Equine Science and Business with Professional Placement Year

Equine science and business is a discipline that combines rigorous knowledge of the biology, physiology, and management of horses with the commercial and organisational skills needed to work in the equestrian sector. The horse industry in the UK is substantial, encompassing racing and breeding, equestrian sport at amateur and elite levels, riding schools, equine therapy, and a significant supply chain of veterinary, nutritional, and equipment providers. Practitioners in this sector need both scientific literacy and business acumen to work effectively across its breadth.

This four-year full-time programme at the Royal Agricultural University includes a professional placement year that gives you sustained, structured experience in an equestrian industry setting. You will study equine anatomy, physiology, nutrition, health, behaviour, and reproduction alongside business management principles including marketing, finance, strategy, and enterprise. The curriculum reflects the breadth of the equestrian sector, and you will have the option to study some livestock science alongside equine science, building a more holistic grounding in animal science.

The Royal Agricultural University has a distinctive heritage in land-based education, and the programme benefits from that tradition and its professional networks. With a typical entry tariff of 120 points, the programme is accessible to students with a background in equine or animal science and an interest in the commercial dimensions of the industry.

Graduates from equine science and business programmes move into a wide range of roles across the sector. Yard management, stud management, and equestrian centre management are direct paths. The racing industry, from training yards to breeding operations and racecourse management, employs graduates with both scientific and business knowledge.

Equine nutrition, welfare consultancy, and equine product marketing are further routes. The placement year experience often leads directly to graduate employment with placement organisations. Postgraduate study in equine science, animal science, or agricultural business is available for those who want to develop their expertise in a particular direction.