Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Outdoor Education

This four year  programme combines an exciting mix of academic study and skills training in adventure sports. You will build an understanding of the therapeutic, developmental, and educational role of outdoor education and you will study the Irish landscape, safety, communications as well as teaching.

You will gain a range of National Governing Body awards in adventure sports such as rock climbing, surfing, hill walking, sailing, and kayaking. One day a week is spent on adventure sports practicals in venues including Achill, Connemara, and surf beaches in Mayo. There are also optional weekend practical courses which provide opportunities for specialisation in adventure sports.

For answers to many of the questions we are asked by prospective students, see our Student Handbook (external site).

Prospective Students may also be interested in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Geography and Outdoor Education and the Bachelor of Arts in Outdoor Education and Leisure.

View our Outdoor Education Brochure here.

For answers to many of the questions we are asked by prospective students, see our Student Handbook (external site).

The therapeutic, educational, developmental and recreational aspects of outdoor education are now widely recognised and utilised within many sectors in Ireland, such as:

• Schools

• Outdoor education centres

• Social care organisations

• Environmental education organisations

• Adventure tourism

• Youth services 

Graduates are employed as:

• Facilitators

• Youth development officers

• Care workers

• Instructors

• Coaches

• Managers

• Field studies officers

Graduates are also employed in the area of Rural and Community Development, Environmental Management, Countryside Recreation, Sport Development and Eco/Rural tourism. 

Forest schools, green exercise and nature therapy are significant growth areas for future employment.

Students need to be able to swim 50m in order to take part in the watersports activities.

All technical and essential safety equipment will be supplied, but students are expected to supply some of their own personal clothing.

Please email Orla.Prendergast@atu.ie for an equipment list and additional information.

For answers to many of the questions we are asked by prospective students, see our Student Handbook (external site).

Prospective Students may also be interested in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Geography and Outdoor Education and the Bachelor of Arts in Outdoor Education and Leisure.

Contact Us

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Orla Prendergast

Phone: + 353 (0) 94-904 3159

Email: Orla.Prendergast@atu.ie

Postgraduate courses

BA (hons) graduates can apply for a range of Masters courses and post-graduate courses, within Ireland ranging from Environmental Science, Counselling, Rural Development, Geographical Information Systems, Sustainability, Philosophy, Youth Work, Primary School Education and Sports Psychology.  

ATU plans to  deliver from September 2022,  an MSc in Experiential Outdoor Education, Nature and Well Being. This is the first Masters programme in Ireland which is focused on Outdoor Education.  

To date some of the programmes that the graduates of the BA (Hons) in Outdoor Education have pursued include:  

Environmental 

• MSc in Outdoor & Environmental Education, University of Edinburgh 
• MSc in Coastal Zone Management, University of Ulster. 
• MSc in Sustainable Architecture, North Wales, 
• MSc in Environmental Protection and Conservation, DIT 
• MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing, University College Cork 
• MSc in Ecological Assessment, University College Cork 
• Diploma in Field Ecology, UCC 

Counselling & Support 

• MA in Counselling, University of Strathclyde 
• MA in Ethics, NUI Galway 
• MA in Family Support, NUI Galway 
• MA in Management for Community & Voluntary Services, All Hallows, Dublin 
• MA in Community and Youth Work, NUI, Maynooth 
• MA in Criminology, DIT 
• Diploma in Addiction Studies, UCD 
• MA in Family Support Studies, NUIG 

Community / Society Related 

• MA Environment, Society and Development, NUIG 
• PGDip in Remote and Offshore Medicine, RCOS Edinburgh 

Sport 

• MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, WIT 
• MSc in Sport Management, UUJ 

Therapeutic / Therapy related 

• MA in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Interviewing, WIT 
• PGDip in Practice Based Play Therapy, NUIG 
• Post Graduate Diploma in Drama Therapy, NUI Maynooth  

Geography 

• MSc in Sustainable Rural Development and Project Planning, Queens University Belfast 
• Post Graduate Diploma in Geography, University College Cork 

Business 

• MSc in Business, Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship, WIT 

Education Related 

• Graduate Diploma in Education, St. Patricks, Drumcondra 
• Graduate Diploma in Education, Hibernia College
• MA in Development Education, MIC & UL 
• MA in Primary Education, Hibernia College 
• Erasmus Mundus in Outdoor Adventure and Experiential Education