Learning about horses at home – equine correspondence courses for mature students

Studying for a degree course is quite a difficult thing to achieve if you’re a mature student. For a start, you will have to move your entire family if you don’t live near the college of your choice. Then you’ll have to secure accommodation, which is extra difficult if you’re renting your accommodation. It’s never easy to find rented accommodation if you have pets, and if you’re horsey, you probably have other pets ie cats or dogs etc. Living on a student loan is ok (just) if you’re 18, but if you’re a mature student, it’s a different matter altogether.

One option is to study via correspondence. The two main colleges that offer degree courses and HND courses with a top-up option to degree level are Equistudy and The Open College of Equine Studies. There are also shorter courses listed here.

Degree courses, HND and HNC
Equistudy

Foundation degree in Equine Studies with Coventry University

Students do not have to be resident in the UK in order to enrol on a course at Equistudy
Contact: equistudy@warkscol.ac.uk

Full course fee: £4,000
Module fees £250.00

Distance learning students may be eligible for part-time student loans. Up to date information can be found on the DFES web site or by speaking to your Local Education Authority

Some students studying for the Higher National Diploma or Certificate may be eligible for financial support.
Students who are in receipt of certain benefits may be eligible for some financial support. For further information please call the Equi Study helpline 01926 651085 for advice.

Summer Schools:
Warwickshire college is located eight miles from Leamington Spa railway station, and a 30 minute drive from Birmingham airport

Equistudy also offer the award winning safety with horses programme (winner of a Beacon Award in 2003-04 and also a Highly Commended Beacon Award in 2004-05)
Cost of course £40.00

The following information from the Equistudy website:

‘Candidates must be 16 years and above and a UK resident (not including Northern Ireland) and have access to equine facilities and horses to be eligible for the programme’

‘The course provides everyone with an opportunity to check that they carry out the tasks associated with riding and caring for horses in a way recommended by top professionals. The course has been designed with horse owners, leisure riders, full or part-time equine students, clients, trainees, schools/work placement students in mind, as well as those who work with horses. Employers can register staff or voluntary helpers, whilst livery and riding school clients can get together to take part as a group. Candidates who have already undertaken the programme and achieved the award include RDA and ILPH Centre staff, and officers from the Mounted Police Anyone 16 years or over, who is a UK (not including Northern Ireland) resident and who has access to equine facilities and horses can apply for the distance learning programme and award. To take part you should have access to horses and basic equine facilities and a suitable person who can observe you carrying out a range of practical activities. This person could be for example, a riding instructor, employer, yard owner or manager. Call Equi Study to find out who you can put forward as your practical activity observer.’

The Open College of Equine Studies

‘The Open College of Equine Studies (TOCES) offers a comprehensive range of equine distance learning courses ranging from basic horse care and stable management through to BSc Honours Degrees in Equine Science, Equine Behaviour, and a BA Equine Studies.’

BA Equine Studies
Full Degree and Top-up Programmes
BSc Equine Science
Full Degree and Top-up Programmes
BSc Equine Behaviour, Welfare and Rehabilitation
Full Degree and Top-up Programmes
Foundation Degree (FdSc) Equine Science
Foundation Degree (FdSc) Equine Behaviour, Welfare and Rehabilitation

Course fees for HNC can be paid in 36 installments of £60.00 with an initial payment of £240.00.
HND can be paid in 42 installments of £70 with an initial payment of £360.

Full course fees
HNC: £2,400
HND: £3,300
This price includes fees for study weeks

Please note: There doesn’t seem to be details on the TOCES website regarding financial assistance for course fees, but there is a telephone number for enquiries: 01787 282123 or email: info@equinestudies.co.uk

Study Weeks:

Study Weeks are an essential component of the BTEC National Certificate, Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma curses, and for the Foundation Degree, BSc and BA programmes.

HNC: Two mandatory Study Weeks

HND: Three mandatory Study Weeks

Foundation Degree: Three mandatory Study Weeks

BSc and BA: Five mandatory Study Weeks

Shorter Courses:
Lingfield Correspondence College

BHS certified short courses and short courses in subjects such as equine psychology and behaviour, feeding & nutrition explained and livery yard management.

Horses and Courses

Offer correspondence courses for both the novice and experienced student

Useful links for information on careers with horses:
British Horse Society Education

British Equine Veterinary Association

Animal Care College Provides open learning courses on many aspects of companion and pet animal care. Includes courses on equine psychology.
The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors‘ Lists colleges in the UK offering courses in animal behaviour, including equine behaviour