Diploma in Equine Management

Course information

If you already have experience with horses as well as the passion and determination to turn it into a career then this is the course for you. It will help you to take your existing skills to a professional sphere and prepare you to work in the equine industry or progress to higher education.

You will have lectures in a range of subjects from Nutrition to Fitness, as well as practical lessons.

Our top class facilities include stabling for 24 horses, horse walker, solarium, and covered practical area, 20m x 60m indoor arena with viewing gallery and 30m x 60m outdoor arena. We provide a range of horses to suit all abilities including cobs, thoroughbreds, young horses and competition horses.

You’ll be able to ride a range of horses at college that are suited to develop your individual skills.

Level 3 students organise and run shows in a range of disciplines and also have the chance to compete in them on our college horses. We are also a British Horse Society (BHS) assessment centre so can support you in taking these additional qualifications.

When on yard duties you will be undertaking normal horse care tasks such as feeding, mucking out, grooming and also clipping throughout the winter. As part of the duty team you will also have the opportunity to learn supervisory skills, getting you ready for a career with horses.

We often have competitions at weekends in our Equestrian Centre so you will also have the opportunity to get involved with these. You could learn to be a steward, work with a course builder or write for a dressage judge.

You’ll be learning from experienced and well qualified staff, who are there to ensure you reach your full potential.

What You Will Learn

Over the two years you will develop a broad range of knowledge to underpin your skills when working with and caring for horses as well as investigating the equine industry itself. Your subjects range from equine health & behaviour to the principles of equitation and business.

You will learn the practical stable management skills that will enable you to be a valuable employee in the future and have the opportunity to ride & lunge a range of horses that are suitable to help you to develop your skills. We encourage you to take the BHS stages alongside your programme which look great on your CV and there’s also the option to take a coaching module to support those who would like to be instructors themselves in the future.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for external applicants and school leavers
• Four or more GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths, or successful completion of a relevant Level 2 qualification.
• Functional Skills Level 2 in English and/or Maths will be considered as alternatives to GCSE, but a GCSE resit may be required depending on grade.

Entry requirements for existing learners with the Cornwall College Group
• Successful completion of previous course and maths and/or English at GCSE Grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2.

5 GCSE’s at grade 4 or above including English, Math and Science.

Riding pathway: To be able to walk, trot and canter and jump in balance with the horse. Video evidence will be required at interview. There is a 13 stone weight limit to riding.

Non-riding pathway: To be confident handling a range of different horses, completing different tasks including, mucking out, grooming, tacking up and turning out horses.

Work Experience

Work experience are an integral part of your studies. In the first year of this course you will undertake a short work experience placement in the equine industry and a much longer industry placement in the second year. This is your opportunity to find out more about a sector of the industry that most interests you or experience something totally new. You will be supported in finding a suitable placement and encouraged to expand your horizons!

Assessment

You will take a written exam which is externally set by City & Guilds. There is also a synoptic assessment, which is a controlled assessment made up of scenario based practical and written tasks in which you can show your knowledge & practical skills. These assessments really reward hard work & initiative which are highly prized skills in the equine industry & are scheduled between February and May.

The optional units are assessed with practical assessment & assignments throughout the academic year & the Biology & Health & Safety exams are taken in the summer term.

Progression

This course is equivalent to doing A-levels at school and is a stepping stone to many options. This will give you UCAS points to progress to Higher Education.

If you prefer a more practical route, you could go on to doing an apprenticeship, or depending on your age and skills, employment. We have ex -students working with horses all around the world!

Bicton College

Bicton College

Bicton College is based in East Devon, near Exeter, and set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just two miles from the Jurassic Coast. The historic Georgian mansion, commercial farm, animal husbandry school, modern veterinary nursing building, world-class engineering and heavy plant machinery workshop, walled garden and arboretum are all set in over 200 hectares of historic parkland.

Find out more about our Bicton campus

Events

Open Event

Bicton College

Open Event at Bicton College

• 18 Jan 25
• 26 Apr 25

Taster Event

Bicton College

Taster Day at Bicton College

• 17 Feb 25
• 28 May 25