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Based in Gloucestershire, in the heart of England’s countryside, Hartpury University is a specialist provider of agriculture, animal, business, equine, sport, and veterinary education. Across these specialised fields, the university offers both taught and applied research degrees at master’s level, as well as a range of PhDs.
Hartpury’s campus is situated within 360 hectares of rural grounds and offers its 4,600-strong student body an array of world-class facilities and expertise. The university’s small class sizes ensure that students experience a personalised approach to learning while they conduct research which helps to improve the futures of people, animals, and the planet. At Hartpury, students are provided with the tools to develop their expertise as they plan for successful future careers in performance, academia, and industry.
The university has received investments totalling more than £50 million in recent years, a significant part of which is invested in its world-class teaching facilities and technologies. There are 11 businesses on site, which each offer excellent learning, research, and career opportunities for postgraduate students.
Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“I come a long way from home and Hartpury feels like home away from home. Everyone is so welcoming and wants you to succeed.”
“Hartpury's outstanding reputation for excellence and dedication to fostering enthusiastic learners drew me in.”
“Hartpury is a great university with excellent specialisms. The campus is beautiful and it feels great to be out in the countryside.”
Hartpury University provides an array of postgraduate courses in agriculture, animal, business, equine, sport, and veterinary physiotherapy subjects. Hartpury provides flexible part-time and full-time postgraduate programmes across a range of master’s degrees, PhDs, diplomas, and certificates. Courses can include weekend block delivery, supported by online learning materials, to ensure that study fits around students’ other commitments. Students can undertake postgraduate study immediately after completing their honours degree or after time out from education, and applications from industry professionals are always welcome.
Hartpury University’s excellent reputation attracts some of the most accomplished professionals from around the world into its teaching ranks. Lecturers have years of industry experience, and many have worked overseas in top roles within professions such as coaching, psychology, behavioural science, nutrition, and veterinary science.
The university ensures that students not only have a high-quality educational experience, but also assists postgraduate students in developing their research portfolio and experience in presenting their findings. Students and staff share their progress at global conferences, publish in renowned academic journals, and feature in national and international media.
Hartpury’s postgraduate degrees are developed in consultation with real-world employers and in partnership with industry professionals. Students are supported to achieve their personal goals through small class sizes, and have opportunities to tailor modules and projects to fit their personal aspirations. Additionally, short courses in specialist areas provide further opportunities for students to strengthen their expertise and develop a range of transferable skills.
Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“Our teaching staff are excellent and well renowned in their fields.”
“The staff are friendly and despite me having taken 2-3 years away, staff who lectured me as an undergrad have welcomed me back.”
“A great course. Exactly what I wanted.”
Entry requirements vary at Hartpury University on a course-by-course basis. To find out more about entry requirements for all courses, students can visit the Hartpury postgraduate application page.
Postgraduate master’s students are required to submit evidence of relevant qualifications they hold or qualifications they are currently undertaking when they make an application to Hartpury, in addition to any relevant industry experience, a personal statement and a reference.
For a supervised PhD, applicants to Hartpury are generally expected to hold at a minimum a 2:1 or a master’s qualification from a UK university, or an equivalent degree from a university outside of the UK. Prospective research students are also required to submit an outline of their proposed research project. Students are encouraged to discuss their proposed programme of research with a potential academic supervisor or a relevant research centre lead at the university.
PhD and research degree students are also required to submit an example of critical writing, two referees, and evidence of relevant qualifications with their application.
Hartpury’s helpful admissions team are available to guide prospective students through the application process. The university also welcomes applications from students with equivalent experience or alternative qualifications.
Get in touch, if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications.
REQUEST INFOHartpury is recognised for its academic strength in the fields of agriculture, equine, sports, and animal and veterinary physiotherapy. Hartpury is a top 10 UK university for overall postgraduate student satisfaction (PTES 2025, home students). Hartpury has a superb reputation for agriculture and students are expertly guided to shape the future of the industry. Students have access to the government-backed Digital Innovation Farm project and a £2 million Agri-Tech Centre.
Hartpury has a well-established reputation for animal-related research, particularly in animal and veterinary physiotherapy. Both students and staff have presented at major international conferences and have their work regularly published in leading journals. Hartpury’s state-of-the-art rider performance centre contains the most advanced riding simulators in the world, a leading equine therapy centre, international competition arenas and stabling for 230 horses. Hartpury hosts major international equine events and promotes rider development and competition opportunities.
Hartpury also excels in sport research and education. Facilities include the £10 million Sports Academy, where students actively work with elite athletes across Hartpury’s nine sports academies.
Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“Interesting and world leading programme with a mix of practical and theory.”
“Staff are amazing and really helpful.”
“The course is really enjoyable and interesting. There is a good mix of lectures and practical work.”
Hartpury University has an extremely high graduate employment rate, with 95% of graduates finding employment or engaged with further study or other meaningful activity within 15 months of completing their course (Graduate Outcomes, 2025).
Hartpury has 9 performance sports academies and 11 working businesses on-site, including an equine therapy centre, a rider performance centre, a sports business hub, the Hartpury medical centre, and the Digital Innovation Farm. These businesses and facilities provide students with excellent access to expert networks of industry professionals, which can prove invaluable as they transition to postgraduate employment. Hartpury’s strong connections to industry help students develop their knowledge and skillsets in a professional environment as they progress to careers in relevant fields.
Additionally, Hartpury’s dedicated employability, skills and careers team offers information, advice, guidance, and workshops to support students with all aspects of their career goals, while the achievement and success centre have a proven track-record of making a huge difference to student’s marks as they plan towards their futures.
Hartpury postgraduates enter a range of professional careers. Recent graduates have gone on to become top-level coaches, academic researchers, journalists, veterinary professionals, lecturers, conservationists, and microbiologists.
Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“The PhD program at Hartpury is exciting due to the research facilities and industry contacts they provide.”
“I already see myself achieving and being prepared for what lies ahead. I will always be grateful to the university and all of the instructors for shaping me into the best version of myself.”
“There are plenty of opportunities to apply what have learnt to practical on site facilities and internships.”
Hartpury has an active Students’ Union (SU), which acts as a representational body of the Hartpury community and makes sure student voices are heard. The SU organises on-site entertainment throughout the year, and provides employability support and opportunities for students to get involved in charity work, volunteering, and campaigning.
Hartpury University’s student union offers a number of clubs and societies for students to choose from, including a large selection of competitive and recreational sports teams. Sports available include equestrian, polo, and hockey, and there are a variety of sports academies for those looking to play at an elite level.
If students can’t find the society or sports club they’re looking for, the SU can help them in starting their own.
Hartpury postgraduate students are able to enjoy the best of both city and country life while studying at the university.
Students are surrounded by the tranquil Cotswold countryside, only a few miles away from lively Gloucester city and Cheltenham town.
Both Gloucester and Cheltenham offer an active nightlife, great shopping opportunities and an abundance of spectator sports.
Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“I’ve found the best aspects of Hartpury University surround the country/wildlife seating which contributes tremendously towards positive mental wellbeing.”
“The rugby sports academy have been a great opportunity for me and the link to championship rugby.”
“I love that they have many clubs and societies to get involved in to make your uni experience the best.”
Hartpury doesn’t offer on-site accommodation for home postgraduate students. There are plenty of options nearby, giving great flexibility in choosing where to stay or live. Hartpury is surrounded by beautiful villages and is also close to bustling Gloucester and Cheltenham, both accessible via road and rail.
Hartpury does offer accommodation at Hartpury Gloucester (Blackfriars) for international fee-paying postgraduate students.
Wherever students decide to live, the university accommodation team is on hand throughout the year to help and offer advice.
The university’s world-class facilities are a major reason why many students choose to pursue their postgraduate education at Hartpury. Hartpury's facilities include globally renowned equine performance centres, canine therapy facilities, state-of-the-art Veterinary Nursing - Technical Skills Centre, and professional grade sports and nutrition centres. There has been over £50 million invested into Hartpury’s cutting-edge facilities in recent years.
Moreover, there are over 70 domesticated and non-domesticated species on campus, as well as 11 specialist businesses. This includes a commercial farm, where students can experience the hands-on aspects of running an agricultural enterprise. It is an ideal setup for ambitious postgraduate students, with many opportunities for career development.
Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“Halls allowed for ease of access to everything on campus, being able to access the library quickly and at any time of day.”
“Great facilities and campus.”
“The equine facilities are way above many other universities.”
Hartpury University is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of its diverse student body throughout their time at the university. Hartpury has a dedicated network of support staff who are always available to make sure students have the best possible experience while at the university. The programme manager is generally the first port of call for academic issues. Hartpury provides a wide range of additional support options to ensure students receive the care and assistance they need to successfully complete their programmes of study and go on to achieve future career success.
The university’s student services and wellbeing teams provide pastoral support, learning support, disability support, and academic support to postgraduate students at Hartpury. The university’s dedicated student zone is a one-stop shop for any and all student queries. From safety and wellbeing to finance, job, and accommodation support, Hartpury’s support infrastructure of trained staff is always on hand to assist students with any issues they may face while studying at the university.
Hartpury University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“The professors served as mentors in addition to being instructors. Their doors were always open, for serious inquiries as well as sincere discussions.”
“The lecturers have also been very supportive across all aspects of learning for me.”
“Good blend of both online and in person, my course is very individual and a lot of work on own but support from tutors when needed is always there.”
Hartpury University, its partners, and associated organisations offer a wide-range of financial support packages to eligible students applying for postgraduate courses. These are available to ensure that the university’s high quality curriculum remains accessible to students from all backgrounds, and funding opportunities are offered for both merit-based and means-tested criteria.
For full details regarding available studentships, scholarships and bursaries, students should visit the university’s funding page.
Studentships are available to PhD students through the university, as well as through independent research charities and government bodies.
Hartpury additionally offers a tuition fee discount to alumni of the university. A 10% fee reduction is available to alumni for postgraduate courses.
Get in touch, if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications.
VIEW SCHOLARSHIPSHartpury offers a range of specialised and carefully curated taught postgraduate degree courses. Class sizes are kept small, which gives each student more contact time with their tutors. Taught degrees can be studied with either flexible, part-time, or full-time attendance.
Hartpury prides itself on conducting exceptional applied research across all of its subject areas. Students are encouraged to lead research projects and co-publish with staff in well-known academic journals, as well as present at conferences. Regular research seminars enable staff and students to stay informed about interdisciplinary research activities across the university. Hartpury itself also hosts a range of conferences. Such events provide a platform for staff to share their expertise while supporting postgraduate students as they develop as researchers and practitioners.
Hartpury offers a number of online Masters degrees including an MSc in Animal Welfare, Policy and Legislation, which has been specially designed to address animal welfare challenges in relation to the UK legal system. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) top-up is delivered solely online and has start dates in September and January, allowing students to study flexibly to fit around employment or other commitments. Students are given the opportunity to visit our campus to explore how theory applies to real-world practice.
Get in touch, if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications.
REQUEST PROSPECTUS
Hartpury University
