BA Outdoor Leadership
About this course
BA (Hons) in Outdoor Leadership, an undergraduate degree focused on outdoor education, adventurous activities, and leadership theory and practice in natural environments. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Project Management, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. The first year covers foundational water and land adventure skills alongside group work and professional development through modules such as Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Water), Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Land), Living and Working in Groups Outdoors, and Physiology and Psychology for the Outdoor Leader. Year 2 advances into expedition planning, coaching, and research design via modules including Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 2, Psychological Applications in Outdoor Contexts, Coaching Individuals and Groups, and Research Design, alongside optional choices such as Sustainable Outdoor Event Management. The final year centres on advanced coaching, sector commerce, and an independent research project through compulsory modules like Dissertation, Coaching and Facilitation in Outdoor Environments, and Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 3, with further options covering therapeutic opportunities and environmental education.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table . Offers are tailored to the individual applicant and their circumstances and can be across the tariff range. Applicants who meet our contextual information criteria will be offered at the bottom of the range. A-levels: BBD - BBB. T-levels: M - All subjects are accepted for entry to this course. Access to HE: 30 Credits at Distinction, 6 at Merit and 9 at Pass. Scottish Highers: BBBC - AABB. Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – A2, B1x3. Alternative routes: If you don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our Integrated Foundation Year. Selection criteria: As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.
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What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 71%
- Learning opportunities: 75%
- Assessment and feedback: 71%
- Academic support: 73%
- Organisation and management: 58%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 53%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Gained a higher qualification: 5%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 90%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Sports and fitness occupations: 15%
- Therapy professionals: 15%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 5%
- Animal care and control services: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 95%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 85%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 70%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 3%
- South East: 1%
- South West: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 65%
- Other HE qualification: 20%
- Other qualifications: 20%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Water)
- Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Land)
- Living and Working in Groups Outdoors
- Outdoor Professional Development
- Physiology and Psychology for the Outdoor Leader
- Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 1
- Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 2
- Psychological Applications in Outdoor Contexts
- Coaching Individuals and Groups
- Evaluating Outdoor Leadership
- Research Design
- Traditional and Innovative Approaches to Outdoor Education
- Sustainable Outdoor Event Management
- Health, Wellbeing and Environmental Health
- Dissertation
- Coaching and Facilitation in Outdoor Environments
- Outdoor Leadership Theory and Practice 3
- Commerce and Employment in the Outdoor Sector
- Outdoor and Environmental Education
- Therapeutic Opportunities
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Outdoor Leadership at University of Cumbria earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £21,000 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £30,000. The £25,000 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Sport and exercise sciences.
What do graduates of BA Outdoor Leadership at University of Cumbria do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Outdoor Leadership at University of Cumbria?
71% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Outdoor Leadership at University of Cumbria?
The typical offer is BBD at A level. The average entrant had 120 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Outdoor Leadership at University of Cumbria?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.