MA - Outdoor and Experiential Learning (Ambleside)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-19 | - |
| 2024-01-01 | 2023-10-15 |
| 2024-05-02 | 2024-01-31 |
Program Overview
Course Overview
This course uses the fundamental process of actual lived experience to explore the cultural, ecological and political lenses which influence our thoughts and behaviour. In contrast to more formal approaches to learning, this course exemplifies experiential learning in its delivery, as well as in the content of its curriculum.
To reflect this contemporary trend, there are 3 pathways to choose from which reflect current applications of experiential learning.
• Outdoor & Experiential Learning
• Outdoor & Experiential Learning (Bushcraft)
• Outdoor & Experiential Learning (Health & Wellbeing)
You will consider the histories, contemporary application and growth of outdoor and experiential learning at the intersections of professional practice, pedagogy and philosophy via debate & discussion, creative reflection, critical analysis and critique of research and evidence.
From your base in Ambleside, you can take advantage of more than 150 lofty peaks, 16 lakes and an abundance of rivers across the Lake District – quite literally a classroom on your doorstep.
On this course you will...
Program Outline
What you will learn
There are three pathways to choose from in order to complete the MA qualification.
The Outdoor & Experiential Learning pathway engages with current debates around environmental empathy, displacement, social equality, adventurous journeying, embodiment, outdoor recreation, nature-culture philosophies, colonialism, globalization and management of people in organisations, sustainability and alternative forms of education, for example.
The Bushcraft pathway deeply engages the learner with both practical and theoretical concerns within the emerging academic field of Bushcraft. This field speaks to wider implications for educational, therapeutic, commercial and recreational ideas.
The Health and Wellbeing pathway offers a reflective exploration of the student’s own therapeutic relationship with ‘the outdoors’ as well as personal and planetary wellbeing and ill-health. Utilising experimental walks and residential settings, alternative narratives of human-environment relations will be developed whilst exploring historical, traditional and contemporary perspectives of nature based psychotherapies and therapeutic landscapes.
Compulsory modules
Explore the processes and definitions of Outdoor and Experiential Learning.
Examine the concept of ‘world views’ and explore their impact on professional practice.
The aim of the module is to support students in planning, conducting and writing up an applied research or evaluation project within the field.
Design and conduct a substantial piece of independent supervised research.
Pathway modules
Bushcraft Pathway
Explore the history and growth of bushcraft as a practice and an ideology.
Taking as its starting point the concerns articulated by contemporary Indigenous scholarship, about the appropriation of traditional cultures by both Westernised global commerce and academy, we explore the problems and the potentials of Bushcraft as a transformative concept in the modern world.
Outdoor & Experiential Learning Pathway
The module explores different ways in which we and others create space and how that can help us consider how these different “lenses” shape our place.
Adopting a field-based journey approach the module will enable students to reflect critically on their work with adventurous journeys and develop new, innovative and challenging experiences with enhanced knowledge of the theory underpinning professional practice.
Health & Wellbeing Pathway
Introduces and critiques the theoretical underpinnings of outdoor psychotherapies and therapeutic landscapes research and applications. Utilising experimental walks, alternative narratives of human-environment relations will be developed to explore the concept of ‘assemblages of health’.
Reflectively explore individual therapeutic relationships with the outdoors. This module typically contains a residential aspect.
University of Cumbria
Overview:
University of Cumbria is a public university located in the northwest of England. It is known for its focus on practical learning and its commitment to supporting local communities. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including health, education, arts, science, and business.
Services Offered:
The university provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:
Academic Support:
Access to academic staff, student finance advice, and accommodation services.Student Life:
A vibrant campus experience with facilities, student support, and opportunities for extracurricular activities.International Student Support:
Dedicated services for international students, including visa guidance, fees and finance information, and cultural integration support.Research:
Opportunities for postgraduate study and engagement in research projects across various fields.Business & Employer Services:
Support for businesses and employers, including CPD training, apprenticeship programs, and recruitment services.Student Life and Campus Experience:
University of Cumbria offers a diverse campus experience with multiple locations across Cumbria and London. Students can expect:
Beautiful Campuses:
Campuses located in scenic areas, including the Lake District and historic Carlisle.Community Focus:
A strong sense of community with opportunities to engage in local initiatives and events.Facilities:
Access to modern facilities, including libraries, labs, studios, and sports centers.Student Support:
A dedicated student support team providing guidance and assistance with academic, personal, and financial matters.Key Reasons to Study There:
Practical Learning:
Emphasis on practical skills development and real-world experience through placements and internships.Strong Industry Links:
Close partnerships with local businesses and organizations, providing students with valuable networking opportunities.Focus on Employability:
High graduate employment rates, with a strong focus on preparing students for successful careers.Unique Locations:
Campuses located in inspiring and diverse settings, offering a unique learning experience.Academic Programs:
University of Cumbria offers a wide range of academic programs, with strengths in the following areas:
Health:
Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Radiography, and Health and Social Care.Education:
Teacher Training, Early Years Education, and Special Educational Needs.Arts:
Film, Theatre, Photography, Fine Art, and Creative and Media Arts.Science and Environment:
Wildlife Conservation, Forestry, Outdoor Education, and Environmental Science.Business and Leadership:
Business Management, Tourism, Law, Forensics, and Policing.Sport and Rehabilitation:
Sports Science, Sports Coaching, and Rehabilitation.Other:
The university is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and has received various accreditations for its commitment to these values. It also actively participates in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and has a strong focus on knowledge exchange and impact.
1st or 2nd class honours degree.
Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course, please contact the Enquiry Centre for further details.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL
) may be considered for relevant prior learning at the same academic level.
More information about levels and credits.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Degree and/or relevant professional work experience required.
Applications are welcome from people with a good first degree (normally U.K. 2:2 or above) and/or relevant work experience. It is hoped that the course will attract students from a variety of backgrounds and first degree subject areas from outdoor-related areas through to youth work, social work, education and those with more philosophical backgrounds.
Top tips for your personal statement and application specific to the course
Check the course description to help decide what qualities and skills we are looking for, so you can relate your own experiences to these. Tell us why you’re applying; Why are you interested in the course? Where did this interest begin for you? What experiences do you have that might be relevant to this course.