Ifa is a mature student who moved from the US to the UK to study BSc (Hons) Equestrian Sport Science. Ifa has a particular interest in research and chose Hartpury as it's where most research in the equine industry is from, making it an easy choice for university.

"There are no other institutions whose offerings in equine compare to what Hartpury offers. The Equestrian Sport Science programme provides opportunities to understand holistically how both the horse and rider work, and I knew right away that this is where I wanted to be in order to deepen my knowledge and career. The course has advanced my knowledge of equine anatomy, internal structures, and the way the horse and rider are linked down to the cellular level.

I hadn’t visited Hartpury until moving-in day, but the experience of meeting people from around the world, all studying a range of courses and seeing the campus together for the first time, was great, and I had the best first few weeks here. Since joining, I’ve helped to revamp the international society and set up a group chat we can communicate in because we all know that no question is too silly. Being in a new place can feel daunting, but having friends to connect with makes settling in much easier. There’s certainly a comfortable, curated community here at Hartpury.

I've learned a great deal about strategic time management, juggling school and business. My writing skills have significantly improved with more involvement in research opportunities and other clubs. The opportunity and leverage of having renowned researchers at your disposal is great. Even if research isn't all you’re interested in, you can pick the brains of people with mutual interests right at your fingertips. If coming to Hartpury is on your heart, definitely do it! It has expanded my resources, focus and ability to understand things on a deeper level, and I truly feel like that continues to set me apart in my work and daily life."