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Foundation Degree in Equine Performance and Management What is a Foundation Degree? Foundation degrees are university level degree courses that offer an exciting work-based alternative to the traditional university route. They are: A stand-alone recognised qualification. Equivalent to studying the first two years of an honours degree programme. Highly valued by employers. What can I do with my Foundation Degree? That really is up to you! Your degree will ensure that you are well equipped to start your career path and research shows that those with a Higher Education qualification earn 25% more than those without! However, if you have a taste for learning you can top-up your foundation degree to a BA or BSc honours degree. How does this work? Foundation degrees in Hertfordshire are delivered at one of the four Colleges, as part of the Hertfordshire Higher Education Consortium*. On graduation you will be awarded a University of Hertfordshire validated degree, and depending on your chosen course you even get letters after your name FdA, FdSc. Benefits to studying a Foundation Degree real-life projects which enable you to gain valuable work experience whilst allowing you to apply your skills and knowledge support that s available throughout your course from tutors and advisors in College and mentors in your place of work affordable because you can choose from one of four colleges to study at you will never be far from home, saving you money on living costs. funding through student tuition fee loans will cover the cost of your programme so there s nothing to pay up front and you may also be eligible for a non-repayable grant depending on your household income. Who can study a Foundation Degree? Foundation Degrees are suitable for all kinds of candidates including: Those with Level 3 qualifications (eg A Levels, Advanced Apprenticeships, BTECs, or Access to Higher Education). Those looking for a change in career. Those already employed but wanting to gain a Higher Education qualification. How do foundation degrees fit with other qualifications? Hertfordshire Higher Education CPD Professional qualification Postgraduate Degrees Foundation Degrees Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 NVQ3 NVQ2 NVQ1 Advanced Apprenticeship Apprenticeship Young Apprenticeship Advanced Diploma Intermediate Diploma Foundation Diploma Honours Degree Yr 3 Yr 2 Yr 1 A-level GCSE Pre-GCSE Consortium* The Hertfordshire Higher Education Consortium is a partnership between the University of Hertfordshire, Hertford Regional College, North Hertfordshire College, Oaklands College and West Herts College. The consortium provides innovative, high quality courses that support vocational higher education. Students get the best of both worlds the benefits and support of studying at college, and access to University facilities including the libraries (LRCs), athletic and student unions all social activities, careers support and much, much more. 2
The table shows the structure of the Foundation Degree in Equine Performance and Management Illustration as a full-time course Year One Year Two Semester A Semester B Semester A Semester B Workbased Learning: Maximising Potential (15 credits ) Workbased Learning: Career Planning Workbased Learning: Project Legislation (30 credits) and legal responsibilities for the children s workforce Anatomy & Physiology Introduction to Business Practice Legislation in the Animal Industry Human & Equine Psychology Investigative Methods Equine Health & Treatment Animal Nutrition The Equine Industry Applied Equitation & Sports Coaching OR Equitation Theory & Sports Coaching (30 credits) Advanced Competition Equitation & Facilities Management OR Competition Equitation Theory & Facilities Management OR Competition Equitation & Facilities Management (30 credits) Equine Performance 3
Foundation Degree in Equine Performance and Management Entry requirements The normal entry requirements for the programme are: 120 points (which can include an appropriate BTEC National Diploma, A levels or other equivalent qualifications), plus 4 GCSEs including English language, mathematics and science at grade C or above or equivalent.. If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or 80 IBT or equivalent. In order to undertake the riding modules in this course evidence must be supplied to demonstrate riding ability equivalent to the British Horse Society (BHS) Stage 2 riding standard. The evidence should be in the form of a BHS examination certificate or a reference from a qualified BHS riding instructor. This additional information should be submitted in the personal statement section of the UCAS form. All students will undertake a riding assessment at the start of the programme. Applicants who are not deemed to be of a suitable standard to undertake the riding modules, those who are unable or those who do not wish to ride would be able to study the Equitation Theory modules in place of the equitation practical modules. Candidates without UCAS points will be assessed on an individual basis. Applications will be welcomed from those working in relevant employment. A guidance interview may be used to assess the suitability of such students for either programme. How to apply Applications are to be made through UCAS www.ucas.com. Institutional Code: Herts H36. How will I be assessed? Assessment of the course will be a combination of both coursework and examination. However, the main focus of assessment will be on coursework; a wide range is used including essays, blogs, practical assessment and presentations. What will I learn? The Foundation degree in Equine Performance & Management is intended to provide you with advanced specialist knowledge and skills that are necessary for entry and progression within the equine industry. These skills combined with the development of knowledge and understanding within all areas are essential to enable you as a graduate to obtain superior positions within the industry or to greatly improve your skills and opportunities within a current position. Year 1 Modules Semester A Workbased Learning Maximising Potential (Semester C If part-time) This module is designed to help you prepare for the course and identify your study skills strengths and weaknesses. It addresses methods of building on strengths and adopts strategies for improving areas of weaknesses. Skills are discussed in the context of their applicability to both the classroom and the work place. Action planning for these skills is introduced through the Personal Developing Planning (PDP) materials and systems common to the programme and the University. Information is provided on standard academic practices and assessment tools; for example essays, note-taking, presentation skills, critical thinking, formulating an argument, finding and using sources of information, referencing and plagiarism. The transferability of these skills to the workplace is discussed, as are the expectations of employers with regards to these skills. These topics are built upon in the workshop and seminar element of the module. Anatomy & Physiology This module explores the anatomy and physiology of small animals, farm animals and horses. It is based mainly on practical sessions including dissections and physiological experiments. It also involves some formal lectures relevant to both equine and animal management but the seminars are split so as to concentrate on species specific anatomy. You will learn how to use 4
appropriate terminology for the subject and to develop good communication skills. Animal Nutrition This module gives you knowledge about the different types of food, properties and uses within a nutritional context. A wide range of food types and sources are assessed in relation to their nutritional value. It analyses the anatomy and function of the gastrointestinal tract as well as the digestion and absorption of food types. It covers in detail the rationing process in relation to a range of animals. Applied Equitation and Sports Coaching Semester A & B - Option This module helps you develop and build on your practical equitation skills and stable management skills. It covers in detail lungeing, basic health, fittening and field management. You will study about the theory of equitation and then link it with what you learn during the practical sessions. Sports coaching is a major part of the module and is linked into the sessions to allow you to fully appreciate and expand your coaching styles and ability. The sports coaching section also looks in detail at analysis and evaluation of performance linked to improvement strategies. Equitation Theory and Sports Coaching Semester A & B - Option This module allows you to develop and build on your knowledge of equitation theory and stable management. It covers the theory of lungeing for exercise and improvement, as well as the theory behind basic health, fittening and field management. Sports coaching is a major part of the module and is linked into the sessions to allow you to fully appreciate and expand your coaching styles and ability. The sports coaching section will also look in detail at analysis and evaluation of performance linked to improvement strategies. Year 1 Modules Semester B Workbased Learning Career Planning (Semester C If part-time) This module introduces you to a suitable career identification, planning for career progression and techniques to enable suitable jobs to be found. The module will also help you to develop parts of your personal development plan. It covers in depth an introduction to self promotion, CV development and application processes. Previous and current employment is linked into assessments for this module which should allow for career development. The Equine Industry This module covers the structure, organisation and the economic importance of the worldwide equine industry. You will study about the major sectors and organisations within the industry such as the BHS, BSJA, BE, and The Jockey Club. It assesses the importance of welfare, education and training within the industry as well as the structures and employment opportunities. 5Equine Performance
Foundation Degree in Equine Performance and Management Year 2 Modules Semester A Legislation in the Animal Industry You begin the module with an overview of legislative procedure, including a history of the progression of animal laws, terminology, basic procedures for the development and approval of legislation and enforcement. Following that, specific issues and legislation are considered, as well as laws that affect both equine and animal industries. The seminars are used for the discussion of issues specific to the animal and equine industries. For example, you could be discussing about the protection of wild animals or the regulation of riding establishments. Finally the module investigates the response of the animal and equine industry to legislation (for example, guidance, codes of practice, schemes, etc.). Investigative Methods This module introduces you to a range of methods, both qualitative and quantitative, that can be used in small scale investigations. It prepares you to carry out investigative work as part of your workbased project. It also prepares you for more in-depth independent project work in future studies. The topics that are covered are drawn from: discrete stages of undertaking research, the research question, reviewing literature, approaches to research, ethics, primary and secondary data, data collection methods, analysing and presenting research data. Emphasis is placed on framing or defining research questions at the start of the module as this is key in designing a realistic and achievable research project. Workbased Learning (Semester A and B, (Semester C if part-time)) The workbased learning project gives you the opportunity to relate the skills, knowledge and understanding learnt on the course to a workbased situation. Project management and time planning are covered in detail in the taught part of this module. The module also utilises investigative methods linking to the Level 5 Investigative Methods module. Where applicable relevant health and safety are covered to enable facilitation of the project. Furthermore you develop evaluative and reflective techniques within sessions to help you build on your skills which are then applied to the project module Advanced Competition Equitation & Facilities Management (Semester A & B - Option) This module covers a wide range of advanced topics within equitation, competitions and facilities management. You are expected to develop your practical riding skills towards BHS Stage 4 level on completion. It will be necessary to undertake a range of competitions and evaluate performance against set objectives. A range of training equipment and training styles are covered which link back to the Applied Equitation and Sports Coaching modules at Level 4. Facilities management take a large section of this module and it includes competition design, adding value to facilities and management of events. Risk analysis and health and safety are central to the facilities part of this module. Competition Equitation Theory & Facilities Management (Semester A & B - Option) This module covers a wide range of topics within equitation theory, competition development and facilities management. The importance of performance evaluation and target setting are covered in detail. A range of training equipment and training styles are also covered which link back to the Equitation theory and Sports Coaching module at Level 4. Facilities management forms a large section of this module and includes competition 6
design, adding value to facilities and management of events. Risk analysis and health and safety are central to the facilities part of this module Competition Equitation & Facilities Management (Semester A & B - Option) This module covers a wide range of topics within equitation, competitions and facilities management. You are expected to develop your practical riding skills towards BHS Stage 3 level when you complete the course. It will be necessary to undertake a range of competitions and evaluate performance against set objectives. A range of training equipment and training styles are covered which link back to the Applied Equitation and Sports Coaching modules at Level 4. Facilities management forms a large section of this module and includes competition design, adding value to facilities and management of events. Risk analysis and health and safety are central to the facilities part of this module. Year 2 Modules Semester B Human and Equine Psychology This module develops an understanding of the psychological aspects of both horses and humans. It details the importance of the understanding of psychology for individuals and team sport performance. It also investigates the behaviour and psychology of the horse and analyses the interaction between the rider and horse. It provides a basis and awareness of sport psychology for sports coaching. Horse psychology and behaviour is also looked at in depth enabling a thorough understanding to be established. Equine Health and Treatment This module gives you a detailed knowledge of the common performance limiting injuries and diseases that affect sports horses. It covers topics such as thermoregulation and performance limiting disorders relating to body systems. You will investigate the current treatment options and rehabilitation of injured horses. The course also includes a visit to a veterinary hospital and experience of a wide range of diagnostic and treatment techniques such as endoscopy, ultrasound and radiography. You are expected to be able to assess first aid situations and to know how to react in an emergency situation. Practical sessions include bandaging and first aid techniques. There is an emphasis on developing good communication and team working skills to prepare you for future employment. 7Equine Performance
For further information Oaklands College tel +44 (0)1727 737000 info@oaklands.ac.uk www.oaklands.ac.uk University of Hertfordshire Admission Service tel +44 (0)1707 284800 admissions@herts.ac.uk go.herts.ac.uk 9.13 1758 HC Equine Perf FD 13 8pp.indd 2 08/10/2013 14:40