UK's Only Ecotourism Degree Launched By The University Of Derby Buxton
26 March 2013
The Buxton Campus in the heart of the Peak District is home to the UK's only degree in Ecotourism
Being based in the heart of the Peak District makes it the perfect place to study ecotourism, with the chance to work directly on a number of live conservation projects adding further value to their studies.
”Programme Leader for the BSc Ecotourism, Dr Tony Johnston.
The centre was officially opened by climber Kenton Cool in October 2012
The University of Derby Buxton has launched the UK's only degree in Ecotourism, providing students with the opportunity to be at the forefront of one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry. It is now looking for its first cohort of students to start in September 2013.
The University already has an outstanding reputation in the broad travel and tourism fields, ranking in the Top Ten nationally in The Guardian University Guide 2013.
As Programme Leader for the BSc Ecotourism, Dr Tony Johnston explained, the course has been designed specifically to meet growing demand for skilled professionals in the sector who are committed to sustainable tourism: "Internationally, suggestions are that the ecotourism market is growing at almost twice the rate of normal tourism, and this will be difficult to maintain without an influx of professionally trained and specialised people driving this forward.
"Whilst ecotourism already features on other tourism degrees, this is the only one in the UK to be solely dedicated to it. Such programmes have proved very successful in Canada and Australia in recent years, and we believe there is a real demand for it in the UK. What further sets us apart is our focus on physical sciences with conservation, ecology and mapping modules forming key elements of the syllabus."
The course will be taught at the University's Buxton campus, at its 58-acre Oaklands Manor Outdoor Leadership Centre. The centre was officially opened in October 2012 by world-renowned climber Kenton Cool. Students will benefit from residential field trips in each year of the course, culminating in a six-week long conservation project in Botswana.
Dr Johnston added: "We always aim to embed real-world learning opportunities in our courses - providing our students with direct access to facilities which give them the skills and experience they need to be 'work ready' on completion of their degree. Being based in the heart of the Peak District makes it the perfect place to study ecotourism, with the chance to work directly on a number of live conservation projects adding further value to their studies."
The Ecotourism degree is being delivered in partnership with a number of regional, national and international organisations. Students will work closely with national parks across the UK, and conservation projects across the globe.
Its launch has been welcomed by the industry, with Ingrid Chalan, a tourism and environment graduate, now working at the Frankfurt Zoological Society in Peru, saying:
"As the only one of its kind in the UK, the BSc Ecotourism degree will be a great preparation for those who would like to apply their skills either indoors or outdoors. It is a much needed programme which will hopefully bring new leaders in the field."
Course content includes:
- Developing a critical understanding of the ecotourism industry
- Cultural, social and economic importance of ecotourism
- Conservation aspects of the ecotourism experience
- Sustainable development
- Environmental issues and sustainability management
- Community growth, poverty and tourism as a development vehicle
Tuition fees for the BSc Ecotourism degree for UK and EU students are £9,000 per annum which is inclusive of all fieldtrips and essential equipment.
More information can be found at www.derby.ac.uk/courses/ecotourism-bsc-hons
