Postgraduate Certificate in Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education

PGCOESE

This certificate offers a three-course introduction to Outdoor Environmental & Sustainability Education. On completion students will have a sound understanding of the interconnection between nature and culture, the values associated with such a relationship, and the role of experiential outdoor education in considering these values.

The postgraduate certificate is the first of its kind and offers opportunities for staff already working in the outdoors to review their practice, as well as providing an opportunity for new entrants to the sector to specialise in outdoor environmental education.

Academic courses have a practical focus and are taught from our Edinburgh base as well as our residential outdoor centre in the Cairngorms National Park and on the Island of Rùm (National Nature Reserve) in the Western Isles of Scotland.

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

Outdoor Environmental Education: Concept-based Practice
Interpreting the Landscape
Ecology and Field Studies

Assessment

Each course is assessed by a 4000 word assignment or equivalent.

Professional Development Programme

There is no required Professional Development Programme. However, students are encouraged to take one or both of the OESE week-long, practical courses (at additional cost).

Progression diagram for the Postgraduate Certificate in Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability 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.