HNC/D PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Equine Management

Awarding Institution: / Pearson Edexcel
Teaching Institution: / Brooksby Melton College
Institute Code: / Institute code: B92
Programme Title: / Higher National Certificate in Equine Management / UCAS Code:
224D
Programme Title: / Higher National Diploma in Equine Management / UCAS Code:
22KD
Division and/or Faculty/Institute: / Equine
Professional accreditation / BHS (British Horse Society)
Final award(s): / Higher National Diploma
Interim award(s): / Higher National Certificate
Exit or Fallback award(s) / Higher National Certificate
Other internal and external reference points / QAA Academic Infrastructure, including the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and the Code of Practice
UK Quality Code for Higher Education
Edexcel awards framework
Language of study / English
Mode of study and normal period of study / Full Time 1 or 2 years
Part Time 2 or 4 years
Admissions criteria
The standard entry requirement is 160 UCAS points
A-levels and BTEC’s and other Level 3 qualification or related programmes vocational programmes are also accepted.
Mature students will be considered following interview
IELTS score 6.0
Programme Overview
Do you see a future for yourself specialising in horse fitness,training or rehabilitation? Fancy lecturing, instructing or stablemanagement? Or perhaps a career in nutrition and equine
performance is more appealing? If so, this course is for you.
Your HNC will provide you with a thorough grounding in all the areas above. Your HND year will then build on these skills and growing equine managementexperience.
On completion of your HND you will be prepared to either enter a specialist area of employment in theequine management sector or you can progress to complete a full undergraduate degreeor further professional qualification in the equine field.
Aims of the programme
The Edexcel BTEC Higher Nationals in Equine Management have been developed to focuson:
  1. opportunities for those employed within these industries to achieve a nationally recognised higher-level vocationally specific qualification
  2. opportunities for full-time learners to gain a nationally recognised vocationally specific higher level qualification to enter employment within these industries at supervisory or management level or to progress to higher education vocational qualifications such as a full-time degree in equine management or related subject area expansion of the knowledge, understanding and skills of learners from an equine or allied industry supervisor’s or manager’s viewpoint
  3. opportunities for learners to concentrate on the development of higher-level skills in a landbased context, and how their role and that of their business fits within the overall structure of the land-based industries, the national and international economy and the global overview
  4. opportunities for learners to develop a range of skills, techniques and attributes essential for successful performance in working life.
This qualification meets the needs of the above by:
  1. equipping individuals with knowledge, understanding and skills for successful employment in the equine and allied industries
  2. enabling progression to an undergraduate degree or further professional qualifications in related areas
  3. providing opportunities for specialist study relevant to individual vocations and contexts
  4. developing the individual’s ability in the equine and allied industries through effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the programme
  5. developing a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life and thereby enabling learners to make an immediate contribution to employment
  6. providing flexibility, knowledge, skills and motivation as a basis for future studies and career development in the equine and allied industries. An ability to manage personal workloads, meet deadlines and negotiate and pursue goals with others in the light of the demands of professional practice

Distinctive features of the programme
  1. Based at our Brooksby Campus in the heart of Leicestershire countryside within scenic 840 acre grounds a bespoke new purpose built Equine centre.
  2. Teaching staff have extensive professional knowledge and industry experience within the equine environment covering established fundamentals of the subject and vital important recent developments.
  3. Academic staff are actively engaged in research and professional development which directly informs and enhances course content and delivery
  4. High staff to student ratios. You will experience excellent levels of contact and interaction with teaching staff and your fellow peers
  5. Teaching is linked directly with professional practice. Guest practitioners and work experience opportunities help you to learn about their roles and the environments in which equine graduates work so that they can become effective in the workplace.
  6. Self initiated and supported work placements and/or community/industry projects; ensure access to current professional and community seetings, practices and issues
  7. Emphasis on the practical application of academic theory in a working environment. Case studies develop relevant, professional and vocational skills based on realistic scenarios.
  8. Extensive online support through our bespoke Virtual Learning Environment
  9. Inclusive learning environment where individualised learning and assessment is encouraged and supported through Personalised Learning Plans
  10. Additional dedicated support given to those with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities, as part of a nurturing, pastoral environment
  11. Learning through practice is central. You will engage in active, scientific, experiential and reflective learning throughout the course. Reflection on practice is modelled, guided and assessed
  12. Teaching takes place through practical classes, seminars, workshops, discussions, tutorials, industry and community visits.
  13. You will learn through these and through individual and small group self-managed activity including resource-based learning and a balance between individual and group work.

Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge and understanding
On successful completion of the programme you will be able to demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of:
  1. The methods, forms and practices of equine management
  2. Knowledge of key equine performanceand management practices
  3. Awareness of theories, critical perspectives and debates in the discipline
  4. Understanding of how intellectual, practical and research skills have contributed to employability

Cognitive, intellectual or thinking skills
On successful completion of the programme you will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
  1. Evaluate the interplay between practice and theory in the equine field
  2. Describe, theorise, interpret and evaluate approaches to equine management and performance from a range of critical perspectives.
  3. Apply practices and theories of equine performance and management to a diverse range of professional business, social, educational,health and well-being contexts

Practical, professional or subject-specific skills
On successful completion of the programme you will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
  1. Demonstratepractical, technical and scientific equine management and performance skills
  2. Develop and implement various training, management and performance plans in equine management
  3. Understand the processes of various biological, financial, performance and educational methods to managing a range of equine activites and needs

Transferable, key or personal skills
On successful completion of the programme you will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
  1. Produce written work with appropriate scholarly conventions
  2. Use information and communication retrieval skills involving the ability to gather, sift, synthesise and organise material independently
  3. Set realistic targets, identify own goals, plan appropriately, and how to reflect and evaluate your own performance
  4. Demonstrate how to develop and adapt own work ethics to fit in with specific restrictions
  5. Construct and present arguments
  6. Communicate in a variety of visual, oral and performance media

Programme structure
Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) – Year 1
Core Unit / Research Project / Enterprise and Financial Management / Horse Husbandry / Anatomy and Physiology
Specialist Unit / Performance Horse Management / Principles of Biology
Show jumping / Equine Sports Medicine / Anatomy and Physiology
Work Experience
Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) – Year 2
Core Unit / Business Decision Making / Business Strategy / Research Project / Financial Systems and Auditing
Specialist Unit / Working with and Leading People / Marketing Planning / Business Ethics / Project Management for Business
BSc (Hons) Equine Performance Management (Top-up) – Year 3
Core Unit / Investigative Study / Strategic HRM / Strategic Management
Specialist Unit* / Contemporary Management Issues / Marketing Management / Financial Management
*Please note: not all optional modules will run every year. The choice will depend on student
demand and staff availability.
Learning and teaching strategies
Teaching takes place through practical and theorectical classes, lectures, seminars, workshops, data analysis sessions, discussions, tutorials, industry and community visits.You learn through these and through individual and small group self-managed activity including resource-based learning and online learning support through the VLE.
Teaching is linked directly with professional practice and research both of which directly inform and enhance course content and delivery. Visiting professionals contribute to the course delivery with full time staff and are vital to providing you with access to current professional practices and issues developing your employability skills and knowledge.
We have a breadth of expertise in the team, all of whom compliment their theory sessions with practical examples which are relevant to each of your individual interest and needs on the course. Seminars and tutorials make up a supportive network which is complimented by the virtual learning centre. Whether at home or on campus, help is not far away.
Assessment strategy
Each module in your programme has a set of assessment criteria which you will need to demonstrate to pass the module. You will undertake one or more pieces of assessment (assessment items) for each module and you need to show in the work you present for assessment that the assessment criteria for the module are met (please see appendix 2 for a summary of assessment items). Some of the assessments you undertake have elements of negotiation where you can make decisions and agree with your tutor what work you will undertake for assessment. This ensures that the work you do has personal and professional relevance. Assessment items are designated as: practical, presentation, and coursework. The work you present for assessment is varied and could include:
  • practical assessments
  • phase tests
  • data analysis
  • case studies
  • examinations, both open and closed book
  • reflective activities where you look back over your experiences, analyse them with the assistance of relevant theory and reflective tools, and learn from the experience;
  • online discussions that you have had with your peers, tutors and invited contributors to the programme;
  • oral and written reports;
  • journals, blogs and log books;
  • plans (e.g., action plans, plans for your group activities);
  • presentations;
  • employer verification statements which verify that you have negotiated, agreed and conducted work-based activities
  • portfolios of evidence

KIS SUMMARY / Overall / Yrs 1 / Yr 2
Learning & Teaching % / % / % / %
  • Scheduled*
/ 28 / 32 / 23
  • Independent
/ 67 / 57 / 77
  • Placement
/ 6 / 11 / 0
Assessment % / Overall / Yrs 1 / Yr 2
  • Written Exam
/ 5 / 9 / 0
  • Coursework
/ 95 / 91 / 100
  • Practical
/ 0 / 0 / 0
*Information is provided within Module Handbooks regarding detailed breakdown of Scheduled Learning & teaching per module.
How we evaluate and improve standards of learning
As a student of the college you are entitled to express your views on your course and the college in general. You will be asked to respond to at least two surveys each year that you are at the college. You will have the chance to air your views through an elected student representative at monthly course meetings. Your representative may also attend a cross college HE Forum where your views on the college and any concerns will be discussed.
The college has a comprehensive quality assurance programme that monitors all courses through course review, achievement of performance indicators and observation of teaching and learning.
In this provision all project briefs and assignments are internally verified to ensure that all learning outcomes and grading criteria are met.
This course is externally monitored by Edexcel’s External Examiners who advise on academic standards and ensure that all learning objectives have been met.
Support for your learning
The programme is managed by a programme leader, who will support you with ensuring that you meet the programme aims alongside the awarding body expectations for quality.
Induction programme introduces the you to the College and relevant Awarding Body
(Edexcel)policies, procedures and expectations of your programme.
Each of you will have a personal tutor, responsible for support and guidance, who will support you with tracking progress throughout the programme.
Personal Development Planning (PDP) integrated into all programmes via the VLE, providing you feedback on formative and summative assessments.
The college provides a one-stop shop for information and advice on support services including fees, loans, bursaries, housing, counselling, financial advice, careers and disability
Available for your use are: Faith Room, Library and IT services.
To ensure that the college is responsive to the student needs the, HE Programme Reps, HE Forums’, The Students’ Union feedback information to the senior management team.
Faculty and Programme Handbooks provide information about the programme and Awarding body regulations.
Other sources of information
Document control
Author(s) / Alice Tuppen (HE Quality & Development Manager)
Approved by: / Head of Learning
Date approved: / August 2012
Effective from: / September 2012
Document History: / Version 1