Postgraduate Certificate in Personal and Social Outdoor Education

Snow Walk

We are now accepting applications for this new pathway, the first of its kind in the sector. This pathway has been specifically designed to cater to practitioners who are working (or intend to work) in outdoor education programmes that have participants' personal and social development as their principal goal.

Postgraduate Certificate level study is ideal for students who have some practical or work experience in the outdoors or related area but limited theoretical knowledge. The programme is designed to provide a theoretical basis for gaining an understanding of the field and developing professional practice. Most 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.

Academic Courses

Personal and Social Outdoor Education
Professional Practice and Experiential Learning
Community Building and the Social Context of Outdoor Education

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 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 Personal and Social 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.