Hartpury University & College (UK)
- Sara Cavalieri
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
If you’re a student passionate about animals, agriculture, sports — or all three — you might want to consider a university you might not have heard of… yet.
Nestled in the rolling green hills of the English countryside, Hartpury College has quietly built a reputation as a world-class destination for hands-on learning, Olympic-level training and a true home-away-from-home experience.
Here are some of the highlights from my visit!
Gloucester City
Just two hours from London, the university is located near the city of Gloucester, one of the safest places to live in the UK and packed with history.
With around 130,000 people, it's an easy place to navigate on foot.
With buses to campus running every 15 minutes, and other cities like Cardiff and Bristol just an hour away, it’s easy to explore.
Housing is either on-campus or in the city by the stunning Gloucester Cathedral, where students even graduate inside the historic building.
All accommodations are ensuite, and the international all-inclusive package (around $32,450/year) covers housing, gym access, bedding, three meals a day, and even six airport transfers.
Hartpury Campus
Founded in 1948, this specialist university is anything but ordinary, with beautiful gardens, all kinds of animals, a lake and even a golf course on site!
In fact, the beautiful building below is also student housing, in addition to serving as the main building.
With around 4,500 students (2,000 in college-level A-levels and 2,500 at the university level), it offers a surprisingly intimate and personalized academic setting, where students are known by name and supported every step of the way.
The campus itself is on 360 hectares of lush, rural land, offering the kind of green space that’s rare in most college experiences.
Let’s talk horses — because this place is arguably the most diverse equine education provider in the world.
While U.S. schools may offer equine science or equine business, this university takes it to a whole new level with nine specialized equine degree programs.
From Equestrian Sports Coaching to Equestrian Dental Science (yes, that’s a real thing!), students can dive deep into equine behavior, rehabilitation and even horse racing.
The equine facilities are unmatched — so much so that Olympic riders and international equine competitors train here regularly.
The campus is also home to Maggie, one of just 10 riding simulators in the entire world.
It’s no surprise that many students even bring their own horses to campus.
Beyond the barn, the university shines on the field as well.
Its women’s rugby team is a Premiership triple champion, and with nine different sports academies (including rowing, rugby, equine and more), more than 250 athletes have gone on to represent their countries internationally.
The facilities are high-tech, offering cutting-edge sport technology you won’t find anywhere else in the UK.
Plus, the university is ranked Top 4 in the UK for Sport Science (Guardian 2025).
Not every student athlete wants to study sport, though.
That’s why the university recently launched a business program, emphasizing entrepreneurship and innovation — ideal for those with athletic ambitions and business savvy.
Animal lovers are also in for a treat.
The on-campus farm supports hands-on learning for agriculture students, while those in animal or vet-related fields work with over 70 animal species, including skunks and meerkats, in a unique walled garden.
Whether you’re studying Veterinary Biosciences, Animal Science or Vet Nursing, you’ll be learning through experience from day one.
One of the standout features here is just how much support students receive.
With small class sizes, practical, skill-based coursework, and 10 commercial businesses operating on campus, students graduate with real-world experience — and a real sense of community.
Plus, there’s a certain four-legged staff member worth mentioning: Ralph the therapy dog (find him on Instagram @ralphthetherapydog), who’s always there to lend a paw during stressful times.
Summary: Hartpury College
From Olympic-level sport to one-of-a-kind equine programs, this university offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional college path — especially for students looking for something more specialized, practical and deeply supportive.
If you're dreaming of studying in the UK and want your education to be as hands-on as possible at an American-style campus, this might just be the perfect fit.
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