Adventure Education BA/BSc
Study of how to design, lead and facilitate meaningful adventures and learning experiences outdoors.
Is this for you?
This degree could suit you if you:
Love outdoor activities and adventure sports
Enjoy working with people
Want a career in education or coaching
Are interested in personal development
Like practical, active learning
Popular Career Fields
Outdoor & Experiential Education
Sports & Recreation
Tourism & Leisure
Youth & Community Work
Your Personality Might Be:
Leadership qualities
Sports & Recreation
Empathy and patience
Adventurous spirit
What is it?
What is an Adventure Education degree?
Adventure Education combines the study of outdoor activities, learning theory, and leadership. You’ll explore how activities like hiking, kayaking, climbing or wilderness travel can become powerful learning environments for individuals and groups.
Why study Adventure Education?
This degree is ideal if you love being outdoors, enjoy challenging experiences and want to help others grow through adventure. It offers a mix of practical skills, educational theory and leadership opportunities in dynamic settings.
Course Summary
Study of how to design, lead and facilitate meaningful adventures and learning experiences outdoors.
What you'll study
Most Adventure Education degrees include:
Principles of learning in outdoor and adventurous settings
Risk management, safety and expedition planning
Outdoor activity skills (land, water or mixed environments)
Leadership, coaching and facilitation in nature
Psychology, wellbeing and human-case studies in adventure contexts
Environmental awareness, sustainability and place-based learning
Project work or expedition planning
In later years you might specialise in areas such as: outdoor leadership, therapeutic adventure, expedition management, or curriculum-based outdoor learning.
Skills You'll Gain
An Adventure Education degree builds both practical and professional skills, including:
Outdoor Leadership – leading groups safely and confidently in outdoor and adventure environments.
Risk Assessment – evaluating and managing safety risks in dynamic, outdoor settings.
Experiential Teaching – using outdoor activities to support learning, development, and teamwork.
Activity Facilitation – planning and delivering outdoor sessions such as climbing, kayaking, or navigation.
Environmental Awareness – understanding ecosystems, conservation, and responsible outdoor practice.
Explore Uni Open Days
Pathways, Placements and Work Experience
CAREERS
Career Pathways
Outdoor & adventure sector
Education & youth development
Aventure therapy & wellbeing
Community & charity sectors
Environment & conservation work
Management, leadership & business
Work Experiences & Placements
Many universities offer:
Industry placements or sandwich years with outdoor education providers, adventure tourism companies or schools.
Residential modules, overseas trips or live projects with groups in outdoor settings.
These opportunities help you gain hands-on experience, build confidence and network in the adventure education sector.
Salary Profile
Coming soon
Qualifications, Personal Satement, What to do Next?
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Entry Requirements
A-levels or equivalent. Most universities accept a broad range of subjects. PE/Sport, Geography, Biology, Psychology, or Education are beneficial.
Personal Statement Tips
Show your passion for the outdoors, adventure and helping others learn.
Mention any outdoor experience, leadership, volunteering or travel.
Reflect on how you want to use adventure education to make a difference (e.g., for wellbeing, inclusion, environment).
Provide concrete examples: expeditions, outdoor clubs, certifications (e.g., kayaking, climbing), or design of an activity.
What to do Next
Research courses to see how many practical/residential opportunities and what areas of outdoor learning they emphasise.
Visit open days or attend virtual sessions to view outdoor facilities and talk to staff.
Get involved in outdoor leadership, club activities or volunteering to build your experience.
Refresh or build skills in navigation, first aid, outdoor activity leadership and environmental awareness.
Wider Reading
Adventure Education: Theory and Applications by Simon Priest and Michele Gass – Insight into how adventure learning works.
Nature-Based Learning Across the Curriculum: Practical Ways to Integrate Outdoor Experiences by Robert Dillon – Ideas for outdoor learning design.
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative by Florence Williams – How time outdoors affects wellbeing.
Outdoor Learning and Forest School: A Practical Guide by Kris Oppenheimer – Practical techniques for outdoor facilitators and leaders.