Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) - Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies (with Integrated Foundation Year)

Course Overview

The course focuses on incorporating adventurous lifestyles that are socially and environmentally sensitive to address the ecological and cultural challenges of our times. Using your outdoor skills you will learn about environmental, ecological, and geographical processes that shape outdoor places. You will explore how outdoor experiences can be used to benefit health and wellbeing, with the opportunity to visit and be involved in projects in partnership with work-based activities both in outdoor and environmental contexts.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Ambleside, Carlisle - Fusehill Street
• Institute: Institute of Science and Environment
• UCAS Code: X400
• Delivery Style: In Person
• Course Duration: Full-time: 4 Years
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BSc (Hons)

Minimum Entry Requirements

• 48 UCAS Tariff points

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 - UK (2025-2026)
• £14,900 - International (2025-2026)

What Our Students Say

• "I chose this course because it was different – it didn’t seem like studying. Everything you learn is done in such a creative way." - Chloe Price, Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies

Related Courses

• BSc (Hons) - Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies
• BA (Hons) - Outdoor Leadership

Course Structure

What You Will Learn

In the context of this degree, environment has a broad meaning, for example: built, outdoor, indoor, ecological, geological, geographical, social, political, and historical as well as perceived, individual and emotional.

Year One

• Essential University Skills 1
• Essential Biology
• Scientific Investigation
• Essential University Skills 2
• Environmental Sciences
• Dynamic Earth

Year Two

• Ecological Knowledge, Interactions and Change
• Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Water)
• Exploring Lake District Landscapes
• Living and Working in Groups Outdoors
• Outdoor Professional Development
• The Earth System

Year Three

• Habitats and Ecosystem
• Outdoor Living Learning and Adventure
• European Mountains: Ecology, Culture and Tourism (domestic travel when restricted by Covid regulations)
• Health and Wellbeing and Environmental Health
• Research Design
• Catchments: Summit to Sea (Optional)
• Traditional and Innovative Approaches to Outdoor Education (Optional)
• Exploring Coastal Environments (Optional)

Year Four

• Dissertation
• Contemporary Global Conservation
• Adventure and Environmental Ethics
• Cold Environments (The Cryosphere) (Optional)
• Outdoor and Environmental Education (Optional)
• Therapeutic Opportunities (Optional)

Teaching & Assessment

How You Will Learn

During your studies, you will benefit from a variety of teaching and learning methods. You will be supported to develop your own informed understanding in lectures, seminars, practicals, ‘real-time’ projects, adventures and challenges, all with regular first-hand experience outdoors.

How You Will Be Assessed

Assessments will take place throughout each year to support the development of academic and employability skills.

Entry Requirements

• 48 UCAS tariff points
• Potential to succeed can be measured in a number of ways including academic qualifications and skills obtained outside academic study such as work experience.

Qualifications

• A-levels: A
• T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted for entry to this course
• Access to HE: 45 Credits at Pass
• CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: D
• OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: PPP
• Scottish Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points
• Irish LC Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points
• Other experience: Pearson Level 3 National Diploma MP

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.

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.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 - UK (2025-2026)
• £14,900 - International (2025-2026)

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.

Funding

The tuition fees for the integrated foundation year are as stated. All subsequent years will be at the standard fee rate for the programme.

Additional Costs

• Books: £50 - £100 per year
• Stationery: £30 - £40 per year
• Clothing and Equipment: weatherproof items, rucksack, thermal flask, lunchbox, etc.

Location

• Ambleside Campus
• Carlisle - Fusehill Street Campus