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Outdoor Education

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MSc Outdoor Education - 15 Months (Full-time)

MSc Outdoor Education (ICL) - 2-6 Years (Part-time Intermittent Study)

PgCert Outdoor Education (ICL) 1-2 Years (Part-time Intermittent Study)

PgDip Outdoor Education - 1 Year (Full-time)

PgDip Outdoor Education (ICL) 1-4 Years (Part-time Intermittent Study)

Information on fees & costs

Individual programme fees are linked above. For detailed information on fee status, policies, payment and funding opportunities see:

Part-time intermittent study is available for this programme: you can pay on a course-by-course basis rather than pay for a complete programme at the outset. If you were to pay for a full programme at 2012/13 rates, the fees would be as follows: MSc: UK/EU students £5,750; international students £13,050 PgDip: UK/EU students £3,835; international students £8,700 PgCert: UK/EU students £1,920; international students £4,350 As fees change each year, the length of time you take to complete your programme will affect the total cost.

Contact information: Postgraduate Admissions
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 6678
Email: educationpg@ed.ac.ukuk; Dr Simon Beames (Programme Director)
Phone: +44 (0)131 651 6093
Email: outdoored@ed.ac.uk; Address: Moray House School of Education
Old Moray House
Edinburgh
EH8 8AQ

For the past 40 years, the Postgraduate Diploma in Outdoor Education has been the world’s foremost graduate training programme in the field, providing a broad base for a professional career in outdoor education.

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent is required, as well as outdoor education experience. Alternatively, you may be considered on the basis of employment or relevant experience.

International students

All applicants must meet our general entry and language requirements. Detailed advice for international students is available here:

Programme description

This challenging programme offers comprehensive coverage of the theory involved, along with more detailed study and practical professional development activities, such as rock climbing, a teaching placement and an expedition.

You will split your time between our Edinburgh base and our residential outdoor centres in the highlands and islands of Scotland, gaining practical experience in the field that will develop the skills, knowledge, understanding and judgement you need to guide and conduct groups safely on a range of outdoor ventures.

Programme structure

Your learning will take the form of lectures and seminars, as well as residential and non-residential practical exercises. For the MSc you will complete two compulsory courses and four optional courses including options from other Schools in the University. You will also produce an independently researched dissertation.

Compulsory courses

Outdoor Environmental Education Personal and Social Development and Outdoor Education
Professional Practice and Experiential Learning
Social Theory and Outdoor Education
Interpreting the Landscape
Ecology and Field Studies

Professional Development Programme

For the MSc and the PgDip you will complete five outdoor activity courses (30 days total), a four-week professional placement, a three-day specialist outdoor first aid course, and a 14–16 day expedition.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates have been employed throughout the world in all aspects of the sector, such as residential outdoor education centres, organisations working with youth at risk, management development, and schools, colleges, and university outdoor education programmes.

While the programme does not offer a formal teaching qualification, recent graduates have been successful in gaining accreditation by the General Teaching Council of Scotland to teach Outdoor Education in schools.

In addition, you will develop highly transferable skills, such as communication and project management, which can be applied in any field.

Funding

Please see Scholarships and Student Funding Services for information about funding opportunities:

Scholarships and Student Funding Services

Further Information

This article was published on Apr 25, 2013