. She is particularly interested in how diet affects gut microbiota and how this may influence behaviour and brain neurochemistry in horses.

View Louise's Pure profile

Gillian Turnbull

BSc (Hons), PG Cert, BHSSM, BHSII

Gillian is based at Oatridge Campus, lecturing and tutoring final year Higher National Diploma students. She has been a lecturer for 25 years. She specialises in business management subjects on our horse care courses.

Outside her teaching, Gillian runs her own yard and is involved in the wider equestrian industry. She has excellent industry links and enjoys helping students to gain equestrian experience to help them become more employable at the end of their course.

View Gillian's Pure profile

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for this course:

Scottish students: £1,820
RUK students: £9,535
International students: £16,000

More detailed information about these fees can be found on our higher education fees page.

Eligible full-time students studying BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Management should apply to SAAS for fees and funding. A student loan is also available to help students with living costs.

If you do not apply, you will have to pay your fees yourself and if you have studied at HNC/D/degree level before SAAS may not pay your fees.

Funding available:

Scottish students: you may be eligible to apply for a tuition fee loan through SAAS. Learn more
RUK students: you may be eligible to have your tuition fees paid as part of a bursary through your local government department. Learn more
International students: you may be eligible for international student scholarships through SRUC. Learn more