Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Outdoor Leadership

Course Overview

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

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Ambleside
• Institute: Institute of Science and Environment
• UCAS Code: NX23
• Delivery Style: In Person
• Course Duration: Full-time: 3 Years
• Study Options: Integrated Foundation Year
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BA (Hons)

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

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) Outdoor Leadership (with Integrated Foundation Year)
• BSc (Hons) Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies

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.

Year One

• Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Water)
• Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Land)
• Living and Working in Groups Outdoors
• Outdoor Professional Development
• Physiology and Psychology for the Outdoor Leader
• Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 1

Year Two

• Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 2
• Psychological Applications in Outdoor Contexts
• Coaching Individuals and Groups
• Evaluating Outdoor Leadership
• Research Design
• Traditional and Innovative Approaches to Outdoor Education (Optional)
• Sustainable Outdoor Event Management (Optional)
• Health, Wellbeing and Environmental Health (Optional)

Year Three

• Dissertation
• Coaching and Facilitation in Outdoor Environments
• Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 3
• Commerce and Employment in the Outdoor Sector (Optional)
• Outdoor and Environmental Education (Optional)
• Therapeutic Opportunities (Optional)

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.

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.

Entry Requirements

• 104-120 UCAS tariff points
• 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
• CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: B
• OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM - DDM
• Scottish Highers: BBBC - AABB
• Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – A2, B1x3

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• 2025 - 2026: £9,535 (UK), £14,900 (International)
• 2024 - 2025: £9,250 (UK), £13,575 (International)

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.

Additional Costs

• Books: £50 - £100 per year
• Stationery: £30 - £40 per year
• Clothing and Equipment: weatherproof items, sturdy walking boots, rucksack, etc.