BA (Hons) Outdoor Leadership

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Outdoor Leadership program at the University of Cumbria equips students with practical skills and knowledge in outdoor activities, leadership, and coaching techniques. Through a blend of theory and practice, students develop competency in mountaineering, sailing, caving, and paddling while exploring the Cumbrian outdoors. The program prepares graduates for careers in the outdoor sector, including outdoor leadership, adventure tourism, and environmental education.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BA (Hons) Outdoor Leadership program is designed for individuals with a passion for outdoor adventure, leadership, and environmental responsibility. The program emphasizes developing practical skills and knowledge in outdoor activities, leadership, and coaching techniques. It prepares graduates for a career in the outdoor sector.

Objectives:

• Develop outdoor and leadership skills, knowledge, and experience.
• Enhance competency in mountaineering, climbing, sailing, caving, and paddling.
• Explore the Cumbrian outdoors while developing academic, critical-thinking, and valuable life skills.
• Learn to successfully lead people using the latest coaching best practices.
• Acquire valuable commercial and entrepreneurial skills, enhancing employability.

Outline:

The program is a three-year full-time degree offered at the University of Cumbria's Ambleside campus. It seamlessly blends theory and practice, using a range of adventurous outdoor activities to promote learning.

Year One:

• Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Water): Introduces fundamental water activities and explores the nature of adventure.
• Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Land): Develops skills in land-based activities and examines principles of skill development.
• Living and Working in Groups Outdoors: Explores group dynamics and teamwork in outdoor settings.
• Outdoor Professional Development: Introduces the outdoor sector, its professions, and essential skills.
• Physiology and Psychology for the Outdoor Leader: Covers human performance and its implications for outdoor activities.
• Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 1: Examines the history and philosophy of outdoor leadership, and develops leadership skills.

Year Two:

• Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 2: Plans and evaluates a self-organized research expedition.
• Psychological Applications in Outdoor Contexts: Applies psychological theories to leadership in challenging outdoor environments.
• Coaching Individuals and Groups: Develops coaching skills for both individuals and groups in outdoor contexts.
• Evaluating Outdoor Leadership: Analyzes contemporary views of outdoor leadership.
• Research Design: Guides students in designing, conducting, and reporting independent research.
• Traditional and Innovative Approaches to Outdoor Education (Optional): Explores various approaches to outdoor learning, such as adventurous learning, place-based education, and environmental education.
• Sustainable Outdoor Event Management (Optional): Provides practical experience in designing, planning, and delivering sustainable outdoor events.
• Health, Wellbeing and Environmental Health (Optional): Examines the interrelationships between ecological, social, and personal health and well-being.

Year Three:

• Dissertation: Allows students to conduct in-depth research on a chosen topic related to outdoor leadership.
• Coaching and Facilitation in Outdoor Environments: Develops coaching skills for facilitating learning and skill development in outdoor activities.
• Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 3: Critiques the outcomes of outdoor programs and the role of the leader.
• Commerce and Employment in the Outdoor Sector (Optional): Explores employment opportunities in the outdoor sector and develops relevant skills.
• Outdoor and Environmental Education (Optional): Examines theory and practice of outdoor and environmental education in formal and non-formal settings.
• Therapeutic Opportunities (Optional): Explores the therapeutic potential of nature-based interventions.

Assessment:

Assessment methods are designed to be creative, balanced, and engaging. They include:

• Essays
• Reports
• Practical tasks
• Poster projects
• Portfolios
• Oral presentations
Assessment methods are closely linked to module aims and learning outcomes. The department emphasizes "assessment for learning," aiming to improve student understanding and performance.

Teaching:

The program emphasizes a blended approach of theory and practice, using outdoor activities to promote learning. Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Field trips
• Practical sessions
The program's staff team aims to develop students' critical understanding of practice and research within the field while balancing technical and interpersonal skills.

Careers:

The program prepares students for careers in various outdoor-related fields, including:

• Outdoor leadership
• Adventure tourism
• Environmental education
• Conservation
• Wildlife management
• Coaching
• Event management

Other:

• The program is taught at the Ambleside campus, located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake District National Park.
• The program emphasizes a risk vs. benefit approach to working in outdoor settings.
• Students have the flexibility to shape their degree according to their interests and career goals.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• Tuition Fees
2024 - 2025 £9,250 - UK £13,575 - International
• The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.
• Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year.
The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.