The PGCert Outdoor Education programme has been developed to meet the needs of practitioners and graduates working in the broad area of outdoor learning in the UK and further afield. It brings together theory and practice to develop a higher level understanding of outdoor education as a distinctively alternative form of learning.

The course is unique in the UK in adopting a sociocultural approach to better understand a range of key issues including the importance of outdoor places to learning, health & well-being in nature and the impact of (digital) technology on outdoor learning. These are examined within the broader national and international policies and approaches of nations to understand how outdoor practices reflect/challenge social changes.

Assessment Methods

The programme uses a range of assessment techniques designed to develop postgraduate level knowledge, skills and competencies. These include: seminar presentations, research proposals, research reports, essays, reflective journals, academic interviews and blogs.

All assessments link theory with practice and require students to undertake empirical research as the basis for further developing their critical skills and an evidence-based personal philosophy of Outdoor Education.

The degree would be of particular interest to outdoor professionals who are:

Seeking career advancement as teachers, centre managers, youth workers, community development officers, environmental education officers, adventure guides, outdoor instructors and recent graduates.

Wishing to undertake Continuing Professional development

Considering further study at PhD level

It will be of particular interest to outdoor professionals who are:

Inquisitive & critical in their outlook

Inspired by the potential of Outdoor Education to offer an alternative approach to learning & teaching

Motivated to challenge their own beliefs and learn from other cultures