Equine Studies at Abingdon and Witney College - - your next stop to a brighter future

As a leading provider, Abingdon and Witney College offers experience and quality in a range of exciting and diverse equine courses. Small and friendly with superb facilities at the well-known Common Leys Farm which incorporates the Witney Stud Farm and Stables. The College provides:

Unique courses which lead to rewarding career opportunities in training, breeding and administration within the expanding Equine and Thoroughbred Industries. General Horse Studies courses leading to successful careers within the competition and leisure-based Equestrian World. High quality education and training in a wide range of realistic and managerial areas which over the years has ensured that our renowned international reputation has been built on by student success.

With over 27 years of experience the college understands both the needs of students and industry. Past students have gone onto to work for elite studs, a variety of sport specific yards, racecourses and equine companies both in the UK and overseas. Many organisations and individuals turn to us when vacancies arise. We also do not forget our students when they complete a course but continue to assist them, advising them on their career prospects.

Abingdon & Witney College's main campus is situated in the middle of Witney, a market town on the edge of the Cotswolds. It offers well-equipped classrooms, lecture theatre, computer suites, library, laboratories and refectory. The college is also fortunate to have its own commercial thoroughbred stud farm and teaching stables based in 100 acres of scenic Oxfordshire countryside. Here you will have the opportunity to handle and manage horses of all ages from foals to four year olds, chasers to brood mares and become integrated into working routine of a genuine commercial thoroughbred stud and equestrian training facility. Whilst providing this invaluable experience the stud farm and stables also offers you a unique chance to observe and participate in real-life equine business enterprises. This could include calculating a livery charge and rehabilitation programme for an injured horse or the management of a yearling being prepared for one of the premier sales at Newmarket.

There are a range of riding horses and facilities provided at Abingdon and Witney College which also benefits from being situated in the heart of the equine industry with Blenheim Horse Trials and Kirtlington Polo fields just down the road. Lambourn Racing Centre to the south, Cirencester Park to the west and Badminton Horse Trials to the north - all providing opportunities for invaluable learning experiences. In addition Olympia, Horse of the Year Show and the major thoroughbred sales are all included in the busy schedule of visits.

Students also benefit from the College's industry contacts; over the years the college has established a wide network of industrial contacts. Various guest speakers from all avenues of the equine and thoroughbred industries are invited during the year to share their knowledge and expertise. This has culminated in the BSc Thoroughbred Management course being sponsored by Northern Racing, who are not only offering a cash prize to the best graduating student of the year, but also offering valuable placements at a range of their racecourses.

Students can choose from a range of full and part-time courses; BTEC First Diploma in Horse Care; National Diploma Horse Management; Higher National Certificate Equine Management; Higher National Diploma Equine Management and the BSc (Hons) Equine Science and the BSc (Hons) Equine Science and International Thoroughbred Management degrees where students have the added benefit of access to the vast resources offered by Oxford Brookes University.

Other courses include NVQ Horse Care - Level 1, 2 & 3, NVQ Racehorse Care - Breeding & Racing Options and British Horse Society Stages 1, 2 and 3. These qualifications can be studied alongside National Diploma and Higher National Diploma courses or as stand-alone courses in one of the many satellite training centres close to the student's home.

Abingdon and Witney College,
Holloway Road, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 6NE
Tel: 01993 703464
Fax: 01993 703006
Email: inquiry@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
Website: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk