Hartpury University

Hartpury University is a specialist provider of agriculture, animal, equine and veterinary education, based in Gloucestershire, in the heart of England’s countryside.

Students can choose from taught and applied research Master’s degrees, as well as PhDs, in animal, agriculture, equine, sport and veterinary subjects. World-class facilities and expertise, small class sizes and a personal teaching approach offer students what they need to succeed.

The campus is home to a 1,800-strong student body – passionate about performance, academia and business. They help to improve the futures of people, animals and the planet, whilst developing their own expertise and careers.

The University is located on a stunning rural 360-hectare campus that has had more than £50 million invested in it over the last 10 years. There are nine businesses on site, which offer excellent learning and research opportunities.

Hartpury offer flexible part-time and full-time postgraduate programmes at different levels to fit around commitments. Applications from industry professionals are welcome.

Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“An exciting journey where I am being pushed and developed into a practitioner I never expected or thought I was capable of becoming, in an environment that celebrates performance in every way.”

“I never thought university was something I would go into due to my ambition of becoming a pro athlete but when I was injured at the age of 17 I had to look at other avenues. Hartpury came and scouted me at a major final and that made me feel special and wanted. I enjoyed my 3-year BSc course so much that I stayed and did my MSc too. It shows Hartpury’s quality considering I disliked education through secondary school and now work as a full time lecturer within sport.”

“I started in September - I am impressed by the facilities and standard of teaching for vet physio. The campus has a lot to offer. I would highly recommend Hartpury as a University.”

Hartpury University is number 1 in the UK for postgraduate taught employability (PTES Survey, 2018 – under 25-year olds). 91% of our students progress into employment, further or higher education (Department of Education survey 2017/18).

The University’s strong reputation in its specialist industries provides students with excellent business opportunities – be that for work experience or research.

Hartpury also has nine working businesses on site, including rider performance, equine and canine therapy centres, an equestrian events centre, as well as athletes competing across 10 performance Sports Academies. This provides postgraduate students with excellent access to industry professionals, facilities and research subjects.

Hartpury postgraduates enter a range of professional careers, including becoming top-level coaches, academic researchers, journalists, veterinary professionals, lecturers, conservationists and microbiologists.

Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“They offer great opportunities for placements, enabling us to have a list of qualified physios to contact over a range of places to ensure we have a vast experience. The quality of teaching also enhances our ability to increase our own employability.”

“Through completing the MSC, I will be able to work as a vet physio. This is enhanced through lectures, practicals and placements.”

“They offer extra courses over reading week and they have a brilliant service which helps you with anything from writing your CV to finding career paths.”

Hartpury’s strong reputation attracts teaching and coaching staff from across the globe. You’ll learn from lecturers who are also practising professionals, including top coaches, trainers, scientists, behaviourists, nutritionists, veterinary professionals, psychologists and more.

Students and staff share best practice developments at global conferences, publish in big-name academic journals and feature in national and international media.

Hartpury’s postgraduate degrees are developed with help from employers and in partnership with industry. Students will be supported to achieve their unique goals through small class sizes and opportunities to tailor modules and projects by aspirations. Short courses in relevant areas offer additional opportunities to strengthen expertise.

Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Interactive and open to discussion.”

“Student independence was strongly recommended when it came to learning. However, you could always get 1-2-1 support through your lecturers by booking a meeting with them if you required that extra support and guidance. Class sizes were generally small and there is a real sense of care from the lecturers. They do their job because they enjoy it and they want the best for all students.”

“I really enjoy the interactive environment and that questions are encouraged. I dislike the fact that some content feels like a repeat from undergrad.”

Hartpury’s active Students’ Union represents the student voice, supporting students to run a whole range of clubs and societies, as well as organising on site entertainment throughout the year, including the summer and winter balls which host big-name acts. They also provide opportunities to get involved in charity work, volunteering, employability support and campaigning.

Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“They organise lots of events for charity as well as send emails about themselves. I’m not involved in it but only because I have a lot of course work as well as a job.”

“The student union is great and always takes on comments and what the student body wants.”

Hartpury offers a range of accommodation and most postgraduate students choose to live off campus in the beautiful village of Hartpury and surrounding areas, in Gloucester city centre or the nearby town of Cheltenham Spa.

As postgraduate teaching can include weekend block delivery, some students choose to stay in local bed and breakfasts and other local accommodation options.

Students benefit from access to some of the most advanced facilities in the world at an educational institution, on a campus that’s received over £50 million investment in the last 10 years. Home to nine specialist businesses, it provides the ideal professional learning environment for you to absorb yourself in postgraduate study.

From world-renowned rider performance and canine therapy centres, to an anti-gravity treadmill and high-altitude hypoxic chamber, as well as amateur and elite athletes competing across our 10 performance Sports Academies, you’ll have everything you need to help you get ahead.

You’ll also find over 70 domestic and non-domestic species on campus, a commercial livestock and arable farm, and a busy events calendar including three international equestrian events each year.

Hartpury is the only educational institution in the UK with its own Championship rugby team – Hartpury RFC – and Gloucester Rugby is based on campus. Hartpury also supports Olympic equestrian champions to prepare for competition. Students can get involved with these projects too.

Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Brilliant, I could not fault them in anyway.”

“Hartpury is a growing university and have recently built a new sports academy and college library which really attracts student/athletes who look to obtain a degree whilst playing a high level of sport.”

“Amazing facilities! There is so much available for us to use, equine rider performance gym (mechanical horse), the international sized arenas, the water treadmill and the normal treadmill as well as all the other facilities to all the other sports courses and animal courses.”

Hartpury postgraduate students are spoilt for choice, able to enjoy the best of both city and country life. The campus spans 360 hectares of beautiful countryside, whilst Cheltenham Spa town and Gloucester city are just a short drive or bus ride away.

Gloucestershire is well-known as ‘the festival county’, home to over 45 music, arts, sport and food festivals each year.

Both Cheltenham town and Gloucester city are full of life and have had significant developments over the past 10 years. The shopping in Cheltenham is enjoyed by those from afar, with boutique and luxury fashion brands alike. The newly developed Gloucester Quays is a favourite amongst students for outlet stores, al fresco summer dining and vibrant café and trendy bar cultures.

Regular buses run from campus to both places.

Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Gloucester is small but can provide for all lifestyles. For me personally, I really enjoyed it there as it was big enough to cater for my student experience but small enough that I wouldn’t ever get lost or overcrowded”

“The South West varies culturally from the packed and electric stands of the Holm with Cherry and Whites roaring to the classy sleek streets of the promenade in Cheltenham. Bristol little under an hour away boasts a London night life feel while bath equidistant is rich with historical background and atmosphere…. that and in bars too! Events like Cheltenham Race Week and The Cheese Wheeling define the city life experienced at Hartpury. The love of sport, adrenalin and good old tweed living.”

“City life is good, easy access to Tesco’s as well as other supermarkets, they deliver groceries to campus. There’s also a big shopping centre, Gloucester Keys, which has a large range of upscale and high street shopping as well as lots of restaurants and other activities and attractions. Night life is good too with lots of pubs for people who want a quieter night out as well as a couple of night clubs which provide a good night out "

There is a range of clubs and societies available at Hartpury, as well as competing sports clubs and sports for fun. From volleyball to rugby, LGBT, polo and the growing Student Media Society, there’s plenty to get stuck into outside lectures. Students are also encouraged to set up their own clubs and societies at Hartpury.

Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Hartpury has a strong and historic reputation for producing international sports men & women. As well as, winning multiple national titles each year across a variety of sports/events. Now that ‘sports academy 2’ has been recently built, I can only see Hartpury going from strength to strength.”

“There are many clubs to join - something for everyone.”

“Wide variety to choose from.”

Hartpury has a dedicated network of support staff who are there to make sure you have the best experience possible. While your programme manager will be your first port of call, the Student Services and Wellbeing teams can help with everything from finance and accommodation to health and happiness. Learning support is also readily available.

Hartpury’s Innovation Careers and Enterprise offer information, advice and guidance and workshops to support students with all aspects of their career goals, while the Achievement and Success Centre team have a proven track-record of making a huge difference to student’s marks.

Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Brilliant, they are quick to get back to emails and are supporting us the whole way through the years.”

“I was always able to get support and guidance from ALL of my lecturers. They had a kind nature about them that always had the best intention for their students no matter the situation. All I had to do was email and arrange a 1-2-1 meeting.”

“Excellent.”

For the latest postgraduate fee information, visit Hartpury’s website.

Alumni scholarship 

The university offers a tuition fee discount to UWE Alumni - 20% on full-time course fees, and 10% on part-time postgraduate course fees.

For the latest information, visit Hartpury’s website.

Equine

Hartpury has the world’s largest equine education centre and is the home of three major international equine events that attract the very best competitors in dressage, eventing and showjumping, Hartpury has a worldwide reputation for the equine education, rider development and competition opportunities it provides.

Sports

Hartpury has a unique environment with multi-million pound facilities, and students can work with elite athletes across 10 sports academies and benefit from long-standing partnerships with major sports clubs and sporting organisations. This includes Gloucester Rugby, whose training base is at Hartpury, and Cheltenham Town Football Club.

Animal and Veterinary Physiotherapy

Hartpury has a well-established reputation for animal-related research and students support staff with their projects and develop their own ideas in a broad range of areas, from animal health to welfare, behaviour and ecology. They have presented at major international conferences and had their research published in leading journals.

Hartpury students are able to learn about and work with a wide variety of small and large domestic and exotic species – not only with the on-site animal collection but at the farm and in the canine hydrotherapy and equine therapy centres.

Entry requirements vary for all courses and the admissions team are happy to talk to potential applicants with equivalent experience or qualifications. Applications from practitioners already working in the industry are welcome. To see the entry requirements for all courses, head to Hartpury’s website.

Hartpury prides itself on conducting exceptional applied research and scholarship across all of its subject areas. Students lead research projects and co-publish with staff.

Projects are published in well-known academic journals and students and staff present at both national and international conferences. Regular research seminars enable staff and students to stay informed about research activities that are ongoing across all areas.

Hartpury hosts research, scholarship and practice conferences, with recent ones including the UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC), the UFAW Student Animal Welfare Conference and Alltech. These events enable staff to share their expertise and support postgraduate students on their journey to becoming active researchers, scholars and practitioners.

Hartpury University offers postgraduate study in Equine, Animal, Sport and Veterinary Physiotherapy subjects. Students can undertake postgraduate study immediately after completing their honours degree or after time out from education.

Hartpury’s postgraduate offer is flexible and can include weekend block delivery supported by online learning materials to enable study to fit in around commitments, including work and family.

There are opportunities for bite-size or part-time study to gain Postgraduate Certificates, Diplomas or full Masters qualifications.

Applications from practitioners already working in the industry who are interested in expanding their knowledge and experience are welcome.

For more information, see Hartpury’s website.