MSc Equine Science at Hartpury - experiences?

mbf938

mbf938

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Hi

I am considering applying for the MSc Equine Science at Hartpury and I was wondering if anyone else has done this course/been to Hartpury and can share their experiences?

Basically, I have an undergrad degree in Law and have been working in marketing in the banking industry for the past 3 years following a graduate programme in their head office. I am a working pupil on an international event yard part time completing my BHS exams. I've always wanted to study equine from an academic perspective as well as the practical side (which I am doing with BHS exams), so I thought I would do the Masters degree with a view of going on to being a lecturer or academic, so followed up by a PhD potentially focusing on nutrition, as well as continuing to work my way up the BHS exam scale and teaching freelance.

I am planning to complete my BHSAI before going so am looking for full time working pupil posts at the moment, as I figure if it all goes wrong and I find I get sick of being poor, I can always go back to banking/corporate life but it would be great to go after my passion whilst I am still young enough to do it.

I would also be planning on taking my horse with me and possibly loaning her to the college - has anyone taken their horse to Hartpury and how did you find it?

I am only looking at Hartpury as my partner will still be based in South West so will want to stay close to home whilst I study.

Thanks :)
 
No experience of that particular course but I went to Hartpury as an FE student 2010-2012. Best time of my life, absolutely loved it & I do miss it! Also never took my horse but had friends who did & often mucked in to help - also, if you're thinking of loaning her to the college; the care is second to none & they are managed well but obviously they are stabled for most of the year so if your horse is used to 24/7 turnout maybe that is something to think about!
 
For anyone who is wanting to do an undergrad at any equine college who doesn't know what job they want OR who simply wants to be a groom after leaving school I would strongly discourage them from doing so. In my opinion, to work on a yard its your practical experience and abilities which count - why go into debt when you can earn that experience being paid on a yard? Also, while grooming for Carl Hester may be your dream now, think about what will happen if you have an injury and suddenly can't work on yards anymore, you have no educational backup in an outside field. Get a qualification (be it a degree, technical college course, internship or apprenticeship) to be your backup before you go down the manual labour route of grooming.

HOWEVER OP, your case is different. You have a degree, valuable work experience and a very failsafe backup plan. You also know the sector you wish to specialise in and are willing to continue study to PhD level. In my opinion if you are financially stable, go for it! However the role you get even with a PhD in the equine sector will probably be equal to or less than what you are earning now in the banking sector. If that's okay with you then give it a shot, you're in the ideal situation to pursue your passions with a (relatively) secure backup plan.

Far too many naive 16 year olds don't realise that many full time grooms don't earn enough to keep their own horses!
 
I would seriously consider this decision. Whilst it's nice that you want to follow your dreams and go into academia, I would advise that getting back into the banking/corporate world if it all goes wrong will not be easy. Any employer in the corporate world is going to seriously question the relevance of your Masters, and question your commitment to the industry. However, if you're committed then you should go for it
 
I'm studying a full time MSc that leads to a job, plus being paid a small bursary. It is bloody hard work, I haven't had a week off since June 2014 to afford it.

The only way I would be studying at this level is because it led directly into employment. My area (nursing) has a chronic staff shortage too.
 
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