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BA (Hons) - Outdoor Leadership

Take your passion for the outdoors and turn it into a rewarding and fulfilling career. Whether you want to work as an outdoor leader, adventure sport coach or in outdoor education, acquire the skills and knowledge to give you the tools to kick start your career.

You will learn from academics with a great passion for the outdoors. They will not only inspire and upskill you but also guide you to become the best leader possible. Along the way, you will gain transferable skills such as confidence and communication, mastering the art of safely experiencing and teaching adventurous land and water-based activities.

Enhance your theoretical knowledge with engaging practical sessions, including activities such as kayaking and mountaineering. Set in the inspiring landscapes of the Lake District and beyond, these hands-on experiences provide valuable skills and lasting insights that will enrich your academic and personal development.

Harness the power of Cumbria’s robust industry connections to cultivate a network of like-minded individuals and employers. This network opens doors to valuable work experience and enticing career prospects, propelling you into an exciting journey of adventure and opportunity.

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Course Overview

You’ll develop outdoor and leadership skills, as well as knowledge and experience working with people in challenging environments. You will have access to all our great facilities, gaining all the skills you need to work in the outdoor sector. There will be plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy exciting field trips in a range of locations which may include the Scottish Highlands, North Wales and the Spanish Pyrenees.

Our outdoor leadership degree is taught at our Ambleside campus which is based in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District National Park. You’ll live and study surrounded by breathtaking mountains and beautiful lakes – an unrivalled location for pursuing your degree in outdoor education.

This course is designed to integrate theory and practice seamlessly, using a variety of adventurous outdoor activities to enhance your learning. You'll gain valuable experience and skills that support your progression towards National Governing Body Awards (NGBAs)—widely recognised qualifications in outdoor leadership and instruction.

On this course you will...

Benefit from the outdoor experience that's at the heart of this course with theory backed up by practice.
Improve your competencies in mountaineering, climbing, caving and paddling.
Explore the Cumbrian outdoors while developing academic, critical-thinking and valuable life skills.
Learn to successfully lead people with the most up-to-date and best practice coaching.
Gain valuable commercial and entrepreneurial skills – enhancing your employability.

Apply via UCAS

Book an Open Day

Ambleside All

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationAmbleside
Institute Institute of Science and Environment
UCAS CodeNX23
Mode of DeliveryFace to face, blended learning
Course DurationFull-time: 3 Years
Study Options Integrated Foundation Year
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardBA (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysAmbleside
All

Minimum entry requirements

104-120

UCAS Tariff points

UK Tuition fees

£9,535

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790

Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000

Entry in academic year 2026/27

Tuition Fees Policy

What our students say

It seemed like the perfect place for me situated in the heart of the mountains. With an abundance of natural surroundings and choice for where to go on an adventure, why wouldn't you choose to study here?

Opal Goldring, Outdoor Leadership

After reading about the University of Cumbria in an inspiring autobiography, Opal made the move from South Africa to Ambleside.

Opal Goldring

Course Structure

What you will learn

You’ll have an outdoor classroom quite literally on your doorstep – with more than 150 lofty peaks, 16 lakes and an abundance of rivers. So, there are ample opportunities to learn all the academic knowledge and practical skills you need to kick-start your career as an outdoor leader.

We don’t just teach you the theory, you’ll get on with it in practice so you become a proactive and confident problem-solver able to make sound professional judgements and decisions.

So, if you have the desire to operate effectively and lead in challenging environments, then our uniquely-located course will provide everything you need to succeed. Experience-gaining and skill development sit at the centre of all our modules.

Year one

You'll explore the relationships between environmental, cultural and personal space in various outdoor settings. Plus, you'll develop your core skills in climbing, mountaineering and paddling.

Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Water)
This module will provide you with a foundational understanding of and capability in, a range of key water activities areas that underpin the wider programme. You will also explore the nature of adventure and adventurous experiences both conceptually and in practice.
Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Land)
You will experience and reflect upon a range of contrasting approaches designed to develop skill across a number of land-based activity contexts. Theoretical teaching will introduce you to some core principles of skill development that underpin the approaches used in practical sessions.
Living and Working in Groups Outdoors
Develop a range of outdoor activities (e.g. overnight journeys, participating in an environmental task, urban exploration, solo) where the students will have the opportunity to reflect on their part in working with “others”. Students will share their own experiences to develop broader perspective.
Outdoor Professional Development
Explores concepts of outdoor learning and examples in practice within historical and contemporary work-based settings. Students will visit a variety of outdoor professionals in order to learn what are necessary fundamental skills and knowledge expected by employers across a range of contexts.
Physiology and Psychology for the Outdoor Leader
Gain fundamental skills and knowledge of human performance that underpin a healthy lifestyle and safe optimal performance in the outdoor environment. Students will be encouraged to consider the implications of physical and psychological fitness for themselves and those they lead or manage.
Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 1
History and philosophy of the outdoor sector, particularly as it relates to the role of outdoor leadership. Students will understand the contemporary outdoor sector and occupations within it, whilst developing their own abilities in leadership to design, implement and evaluate an outdoor session.

Year two

Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 2
Prepare and evaluate a self-organised research expedition to mainland Europe. The module will enable students to evaluate and apply sustainable travel options and relate them to expedition organisation and climate smart outdoor adventures. Leadership models for outdoor activity are incorporated.
Psychological Applications in Outdoor Contexts
The aim of this module is to develop understanding of the key concepts drawn from contemporary psychological theories and to enable students to apply these to the leadership of individuals and groups in a range of potentially challenging outdoor environments.
Coaching Individuals and Groups
Provide students with the knowledge and understanding of the current theoretical basis of coaching. This relates to work with both individuals and groups and specifically to the coaching of outdoor skills and the management of groups in practical skill and development training settings.
Evaluating Outdoor Leadership
Leadership has been a central topic in UK Outdoor Education since its origins. This module prepares students to develop critical thinking skills within the theme of outdoor leadership and to develop understanding of contemporary views of outdoor leadership.
Research Design
This module will enable you to explore the process of designing, executing and reporting an independent research project, and develops from your understanding of techniques developed earlier into developing methodologies and the research method. Cultinates in student-led fieldwork.
Traditional and Innovative Approaches to Outdoor Education (Optional)
Considers the nature and value of different approaches to outdoor learning. A range of educational approaches will be experienced and examined with reference to pedagogies such as adventurous learning, place-based, expedition based or environmental contexts in outdoor learning.
Sustainable Outdoor Event Management (Optional)
Practical experience in sustainable outdoor event management. Enables students to design, research, plan, deliver, and evaluate an original event project. The planning, organisation, and delivery of the event will be led by the students, mentored by a tutor and delivered to external clients.
Health, Wellbeing and Environmental Health (Optional)
The aims of this module are to enable students to explore and examine relationships between ecological, social and personal health and well-being in varied environmental settings. Extent they add to people’s personal stories of health and well-being will be examined using different approaches.

Year three

You have the flexibility to shape your degree according to your own interests and career goals. This will be enhanced further when you get to conduct your own research for a final year dissertation within the broad field of outdoor leadership.

Dissertation
An opportunity to undertake an independent piece of in-depth research into a topic of your choice that is related to the fields of outdoor learning, leading and coaching. You'll develop your research skills and gain valuable experience in project management and research dissemination.
Coaching and Facilitation in Outdoor Environments
Students will develop the ability to develop and facilitate other learners acquiring skill at different rates and levels showing differentiation in a range of adventure based outdoor activities.
Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 3
The module will critique the emphasis given to the various outcomes of different outdoor programmes and the role of the outdoor leader as the facilitator of learning, development, reflection and experience.
Commerce and Employment in the Outdoor Sector (Optional)
The aims of the module are to develop students’ understanding of the outdoor sector in terms of the range of employment opportunities and to foster the relevant skills, knowledge and insights required to progress within it whilst being able to adapt to change.
Outdoor and Environmental Education (Optional)
To develop a critical understanding of outdoor and environmental education theory and practice in formal and non-formal educational settings.
Therapeutic Opportunities (Optional)
Students will experience a range of nature-based interventions and will be encouraged to reflect on their own personal therapeutic relationship with nature, as well as design outdoor experience for others with specific therapeutic intentions.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

This is an engaging and applied programme, which has distinct modules in each year that blend theory and practice in order to aid the development of fundamental skills, understanding, knowledge, experience and behaviours needed for work and recreation in a range of outdoor contexts. At the core of the programme, is the notion of working positively with other people in outdoor environments that may occasionally be challenging and potentially hazardous. Therefore, the concept of risk and adventure is explored in line with a risk vs. benefit approach to working in a range of outdoor situations.

The key values that we feel passionate about centre on how students develop a sound and critical understanding of the complexities of practice and research within the field, whilst recognising the requirement to balance technical and interpersonal skills. This is linked to an appreciation of recognised professional standards and how students can develop their abilities and capacity to perform at an appropriate level. This is achieved through a range of leadership, development and coaching opportunities, all of which encourage students to engage with the critical theory and practice in our field. Teaching on the programme is designed to improve the foundational ability of the student to manage and work with adventure, and will develop and improve personal outdoor activity competence that supports students in their chosen outdoor skills and career direction.

How you will be assessed

Assessment methods are designed to provide both a creative and balanced strategy but also a range of engaging and challenging opportunities which include essays, reports, practical tasks, posters projects, portfolios and oral presentations to name a few.

The assignment methods are related specifically to the stated module aims and learning outcomes, and the staff team work hard in the planning phase of programme delivery to ensure all assignments are equitably spread, through the use of the department assessment calendar across all levels. Furthermore, there is an over-arching ethos within the department that assignments are designed to encapsulate the idiom of ‘assessment for learning’ rather than of learning.

A variety of modules are linked directly to employability, and particularly the actual behaviours and capabilities required of a professional outdoor leader. This is exemplified in the Level 6 module, entitled Participant Coaching, whereby students are assessed in coaching their peers, with the specific intention of improving their outdoor performance.

Formative assessment is available in most modules, where students receive specific feedback on their progress this far, without the attempt being graded.

Overview

104-120 UCAS tariff points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table. Offers are tailored to the individual applicant and their circumstances and can be across the tariff range. Applicants who meet our contextual information criteria will be offered at the bottom of the range.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: BBD - BBB

T-levels: M - All subjects are accepted for entry to this course

Access to HE: 30 Credits at Distinction, 6 at Merit and 9 at Pass

Scottish Highers: BBBC - AABB

Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – A2, B1x3

Alternative routes: If you don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our Integrated Foundation Year.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information. 

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.  

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK Tuition fees

£9,535
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790
Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000
Entry in academic year 2026/27

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.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

Stationery, printing and digital storage

Approximately £30 to £40 per year

RequiredPer yearStationery

You should budget for stationery and consumables for personal use. These may include notebooks, pens and pencils, digital storage devices, printing and photocopying. The amount you spend will depend on your study preferences.

Books and journals

Approximately £50 to £300 over the course of your studies

OptionalThroughout the courseBooks and journals

Most core textbooks and journals are available through the University library. You may choose to purchase personal copies of books or other resources used to support your studies.

Some courses recommend particular books or provide an estimated annual budget for purchasing personal copies. Search for your course below for details.

Technology requirements

Cost depends on the equipment and internet service you choose

RequiredThroughout the courseDigital learning and IT

You will need regular access to a laptop or computer capable of accessing the internet and running software such as a word processor and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is provided as part of your studies. You will also need a reliable internet connection. The amount you spend will depend on the equipment and internet service you choose.

Information on borrowing university laptops

Outdoor clothing and footwear for fieldwork

Cost depends on what you already own

RequiredThroughout the courseClothing and uniform

You'll spend a lot of time in the field, so you'll need weatherproof clothing, including a waterproof coat and trousers, sturdy walking boots, a rucksack (ideally with a waterproof cover) and plenty of warm outdoor layers. You may also want a flask and lunchbox for days out in the field.

Stay Focused. Go Far.

Lecturer talking about a topic to students.

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Location
Ambleside Campus
Nestled in the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ambleside campus is the perfect place for world-savers, animal lovers, and adventurers. There is never a dull moment when surrounded by such natural beauty and opportunity.
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BA (Hons) - Outdoor Leadership