Introduction
Take your equine knowledge, academic skills and research practice to the next level with our MSc Equine Performance Science at ARU Writtle.
Our Masters degree focuses on horses’ performance through the study of gait evaluation, pathophysiology of injury, advanced and applied nutrition, exercise physiology, equitation science, human influences on equine performance, and methods to evaluate and enhance performance.
Study at our dedicated equine campus at ARU Writtle, set in rural Essex, and learn from a research-led teaching team. Our tutors are industry specialists supporting competitive horses in training. Through lectures and demonstrations, you’ll fully integrate theory with ongoing case studies to gain a real-life understanding of the ages and stages of training in relation to nutrition, farriery, training, breeding, behaviour and more.
We’ll look at current research-focused materials and work with cutting-edge technology to monitor and evaluate performance and welfare.
Our MSc Equine Performance Science is ideal if you want to develop your knowledge of performance development and enhancement in horses, and take the next step in your career.
Course options
Key facts
Entry requirements
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Fees and paying for university
Equine Academy: support for talented riders
The Equine Academy at ARU Writtle supports a group of competition-level riders every year. It offers training sessions for the rider, stabling for the horse, and access to our equine facilities and experienced support staff.
Facilities
Specialist facilities
Our Equine Training and Development Centre offers extensive facilities to optimise students' experience:
- stabling for up to 92 horses
- around 70 horses on campus
- three indoor riding arenas, and one outdoor arena
- oval horse walker
- equine water treadmill and therapy barns
- semen collection area
- 150-hectare campus with local bridleways and hacking.
It's possible to bring your own horse to university; for further details see our DIY Livery Yard page.
Outstanding student support
Join our postgraduate student community and:
- learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
- benefit from extensive library and IT resources
- receive full support from our Employability Service, while you're studying with us and after you graduate
- access support, should you need it, with study skills, health and wellbeing, and more.
Lecturers
Rosa Verwijs
Senior Lecturer in Equine Behaviour and Nutrition
Jane Hart
Lecturer in Equine Performance
Romain Paillot
Senior Lecturer in Equine
Roberta Blake
Associate Professor
Careers
Our Masters degree is aimed at those wanting a wide base of knowledge of all aspects of equine performance development and enhancement.
As a graduate, you could apply your knowledge in a number of areas across the equine industry, including nutrition, design and development of equine training aids and technologies, consultancy, or research. Or you might put it to use in a practical business enterprise.
Want to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Life in Writtle
Close to major cities, ARU Writtle is located on a picturesque 150-hectare campus in the heart of the Essex countryside.
Explore the Writtle campus