Equine Science (M.Sc.)

The Master's degree programme in Equine Science trains academically qualified young professionals for the constantly evolving labour market in the equine sector. The programme focuses on subject-specific education, the processing of scientific questions and the examination of practice-oriented problems.
Specialised knowledge is to be acquired in the following equine-specific areas, in some cases with further professional qualifications (judge, trainer, management certificates): Nutritional physiology and feeding of the horse, performance and training physiology of the horse, horse breeding and genetics, hygiene, diseases and keeping of the horse as well as business administration and business management.

The most important prerequisite is, of course, an interest in studying horses. In addition, you must have completed at least six semesters of a related degree with a professional qualification and at least 180 credit points (ECTS) at a German university, or a comparable degree. For international students, a language certificate may be required. You can find more detailed information under the "Application" tab.
An internship prior to the degree programme is not compulsory. However, additional practical experience will improve your future career prospects and is therefore always recommended.

The specialisation of the course in the horse offers the opportunity to cover this subject area in its entirety. Knowledge of the physiology and diseases of the horse form the basis of the programme content, as do, for example, breeding, husbandry and feeding. In addition to business administration and the management of horse-keeping businesses, the effects on society, the economy and the environment are also included in the degree programme, to name just a few of the diverse subjects covered. This comprehensive view of the horse enables students not only to acquire subject-specific knowledge in the individual areas, but also to subsequently relate this knowledge to one another and thus understand the technical interrelationships.
Elective modules enable further, individual specialisation and include, among others Biological principles of the horse (anatomy, physiology), reproduction biotechnology and management (SS), organisation, riding styles and training systems in German equestrian sport, economics and law, event and sports marketing, construction planning and process engineering in equine husbandry, equine ethology, pasture management and a special practical module.
During the course of the degree programme, it is also possible to acquire further professional qualifications such as judges', trainers' and management certificates and thus further develop your professional profile. Furthermore, co-operation with various associations and academic institutions ensures that students can gain practical experience during their studies and thus hone their profile at an early stage.
In addition, student-organised working groups also offer students the opportunity to further their education in topics of their choice. The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences currently has the following working groups, which enable students to take part in excursions and attend interesting lectures by external speakers. You can also get involved here yourself.

• Arable farming
• AG Dairy Industry
• AG Horse
• AG Pig
• VDL Student Group Göttingen

Through research projects and university collaborations, it is also possible to spend semesters abroad in many countries (e.g. via the Erasmus programme or other exchange programmes).

The Master's degree programme in Equine Science is unique in Europe. The collaboration between the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) and the German Equestrian Federation (FN) has succeeded in bundling the most important core competencies in a region in which the horse is of particular social and economic importance both in a national and international context.
In addition to studying at a renowned Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, the city itself offers many amenities that speak in favour of Göttingen as a place to study. Due to the large proportion of students in the total population, the city lives from the university. Various cultural activities for young people as well as pubs, green spaces and an excellent university sports programme make it possible to develop not only professionally but also personally and socially and to make many new contacts, including with students from other countries. In addition, there is a wide range of committed university groups on many different topics.

The diverse professional and occupational fields include leading positions in the following areas:

• Specialised business management or production technology consulting
• Service industries, e.g. as experts
• Event marketing
• Specialised journalism and public relations
• Animal feed industry
• Universities and research institutions
• Import and export of horses and horse products
• Public service, e.g. Chamber of Agriculture
• Horse farms
• Equestrian organisations
• Horse marketing
• Horse breeding associations
• Test stations
• Riding schools and horse farms
• Animal insurance companies
• Tourism
• Companies in the husbandry technology sector

Graduates with comprehensive practical training or with a wide range of practical knowledge from specialised internships have better career opportunities.