Overview
Help improve New Zealand’s equine industry
You’ll gain the knowledge base and the analytical and management skills for a career helping improve the productivity and sustainability of the equine industry.
Level
- Undergraduate, NZQF Level 7
Campus
- Manawatū
Duration
- 3 year(s) full-time. Available part-time.
International
- Available for international students studying in NZ
Note: This programme may have an on-campus or in-person requirement and therefore requires that students submit a current My Vaccine Pass on enrolment.
The Bachelor of Animal Science (Equine Science) will help you understand nutrition, growth, health and performance in the equine athlete.
What will I learn?
The equine industry is large, diverse and economically important both in New Zealand and worldwide. You’ll be prepared for a wide variety of equine enterprises anywhere in the world.
The Equine Science major will give you knowledge of equine welfare, behaviour and health. You’ll also gain an understanding of performance nutrition and responses to training of horses.
Learn from the best
Massey University’s animal, agricultural and veterinary science professionals are among the best in the world. They will teach you about the latest developments in animal science. You will obtain a solid base in equine science. You’ll also learn about animal welfare, nutrition and growth as well as genetics and breeding.
Research-led learning
Massey has a number of internationally recognised animal-based research centres including the Equine Research Centre and Equine Parentage Genetic Services Centre.
Join a world-leading university
Massey University is home to the only animal science team in New Zealand and one of the largest in Australasia. As an animal science student, you will benefit from our internationally-recognised capability and leadership in these areas.
Careers and further study
Careers
The equine industry is large, diverse and economically important both in New Zealand and worldwide. The equine major will prepare you for a career in a wide variety of equine enterprises anywhere in the world. You’ll acquire a broad understanding of health and production issues, and be able to offer the equine industry up-to-date, scientifically-based knowledge.
The Bachelor of Animal Science will provide you the knowledge, attributes and expertise you require for the careers of the future.
Potential employers include equine regulatory, breeding, racing, breed, and sport organisations, and other equine enterprises in New Zealand and around the world. Roles could be in:
- equine regulatory bodies
- stud farm management
- racing and breeding industries
- sport organisations
- other equine enterprises in New Zealand and around the world.
Sought-after by employers
The production and companion animal industries, government departments and agencies, iwi-owned agribusinesses recognise the importance of animal science in what they do and employ our graduates.
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
There are no specific entry requirements for this programme, outside of university admission regulations.
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Expected high school preparation
Knowledge gained in the following NCEA subjects (or the equivalent in Cambridge International Examinations, International Baccalaureate, or similar) will give you the expected background knowledge to succeed in this qualification.
- At least 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Biology.
- At least 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Chemistry.
Recommended
To be successful in your studies, we do recommend that you have:
- at least 16 credits in NCEA Level 2 Mathematics from the following list of standards: 91256, 91257, 91258, 91259, 91260, 91261, 91262, 91269.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
If it’s some time since you have studied mathematics at school you can find out if you have the required background by taking this maths quiz.
Haven’t studied the right subjects at high school?
The following pathways will get you prepared to study this qualification:
If you have not studied NCEA Level 3 Biology (or equivalent) take the following course first:
- 162.103 Introductory Biology
If you have not studied NCEA Level 3 Chemistry (or equivalent) take the following course first:
- 123.103 Chemistry for Modern Sciences.
These courses are available in summer school and can be taken as a Certificate in Science and Technology or Certificate of Proficiency. One 100-level course can be counted as an elective towards the Bachelor of Animal Science.
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and qualifications that may help.
Summer School
If you need to do a course before you start your programme, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
360 credits
- Core courses – 195 credits
- Major courses – 120 credits
- Electives – 45 credits
Ensure that overall, you have:
- No more than 150 credits at 100 level
- At least 90 credits at 300 level
Courses for this specialisation
Compulsory Courses
| 120 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 117226 | Performance Animal Nutrition | 15 |
| 117231 | Animal Health and Welfare | 15 |
| 117302 | Monogastric Animal Nutrition | 15 |
| 117361 | Companion Animal Science | 15 |
| 286201 | Equine Production | 15 |
| 286251 | Equine Behaviour, Training and Welfare | 15 |
| 286301 | The Equine Lower Limb | 15 |
| 286321 | Responses to Training in the Equine Athlete | 15 |
Planning your programme
Planning overview
If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
Before you start
Laboratory streams
In your first year lecture and laboratory streaming information will be available on Stream (Massey’s online learning platform) through your student homepage (you will receive access to this page after you have received your Admission Letter of Offer – see the ‘Applying and enrolling’ section on this page for more information).
A link will be emailed to you prior to lectures commencing for first semester.
Laboratory sessions commence in week one of the semester.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
A good fit if you:
- enjoy sciences
- are interested in horses and their relationship to humans
- would like to work in the equine industry.
Accreditations and rankings
Massey is world-ranked and New Zealand’s No 1 university in agriculture according to QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings.
Massey University is ranked No.1 in New Zealand for agricultural science by ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Undergraduate programmes
Postgraduate regulations
General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
About electives
Electives are courses that are not compulsory. Certain guidelines are usually provided on courses you may take. Elective courses contribute to the programme, but not to your major or specialisation.
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
Scholarships related to this programme
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.