MSc In Outdoor Education

The MSc in Outdoor Education offers qualified graduates and suitably experienced professionals the opportunity to develop their academic knowledge, skills and qualifications in order to enhance their continued professional development and become effective and reflective practitioners in Outdoor Education.

The course combines theoretical study and work-based practice to consider contemporary issues and professional practice within Outdoor Education.

Students are encouraged to adopt an inter-disciplinary approach that draws on a broad range of sources, and to develop higher skills in critical analysis and evaluation. Throughout the course, students are expected to enter into evidence based critical debate about the subject, research into its development and, ultimately to synthesize these into a detailed and critical reflection within their Advanced Independent Study.

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International MSc in Outdoor Education

For students with an interest in international aspects of outdoor education, there is an option to achieve an International MSc in Outdoor Education Students must complete both the Advanced independent study and Professional placement with some international aspect.

Students wishing to consider this should contact admissions for more information.   

Who can study an MSc in Outdoor Education?

Students come from a wide range of backgrounds:

Izabella - already has a Masters degree in Tourism. She is planning to set up a small business using adventure activities, as she is a keen adventure sportswoman.

She has decided to study full-time, and hopes to complete within 12 months. Although new to outdoor education Izabella brings Higher Level study skills and enthusiasm to the course.

Izabella has 10 hours of lectures a week, and works in the library and from her student flat. She has the opportunity to join activities and trips with the undergraduate programme.

Keith - is a professional in the field. He has over 20 years of professional experience of instructing in residential and non-residential outdoor education. He is a qualified youth worker as well as holding professional qualifications, and currently holds a senior position in local government.

Keith is studying part-time and plans to complete over 3 years. His employers allow him 1 day a week to study. He accesses journals and documents from home, as well as using the University library.

Because of Keith's experience he has the option to skip some elements of the course (through Accreditation of Prior Learning).

Lucy - has recently graduated from a BSc in Outdoor Adventure Leadership and Management. She has worked in several outdoor centres, and is in the process of starting her own business.

She had originally considered doing the course full-time, but later decided to go part-time. She works from home and accesses documents and journals through the internet.

MSc in Outdoor Education - Course Structure

Semester One:

• Research Methods

• Leading & Managing People in Sport

• Theory and Context of Outdoor Education

• Current Issues in Learning and Teaching in Outdoor Education

Semester Two:

• Professional Placement

• Advanced Independent Study
  

What do students do in a normal week?

Follow the links below to see what a full-time student's week would look like.

Semester 1 --> From September to January

Semester 2 --> From February to September

Then... students have a graduation in Worcester Cathedral (with strange gowns and caps) and return to 'normal life' put their learning and ideas into practice.

MSc in Outdoor Education - Part-time or Full-time?

Full-time students have 3 years to complete all the modules - although most will aim to finish in 12-14 months.

Part-time students have 6 years to finish - although many will aim to finish in 2-3 years.

Benefits of Part-time - doing 2 modules a year will probably take up 1 day (or 2 evenings) a week, and occassional weekends of writing assignments! This means you would finish in three years, but still be able to work.

MSc in Outdoor Education - How much does it cost?

Expected Costs for 2009-2010

Home and EU

• Full-time: - £3690:00
• Part-time: - £410:00 per 10 credit module

Overseas

• Full-time: - £8400

 web page: http://www.worc.ac.uk/courses/10592.html

Example of a taught module - Theory and Context of Outdoor Education

When?

3 weekends in semester 1

What?

The module looks at the theory behind current and past outdoor education practice, as well as considering the context that it exists within.

Why?

The purpose of the module is to develop a critical understanding of the theoretical and contextual basis of past and current outdoor education practice. The module requires students to critically appraise academic theory from a range of disciplines in order to evaluate its relevance and utility for outdoor education practice.

Example of a taught module - Research Methods