Outdoor Recreation (Joint Honours - Buxton)

What is Joint Honours?

With joint honours, you can study for an honours degree in two or even three subjects. Find out more about joint honours.

Why choose this course?

You'll study in the Peak District - what better place to develop your skills in outdoor recreation.
You'll develop both the management and practical skills you'll need for a career in the outdoor recreation industry.
You'll have the chance to put your passion for the outdoors into practice and get a qualification at the same time.
You'll build on your existing experience and boost your theoretical knowledge and technical skills to further your career.
You'll have the chance to go on expeditions both in the UK and abroad.

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Fact file

UCAS code: Y004

Start date: September

Course length: full time: three years, part time: four-six years.

Campus: Buxton Campus

This course is available to international students

This Joint Honours course is based at Buxton in our dedicated centre set in some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK. The course includes regular opportunities to hone your outdoor skills whether your passion is climbing, canoeing, kayaking or caving. You'll also have the opportunity to study wilderness skills and National Governing Body Awards.

This is for anyone who has ever wanted to take their activity skills and recreational understanding further for future employment. The reputation of outdoor recreation / education in the UK is as such that it has influenced countless countries in developing their own outdoor activity industries. We want our students to be a part of this further development - leading the way in developing issues around leadership and education, risk management, environmental impacts, and further develop the outdoor education sector within the UK for future generations.

The Outdoor Recreation programme works with a variety of organisations within the sector to provide students with up-to-date teaching and opportunities whilst they are studying.

This includes such organisations such as

British Mountaineering Council
British Association of International Mountain Leaders
Mammut technical equipment manufacturer

What can I combine this programme with?

What you will cover

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements are usually 260-280 UCAS points, of which at least 160 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 100-120 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

How to apply

UK/EU students

Full time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
Part time students should apply directly to the University.

International students

If you want to start in September, you usually need to apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Information for international applicants

Applying for an undergraduate degree

Fees and finance

Fees for 2013/14

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

Full time: £8,250 (each year)
£1,030 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total)

International students

Full time: £10,225 (per year)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

Careers and employability

Previous students on the outdoor recreation programme at the University of Derby have entered positions, including:

Outdoor activity leadership
Expedition team leadership in adventure tour company
Management work for outdoor charitable organisation
Raft guiding in Austria and Canada.
Continuing lecturing/teaching positions.

The programme in also provides students with an opportunity to work in-house in our department, working as a team building assistant instructor for corporate clients.