Equine Business Management BA (Hons)
Course code: D4N2
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time.
Course type: BA (Hons)
International: Available to study on-campus
Study at: North, West and Hebrides
Start in: January; September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally.
Duration: Full time: 4 years; Part time: 8years
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.
What is special about this course?
The BA (Hons) Equine Business Management programme will introduce you to all aspects of today’s modern equine business.
It will help equip you with the skills you need for a career in equine business management including marketing, research, and sports science, as well as specific equine modules such as: equine selection; equine business management; equitation; work placement; current issues and legislation in the equine industry; equine behaviour; equine anatomy, physiology and health; and equine fitness, nutrition and welfare. Additionally, this programme is endorsed by the British Horse Society and we offer free training towards BHS exams.
You will undertake project work where you will investigate real-life situations, which will enable you to put what you have learned into practice. You may also have the opportunity to take part in equestrian events and activities organised throughout the year.
Guest speakers and the use of equine evidence-based research will ensure you have access to relevant and current industry information.
This programme offers unique flexibility: you can choose a riding or non-riding route (or a mixture of both) and enjoy access to our equine campus, horses and staff, or you may choose a remote study option, coming to us for blocks of time or using your own training centre at your own expense.
Special features
- Small classes give you a more personal experience of university
- You will undertake equine-related classes and research projects using practical situations
- Access to our purpose-built equestrian centre, where you will be taught by professional staff highly experienced in the industry
- Access to industry links and possible employment opportunities
- Access to a unique range of quality horses
- Riding and non-riding routes are available from year 1
- Opportunities to take part in equestrian events and activities may be offered throughout the year
- Opportunity to study remotely from your own location
- International students have the option to study online from their own location (following a specific framework) or face to face through the Student Route Visa option
Accommodation
We can provide information on local accommodation options on request to help you find a place to stay.
Entry requirements
Entry to year one (CertHE):
- 3 Scottish Highers at Grade C or above or equivalent OR
- 2 A levels at grade C or above OR
- NC in Equestrian Skills or Business Studies including level 6 study
- Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) may also be considered for those who have gained British Horse Society qualifications. Please contact the course team for more details
Advanced entry to year two of the degree:
- Direct entry to year 2 may be possible with an HNC in an equine-related subject, or business subject with equine experience
Advanced entry to year three of the degree:
- Direct entry to year 3 may be possible with an HND in an equine-related subject, or business subject with equine experience
Access routes
- It may be possible, with some additional bridging, to access with HNC Business or HND Business subjects
Core modules are:
Semester 1
- Introduction to business
Semester 2
- Horses for courses: introduction to the equine industries
Semesters 1 and 2
- Introduction to equine anatomy physiology and health
- Introduction to equine fitness, nutrition and welfare
You will also choose two option modules from:
Semester 1
- Introduction to sport and exercise science*
Semester 2
- Introduction to sports coaching and leadership*
Semesters 1 and 2
- Activity performance and skill acquisition
- Introduction to equitation**
*core for online international students
**core for the riding route
Core modules are:
Semester 1
- Managing an equine business
- Equine behaviour
Semester 2
- Equine movement analysis
Semesters 1 and 2
- Activity performance and skill acquisition (online international route only)
You will also choose three option modules from:
Semester 2
- Principles of sport and exercise psychology*
Semesters 1 and 2
- Applied coaching and leadership (not available for online international students)
- Equitation: a practical application**
- Event planning and organisation (not available for online international students)
- Work placement*
*core for online international students
**core for the riding route
Core modules are:
Semester 1
- Current issues and legislation in the equine industry
- Developing entrepreneurial effectiveness
Semester 2
- Research skills
You will also choose three option modules from:
Semester 1
- Retailing (not available for international SRV or online)
- Sport and exercise science: a critical analysis*
Semester 2
- Marketing communications (not available for international SRV)*
- Sustainable niche tourism (equine)*
Semesters 1 and 2
- Advanced equitation (not available for international online)**
- Work placement (not available for international online)
*core for online international students
**core for riding route
Core modules are:
Semester 1
- Equine behaviour and welfare management
- Major event analysis
Semesters 1 and 2
- Dissertation
You will also choose two option modules from:
Semester 2
- Innovation and enterprise (not available for international SRV)*
- Legal issues in sport and fitness (not available for international SRV)*
Semesters 1 and 2
- Advanced applications of coaching and instruction (not available for international online)**
- Work placement (not available for international online)**
*core for international online
**core for international SRV students
There are specific curriculum frameworks for international students studying online or on-campus - please see the frameworks document for details
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
You can choose to study this course:
- via a non-riding route, online with scheduled sessions and tutorials
- via a riding route, in-person, on campus
- via a riding route, online with scheduled face-to-face and practical sessions
Non-riding route
Fully online, on-campus or from your own location:
- You will learn through a combination of scheduled video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via our virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You can choose to be based on-campus or study fully online from your own location
Riding routes
In-person, on-campus:
- You will be based at our Rural Studies Centre in Thurso
- You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures and tutorials, recorded lectures, practical sessions at stables, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutor
- You will typically undertake practical study for 6 weeks in S1 and 8 weeks in S2. These blocks will include British Horse Society training and preparation for exams if required
Online from your own location (riding route):
- Training for riding can be done at your own expense from your own location, however assessment must be carried out at the Rural Studies Centre for a minimum of 2 days for assessment only and 2 weeks for assessment with some additional training
- The riding route is not available for online International students
- You will be required to attend scheduled classes and lectures during practical blocks
International students
- You may study this course online from your own country or in-person, on-campus with a Student Route Visa
- Students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK will be based at our Rural Studies Centre in Thurso
- There are specific curriculum frameworks for international students studying online or on-campus - please see the frameworks document for details
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years
- Part-time: 8 years
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
- North, West and Hebrides - Rural Studies Centre, Halkirk
- This course can be studied on-campus, or online from anywhere in the UK. All students should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, UHI North, West and Hebrides
- If you wish to study in person, on campus, you will be based at our Rural Studies Centre - please click on the link to find out more
Start date
- September
- January (part-time only)
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Degrees | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
| Full-time | Level | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,790 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,790 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,790 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,632.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2025-26 Full-time | With scholarship | 2026-27 Full-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £15,870 | £12,870 | £16,820 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £15,870 | £12,870 | £16,820 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £15,870 | £12,870 | £16,820 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £15,870 | Free | £16,820 |
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| 2025-26 | 2026-27 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £15,870 | £16,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £7,935 | £8,415 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,645 | £2,805 |
Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
There could be additional student costs for remote study, working with an accredited coach and optional work placements depending on location of placement.
What can I do on completion of my course?
A degree in Equine Business Management will provide you with excellent career prospects. Endorsed by the British Horse Society as training towards BHS exams, this award enables you to develop knowledge and skills highly valued by employers. Graduates could anticipate going on to jobs in public, private and voluntary organisations, taking on such roles as:
- Yard manager
- Coach
- Schooling and training horses
- Riding centre manager
- Equine tourism
- Equine research
- Equine assisted learning
- Equine rehabilitation
- Self employment
You will also have the potential to become a local entrepreneur, with business start-ups in the equine, tourism and business sectors.
Can I progress into further study?
You may wish to progress to postgraduate study, such as a PgCert, Masters, or PhD study.
Course eligible for on-campus students requiring a Student Route Visa with the following conditions:
- Location: UHI North, West and Hebrides – Rural Studies Centre, Halkirk
- Start: August/September
- Study mode: Full-time (4 years)
A specific route of this course also available online for applicants to study from anywhere in the world.
Please see guidance for international applicants regarding entry requirements and visas
Apply for Equine Business Management BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.