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Outdoor and Experiential Learning (Top-up) at University of Cumbria - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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University of Cumbria has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

7Dec
Brampton Road Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

You have a passion for the outdoors and a desire to share it with others. Studying our outdoor and experiential learning top-up course will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and experience in outdoor education whilst enjoying great facilities at our Lake District campus. This course is designed for you if you have a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in outdoor education, or similar. And it's perfect if you haven’t got a firm career path in mind. Course Overview If you’re an adventure-lover seeking a career in the outdoors, and have completed a related foundation degree or HND, then what better place to study outdoor and experiential learning than within 912 square miles of the iconic Lake District National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From your unrivalled base in Ambleside, you’ll have more than 150 lofty peaks, 16 lakes and an abundance of rivers – quite literally a classroom on your doorstep. And you’ll use it often, because we don’t separate practical experience from academic knowledge – it is integral to it – so you’ll always back up your theoretical knowledge with real-life scenarios. On this course you will...

  • Be able to work with a range of groups in order to further develop your facilitation skills.
  • Be able to undertake a personal research project on a subject of your choice which will help you in your future career aspirations.
  • Have access to a range of outdoor equipment that you can utilise in your free time to further develop your technical skills.
  • Be part of a larger community of students and share some modules which will help with your networking and opportunity to make the most of your time in Cumbria.
What you will learn If you have a foundation degree or HND in outdoor adventure or a related subject, you may be wondering how you can put your knowledge towards starting a career. That’s where our top-up course in Outdoor and Experiential Learning comes in. We’ll help you focus towards using your skills to get a job, underpinning theoretical concepts with a practical element to show you how Outdoor and Experiential Learning can be applied in a vocational setting. You’ll gain creative skills, confidence and the interpersonal skills needed to be a highly desired employee. Year One All of our modules are designed to give you the knowledge and skills you need to work in the outdoors as an educator. Additionally, many of the attributes gained through our programme are also essential to a wide variety of career pathways, broadening your horizons and enhancing your employability. You will examine the traditions, training and expectations of the UK's iconic outdoor education practices, from adventure activities to environmental sciences and have the opportunity to study international perspectives from a variety of regions of the world. The dissertation process gives you the flexibility to choose and research an area you are interested in and you will be allocated a supervisor who has an in-depth understanding of your chosen topic.
  • Outdoor Experiential Education: Theory and Practice
  • Outdoor Education Contexts
  • Bridging the Gap: Research Skills
  • Dissertation
Optional Modules
  • International Applications of Outdoor Education
  • Leadership in Complex Skill Environments
  • Therapeutic Experiences in the Outdoors
  • Participant Coaching in Outdoor Activities

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
X391
Institution code:
C99
Campus name:
Ambleside
Campus code:
A

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma in a relevant subject

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £9250* Year 1
England £9250* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250* Year 1
Scotland £9250* Year 1
Wales £9250* Year 1
International £13575 Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/studentfinance for more information about student fees and finance, and for details about our alumni discount.
Outdoor and Experiential Learning (Top-up) at University of Cumbria - UCAS