Equine Behavioural Science
Further your knowledge and understanding of equine behaviour and welfare management with our practical, hands-on degree in Writtle.
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.
UK students have the option to study this course over one year to achieve a CertHE. You’ll study the same modules as students on Year 1 of the BSc.
Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS 2025
You’ll study specialist behaviour modules and use your knowledge to analyse and evaluate all areas of the equine industry, including training, husbandry and welfare management.
The course brings you specialist tuition from equine behavioural consultants, vets, nutritionists and other allied professionals. When you graduate, you’ll be able to apply for professional membership with relevant behaviour organisations and receive ongoing support throughout your career.
You’ll be based at the Equine Training and Development Centre. There are around 70 horses on campus, and you’re able to bring your own horse to university too.
-
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
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.
Careers
Every module and topic is relevant and useful in the real equestrian world. The business module also helped to broaden [my] horizons.
When you graduate, you'll have the scientific knowledge and skills to pursue a career as an equine behaviour consultant and trainer.
Whether you wish to be self-employed and start your own business, or gain employment as an equine behaviourist, this unique skillset will be valuable to many areas of the equine sector, as welfare is at the forefront of the industry agenda.
Teaching and modules
Equine behaviour is fascinating when we explore the complexity of horse emotions, intelligence and communication, both in and out of the classroom.
You’ll learn both theoretical and practical skills relevant to working with horses.
You'll cover their biology, psychology, ethology, cognition, health, nutrition, breeding, welfare, training and rehabilitation.
You'll develop the skills to apply scientific technologies and research to analyse behaviour and welfare cases, and the techniques to develop ethical behaviour modification plans for the rehabilitation of horses with undesirable behaviours.
You’ll cover broader skills such as research methods and business skills, to prepare you as a behavioural scientist. You’ll graduate being able to evidence 'first day competence' when applying for employment in the equine industry.
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 *.
- 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
- 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) *
- Major 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)
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- 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)
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 complete core modules from Year 1 of the BSc (Hons) course. Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.
Our course team includes industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine rehabilitation, behaviour, nutrition and breeding, as well as competition riders and UKCC coaches.
-
Rosa VerwijsSenior Lecturer in Equine Behaviour and Nutrition
-
Susan MooneySenior Lecturer
Facilities
Study equine courses with ARU in Writtle and benefit from our Equine Training and Development Centre.
On our 150-hectare campus, we have around 70 horses, a working stable yard, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, an oval horse walker, and a therapy barn. We also have a DIY Livery Yard for your horse.
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.
Take a guided tour and meet our students.
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 Equine Academy eligibility and how to apply.
-
Academy barn - Writtle students are able to bring their own horses to university with them on DIY livery.
-
Central track and turnout which leads to our Equine Training and Development Centre
-
Our Equine Training and Development Centre, home to all things equine and approximately 70 horses.
-
Horse water treadmill
-
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.
-
Our outdoor arena is 20m x 60m in size and located next to the horse walker.
-
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.
-
The Therapy Barn is a large teaching space that allows presentations to be shared with students while simultaneously apply their learnt techniques.
