Equine Science Degree

JennaJameson

Hi all,

I'm looking at doing the BSc in Equine Science in UL. On paper, it certainly looks great, but I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience of the course, or knows anyone who does.

The modules look great, and the work experience is a great idea. I don't doubt I would learn a lot, my main concern is whether it's worth doing from an employment point of view.

I don't want to pay over €40,000 and waste four years of my life if I am going to end up in the same job I could have done with British Horse Society qualifications, which cost a helluva lot less.

Any thoughts?

RHunce

I know one person that did it, she covers free classes in my old secondary school and teaches Equine Science to the PLC's for 10hrs a week. I don't know what else you can do from it tbh because this is the only experience I've had from somebody who has done that course.

I'm sure there's numerous other jobs you could get from it though.

TraskHamilton

First off, if you haven't checked this link out it's definitely worth a look, it has loads of info on the Degree course and contact details for the course lecturers (who are quite friendly I hear ) if you want to get in touch with them directly about any particular aspect of the course http://www.ul.ie/courses/EquineScience.shtml

Based on personal experience, I have a few friends who have been in both the Degree and Certificate options and there are mixed reviews really. The science modules can be hard enough if you haven't taken any Biology/Chemistry/Agricultural Science for the Leaving Cert - having said that though, the science is mostly introductory level in 1st year and if you put the work in you'll be grand:). But it does get more difficult from then on!
In terms of the more practical/'horsey' side of things, students take 1 module per semester which allows them to go to a local equestrian centre (AIRE approved and BHS qualified instructors) once a week for the whole day and they cater for everyone from complete beginners up. As part of the module they go on field trips now and again to horse sales like Goffs and Goresbridge, and racecources, studs etc.
When you reach 3rd year of the Degree you have to make a choice between Business and Equitation. Basically, if you choose Business you won't be going to the equestrian centre anymore and you'll be taking 1-2 Business modules instead. I think you can take a language module instead of a business module somewhere along the line aswell. Best to check the course description in that link to be sure.

As for getting your BHS qualifications, most years the equestrian centre offers training (outside college/lecture hours) for all the exam levels and it's quite handy provided that you can afford it and have the transport to get there in the evenings. So in theory you could leave college with a Degree and BHS qualifications as well if you put the time management in.

I'm sure there are a lot of job opportunities for graduates regardless of whether they are in the Degree or Certificate class, but (again this is based on what I've heard from other people) a lot of people go into the scientific area either working in places like the Irish Equine Centre or other Equine labs in Ireland and abroad. I think this is because students take such a wide range of detailed modules dealing with equine anatomy/disease etc so they have specialised training they really wouldn't have gotten had they not studied equine science.

Apparently a few past students have used their combined business and equine skills to work with organisations such as Goffs auctioneers and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing.
So overall it really is such a well rounded course you can get into pretty much any aspect of the equine industry in Ireland or abroad. Whether it involves science, business or equitation is up to you!:D

maelaw

A few of my friends did that course. It seems to be quite a good course, obviously some hard modules but you can get through them.
For the most part, the graduates I know ended up working in a yard, starting pretty much at the bottom where you would without a degree. However, there were a few who really landed on their feet with good jobs.
I would strongly advise reseacrching your work placement early and try to organise it quite early too, as it was mostly the students who had the best work placements that got jobs out of them at the end!