ENNISKILLEN Campus is an integral part of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) and is located three miles outside Enniskillen town in the Lakeland County of Fermanagh. Enniskillen is about 100 miles from Dublin, 30 miles from Cavan, 30 miles from Monaghan and 40 miles from Sligo.

Equine education courses on offer at Enniskillen

CAFRE offers Honours and Foundation Degree courses in Equine Management, validated by Ulster University. Courses are also available at Certificate and Diploma level alongside Apprenticeships and Farriery courses. If students perform well on the Level 3 Diploma, they may progress to the Degree course.

Qualified and experienced staff

Our staff are all well qualified and have extensive experience in the equine industry. They are also very dedicated to working with young people, providing them with pastoral care and helping them become the best that they can be. A unique aspect of our provision is that equine technologists work alongside education staff which helps students understand the latest equine research and innovation.

Students at the heart of Enniskillen Campus

The equine student body is drawn mainly from throughout the island of Ireland with a small number coming from further afield, including Great Britain. Approximately 150 equine students are currently enrolled on Further and Higher Education programmes at Enniskillen.

Students from the Republic of Ireland (ROI)

Under the arrangements in place for the Common Travel Area (CTA) between the United Kingdom and Ireland, ROI students have the same rights as those based in Northern Ireland. A high proportion of Enniskillen students already come from the south of Ireland and we welcome further applicants from ROI.

Practical experience with horses on campus

Approximately 70 horses are kept at Enniskillen Campus. One reason for our success is that we provide our equine students with a stimulating academic education while they also benefit from hands-on experience. Students have the opportunity to work with a range of horses in the equine breeding, equitation, racing, farriery and student horse livery units.

Opportunities to compete in races and equestrian competitions and consign foals at the sales

Students regularly compete in point-to-point races and other equine competitions including the Balmoral Show. Students also prepare and consign foals and young horses at international class venues such as Goffs, Tattersalls and Cavan Equestrian Centre.

Technology and innovation

A unique aspect of Enniskillen’s provision is the presence of equine technologists working alongside teaching staff at the campus. Through our regional, national and international linkages, we provide students with an opportunity to apply the latest equine research and innovation.

How will classes be delivered in the new academic year?

CAFRE continues to respond to the evolving Covid-19 situation in line with the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Northern Ireland Executive guidelines. We have taken the best advice available and have measures in place to ensure the health of students and staff. As far as possible we plan to have students on Campus for face-to-face teaching in the new academic year commencing September 2021.

Residential provision at Enniskillen Campus

Our students enjoy the residential experience at Enniskillen Campus and often make friends for life. Reasonably priced accommodation is available for under 18 students and first year students. The cost is approximately £60 per week and details are available on the CAFRE website. Room numbers are limited so early application is advisable.

Livery at Enniskillen Campus

There are limited livery facilities available for students’ horses on Campus and you can discuss the option with the course manager at time of application.

Making an application

Applications for Honours Degree and Foundation Degree programmes, are made through UCAS. The application process is the same whether you live in NI or ROI. A small number of places are available for enrolment in September 2021.

Tuition fees are £1,735 per year for 2021/2022.

Students from the ROI can find information on financial support on the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) website.

Applications for Certificate and Diploma programmes, are made via the CAFRE website www.cafre.ac.uk

There are no tuition fees for Further Education programmes.

Student bursaries

Enniskillen Campus students receive excellent support from the equine industry. Student bursaries, each worth up to £1,000, are provided by the industry. Our industry links were assessed as among the best in the United Kingdom in a recent peer review by LANDEX, the organisation which represents Land based Colleges Aspiring to Excellence throughout the UK.

Student Bursary Sponsors at Enniskillen (2020/21 Academic Year)

  • Bluegrass Horse Feeds
  • Coolmore
  • Danske Bank
  • Derrinstown Stud
  • Downpatrick Racecourse
  • Godolphin
  • Horse Racing Ireland
  • Horse Sport Ireland
  • Irish Farmers Journal
  • Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’
  • Association
  • Northern Ireland Horse Board
  • Show Jumping Ireland
  • The Aga Khan Studs
  • Tinnakill House
  • Tyrone Farming Society
  • Vaughan Trust
  • Opportunities for students to travel

    Enniskillen students are encouraged to travel to study and work outside Ireland to experience different cultures. CAFRE has developed prestigious collaborations with Coolmore in Ireland, Australia and USA. Each year Coolmore provides one CAFRE equine graduate with a prestigious 12-month internship where they spend six months in Australia and six months in Ireland.

    Students and graduates also benefit from the excellent relationships the equine team has developed with Godolphin in Ireland and USA.

    CAFRE has a long standing relationship with Michigan State University, USA. Over the years many MSU students have undertaken their studies for a semester alongside our students. Under a reciprocal arrangement, Enniskillen students have benefitted by studying at MSU which has over 50,000 students.

    CAFRE has excellent relationships with equine organisations and third level institutions in Kentucky who are interested in providing students with study visits, work placements or employment. Sport horse collaborations are being developed in The Netherlands.

    Careers in the equine industry

    The first equine students graduated from Enniskillen in 1998 and since then almost 900 people have qualified with Certificates, Diplomas or Degrees. We maintain contact with our graduates and we understand that over 90% are either directly employed in the equine industry or work with horses on a part-time basis.

    Enniskillen Campus has a well-established reputation for training highly competent graduates who are “work-ready” to commence rewarding careers in the equine industry. We place great value on helping students develop up to date technical knowledge, practical skills and people skills to compete in the future market for employment.

    Graduates are employed in a range of equine jobs including business administration, marketing, racecourses, riding schools, international grooms, Thoroughbred studs, nutrition, teaching, tack and equipment, veterinary, retail and sales.

    A summary of what’s on offer at CAFRE Enniskillen Campus

  • A range of nationally validated education programmes to suit various entry points;
  • Dedicated, experienced staff;
  • Excellent facilities incorporating the latest technology;
  • Reasonably priced accommodation for under 18 year old students and first year students;
  • Supportive student network;
  • A strong ethos of learning by doing with 70 horses on site;
  • Fantastic industry links with some of the best equine organisations in the world;
  • Opportunities to travel to outstanding equine places like Kentucky and The Netherlands.
  • Visit CAFRE website for more information. www.cafre.ac.uk

    If you are interested in joining us in September 2021 or 2022, contact us for more information. Web: cafre.ac.uk or search ‘Discover CAFRE’ on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

    Email: enquiries@cafre.ac.uk Freephone: 0800 028 4291

    Tel from ROI: 048 6634 4853