- Attendance
- Year one: Full time, 3 days per week
- Location
- Plumpton College
Course Overview
The outdoor adventure education industry is a rapidly developing sector providing variety and opportunities to successful students.
These include positions in outdoor centres as activity instructors, expedition leaders/support staff, teaching roles and specialist adventure sport coaches.
Located in the centre of a National Park and making full use of the extensive College estate, the South Downs, local inland and coastal waters, College outdoor centre in Snowdonia, this comprehensive two year course covers a wide range of specialist subject areas, leading to the development of organisational and leadership skills alongside practical skills in a range of land and water based activities.
This makes the course ideally suited to individuals who have an interest or aptitude for adventure sport. Jobs in the outdoor sector require the ability to work with, and relate to, a diverse range of people in a variety of formal and informal situations. A high level of self-motivation linked to sound organisational skills is essential to developing a successful career. Students will need to demonstrate a keen interest in developing both their own technical skills and those of others.
Although it is not necessary to have a high level of fitness, students will be required to undertake a range of physical activity in order to meet the course requirements.
Work Experience
Study programmes include a minimum of compulsory work experience hours achieved through one day a week or block placements. The amount of hours required is dependent on the study programme.
Careers Hub
We offer impartial careers guidance to all of our students, email careers@plumpton.ac.uk to explore your next step or to book an appointment – we’re here to help.
Industry Work Placement
All students aged 16-18 on our Level 2 & Level 3 programmes will now have to take part in an exciting and compulsory 50-day industry placement programme alongside completion of their vocational course. The programme will give you the chance to gain valuable skills in a real working environment whilst being paired with your ideal employer.
Our mission is to pair students with their ideal employer and to support them continuously during the placement.
There is flexibility on how students complete the placement; it can be during non-college weekdays, weekends, in blocks or over the holiday period. You will receive all of the necessary information during your interview, and if you have any queries in the meantime please contact workexperience@plumpton.ac.uk
Additional Qualifications
There will be opportunities throughout the year to study additional qualifications that relate to the Outdoor Education Sector. These may include:
- NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme)
- BMC (British Mountaineering Council)NICAS (National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme)
- RYA (Royal Yachting Association)
- BCU (British Canoe Union)
- Appropriate first aid qualifications
- College award, functional skills or GCSEs in English and Maths
Modules
Indicative Programme Content - Diploma (two years), Specialist Units (two years), Indicative Programme Content, Programme Units Year 1
Entry Requirements
You must have either:
- 5 GCSEs, including English, mathematics and science at a grade 4 or above,
- An Intermediate GNVQ in a related subject plus 2 GCSEs including English & Maths
- A Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in a related subject at Merit level or above plus 2 GCSEs including English & Maths at C or above.
Mature students who do not possess any of the above qualifications will be considered individually.
What is it like to be a student on this course?
My Favourite part of the course was all the watersports that I got to enjoy. Having the chance to try different activities led to my passion for sailing and enabled me to complete my Dinghy Instructor qualification, and a great job at the end of my course.
Bursaries
Financial support could be available to you depending on your household income, eligibility criteria, and level of study. A bursary, which is money given directly by the Government, could help fund bus travel, accommodation, course equipment, college meals, or educational trips.
Course Fees
Students aged 16-18 on 31st August in the year of starting the course do not pay tuition fees.
Students aged 19-23 studying their Level 1, 2 or first Level 3 may be entitled to tuition fee waiver depending on criteria eligibility.
Students aged 24+ who are studying a second Level 3 course or aged 24+ who are studying their first Level 3 course will have to pay tuition fees, depending on the course.
Students on low income who can prove they earn less than £25,000 (from September 2024); are unemployed; or receive state benefits could be entitled to a tuition fee waiver.
All students pay a standard facility fee of £150 to use communal, non-educational facilities.
Material fees apply to Floristry, Blacksmithing and Metalwork, Agricultural Engineering, and Motor Vehicle students, which contribute to quality resources and equipment for their studies.
Equipment & PPE
Students on a 14-16, Level 1, 2, 3, or Foundation Learning course may be required to purchase equipment such as a uniform, PPE, or kit before starting their course. Material fees are applicable depending depending on the course studied.
Work Experience
Work experience enhances your studies and is an important part of your course. It ensures you leave college ready for the world of work. It is compulsory to undertake an element of work experience when studying a Level 1, 2, or 3 course.
