Courses

HNC in Equine Studies

This one year course is the equivalent to the first year of degree level study and so contains a greater proportion of theoretical study compared to the Certificate and Advenced Certificate courses, but it does have some practical elements.  


This is a full time course and so is run over 3 days through the week for 34 weeks. The HNC programme builds on a student's current knowledge forming a strong foundation from which to progress to further study or enter industry with the required knowledge and skills. The HNC will be achieved at the end of one year on the successful achievement of 12 credits.  All students will be expected to complete the riding unit on this course. 

The course covers the following areas of study:

DP1J34: Equine Fitness
A theory based unit on implementing fitness programmes backed up practically using example horses.

DP1N34: Equine Selection
Students develop skills to evaluate horses for specific purposes.

DP1M34: Equine Nutrition
A mainly theory based unit with elements of practical investigation which allows students to develop their knowledge of equine nutrition.

DP1G34: Equine Anatomy and Physiology
A unit enabling students to develop knowledge of anatomical structures and their function in horses.

DP1L34: Equine Health
This unit will allow student to develop knowledge of signs, treatment and the prevention of horse ailments as well as how to apply basic first aid treatment. 

DP1H34: Equine Facility Management
This unit develops skills to enable students to successfully manage a stable yard.

DP2034: Preparation of horses for competitions
A practical and theory based unit which allows students to develop their knowledge of the preparation of the horse for a variety of competitions.

DP1R 34: Equitation
This unit allows students to further develop riding skills.

A6T1 34: Workplace Experience
This unit gives students the opportunity to plan, undertake and evaluate a work placement gaining experience of working within the equine industry.

Practical Stable Management
The practical stable management of the course is designed to maximise your employability skills for the equine industry.  It is therefore essential that all equine  students undertake duties in a real working environment which includes some early morning duties and weekends.  

D85F34: Using software applications packages
Students gain knowledge to enable them to use IT systems and a variety of software to process different data types.

A619 34: Customer Care
Educates students in developing a customer care strategy to establish and maintain good relationships with customers.

DP2X34: Graded unit
Students complete industry relevant practical and written elements of a project to produce a horse for a specific event.  

Entry requirements:

For progressing students - it is essential to have passed the Advanced Certificate level of the course above and accumulated the required yard duties points from certificate studies.  Core Skills must have been achieved at higher level for Communications and Intermediate 2 for Numeracy.  Another 2 weeks of industrial experience must be accumulated before being accepted onto HNC level of the Equine Studies course.

Entry requirement for new students -

  • Minimum of 1 Higher qualification (A-C) in English, Maths, Biology or another science subject
  • Minimum of Communications at Higher level
  • Minimum of Numeracy Intermediate 2
  • 6 weeks practical work experience on a yard (reference required) or 80% attendance at duties and 2 weeks practical work experience on a yard (reference required)
  • Completion of basic horse care paper
  • Riding at Stage 2 level (DVD evidence required)

Upon successful achievement:

  • HNC in Equine Studies (15 credits) (with Distinction if 100% attendance at duties)
  • Certificate of Competence in Horse Transportation **
  • Certificate of Competence in First Aid
  • BHS Stage 1*
  • BHS Stage 2*
  • R & RS *

*  Optional - training provided or ILA funded; student may be required to pay exam fee
** Optional - training & exam ILA funded
Note: An applicant having owned their own horse does not substitute for the practical criteria required. 

Progression:

Students on HNC and HND Year 1 in Equine Studies run as one group.  Throughout the year there are 15 credits offered to this group, and an HND Year 1 student must achieve all of those if they are to progress to HND Year 2.

HNC students who wish to retain the option of progressing onto the second year of HND must also achieve the 15 credits offered at HNC.

Another criteria for progression is the successful completion of the required yard duties, having shown a high level of commitment to this.

Additional information

Yard Duties are an integral part of all equine courses at Oatridge.  It is essential that all equine students take part. 

Start date

College term commences mid September each year. 

Finish date

Early June each year.

Back to the Equine Studies section