BSc (Hons) Equine Business Management (Top-up Level 6)

You’ll join the final year of the BSc (Hons) Equine Business Management course, building on your previous knowledge. Top-up courses are equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree and allow you to 'top-up' an existing qualification into a full honours degree.

If you want to develop business skills and pursue your equine passion while gaining real-world commercial experience, then this is the ideal course for you. You’ll be able to tailor your studies to suit your individual career goals and apply your skills practically.

Key Information

Course Duration: 1 year full-time; part-time available

UC UCAS Code: D842

Part or Full Time: Full Time / Part Time

Level of Study: Top-up Level 6

Typical Offer: Related HND or FdSc

Course information

Download Programme Specification

You could focus on horse performance or equine nutrition or take an active role in the planning and organisation of successful events and competitions. Alternatively, you might choose to delve deeper into business through accounting and commercial decision-making, or explore the vibrant communications, sales and marketing sector.

Whatever route you choose, you’ll be able to apply the key principles of successful business on a campus brimming with commercial opportunities. Alongside your studies you’ll have the opportunity to experience a behind-the-scenes taste of equine business. Students gain experience at our regular international and national equine competitions and events, as well as in our commercial equine therapy and rider performance centres.

Academic requirements

A pass at Foundation Degree or HND in an equine science or management related subject

We welcome students with equivalent qualifications; please contact us to discuss

Non-academic options

Direct entry into Level 6 can be subject to interview and approval of prior content covered

Previous learning towards a university-level qualification or relevant work experience may count as credit for this course

International students

We welcome applications from international students and accept international qualifications at equivalent levels to the above

You may also need to evidence proficiency in English language

Please contact us for further information.

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Your career

Industry opportunities on this course are diverse. We’ll help you to develop the skills, experience and connections needed for a successful graduate career in equine business management. Many of our students even go on to secure their graduate roles with their work placement employers.

On-campus opportunities

Our commercial equine facilities can offer opportunities to gain industry experience. You’ll have access to our world-class equine facilities including a state-of-the-art rider performance centre with the most advanced riding simulators in the world, a leading Equine Therapy Centre, international competition arenas and stabling for 230 horses.

Alongside this, our equine events, rider performance and equine therapy centre are successful businesses in their own right, providing opportunities for you to gain invaluable work experience in a commercial environment. These experiences not only help you develop your knowledge but also help you make valuable connections among our professional equine contacts.

Field trips and guest lecturers

Visits and lectures from industry professionals form an important part of your learning, enabling you to experience different businesses and enterprises, and develop your career.

You'll develop a greater understanding of commercial business and equine management practices as you take part in study trips to local and national equine business organisations. Hearing from industry experts and professionals in lectures will also help you explore potential career paths. Previous guest lecturers have included business consultants working with some of the top brands in the equestrian sector, the Gloucester Rugby Media Team, Head of Communications for The Jockey Club and Head of Sustainability for Action Net Zero.

Graduate destinations

As an Equine Business Management graduate, you may go on to work in racecourses, event management, teaching, biomechanics, and sales, commercial or operational management. Recent graduate destinations have included:

South West Regional Marketing Executive for the Jockey Club
New Business Development Merchandiser at Lindt
Development Assistant at British Equestrian Federation
Account Manager at RDW Exhibitions
Events Management at Grandstand Media
Nominations Executive at Tweenhills
Stud Account Executive at Henson Franklin

Success Stories

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one to be the best you can be. This will range from your personal tutor and specialist academic support team (our Achievement and Success Centre) to dedicated wellbeing and employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) centres.

Academic support

You’ll have your own personal tutor while you’re here who will support you to succeed in your studies. You’ll also have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online.

Alongside this, we have a comprehensive bank of online study skills resources to help you make the most of your qualification.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your digestion of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions, as well as supported work placement learning as part of many courses.

Your career

Your course will be made up of two semesters, within which you’ll study compulsory and optional modules on different industry-focused topics, enabling you to develop your own unique portfolio of knowledge, skills and experience, ready for your career. The course is taught in English.

Course information

Overview

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A pass at Foundation Degree or HND in an equine science or management related subject

We welcome students with equivalent qualifications; please contact us to discuss

Non-academic options

Direct entry into Level 6 can be subject to interview and approval of prior content covered

Previous learning towards a university-level qualification or relevant work experience may count as credit for this course

International students

We welcome applications from international students and accept international qualifications at equivalent levels to the above

You may also need to evidence proficiency in English language

Please contact us for further information.

Employability

Your career

On-campus opportunities

Field trips and guest lecturers

Graduate destinations

South West Regional Marketing Executive for the Jockey Club
New Business Development Merchandiser at Lindt
Development Assistant at British Equestrian Federation
Account Manager at RDW Exhibitions
Events Management at Grandstand Media
Nominations Executive at Tweenhills
Stud Account Executive at Henson Franklin

How you'll study

Your support network

Academic support

Alongside this, we have a comprehensive bank of online study skills resources to help you make the most of your qualification.

Your learning experiences

Your career

Modules

What you'll study

This course includes a varied and vibrant selection of modules covering a number of specific commercial areas. You'll study both compulsory and optional modules, which you'll be able to choose from to suit your interests and career goals. The modular structure of the programme gives you flexibility and choice, and you can attend introductory sessions for optional modules to help you decide which ones are best for your individual career pathway.

During your studies, you’ll also have the opportunity to complete an industry-recognised Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Level 3 Award in Marketing Principles. The CIM is the world’s leading professional marketing body. You will be able to select from a range of optional modules to support you in your future business career or postgraduate study.

One module is your dissertation, a substantial research project that enables you to plan, implement and report on a specialist topic. In addition, you’ll be exposed to contemporary commercial challenges and advanced theory and practice including insights into areas of focus for industry research.

Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands - you'll find recent topics studied below. You can attend introductory sessions for optional modules before deciding which ones to study.

Module credits

On successful completion of your modules, you’ll gain academic credit that accumulates towards your award. You need to complete a total of 120 credits to gain the honours degree (level 6 entry) award.

Compulsory Modules

EITHER Undergraduate Dissertation OR Investigative Skills for the Successful Undergraduate and Applied Research Project

Undergraduate Dissertation

This module involves independent research and analysis in an animal-related field with one to one support from an academic.

Investigative Skills for the Successful Undergraduate

This module will help you to meet the academic expectations for this final year and also support you in preparing for your applied research project. You'll gain confidence in research design, data analysis and critical writing.

Applied Research Project

You'll undertake an independent research project and supply a detailed analysis of the findings with one-to-one support from an academic supervisor.

Creating Equestrian Content for Media Platforms

Explore and create industry ready media content for a variety of media platforms.

Sustainability and Global Responsibility within the Equestrian Sector

Explore and analyse current business practice within the global equestrian industry in relation to long term sustainability.

Sales, Negotiation and Customer Service

Gain strategies and techniques to develop communications skills in order to influence, sell and negotiate within the equine industry.

Optional Modules

Equine Nutrition for Performance

Evolution of feeding strategies to support athletic performance in the horse, whilst maintaining good health.

Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation

This module appraises current research and practice in complementary therapy and rehabilitation for equine orthopaedic conditions.

People, Leadership and Change

Exploring the structure, diversity and culture of organisations in relation to leadership and change management.

Sports Sponsorship and Brand Development

This module allows students to explore the role and significance of sponsorship within the sports industry. They will have the opportunity to align theory with practice by developing a new sponsorship proposal for a chosen sports property.

Strategic Management

This module allows students to explore the strategic practices and principles utilised by global companies. Through an appreciation key external and internal impact factors students will put theory into practice and create a new strategic direction for an allocated organisation.

Volunteering within the Equine Charity Sector

Practically apply theory and knowledge of the equine charity sector to a real-life volunteering environment, proposing methods of raising awareness of their work as an organisation and reflecting on personal development during time spent in industry.

Modules

Overview

What you'll study

Module credits

Level Six (year one)

Compulsory Modules

EITHER Undergraduate Dissertation OR Investigative Skills for the Successful Undergraduate and Applied Research Project

Undergraduate Dissertation

This module involves independent research and analysis in an animal-related field with one to one support from an academic.

Investigative Skills for the Successful Undergraduate

Applied Research Project

You'll undertake an independent research project and supply a detailed analysis of the findings with one-to-one support from an academic supervisor.

Creating Equestrian Content for Media Platforms

Explore and create industry ready media content for a variety of media platforms.

Sustainability and Global Responsibility within the Equestrian Sector

Explore and analyse current business practice within the global equestrian industry in relation to long term sustainability.

Sales, Negotiation and Customer Service

Gain strategies and techniques to develop communications skills in order to influence, sell and negotiate within the equine industry.

Optional Modules

Equine Nutrition for Performance

Evolution of feeding strategies to support athletic performance in the horse, whilst maintaining good health.

Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation

This module appraises current research and practice in complementary therapy and rehabilitation for equine orthopaedic conditions.

People, Leadership and Change

Exploring the structure, diversity and culture of organisations in relation to leadership and change management.

Sports Sponsorship and Brand Development

Strategic Management

Volunteering within the Equine Charity Sector

The modules contain a mixture of scheduled learning – lectures, workshops and practical sessions – alongside independent learning. You'll be expected to dedicate at least two to three hours of independent study per contact hour.

The course is taught in English.

Year	Contact learning	Placement learning	Independent learning
Level six (year one)	21%	0%	79%

You'll be assessed through a mixture of written exams, practical exams and written assignments. Many of the modules will be marked based on a mixture of assessment types, whilst others will be based solely on one type of assessment.

Feedback will be given on all assessments in written format. You'll be able to access feedback for presentations and coursework in written format on our virtual learning environment. You can also access feedback on written examinations in group or individual tutorials with the module leader. Remember that feedback on assessments is not the only feedback you receive. Feedback is an ongoing process when you engage in lectures, seminars and practicals, and on formative work you may be asked to complete.

Year	Written exam	Practical exam	Coursework
Level six (year one)	6%	28%	66%

This programme is taught over two semesters, normally consisting of 12 weeks of scheduled teaching and then assessment weeks, with an overview below:

Scheduled teaching takes place between 8:30 to 20:30, Monday to Friday
Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities
Work placements may entail different days and hours
Part-time students may need to attend learning activities five days each week, depending on modules selected
Timetables are available during enrolment week

View term dates

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

Below, you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course.

Clothing and footwear (circa £100)

You’ll need to purchase some specialist kit and clothing before you enrol, or during enrolment week. In particular, appropriate footwear for practical sessions on the yard. We’ll let you know exactly what you need to purchase in your enrolment guide.

Hartpury University branded clothing is also available through our online shop, for those who wish to purchase it, however, this is not essential.

Optional field trips (up to circa £1,800)

You'll have the chance to engage in various trips and visits as part of your course. While many of these are included in the course fees, there is the opportunity to engage in additional significant study tours, experiencing international horse management practices in person. It is estimated these costs will be approximately £1,800.

Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification

During your degree you’ll have the opportunity to complete the CIM Level 3 Award in Marketing Principles. This is a self-funded opportunity – please enquire for the latest costs on application.

Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.

Livery

We have stabling for 230 horses on campus. If you're interested in having your horse at Hartpury on DIY livery while you study, please visit our livery page for details and costs.

Equine Academy

If you have the talent and drive to develop your skills as an equestrian athlete alongside your studies, you may be eligible to join our Equine Academy. For further details including costs, please visit our Equine Academy page.

Fees & Finance

Our Resource Library is where you'll find all the essential details about Hartpury University's courses. It includes Programme and Module Specifications, along with Course Information Sheets for every course. You can easily download a complete revision history for each of these, clearly showing the dates changes were made.

Course Information Sheets: These are PDF versions of the course webpages. They provide an overview of the course, what to expect during your studies, and the topics covered.

Programme Specifications: These are detailed, validated documents containing academic specifics for each programme. They include descriptions of the programme, its aims, learning outcomes, year and module structure, as well as teaching, learning, and assessment strategies.

Module Specifications: Each Programme consists of several Modules. Our Module Specifications outline the topics covered and the expected outcomes for students studying each Module.

Resource library

Academies

If you’re playing sport competitively, or you have the talent and drive to do so, you may want to join one of our Sports Academies. Over 200 international athletes have developed their talents with us over the past 10 years. You could be our next success story. We're a semi-professional sports environment offering world-class facilities and professional coaching and support services.

Accommodation

Settle into an accommodation option to suit your taste and budget – at Hartpury University, undergraduate students can choose to live on-campus surrounded by Gloucestershire’s beautiful countryside or off-campus in the heart of Gloucester City centre. Enjoy the best of both worlds.

Finance

We can help you understand how it all works, and what you need to do next. Find out everything you need to know about tuition fees, student loans and bursaries and scholarships. In 2021/22, we provided assistance to over 1/3 of our students through bursaries, scholarships and grants, totalling a little under £1million.

TEF Gold

Our undergraduate provision has been awarded Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold in all aspects - Overall, Student Experience, and Student Outcomes.

Teaching quality

Ranked in the top 10 universities for teaching quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025).

Graduate employability

97% of our graduates are in employment, further study or other purposeful activity (Graduate Outcomes, 2024).

Academic support

We’re a top 10 university for academic support (NSS 2024, UK universities).

Become a game changer

World-class equine facilities

Equine facilities

Success stories

Jessica's story

Success Stories

Jessica's story

“I had a whole new world opened up to me at Hartpury. I started as a shy young person and graduated with the confidence and skills to go out and succeed. I had so many opportunities in so many different areas – achieving industry qualifications, helping on the yard, volunteering at equestrian events, training and competing, getting involved with professional demos, and keeping fit in the gyms.”

Jessica Balmer

BSc (Hons) Equine Business Management

"Completing my work placement at Hartpury’s summer equine events was a great experience. I learnt how to run events, secure sponsorship deals, organise volunteers, and ensure arenas and stables are ready for competitors. I even got to compete in an event myself. I built contacts and connections with a range of people, including the Hartpury Equine management team, which lead to my role as Yard Technician today."

Clarissa Burnell-Price

High-performance equine environment

We have an international reputation for equine education. Our students are challenged to reach new heights in their fields.

If you’re passionate, hard-working and motivated to make a difference, we’ll give you the skills and connections to channel this energy into an exciting equine career. Whatever your career aspirations, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to gain experience on and off campus.

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Get to know our dedicated and passionate teaching staff who’ll help you achieve your very best. We’re proud to have been awarded Gold in all three areas of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF): Overall, Student Experience, and Student Outcomes. This places Hartpury University in the top 15% of published institutions in England. Plus, we're ranked sixth in the UK for Teaching Quality, in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

Important information

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are reviewed and developed regularly. Changes or cancellation of courses may be necessary to ensure alignment with emerging employment areas, to comply with accrediting body requirements, revisions to subject benchmark statements or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make necessary changes and will notify all offer-holders of changes as and when they occur.

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