Equine Management - Level 3 (Extended Technical Certificate/Diploma)

This course is for you if you are interested in developing the specific technical and professional skills and knowledge that will lead to meaningful employment in the equine industry.

You will study a blend of mandatory and optional units over the course of the two years. This particularly gives you scope in the second year for you to tailor your course to suit your own personal strengths, interests and career aspirations.

What will I study on this course?

Mandatory units include:

• Equine Health
• Biological systems of horses
• Horse behaviour and welfare
• Horse feeding and nutrition
• Horse tack and equipment
• Principles of equitation
• Working horses from the ground
• Business studies
• Managing an equine event

Optional units include:

• Introduction to equine rehabilitation and therapy
• Riding horses on the flat / over fences
• Introduction to equestrian coaching
• Principles and practices of an equine stud
• Principles of competition grooming

Riding at CWA

Both our level 2 and level 3 equine courses have optional ride pathways. To be accepted onto a ride pathway you will need a riding ability that is close to British Horse Society (BHS) Stage 2 Ride or Pony Club C+ test. You need to be confident riding a range of horses in walk, trot and canter, with and without stirrups, and be able to safely control your horse working in an arena with other riders. Please note CWA does not expect you to have achieved any riding qualifications before joining the course this is just a guide to the standard required to do the assessed ride pathway.

Students not on the ride pathway may get the opportunity to ride as part of our Equine Yard Rewards Scheme.

To protect the welfare of our horses, we operate a weight restriction for riding of maximum 15% of the body weight for each horse. Exact weight limits therefore vary for each horse but typically the maximum weight allowance is 90kg (14 stone).

This programme is continually assessed by a combination of written exams, synoptic assessments, assignment work and demonstration of competence in a range of practical tasks.

How many UCAS points will I achieve on this course?

Our level 3 vocational courses qualify for UCAS tariff points to apply for university in the same way as A-Levels. This course is an advanced technical extended diploma which is delivered over two years and you could achieve up to 168 UCAS points (which is equivalent to three A* grades at A-Level).

The following table gives some examples on the amount of UCAS points you can achieve on a advanced technical extended diploma:

| Grade | UCAS Points |
| --- | --- |
| D*| 168 |
| D | 144 |
| MMM | 96 |
| PPP | 48 |

Depending on your circumstances, you may study a smaller qualification, such as a subsidiary diploma (for example, if you only complete one year) or general diploma which may carry less UCAS tariff points.

You can find more details and examples on the UCAS tariff points calculator here.

You will need:

• 4 or more GCSEs at grade 4 or higher, including English, maths and a science subject

OR

• A relevant level 2 qualification at a minimum of overall Merit grade and either a Merit or Distinction grade in Synoptic assessment studied at CWA or another further education provider. This does not include level 2 courses studied at school alongside GCSEs.

• You will need some previous experience handling horses, which could be gained through work experience. You do not need to be able to ride, as there are ride and non-ride pathways on the course.

If you are aged 19 or older, relevant industry experience may be accepted.

You will be invited to an information session to help us ensure the course is right for you. Please note the interview will include a practical task handling horses.