Certificate/Diploma in Science (Equine Science)

General Information

The University of Limerick offers these programmes at Certificate and Diploma levels as part of the continuing provision of education and training opportunities in Equine Science.The programmes have been developed because of the national strategic economic importance of the equine and related industries and the consequential need to produce qualified personnel with the specialised knowledge to exploit the potential of these industries.These programmes offer a wide range of choice and flexibility to students interested in obtaining formal qualifications before embarking on a professional career in the horse industry. Students may obtain qualifications at the end of two years (Certificate) and may have an option for an additional year of study (Diploma).

The overall aim of both programmes is to equip students in the disciplines of Equine Sciences, Equitation and Equine Business Management with a competency appropriate to the level of the awards. In each of the programme years, students are offered an opportunity of module choice. Diploma students are offered a wide degree of choice and may specialise in either Equitation or Equine Business Management.

Throughout the programmes of study (at both Certificate and Diploma levels) students will be brought into contact with the industry.This will be enabled through visits to centres of excellence, through participation in seminars conducted by expert speakers (open to all persons from the industry), through “hands-on” experience of handling and riding horses and by involvement in cooperative education.

Transfer to the Diploma and Degree Programmes

On completion of the Certificate in Science (Equine Science), students with at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 2 may transfer to the Diploma in Science (Equine Science) programme requiring a further year of study. Graduates of the Diploma programme with at least a Second Class Honours Grade 2 may be considered for entry to year 4 of the B.Sc. Degree programme in Equine Science.

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Course Structure

The Certificate in Science (Equine Science) is offered both on a full time basis and through Distance Learning mode. The full time programme is two years in duration with a further year of study for those eligible to progress to the Diploma in Science (Equine Science). Throughout the programme there are two Semesters per year and students will undertake five modules per Semester. The Distance Learning programme offers people interested in the horse related industries the opportunity to gain a University of Limerick qualification in Equine Science regardless of their work commitments, personal circumstances, geographical location in Ireland or prior learning. There are no entry requirements for persons over 23 years of age. Further information is available on www.iei.ul.ie.

In the first Semester students are introduced to modules in Biology, Horsemanship, Equine Anatomy and Physiology, Microeconomics and Introduction to IT. In Semester 2, students continue with modules in Biology, Equine Reproduction, Equitation Skill Analysis and The Horse Industry. Students are presented with a choice between Accounting and Macroeconomics.

In Semester 3, students follow courses in Equine Feeding and Behaviour, Equine Health and Environment, Fundamentals of Equine Locomotion, Marketing and Enterprise Formation.

In Semester 4, all students undertake a period of Cooperative Education (relevant work experience), which provides opportunities to exploit and develop the skills acquired during the academic programme of study.

Students who progress to the Diploma in Equine Science take modules in Equine Physiology, Equine Health and Disease, Equine Nutrition, Cellular Biology and Biochemistry, Grassland and Grazing Management and Equine Breeding and Genetics. In Semester 5 Diploma students are offered options Equine Business Management or Equitation.The Business Option will enable students to continue the entrepreneurship stream of modules by undertaking study in Enterprise Development or Principles of Risk Management.The Equitation Option offers a module on the Young Horse. In Semester 6, all Diploma students undertake a period of Cooperative Education.This provides the opportunity to exploit and develop the skills that have already been acquired while simultaneously gaining the professional experience, at home or abroad, of working in selected sectors of the industry.

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with at least Grade D3 in five Ordinary Level subjects (including Mathematics; Irish or another language; and English).

It is desirable that candidates should have a reasonable level of competency in horse riding and/or have experience of working with horses.

A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement.

Career Prospects

Graduates from these programme may choose from a wide variety of career opportunities in areas such as the following:

• Equine enterprises comprising Stud Farms, Showjumping and related employment.
• The Racing Industry (Training, Racetracks and related employment).
• Leisure, Recreation and Tourism industry based on Equine Activities.
• Teaching.
• The Equine related service industry (feed manufacture and supply, equipment manufacturing and servicing, etc.)
• Sales, Marketing, Promotions, etc.
• Equine related organisations and associations including state and semi-state.
• Self employment in the Equine industry.