BA (Hons) Adventure and Extreme Sports Management (Full Time)

This is an area of study that builds on the University’s existing expertise in extreme sports, outdoor adventure and watersports and reflects the changing nature of leisure experiences in society today. The course incorporates an integral residential field trip, practical National Governing Body (NGB) awards and work-based learning.

The increasing popularity of extreme sports and adventure-based activity provision has been significant over recent years. The course links an understanding of industry provision, social and psychological aspects of adventurous and extreme sports with coaching and management education to enable graduates to operate effectively at senior levels in the industry.

This degree is part of the Outdoor Adventure/Education, Extreme Sports and Watersports programme where there is a shared focus on the nature, supply and demand issues of the industry. Management studies are contextualised through relevant examples and students develop key employability skills.

You will participate in practical adventure and extreme sports activities – such as climbing, dinghy sailing, powerboating and wakeboarding – and study the theory that leads towards NGB qualifications. Students will also be able to take courses at the University RYA training centre at our Warsash campus and join the wide range of extreme and adventure sports clubs available at the University.

Industrial focus

Southampton Solent University has been developing these courses through close liaison with industry for many years. The staff team has a variety of industry-based backgrounds and has been involved in a range of research and consultancy work with organisations such as the RYA, Neilson, Sunsail, Sport England, the Amateur Rowing Association and Hampshire County Council.

Course content

Year 1

Seven core units:

• Financial Planning and Reporting
• Leisure Marketing
• Introduction to Organisational Behaviour in Leisure Services
• Introduction to the Outdoor Adventure Industry
• Event and Activity Safety Operations
• Principles of Outdoor Coaching
• Academic and Employability Skills.

Year 2

Five core units and one option:

• Work Based Professional Studies
• Research Methods for the Leisure Services Industry
• Managing Service Operations
• Adventure and Extreme Sport Experiences
• Coaching in the Outdoor Environment.

Options:

• Financial analysis
• Sport Policy
• Customer Services Marketing and Sales
• Event Organisation
• Curriculum Plus.

Year 3

Three core units and two or three options:

• Project or Literature-based Research (40 or 20 credits)
• Strategy for Business
• Sociology of Adventure and Extreme Sports.

Options:

• Consultancy Project
• Capability for Innovation
• Outdoor Training and Coaching
• Adventure Tourism and Operations.

Why choose Solent

The course team at Solent University has extensive experience in the development and delivery of relevant and contemporary degrees in this field of study.

This degree will give you the opportunity to study on the only course in the UK to offer a focus on extreme and adventure activities as core and combined features of a management degree.

In addition to this, students complete National Governing Body (NGB) awards, work placements and other industry-related experiences, such as a guest speaker events, as core features of the programme. It is the ideal choice for those seeking combined studies incorporating practical management and employability as the key underpinning themes.

• University's RYA Training Centre awarded 'outstanding' by Ofsted.
• The University’s adventurous and extreme sports clubs.
• Vast opportunities for watersports participation in and around the Southampton area.

Assessment

This course offers students a wide variety of assessment opportunities including in-course assignments, practical assessments (NGB awards), essays, reports, debates, posters and oral presentations, and a limited number of end-of-year examinations (depending on choice of options).

Projects/work experience

An integral feature of the degree is a first-year field trip to a residential activity provider to undertake a range of adventurous and extreme sports activities. Off-site visits and evaluation of adventurous and extreme sports experiences also feature in Year 2. There will be a flexible work placement to be completed before the end of Year 2.

Key career skills

Project management, presentation, communication, NGB awards, coaching, IT, group development, teamwork and self-management skills.

Graduates quote

James Baker and Tim Miller

”For some people, ending a gap year is the end of their adventures, but my degree course meant that I could fulfil both of my interests,” says BA (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Management graduate James Baker.

When James undertook a pre-degree trip to South East Asia, he brought his business acumen with his backpack. His business dreams came to fruition during his studies at Southampton Solent where, with fellow student Tim Miller, he set up Freedom Adventures.

James and Tim started organising trips for fellow students of the University’s rock climbing and scuba diving clubs, while honing their sporting and management skills at Solent. It was through the sports clubs and the course that James and Tim discovered a niche for organising university trips. The dynamic duo founded Freedom Adventures in their final year and now run it full-time from Southampton. The business, which has the invaluable Air Tour Organisers Licence, specialises in organising bespoke trips for university sports clubs, alumni and independent travellers. “We love what we are doing,” says James. “We were both keen to get involved with business and we have utilised what we learnt on our travels.”
The International Foundation Year must be successfully completed before commencing undergraduate study (NQF Level 6 and above). In compliance with UKBA Tier 4 (General Student) policy, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) will initially be issued for the foundation course.

Key info from UNISTATS

You might notice the data is the same in multiple widgets below. That’s because if there isn’t enough data about each version of the course, the data is combined. For more info, visit the Unistats website.