Outdoor Education

Postgraduate Certificate in Outdoor Education

PG-COE

'What can I say—thanks for a truly inspirational year'
—Postgraduate student 2005-6

This certificate offers a three-course introduction to outdoor education. On completion, students will have a sound, basic understanding of the theory and practice of outdoor experiential education and its use in 'outdoor adventure activities', 'environmental education' and 'personal and social development'.

The programme is likely to attract outdoor educators, environmental educators, rangers, youth workers, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) employees, recreationists, and individuals who want to consider their own personal and professional approach to using the outdoors in an educational context.

As the three courses are delivered in five-day blocks, the Postgraduate Certificate may be particularly attractive to educators who want to keep working (and who perhaps live some distance from Edinburgh) while they study part-time.

Academic Courses

  1. Outdoor Environmental Education: Concept-Based Practice
  2. Personal and Social Outdoor Education
  3. Professional Practice and Experiential Learning

Assessment

Each course entails submitting a 4000 word assignment or equivalent.

Professional Development Programme

There is no required Professional Development Programme. However, students are encouraged to take some of the following week-long skill courses at additional cost: open-canoeing, rock climbing, inland kayaking, summer hill-walking, winter mountaineering, orienteering.

Progression diagram for the Postgraduate Certificate in Outdoor Education

Diagram 1

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.

It is possible to take any of the academic courses without applying for the Postgraduate Certificate. Taking one course as a 'taster' may suit those who are not sure if this programme is for them and/or for those with no academic qualifications.

Cost

Please contact the Postgraduate Office for information on fees.

Duration

Part-time, 12-24 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