MSc in Personal and Social Outdoor Education
We are now accepting applications for this new Master's degree pathway, the first of its kind in the sector. The MSc in Personal and Social Outdoor Education (PSOE) comprises the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Outdoor Education plus the Dissertation.
The Dissertation is a major study demanding of the course member a high level of individual application and commitment to research and enquiry. It provides the course member with the opportunity to identify, reflect on and explore a topic that has implications for his/her own professional development. The Dissertation will involve a critical interrogation of the relationship between professional practice, academic theory and the design, ethics and interpretation of research.
Titles of current and recently completed MScs
Academic courses
- Personal and Social Outdoor Education
- Professional Practice and Experiential Learning
- Community Building and the Social Context of Outdoor Education
- Outdoor Environmental Education: Concept-based Practice
- Working with Young People
- Research Methods
Assessment
Progression to the Dissertation stage is dependent on successfully meeting the Postgraduate Diploma's academic and practical requirements (six academic courses and the PDP) and satisfactorily completing a 5000 word Dissertation proposal. The Masters Dissertation is 15,000-20,000 words.
Professional Development Programme
- Three week-long outdoor activity courses: open-canoeing, rock climbing, inland kayaking, summer hill-walking, winter mountaineering, orienteering
- A five-week professional placement
- A two-day specialist outdoor first aid course
- A 14-16 day expedition
Progression diagram for the MSc in Personal and Social Outdoor Education
These three Postgraduate Certificate in PSOE courses:
Plus the following three courses:
Plus the Professional Development Programme:
Plus the Dissertation:
Admission requirements
Applicants for our postgraduate programmes normally hold an undergraduate university degree or equivalent professional qualification. Those who do not hold first degrees but whose employment or other educational experience provides evidence of intellectual and professional ability of an equivalent standard are also encouraged to apply.
Cost
Please contact the Postgraduate Office for information on fees.
Duration
Full-time (12-15 months) or part-time (up to 72 months).
Application procedure and deadline
Applications should be submitted as early as possible because places are limited. For general information and application forms the main point of contact is:
College of Humanities and Social Science
Postgraduate Office—Education
Room 1.11, First Floor, David Hume Tower
George Square
Edinburgh, EH8 9JX
email: linda.danczyszak@ed.ac.uk
tel: 0044 (0)131 650 3571
fax: 0044 (0)131 650 6536
Please direct any informal enquiries about this postgraduate programme to Dr Robbie Nicol.
Helpful links and downloads
- Personal statement form as a pdf document
- Application form
- More information on entry requirements
- General FAQ
- Sample schedule (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3)
- Additional information on the Dissertation
- Our two Outdoor Centres, Woodlands and Firbush
- More information on fees
- The International Office for non-EU students
- Diagram showing the variety of jobs found by our graduates
- Explore the city of Edinburgh
