CertHE Equine Science and Management

The CertHE in Equine Science and Management provides graduates with a broad and strong knowledge base combined with extensive practical experience. It combines equine science, equine business management and practical horse care subjects to provide graduates with the skills to apply scientific knowledge to a wide range of practical situations.

Location: Oatridge
Study mode: Full Time (1 year), Part Time (2 years)
Subject area: Equine Studies and Horse Care, Animal and Biological Sciences, Business
Start date: September 2026
Agency code: CHEQ

Apply now

Course overview

The CertHE in Equine Science and Management is delivered using an active and blended learning approach. This includes a combination of online theory sessions and on-campus experiential learning. On campus sessions include practical hands-on learning using our excellent equestrian facilities and college horses. The programme is delivered at SRUC’s Oatridge Campus, the home of the Scottish National Equestrian Centre (SNEC), providing students with access to state-of-the-art equestrian facilities and resources during their studies. The CertHE also provides students with the opportunity to progress to the BSc (Hons) in Equine Science and Management to continue their studies.

Additional Information

You can apply for this course using the apply now button located at the top and bottom of this page. Detailed information on how to apply can be found on our applications instructions page.

National 5 (A-C) in English and Maths plus 2 Highers (CC) to include English or a science subject.
Two weeks of practical work experience.
Submission of recorded video evidence of riding ability for applicants wanting the riding route.
Internal progression upon achievement of Advanced Certificate in Horse Care (SCQF level 6).
Alternative qualifications such as British Horse Society qualifications may also be considered.

Yard Manager
Equestrian Groom
Event/Competition Assistant/Manager
Equestrian Sales
Equestrian Business.

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.

Scotland has so much to offer, it’s no wonder that each year thousands of students from across the globe make it their number one choice for their study destination.

Learn more about studying at SRUC in Scotland

SRUC offers a choice of campus locations and accommodation options. Learn more about each campus, including its facilities and accommodation options, by visiting our campus pages.

Phone:

From inside the UK: 0800 269 453
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us through an interpreter via Contact Scotland BSL

From outside the UK: +44 (0) 131 535 4000

Email:

Scottish, Irish, and UK students: study@sruc.ac.uk

International students: interrnationalstudents@sruc.ac.uk

Online:

All prospective students are welcome to contact us by filling in our online enquiry form

BSC (Hons) Equine Science and Management

MA Equine Level 6

What you'll learn

The modules on the programme include a combination of equine science, equine business management and practical horse care topics. Example modules include Anatomy and Physiology, Equine Health and Nutrition, Equine Behaviour and Learning, Leisure Horse Management, Equine Business Management, and Development of Research Skills. There are also riding and non-riding pathways available. The non-riding pathway offers students the opportunity to develop your event management skills.

Meet the lecturer

Dr Louise Bulmer

PhD, MSc, BHS II (BHS Stage 4 Senior Coach in Complete Horsemanship)

Louise is our Equine Programme Team Leader at SRUC Oatridge. She has been a lecturer with SRUC since 2007. She lectures across all levels of equine courses, and subjects she delivers include Equine Nutrition, Watering and Feeding, Equine Anatomy and Physiology, and Equine Behaviour.

Louise’s research focuses on gut-brain axis communication. She is particularly interested in how diet affects gut microbiota and how this may influence behaviour and brain neurochemistry in horses.

View Louise's Pure profile

Gillian Turnbull

BSc (Hons), PG Cert, BHSSM, BHSII

Gillian is based at Oatridge Campus, lecturing and tutoring final year Higher National Diploma students. She has been a lecturer for 25 years. She specialises in business management subjects on our horse care courses.

Outside her teaching, Gillian runs her own yard and is involved in the wider equestrian industry. She has excellent industry links and enjoys helping students to gain equestrian experience to help them become more employable at the end of their course.

View Gillian's Pure profile

Fees and funding

Detailed information about these fees can be found on our higher education fees page.

Eligible full-time students studying CertHE Equine Science and Management should apply to SAAS for fees and funding. A student loan is also available to help students with living costs.

If you do not apply, you will have to pay your fees yourself and if you have studied at HNC/D/degree level before SAAS may not pay your fees.

Funding available:

Scottish students: you may be eligible to apply for a tuition fee loan through SAAS. Learn more
RUK students: you may be eligible to have your tuition fees paid as part of a bursary through your local government department. Learn more
International students: you may be eligible for international student scholarships through SRUC. Learn more

CertHE Equine Science and Management

Apply now

SAC Consulting

Providing independent, research-driven, industry-leading expertise, advice and solutions for agricultural, food and land-based businesses.

Enterprise Academy for the Rural & Natural Economy

Our Enterprise Academy was established to champion sustainable thinking and entrepreneurial action across education, business and research at SRUC and in our wider communities.