Outdoor Education

Entry requirements

UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, as well as outdoor education experience.

We may also consider your application if you have relevant employment or experience.

Months of entry

September

Course content

For over 40 years, the Postgraduate Diploma in Outdoor Education, and for almost 20 years, the MSc in Outdoor Education, have been the world’s foremost graduate programme in the field, providing a broad base for a professional career in outdoor education.

There are three possible exit levels: Certificate (60 credits), Diploma (120 credits), or Masters (180 credits). The Certificate programme provides a broad theoretical coverage of the field of outdoor education. The Diploma extends this with further academic study and a Professional Development Programme (involving field courses, such as a canoe descent of the River Spey, winter hillwalking, a teaching placement/practicum, and an expedition), which provides a broad base for a professional career in outdoor education. The Masters extends this further still with a dissertation and associated research methods course.

The emphasis — whether Certificate, Diploma, or Masters — is on developing the knowledge, understanding, and judgement necessary to facilitate meaningful learning in, for, and through the outdoors.

You will develop your intellectual skills through critically assessing theoretical, professional, and academic issues surrounding outdoor education, while honing transferable skills such as environmental literacy and oral communication. You will also expand your understanding and personal practice of outdoor education through a range of professional development activities.

Courses take place at our Edinburgh campus and the University’s two residential outdoor centres in the highlands of Scotland, from where you will journey by boat or on foot to live and learn in the outdoors.