Equine Science (Online Learning) MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev
Online
DURATION
2 up to 6 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
23 Aug 2024
EARLIEST START DATE
09 Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
GBP 19,100 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* estimated tuition for equine science (MSc) | PgCert: £6,370 | PgDip: £12,735
Introduction
This programme involves an in-depth scientific approach to managing health and welfare, reproduction, behaviour, nutrition and exercise for horses.
You will also learn how to practically apply a scientific approach to benefit:
- horse health
- welfare
- performance
Our online programme is the first and only Equine Science programme to be hosted within an international centre of veterinary excellence. It provides students with detailed knowledge and understanding of equine science and its applications and is excellent preparation for enhancing your equine career or future independent research such as a PhD.
Online learning
The University of Edinburgh has been delivering online postgraduate programmes since 2005 and is the largest provider of online programmes in the prestigious Russell Group of universities.
Online learning is aimed at people who want to study for a postgraduate qualification alongside ongoing personal and professional commitments. You can study at times most convenient to you and tailor the timeframe of your studies to suit your needs. Most of our students continue in their employment while they study.
Student support for online students is given as much emphasis as for our on-campus learners. The learning technology is fully interactive, and award-winning and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your home or workplace.
A dedicated e-learning team ensures the programme runs smoothly and the programme is supported by an experienced team of a programme director, co-ordinator, administrator and course leaders. Each student is provided with a personal tutor. Courses are taught and completed entirely online.
The varied teaching includes:
- online lectures
- tutorials
- specialist external lectures
- scientific group discussions
- case studies
- problem-based learning scenarios
- literature-based research
- computer-assisted learning
- quizzes
Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh's excellent resources but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.
Rankings
The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked 15th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from this research-rich taught MSc will be prepared for employment in research establishments, such as:
- universities and research institutions
- industry, such as feed companies, stud farms, pharmaceuticals and consultancy firms
- government organisations, such as ADAS and DEFRA
- welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, WSPA and WHW
- Watch short film interviews with recent graduates from the programme
Curriculum
The degree programme is structured to allow sequential progression from individual courses to Certificate, Diploma and MSc phases. Students may also exit the programme on completion of each phase.
The programme is designed to be taken part-time over three years at 20 hours per week, with the option to complete in up to six years if required.
The completion times are as follows:
- PgCert: 1-2 years
- PgDip: 2-4 years
- MSc: 3-6 years
The taught part of the programme consists of a series of courses, while the final year is devoted to a dissertation.
Courses:
- Equine Digestion and Nutrition
- Equine Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics
- Equine Behavioural Medicine
- Equine Orthopaedics
- Equine Reproduction
- Equine Exercise Physiology
- Equitation Science
- Research Methods Data Analysis (Equine Science)
Dissertation:
You will undertake either an in-depth practical research project involving data collection analyses, a systematic review, an extensive literature review or a meta-study on a chosen area of equine science. The dissertation is designed to advance your understanding of the processes and planning involved in undertaking research and to develop your scientific written communication skills, research ethics, statistics and the principle of good research practice.
This is a self-directed course but you are supported by an allocated subject-specific expert supervisor, statistician and experienced researchers from within the programme team. You are also encouraged, where appropriate, to work closely with senior staff at your home institution.
Postgraduate Professional Development
Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through postgraduate-level learning, without the time, or financial commitment, of a full award.
You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses from within this degree over two years and gain a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.
It may also be possible to continue your studies after one year and put credits towards a postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or full Masters's degree. Any time spent taking courses through the PPD scheme will be deducted from the amount of time you have left to complete the higher award.
Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout a year you may only start a Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme in September.