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Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 - Gold Award

BA (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Education

Enable others to learn in nature. Study through extensive fieldwork with highly experienced tutors. Your classroom will be Dartmoor National Park, the rivers, and stunning surfing beaches of the Southwest coast.

Outdoor education students jumping into the sea

100% student satisfaction

National Student Survey 2022

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Entry requirements

Three A-levels at grades CCC or above

Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above

Or Access 23-45 with min 6D

Or T-level Pass (C or above on the core)

And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and students. All students are expected to share this commitment and demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct.

We will accept 2 AS levels in lieu of one A level but must be accompanied by 2 A Levels or BTECs (General Studies is excluded).

See full entry requirements


UCAS points 96

UCAS code X391

UCAS institution code P63

Duration 3 years full-time and part-time options available

Course Summary

Spend three years with like-minded enthusiasts, developing your career in the outdoors. Study an interesting and exciting way of educating people, with active, practical learning, while you grow and develop your skills in natural settings. Marjon’s outdoor education degree is accredited by the Institute for Outdoor Learning. 

We are flanked by the stunning scenery of Dartmoor National Park and the beautiful rivers, estuaries and beaches of Devon and Cornwall. Within these inspiring environments and our excellent on-campus facilities, you’ll explore the theory and practice of adventure education and outdoor learning, studying with experienced and passionate tutors. You'll also enjoy free use of a wide range of outdoors equipment.

Exciting adventures will happen. You will undertake expeditions on Dartmoor and in Snowdonia as well as exploring the Devon and Cornwall coastline in a kayak, canoe or sailing dinghy, discovering the best surfing beaches along the way. Additionally you'll have opportunities to study abroad with partner universities in Canada and Iceland and undertake international placements with organisations such as Camp America.

You’ll be guided by experienced and committed professionals, and you’ll be studying with like-minded people. This outdoor education degree attracts students who love thinking and doing, and people who have a great attitude to learning, trying new things and spending time outdoors having an adventure. You don't need lots of experience or fancy equipment, just a great positive attitude!

Mark: We teach on a range of programs across the university, and in particular, we have a BA in Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. We're using a whole range of exciting adventurous activities. And that's our classroom, the outdoors. Here at Marjon, we're in a fantastic location in the United Kingdom, just a fantastic place to go and sail and explore, and be outdoors with like minded people.

Sarah: You're right by the coast and Dartmoor, that's just a bonus.

Rhys: It gives a good mix for different experiences, using different types of rock and different areas.

Sarah: You've got the climbing wall, as you can see. We have independent study sessions, which is where it's two hour slot, either in the pool or on the climbing wall, where you can just go along practice any skills you've learned. Got the kayaks and canoes in the pool, and we've got so much more equipment in the Outdoor Adventure Education Centre, that is available to hire at anytime. Marjon is a great university because it's so supportive, there's so many opportunities available here.

Rhys: Marjon's a bit more of a family, it's a smaller university. So if you like the thought of coming to a university, getting to know everyone and getting involved with the university, it's the perfect place because you've got plenty of time to do your outdoors. You're in the perfect location. But at the same time, if you're thinking about, "Oh, how am I going to do all my essays?" or struggling with work and stuff, if you've got those sort of worries, the lecturers are always there, are really supportive. And then it's really easy to talk to second and third years as well.

Aaron: It was quite a worried moment when I decided to actually go to university. I left a full-time job to come and do a full-time education course. And being a little bit older and stuff, I was definitely worried about it and all those sort of things. But actually, it's been one of the best things I've ever done.

Izzy: Studying at Marjon has, educationally, prepared me with the theories that really underpin outdoor adventure. And has given me an idea of how to make concrete outdoor experiences that have a lasting impact on the children.

Why this course at Marjon?

UK and International field trips with an exciting range of outdoor activities on land and water

All technical equipment provided for your own adventures

Independent study in the kayaking pool and climbing wall every week

Experienced and passionate staff - internationally recognised as leaders in the field

Location, location, location - Dartmoor and the Devon and Cornwall coastline!

Our local, regional, national and international networks connect you to employment opportunities

Modules for this course

Course Snapshot

The first year of the course was very active as we learnt all the basics in kayaking, canoeing, climbing and navigation, as well as how to academic research and thinking skills. In the second year our basic skills became more advanced through traditional climbing, sea kayaking and mountain biking. In the third year, we got to choose an area to specialise in and we do a placement in an organisation of our choice or we can take the opportunity to learn more about how to run our own business.
Marlies - Final year student, BA (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Education

Modules

1st Year

Introduction to Outdoor Adventure Education
Discover the key principles and ideas behind Outdoor Adventure Education. Put them into practice during weekly fieldwork sessions that will introduce you to the stunning areas of Dartmoor and the Southwest coast.
Personal Development through Adventure Education
Practical investigation of the principles essential for safe participation in adventurous activities using our state-of-the-art sport science facilities. Explore the issues of nutrition, health, fitness, training, and temperature before heading outside to focus on the psychological impacts of being in exciting environments.
Paddlesport and Experiential Outdoor Education
Kayak, canoe and paddleboard in beautiful rivers, estuaries and lakes to explore the holistic concepts of self, others and nature whilst considering the physical, emotional and intellectual challenges linked to such activities.
Outdoor Expeditions: Theory into Practice
Dartmoor tors, geology, bogs, biology, folklore and legends are all explored, along with the questions of what is, and why do we go on an expedition? Develop your navigation and camping skills to help you plan a two-day and one-night, self-directed expedition.
Becoming an Outdoor Professional
Climb in a range of settings, and collect the experience necessary to apply for a Climbing Wall Instructor training course. Engage with the concepts of adventure and the risk continuum as you begin to create your own outdoor professional identity.
The Foundations of Coaching and Leading Outdoors
The fundamentals of planning, coaching and reviewing are explored through practical peer teaching. Pool kayaks, the climbing wall, and onsite MTBs provide excellent resources to explore the theory and practice of group sessions as an observer, participant and as the leader.

2nd Year

Pedagogy of Place in Outdoor Education
Come dinghy sailing with expert RYA instruction and explore the maritime cultural stories of Plymouth and Britain. Connect with the amazing seafaring heritage that makes Plymouth a special city and harbour.
Environmental awareness through adventure sport
Come dinghy sailing with expert RYA instruction and explore the maritime cultural stories of Plymouth and Britain. Connect with the amazing seafaring heritage that makes Plymouth a special city and harbour.
Managing and Leading Expeditions on the Water
Sea kayak around the stunning Devon and Cornwall coastline with course friends. Develop the theory and practice of managing groups on water expeditions before planning your own student-led journey.
Leadership and Expeditions in the Mountains
Summer mountain leader training taught by your lecturers in Eryri (Snowdonia) as part of a week-long outdoor education residential experience. Three days and two nights on a self-contained expedition provide the reflective material that informs your assessment.
Sustainable Adventure Tourism
Explore the relationship between adventure practice, sustainability, and the tourism industry. Paddleboarding and coasteering fieldwork allow you to think about the tourist experience from both a participant's and a provider's perspective.
Placement Training
Real world opportunities to explore a variety of adventure education and outdoor learning settings. With a clearly self-negotiated focus, you can develop your chosen career path and professional identity. Engaged students often receive job offers at the end of their placement!
Nature Connection: Research in Outdoor Studies
Develop your knowledge skills and understanding of how to ask the right questions, and what questions are worth asking. This module helps you craft a research topic that can then become your Honours Project topic in your final year.

3rd Year

The Advanced Outdoor Professional
Explore your professional identity and career direction. Engage with a practical course of your choice from a range of options. This module allows for practical skill development and NGB qualifications, and helps you develop an online CV or webpage.
Current Issues in Outdoor Adventure Education
Meet outdoor professionals from our extensive networks to discuss and experience the very latest ideas, issues and research in the outdoor sector. How do we respond to plastic in the oceans, camping bans, oppressive practices, and challenging behaviours? How might we make use of the most recent developments in digital technology and evolving pedagogies?
Creative Practice in the Outdoors
A fantastic range of creative approaches for learning outdoors; storytelling, photography, beach art or wherever the creative flow takes us. Use play and playfulness to enhance creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Placement learning
Real world opportunities to explore a variety of adventure education and outdoor learning settings. With a clearly self-negotiated focus, you can develop your chosen career path and professional identity. Engaged students often receive job offers at the end of their placement!
Outdoor Food: Communities, Culture, and Practice
What is the role of food in our practice? How can we use food to bring people together and stimulate meaningful learning experiences in the outdoors? Cook, talk, and explore how answering these questions can enhance your educational practice.
Honours Project
Independent project with personal support from your tutor. Go on an expedition, produce a DVD, run an event, design a website, build a canoe, produce teaching materials or do a research dissertation. Enjoy your project and enhance your CV.

Current students say...


Rebecca Dowrick

Outdoor Adventure Education as a course has taught me such a wide variety of valuable concepts and perspectives around the outdoors that now influences how I view the world. Expeditions and practical sessions (both land and water-based) on Dartmoor and Devon more broadly have improved my skills and confidence in the outdoor education sector and built my knowledge in a range of topics. The support provided by my lecturers has led to experiences I never before considered attainable.


Jack Garner

One of the best aspects of the course is the practical sessions we engage with. Being so close to the sea and Dartmoor provides quick and easy access to a range of outdoor pursuits. We have plenty of opportunities to gain qualifications and our lectures are excellent at providing us with the experience and skills needed to start working in the outdoor industry right after graduating.

This course is perfect if you're curious about

Why do schools educate indoors?

What makes for an adventure and where does it start?

How do you want to change the world?

Do you really have a comfort zone?

Bear Grylls: is he good or bad for outdoor education?

Why do people think I like getting wet and cold? I have great waterproofs!

The Marjon Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning team have been fundamental in developing a dynamic, connected outdoor learning community in the South West. We regularly meet students of this course and on every occasion we have been impressed with the quality of engagement and their passion to learn about the world or outdoor and adventurous learning. I am confident in saying that Marjon really is the hub of outdoor learning in the South West.
Brendan Stone - Head of Dartmoor Centres and Outdoor Education Advisor

Ask a student

See where our graduates are now


Aaron Stephenson

“Having worked in an outdoor environment before university I had only a basic understanding of the wider outdoor commercial sector. University showed me what is available and what impact I could have on the outdoors. I grew as an instructor while at university and continue to grow and learn from that strong foundation today. I am lucky enough to work with young people and the work I do helps those young people overcome their struggles and at times helps show them how very capable they are.”

Aaron is a Centre Manager for Reach Outdoors.


Ben Hughes

"Although I had previously worked and studied in and around the outdoor industry prior to attending university, the course helped me build my holistic understanding of numerous different sectors of the industry. The course also sparked something inside me that made me enjoy learning for the first time in my life. The lectures on the course and the university have great links within the outdoor industry in the south west, which on the name alone assist you with gaining a good placement."

Ben is the founder of Ru-Slack, a social enterprise.


Izzy Cramp

"I am fascinated by the curiosity that the children display and their natural ability to play, explore and be enthused about the simplest of things. Even in the rain the children are never deterred from going outside. Being at University I was inspired and enthused by the lecturers, encouraged to think for myself and enquire. I was given and made opportunities and experiences which I believe have equipped me for my future."

Izzie is a Learning Outside the Classroom Teacher and Chair of the South West Institute of Outdoor Learning.

What might you become?

A great future awaits you in the great outdoors

Employment opportunities exist in a variety of professions. Recent graduates have gone on to become an outdoor learning tutor in school; outdoor adventure activity instructor with Neilson Holidays, PGL, Outward Bound; expedition leader for a travel company; social enterprise/own business e.g. slacklining with Ru-Slack; police officers with the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary; fire fighters e.g. Cornwall Fire Service and the Armed forces.

You may also undertake postgraduate study such as a PGCE to become a teacher or a Master's degree.

Partnerships

Mountain Training

Mountain Training

Mountain Training is the collection of awarding bodies for skills courses and qualifications in walking, climbing and mountaineering in the UK and Ireland.

IOL Accredited HE Course

Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL)

IOL's quality of training criteria ensure that our course demonstrates demand for outdoor leaders, clear and measurable learning outcomes, skilled trainers, as well as sound professional codes.

EOE network logo-1-(2)

European Institute for Outdoor Adventure Ed & Experiential Learning

EOE is the European network of professionals developing the theory and professional standards, they undertake research and develop areas of commonality with environmental education.

RYA

Royal Yachting Association (RYA)

RYA is the UK national governing body which provides training, publications and performance for all forms of British boating.

British Canoeing

British Canoeing

British Canoeing is the national governing body for paddlesports in the UK with responsibility for coaching and competitive canoeing interests at a UK level.


How you’ll be taught and assessed?

How will you be taught?

Teaching includes regular fieldwork, for example sailing in Plymouth Sound to explore the social psychology of group work and climbing on granite tors exploring the myths and legends of Dartmoor. You'll also attend seminars, small lectures and tutorials; with extensive resources located on students’ online learning space.

How will you be assessed?

No exams. 100% coursework including a variety of assessments including essays, reports, presentations, practical participation, negotiated assessments and research projects.

Georgios Katsogridakis

Georgios Katsogridakis

Course leader

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Having worked as an educator and adventure sports coach in Greece, The Netherlands, and now in the UK, Georgios carries with him a breadth of international experience and a passion for teaching outdoors. His research focuses on key issues such as the relationship between adventure practice and peoples' cultures, and the use of digital technologies for educational purposes. As the leader of the BA (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Education, Georgios constantly strives to ensure that the programme is up to date with current research and modern educational approaches, and that all students are given the support they need to succeed in their studies.


Fees and funding

Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum


Fees for International students: £14,500 per annum


This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.

Additional costs:

  • Use of all technical equipment is free of charge including surf boards, mountain bikes, kayaks, tents and climbing racks. These can be borrowed at any time unless required for teaching.
  • Free independent study sessions in the swimming pool and on the climbing wall to practice and develop skills. 
  • Sailing boats are available for a small charge (currently £6 per session) during organised club times.
  • Summer Mountain Leader Training is included in the course fees but requires registration with the British Mountaineering Council (currently £1 per month for members under 27 years).
  • Residential fieldwork costs are kept really low with students only required to purchase expedition food; all travel, maps, accomodation, teaching and eqpt fees for trips are inclusive.

Funding available for this course

Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.

Learn more

Lecturers

Millie Chaston

Associate Lecturer - Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning

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Millie is highly qualified, with a breadth of experience in the areas of climbing and mountaineering. Having worked and trained in a range of outdoor adventure contexts, enabling others to experience the outdoor environment through sustainable forms of adventure has become her passion! Her research centres on gender equality in the outdoors, which reflects her wider desire for a field of outdoor adventure education that welcomes everyone.

Dr Mark Leather

Associate Professor - Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

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Mark is an all-rounder in outdoor activities and is known for his research on Forest Schools, Outdoor Learning and Place Based Outdoor Education. He teaches paddling, sailing, hill walking and expeditions. He is an experienced tutor who is internationally known through his publications, research and conference presentations. He draws on previous experience as an Adventure Centre Manager, Sailing Instructor, Head of Science and as Director of a Counsellor in Training program for Camp America summer camp in Connecticut.

Fiona Nicholls

Senior Lecturer

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Fiona, is a qualified teacher and RYA qualified powerboat and senior sailing instructor, BCU Coach Inland kayak and Sea, Mountain Leader and Rock Climbing Instructor; teaching across the programme on the moor, crag and sea. She brings infectious enthusiasm as well as a wide networks of contacts from many years managing Plymouth City Council’s outdoor education provision before joining team Marjon.

Hamish Wilson

Technician and Instructor

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Hamish is our legendary (according to the students) instructor and technician, he is a great source of technical knowledge and advice. Fortunately, he is also outstanding at fixing broken equipment! Hamish is always on hand to support students wishing to borrow equipment to go off on their own adventures.


Frequently asked questions

Q1   Are there exams?

There are no exams. This course is 100% coursework with each module typically having two pieces of assessed work.

Q2   What professional awards will I earn?

You get the opportunity to gain your Summer Mountain Leader Training Award and British Canoeing Paddlesport Awards, Royal Yachting Association, powerboating and climbing wall awards are also built into the teaching. This is not an instructor training course that guarantees multiple qualifications.

Q3   Who teaches on the residential trips?

Members of our teaching team accompany you on all fieldwork, including residentials, to maximise all opportunities for high quality outdoor education and to ensure that fieldwork learning is fully integrated with the rest of the teaching.

Q4   How big is the class?

The average class is 24 like-minded adventurous students per year. You'll split into smaller working groups for practical fieldwork activities.

Q5   What's the timetable?

The timetable is shared at the start of each semester to enable you plan for study and other commitments, including part-time work or caring commitments. You can expect to be on campus for between 3 and 4 days per week and most weeks you will go off campus for exploring and learning experiences too.

Q6   Are there international trips?

We don't include an international trip within the course to avoid extra costs for students, but there are extra-curricular opportunities for international experiences. These include a popular annual sport climbing trip to Spain, adventures and work placements across our international networks and a Camp America (for which a bursary is available).

More information

"I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with Marjon students and teachers for the last 15 years. Marjon students always impress me with the quality and depth of their underpinning knowledge, their wide terms of reference within and outside their chosen field of study and their enthusiasm for learning. The quality of the students seems to me a direct reflection of the quality of teaching and the learning environment."

Orlando Rutter, Senior Learning and Outreach Officer at Dartmoor National Park.

To see more of what you could be doing have a look at:

Outdoor Adventure student rock climbing
Outdoor education students under waterfall

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