FdSc Horseracing Industry Foundation degree at British Racing School
FdSc Horseracing Industry at British Racing School. Based in Newmarket, the course combines core theory, research and methods, and applied practice with specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.
About this course
FdSc Horseracing Industry is a Foundation degree (FdSc) at British Racing School, based in British Racing School Newmarket. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for General Studies, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Equine Structure, Function, Health and Nutrition
Module details
introduce key features of anatomy, physiology and nutrition and understand the balance of health and disease in relation to racehorse management
- Racehorse Behaviour and Welfare
Module details
enable students to use knowledge of sensory perception and horse behaviour to underpin and inform evidence-based discussion of racehorse welfare
- Organisation of the Horseracing Industry
Module details
explores organisations and bodies within the industry and how they interact within both the UK and international horseracing industry. The student will reflect upon communication and relationships of key stakeholders
- Independent Professional Portfolio
Module details
supports students in creating a portfolio of experiences including at least one of the week-long intensive learning sessions and work placement to equip them with both practical skills and industry insight
Year 2 3 modules
- The Thoroughbred Year
Module details
develops the student's understanding of the life of a thoroughbred from foal to retirement including the sales calendar throughout the year for both the flat and national hunt seasons
- Race Planning and Performance Analysis
Module details
includes content of the programme book, the racing calendar in the UK and abroad, and students will gain an understanding of the handicap system, how handicap marks are allocated and develop an understanding of how horses are campaigned throughout a Flat and National Hunt season. Alongside gaining an understanding of current performance measures
- Poor Performance in Racehorses
Module details
presents the student with common case studies of poor performance and supports evaluation of causation, treatment, management and future prevention. It encourages students to evaluate previous experiences to support deeper learning
Year 3 6 modules
- Investigative Skills for the Successful Horseracing Undergraduate
Module details
will prepare final year students for undertaking a research project
- Horseracing Research and Knowledge Exchange Project
Module details
will give students the opportunity to further develop the networks and knowledge they have assimilated during their attendance at British Racing School's The Racing Industry Course and by attending the three racehorse trainers' modules
- Entrepreneurship in Horseracing
Module details
is designed to give students the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate an original product or service idea for the horse racing industry
- Environmental Sustainability in the Horseracing Industry
Module details
will encourage students to evaluate the impact of climate change, and environmental sustainability within horseracing, and discuss the current industry initiatives to improve our environmental footprint
- Global Challenges in the Horseracing Sector
Module details
will develop students' knowledge of current challenges affecting horseracing on a domestic and international level and evaluate current topics affecting the global horseracing industry
- Social Media in the Horseracing Industry
Module details
explores the development of social media, its different forms and genres, enabling students to create a social media campaign strategy
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study the horseracing industry through an interdisciplinary approach that moves from foundational knowledge to applied practice and specialisation. Early in the course, you'll usually build core academic skills and explore the main strands of the subject alongside data and digital literacy. You'll then progress to applied projects, often team-based work on real briefs, and optional modules that let you broaden your knowledge across the university's curriculum. Towards the end of the degree, you'll have the chance to specialise in areas of particular interest, undertake professional skills development and work experience, and complete an independent research project or capstone that draws your learning together.
Who it's for
This course suits people with a genuine interest in horseracing who are already working or embedded in the industry, or who wish to enter it. You'll benefit from a practical, work-integrated approach rather than classroom-only learning. The part-time structure allows you to balance study with employment or other commitments. You'll develop both sector-specific knowledge and broader professional skills, useful whether you plan to progress to further study or advance within your career. Strong motivation and the ability to manage your own learning are essential.
Careers & job market
Across General Studies courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of completing their degree; 65% of those working are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. Graduate earnings data (national figures across General Studies) shows starting salaries of £24,000–£30,000, with variation after 3 and 5 years. A Foundation degree can lead to progression onto a full honours degree or direct entry into professional roles. Your specific career path will depend on your specialisation, experience, and the opportunities available within horseracing and related sectors.
University & format
This Foundation degree (FdSc) is delivered by British Racing School, a UK degree-awarding body located in Newmarket. The course is studied part-time and taught in English. Your qualification is nationally recognised.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
The cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at British Racing School →Check the finance route that applies to you
Support depends on ordinary residence, assessed fee status, course and provider nation. The provider nation is unresolved here, so no national cap or loan amount is being guessed.
Find your official student-finance route →Paying for it
- Tuition fee loan: applied for through the student-finance body for the UK nation you live in.
- Living-cost support: means-tested on household income, from your nation's student-finance body.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold set by your nation's student-finance system.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Each UK nation runs its own student-finance system; check gov.uk for the rates that apply to you.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What General Studies graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in general studies · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs General Studies nationally
National figures for General Studies graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How General Studies graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where General Studies graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Employers across sectors
- Public sector
- Corporates & charities
- Startups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit General Studies graduates.
General PractitionerMatchMedicsGeneral ManagerParkside RecruitmentGeneral ManagerThe Management Recruitment Group (MRG)General ManagerBite TalentGeneral ForemanCONTRACT SCOTLAND LIMITEDGeneral PractitionerFlexzo AiWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Combined and general studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around British Racing School Newmarket
46 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is General Studies right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to British Racing School from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by British Racing School; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check British Racing School’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with British Racing School and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at British Racing School
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
Request information about FdSc Horseracing Industry
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.