A horse touching one of three coloured symbols stuck to a wall with its nose.
BSc (Hons)

Equine Behavioural Science

Further your knowledge and understanding of horse behaviour and welfare management with our practical, hands-on degree.

As a student here you’ll study specialist behaviour modules and use your knowledge to analyse and evaluate all areas of horsemanship, such as training, nutrition and welfare management.

You’ll be based in the Equine Training and Development Centre, which offers extensive facilities including a working stable yard, riding arenas and an equine therapy barn. There are around 70 horses on campus, and you’re able to bring your own horse to university too: find out more about our DIY Livery Yard.

Our course team includes industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine rehabilitation, behaviour, nutrition and breeding, as well as competition riders and UKCC coaches.

We also work with the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC) to bring you specialist tuition from renowned equine behavioural scientists. When you graduate, you’ll be able to apply for professional membership of the IAABC and receive ongoing support throughout your career.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Why ARU?

  • Choose one of our DIY livery packages and bring your horse to university while you study

  • Develop your professional behaviourist skills ready for an industry career

  • Practice behaviour modification techniques and research skills in practicals

  • Work with rescue horses to rehabilitate them ready to be rehomed

  • Kickstart your career by using our well-established links in the sector to gain access to professionals across the industry

  • Learn from an enthusiastic team of industry-experienced staff and practitioners

Course options

You can choose to study this course full-time, or part-time over six years. Apply via UCAS for full-time courses (UK students) or directly to us (part-time and international students).

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Equine Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
  • Equine Practical Skills (15 credits)
  • Equine Health Management (15 credits)
  • Equine Nutrition (15 credits)
  • Breeding and Foaling (15 credits)
  • Saddle Fit and Farriery (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Psychology and Welfare (30 credits)
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Research Methods (15 credits)
  • Business Skills (15 credits)
  • Equine Health and Disease (15 credits)
  • Equine Cognition and Training (15 credits)
  • Measuring Behaviour and Welfare (15 credits)
  • Biological Basis of Equine Behaviour (30 credits)
  • Young Horse Production (15 credits) *
  • Equitation and Coaching (15 credits) *
Year 3
  • Capstone Project (30 credits)
  • Behavioural Wellbeing (15 credits)
  • Equitation Science (15 credits)
  • Applied and Clinical Equine Nutrition (15 credits)
  • Current Issues in the Equine Industry (15 credits)
  • Applied Training and Behaviour Modification (30 credits)
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Academic and Personal Management Skills (20 credits)
  • Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills) (20 credits)
  • Maths for IT and Science (15 credits)
  • Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits)
  • Independent (Themed) Project (20 credits)
  • Applied Industry Techniques (30 credits)
Module details

It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc/BA (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.

As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students; for example if the BSc/BA (Hons) course takes three years, you can expect to study over six years, though for some courses the part-time length may differ.

If you study the Cert HE, you'll take the Year 1 five core modules then follow one of five pathways. Each pathway includes two to three optional modules, and is a route into one of our five BSc (Hons) equine degrees. These degrees are:

  • Equine Behavioural Science
  • Equine Bioveterinary Science
  • Equine Performance Science
  • Equine Performance and Business Management
  • Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation.

Our course team includes industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine rehabilitation, behaviour, nutrition and breeding, as well as competition riders and UKCC coaches.

Facilities

Study equine courses with ARU in Writtle and benefit from our Equine Training and Development Centre. We have around 70 horses on campus, with a working stable yard, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, an oval horse walker, therapy barn. On our 150-hectare campus with grazing and space for events we have a DIY Livery Yard for students' horses. Take a guided tour and meet our students.

During your studies, you’ll have access to specialist equipment including Flir Thermal Imaging Cameras; Polar Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability Monitors; Operant Devices and collection area with phantom mare.

You’ll also be able to make full use of facilities including extensive library and IT resources and access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.

Equine Academy: support for talented riders

The Equine Academy at ARU Writtle supports a group of competition-level riders every year. It offers training sessions for the rider, stabling for the horse, and access to our equine facilities and experienced support staff.

Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.

  • Horses poking their heads over the stalls in the academy barn

    Academy barn - Writtle students are able to bring their own horses to university with them on DIY livery.

  • Central track and turnout leading to the Equine Training and Development Centre

    Central track and turnout which leads to our Equine Training and Development Centre

  • An aerial view of the Equine Training and Development Centre

    Our Equine Training and Development Centre, home to all things equine and approximately 70 horses.

  • A horse water treadmill

    Horse water treadmill

  • An indoor equestrian arena

    This is the largest of our arenas (24m x 60m), each of which have a different surface. This allows students to assess the impact of surfaces on equine biomechanics.

  • Equine outdoor arena

    Our outdoor arena is 20m x 60m in size and located next to the horse walker.

  • The tempo indoor equestrian arena

    Tempo arena is one of our indoor arenas, 24m x 55m in size. DIY Livery students have access to all of our facilities when not being used for teaching purposes.

  • An equine therapy barn

    The Therapy Barn is a large teaching space that allows presentations to be shared with students while simultaneously apply their learnt techniques.

    • ;
  • Horses poking their heads over the stalls in the academy barn
  • Central track and turnout leading to the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • An aerial view of the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • A horse water treadmill
  • An indoor equestrian arena
  • Equine outdoor arena
  • The tempo indoor equestrian arena
  • An equine therapy barn
  • Horses poking their heads over the stalls in the academy barn
  • Central track and turnout leading to the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • An aerial view of the Equine Training and Development Centre
  • A horse water treadmill
  • An indoor equestrian arena
  • Equine outdoor arena
  • The tempo indoor equestrian arena
  • An equine therapy barn

Careers

As a graduate of our BSc (Hons) Equine Behaviour Science degree, you'll have the scientific knowledge and skills to pursue a career as an equine behaviour consultant. You will also be able to apply for professional membership of the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC), which offers ongoing support, mentorship and CPD opportunities as you progress in your career.

As well as working as an equine behaviour consultant, you could consider a career in training rehabilitation or as a:

  • research assistant in equine or biological sciences
  • nutritionist
  • scientific journalist
  • lecturer
  • welfare assessor/advisor
  • police horse trainer
  • advisor to governing bodies
  • charity advisor.

Graduation doesn't have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MSc Equine Performance Science.

Entry requirements

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