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Introduction

The BA Outdoor Adventure Education programme is designed to provide an academically rigorous and vocationally relevant degree.

Principally, the programme is designed to integrate the practical and vocational skills necessary to work in the outdoor sector with strong academic understanding and appreciation of broader principles relating to fields of pedagogy, psychology, sociology, wellbeing and philosophy.

Whilst the programme provides an ideal foundation for work within the field of outdoor adventure, it has also proven highly suitable for a range of other employment roles that are emerging within health, education and physical activity more generally.

PATHWAY OPTIONS

BA Outdoor Adventure Education
UCAS Code: 3L2N

CertHE Outdoor Adventure Education
UCAS Code: OAE6

Location

Carmarthen

Course Length

Full-time 3 Years

Why choose this course?

• UWTSD Carmarthen is uniquely placed in terms of access to a range of world-class activity locations.

• The programme benefits from its own specialist facility for Outdoor Adventure provision: Cynefin.

• The course has a long and rich grounding in teamwork and collective endeavour.

• There are numerous opportunities to meet potential employers and other influential practitioners within the field.

• There are a number of expeditions and overnight activities which require students to work together in demanding and at times hostile situations.

Overview

UWTSD Carmarthen is uniquely placed in terms of access to a range of world-class activity locations, such as the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

These areas offer some of the best sea kayaking, coasteering, mountain biking and rock climbing in the world. We are also extremely well placed for hill walking, caving, white-water kayaking and woodland based activities.

The programme benefits from its own specialist facility for Outdoor Adventure provision: Cynefin. This dedicated space offers fantastic opportunities to further develop the programme with enhanced access to resources, improved teaching spaces and on-site facilities that further promote the key objective of integrating theory and practice.

The programme team aim to create an inclusive environment where all staff and learners feel safe, valued, respected and are able to fulfil their potential.

The programme is structured to allow students to engage in seasonal work.

Modules

Year One – Level 4 (CertHE and BA)

• Adventure a Risk Worth Taking (20 credits; compulsory)
• Contemporary Challenges: Making a Difference (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Ecology of Adventure (20 credits; compulsory)
• Facilitating Adventurous Activities (20 credits; compulsory)
• Learning in the Digital Era (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• The Great Outdoors (20 credits; compulsory).
• Theoretical Issues in Outdoor Pursuits (20 credits; available to Hobart Williams Smith Summer School students only)

Year Two – Level 5 (BA)

• Developing your Professional Profile (Placement; CM)
• Research in Health, Exercise and Physical Education (20 credits; CM)
• Discovering Outdoor Lifestyles (20 credits; optional)
• Foundations for High Quality Physical and Outdoor Learning (20 credits; optional)
• Psychology of Personal Adventure (20 credits; compulsory)
• Sustainable Journeys (20 credits; compulsory)
• Understanding Adventure Leadership (20 credits; compulsory).

Year Three – Level 6 (BA)

• Coaching Pedagogy (20 credits; optional)
• Critical Incidents in Adventurous Activities (20 credits; compulsory)
• Curriculum Adventure (20 credits; optional)
• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Landscape and Sustainable Recreation (20 credits; compulsory)
• Perspectives on Outdoor Education (20 credits; compulsory).

Entry Criteria


96 UCAS points or subject to interview. We also welcome applications from mature students (21 or over) with relevant outdoor experience.

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.

Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview


Assessment

The aim of the assessments are to enable students to demonstrate that they have met the aims of the programme and achieved the learning outcomes of each module.

Given the practical nature of the programme, assessments are devised to maximise the link between theory and practice and allow students to demonstrate intellectual rigour and to reflect critically on their own experiences.

A variety of formats are used for coursework and practical assessments, including:

• Portfolios
• Practical teaching/coaching
• Essays
• Journals
• Presentations
• Digital Media
• Blogs
• Academic interviews.

Career Opportunities

There are numerous opportunities for students to gain experience of different employment roles within the sector.

There are close ties between the programme and the relevant professional and governing bodies, with a number of strong partnerships with local businesses and third-sector organisations. As such, students are well placed to relate their studies with the wider communities of practice.

The programme includes opportunities for students to gain a number of governing body awards at different levels, in a range of activities. These awards require students to register with the relevant governing bodies and to maintain logbooks of experience.

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