Target Group and Admission Requirements

The target group consists of students who have completed Outdoor Life, Culture and Nature Guiding 1, and students from other university colleges with similar educational qualifications, who are seeking a thorough professional education in outdoor activities. The study programme may, alone or in combination with other educational qualifications, provide a foundation for working within the school system, voluntary organisations, public administration, travel, health, rehabilitation, social work and other fields of interest.

All students must have completed the Red Cross First-Aid course or the equivalent (at least 15 hours), before beginning the individual “mountain and glacier” or “water and waterways” portion of the programme. Students who can document that they have completed this type of course within the last three years will receive credit for that course.

Aim of the Programme

The study programme will provide students with thorough practical skills in outdoor life activities. Students will expand their knowledge of outdoor life as a phenomenon, including the area’s history, development and management. It will also provide them with expertise in guiding within a chosen area of outdoor life activities and in the area of winter outdoor life activities.

Curriculum and structure

The study programme will provide students with:

• Thorough basic skills in a chosen type of outdoor activity and in winter outdoor activities
• Thorough experience with guiding others as a method of teaching outdoor life skills
• Thorough understanding of issues related to outdoor activities, culture and society
• Enhanced ability to assess one’s own competence and the ability to choose a route according to one’s own ability
• A solid basis for reflecting on attitudes and experiences related to outdoor life, society, culture, nature and people

Students should also note the following: In courses 1264 and 1267, they must choose between Coast, Mountains / Glaciers, Sea kajaking or Waterways.

Please note that the university college reserves the right to make changes in the study programme.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Throughout the entire course of study, teaching and learning methods will include outdoor teaching in the form of guided and individual trips, lectures, practical training, reports, group and seminar work.

Assessment Methods

Throughout the study programme the students’ knowledge is evaluated through portfolios, oral and written exams. In order to be awarded a diploma students must complete the obligatory parts of the study programme and have their portfolios and reports approved.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean