Equine Business Management
Turn your passion for horses into a successful business career by gaining the essential skills needed to thrive in this commercial world.
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.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.
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS 2025
At ARU Writtle, you’ll develop essential skills in management, leadership, marketing, event planning and sustainable business practices.
While your studies will be grounded in the equine sector, the knowledge and experience you’ll gain on this course are designed to be very transferable, opening doors to careers not only in equine business and consultancy but also to the wider business world. In addition, our optional modules enable you to tailor your degree to the areas you're most passionate about, giving you the flexibility to shape your learning around your career goals.
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From stable to strategy. Discover how your future in equine business starts here!
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Develop essential business skills with specialist equine industry knowledge
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Learn key professional skills in leadership, project management and research
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Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; developed with employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving
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Gain hands-on experience applying business skills in real-world equine settings while developing your career plan and employability skills
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Build professional networks by collaborating with industry partners on a range of business-focused projects
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Join our Equine Academy for elite coaching and bring your horse to university with our DIY livery packages
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
Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with essential skills in leadership, project management and strategic decision-making, all highly transferable across the business world.
Through hands-on projects and industry placements, you’ll gain valuable practical experience and professional insights. Additionally, you’ll build a strong network of industry connections, giving you a significant advantage and the confidence needed to launch and sustain a successful career in equine business or broader business management.
Teaching and modules
The modules provide both hands on and industry experience to help our students develop a holistic understanding of the business environment.
In your first year, you’ll gain a broad introduction to the equine industry, including its sectors, laws, ethics and science, alongside practical skills in equine care and core business principals.
In your second and final year, you’ll advance your professional skills as well as your research and critical thinking through placements and projects. You’ll also explore the commercial, ethical and sustainable challenges in equine performance, training, health and management, while developing transferable skills in leadership, strategic business and digital marketing. Your final-year major research project will showcase your expertise and readiness for a career in the equine world or wider business landscape.
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 *.
- Fundamentals of the Equine Industry (30 credits)
- Foundations of Equine Science (30 credits)
- Scientific Approaches to Equine Husbandry and Welfare (30 credits)
- Integrated Project and Business Management (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Professional Business Project (30 credits)
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Research Methods (15 credits)
- Commercial Influence on Equine Performance (15 credits)
- Sustainable Approaches to Equestrian Enterprise (15 credits)
- Financial Management (30 credits) *
- Business Innovation (15 credits) *
- Developing Professional Practice (15 credits) *
- Horse & Rider Development (30 credits) *
- Veterinary Interventions and Diagnostics (30 credits) *
- Major Project (30 credits)
- Strategic Business Leadership (15 credits)
- Commercial and Digital Marketing (15 credits)
- Ethical and Sustainable Approaches to Equine Welfare (30 credits)
- International Intercultural Management (30 credits) *
- The Reflective and Empathetic Entrepreneur (30 credits) *
- Employment Law and Relations (30 credits) *
- Performance Analysis (15 credits) *
- Developments in Veterinary Science (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)
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.
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.
Our course team includes industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine science, as well as industry professionals such as nutritionists, behaviourists, therapists and researchers.
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Charlotte Coleman-FryLecturer in Equine and Veterinary Physiotherapy
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Professor Roberta BlakeProfessor
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Rosa VerwijsSenior Lecturer in Equine Behaviour and Nutrition
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Rosemary LawrenceLecturer in Equine
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Stephanie FlaniganLecturer
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.
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Our facilities provide the ideal environment for students to work collaboratively together.
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Students gain hands-on experience by setting up and running equine events on campus, managing everything from planning to execution in a real-world setting.
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One of our three indoor riding arenas, each of which have different surface. This enables students to assess the impact of surfaces on equine biomechanics.
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Our Equine Training and Development Centre featuring stables, riding arenas and a therapy barn including the latest industry technology.
