Greening Outdoor Practice

Please note: Existing University of Cumbria students need to email absadmissons@cumbria.ac.uk in order to apply. They do not need to go through the full application process. Why study with us?

This course is part of a widely renowned postgraduate program provided by specialists at the university, in partnership with world-class lecturers from local organizations.

This is an exciting and cutting edge course designed to meet the growing concern about climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental sustainability; and to develop the potential of outdoor practices and practitioners to make a real difference to these issues.

What can this course lead to?

Postgraduate credit from this course can be used towards our Postgraduate Certificate in Greening Outdoor Practice or our Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Outdoor and Experiential Learning.

Resources and facilities Excellent location in the Lake District National Park and in the middle of the UK’s heartland for Outdoor Education. The course draws heavily on the landscape, professionals and organisations to be found in the Park and nearby.

The programme will be taught by core staff from the Outdoor Studies team, together with key visiting lecturers. Teaching will involve lectures, seminars, practicals and field trips. Entry requirements See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credits

Selection criteria Applicants should hold a good first degree and/or relevant work experience.

Applications are encouraged from people working in or aspiring to work in any aspect of outdoor education.

Suitable for outdoor education professionals working towards IOL Accredited Practitioner status and above or for general CPD for teachers, instructors, guides and environmental educators. Additional contact information Name: Dr Kate Rawles
Title/Role: Senior Lecturer
Email/Tel: kate.rawles@cumbria.ac.uk
Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/outdoors UCAS Link

Visit UCAS

Course summary

This course aims to offer outdoor practitioners the skills and knowledge to develop and enhance environmental input in their courses.

Greening Outdoor Practice was developed as a result of conversations with a wide range of outdoor providers and organizations, convinced that the outdoor sector should be playing a leadership role in relation to climate change and other environmental issues. This is not just about limiting our own negative impact – it’s also about harnessing the potential for contributing to positive change. Many outdoor practitioners do not, however, feel informed enough about the issues to incorporate this effectively into their everyday work. This course exists to meet this need.

As well as exploring methods for reducing the environmental footprint of particular programs, we aim to develop ways of using outdoor courses to raise awareness of environmental issues, debate environmental values, connect participants (and colleagues!) with the natural world and harness the inspirational potential of outdoor experience to encourage a shift towards more sustainable ways of living and working.

Case studies ‘I had no idea how serious the situation is. It is now my top priority to contribute to changing things around through my work in the outdoors.’

Greening Outdoor Practice student