Further & Higher Education
Further Education. It has been possible for a number of years to take an award in Leisure Studies which specialises in outdoor recreation. It is now possible to follow a similar course with an outdoor education option. Colleges to consider include Bicton, Norfolk, West Cumbria, Amersham and West Sussex Colleges of Further Education.
These courses will often give you the chance to gain governing body awards as well. They will also include extended placements to help you practice your skills.
Higher Education
Degrees are available in Recreation Management (with an outdoor focus), Outdoor Education for teachers (BEd), Outdoor Education for youth workers (this offers a diploma that can lead to a degree) and general degrees in Outdoor and Environmental Studies which do not tie you to a particular profession.
Universities working in these areas include Sheffield Hallam, University of Derby, Lancaster, Heriot Watt, Exeter, I.M. Marsh in Liverpool, Strathclyde and Carnegie. They often prefer mature students as some work and life experience is a major asset.
A selected list is given in the appendix of useful organisations. However, unless you are sure of the profession you wish to follow, a wider range of degrees can form an excellent foundation for a career in OE. Consider any Environmental Science, Psychology or a teaching degree in another specialism eg PE or Science or the Humanities.
Several professions other than teaching and youth work can make use of the outdoors. There is a growing interest amongst the Probation and Prison Services, Social Work and Mental Health Workers. Consider a professional training in one of these fields before specialising in OE with a post graduate course.
Beware of degrees that mention an outdoor pursuits module as part of the course but not as a specialist subject. They are excellent as a taster and for personal development but do not give you a professional qualification in OE.
Post graduate qualifications are available in Outdoor Education (eg PGCE, Bangor University; Masters, Heriot Watt; Advanced Certificate, Lancaster University) and Recreation Management (eg Masters, Heriot Watt). Shorter ten week courses are also available at the National Mountain Centre in North Wales. These courses are suitable for further professional development within the field or for people taking a sideways step into a new area.
Overseas. A number of people have been attracted by the opportunity to take a masters degree in Outdoor Education in the USA. This is certainly worth a look if you wish to broaden your experience with the perspective of a different country. Americans are very articulate about the learning process and have developed expertise in different fields to the UK eg wilderness travel and therapeutic outdoor work. Contact the Association for Experiential Education for help. 'Outdoor Education' tends to mean 'Environmental Education' in North America. Look for Adventure or Experiential Education courses if this does not suit you. A number of higher degree courses in OE exist in Australia as well. You will need to consider funding and visa arrangements carefully. Vocational Training. New awards are appearing called National Vocational Qualifications. They can be gained on the job and can be very flexible in approach. They are based on work based assessment rather than exams or tests. Awards exist for Outdoor Education, Facility Management and Training and Development. The latter two are progressive leading to a high level of professional standing. The last can lead to a masters level qualification. The awards are especially useful for people who have gained experience through work but never gone to college. They can also form a natural and easy pathway from one professional field to another eg from teaching into training. An advantage of NVQ's is that they are accepted as professional qualifications throughout the European Community.
Short Courses.
Many training organisations offer short courses in a wide range of topics related to our field. Those that offer courses specifically about the outdoors are listed below. Other topics that can extend your skills in useful ways include Counselling, Management, Care Work and the Creative Arts. Outdoor Education is, above all, an approach to learning and so many skills can extend your scope into new markets or activities. The limit is your imagination. It is not a structured career but it can be a very rewarding and constantly changing one.