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Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies with Integrated Foundation Year
University of Cumbria
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies with Integrated Foundation Year course at University of Cumbria.
Most popular A-levels studied
The Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies with Integrated Foundation Year course at University of Cumbria features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Biology | D |
| Geography | B |
| Chemistry | C |
| English Literature | A* |
| History | B |
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Biology | D |
| Geography | B |
| Business Studies | E |
| Chemistry | C |
| English Literature | A* |
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Geography | B |
| Biology | D |
| Mathematics | C |
| Chemistry | C |
| Physics | C |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: X400
Here's what University of Cumbria says about its Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies with Integrated Foundation Year course.
Do you have a passion to be in and learn about the outdoors and the environment? This course will challenge you to use the outdoors for environmental and societal benefits as well as giving you everything you need to kick-start your outdoor career.
Our foundation year in Carlisle will build a solid base in scientific, intellectual and investigative skills and knowledge so that you reach the level needed to undertake the remainder of your degree in Ambleside.
Course Overview The course focuses on incorporating adventurous lifestyles that are socially and environmentally sensitive to address the ecological and cultural challenges of our times.
Using your outdoor skills you will learn about environmental, ecological, and geographical processes that shape outdoor places. You will explore how outdoor experiences can be used to benefit health and wellbeing, with the opportunity to visit and be involved in projects in partnership with work-based activities both in outdoor and environmental contexts.
There are several field trips in the UK and you’ll also be able to travel independently to the Picos de Europa in Spain. This opportunity will set you up for a successful career in the great outdoors. Whether you work in environmental education, conservation and environmental management, or using therapeutic applications outdoors.
On this course you will...
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Learn outdoors experientially to develop outdoor skills and explore contemporary environmental questions.
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Work with and for different outdoor and environmental organisations to gain hands-on experience and contacts with potential future employers.
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Explore how the outdoors has heath and wellbeing benefits and therapeutic applications.
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Learn in inspiring locations like the Lake District National Park, North Wales, Scotland, British coastline, and Spain (including a shared international expedition with Spanish students).
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Meet some of the most inspiring people and students, and have unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
What You Will Learn In the context of this degree, environment has a broad meaning, for example: built, outdoor, indoor, ecological, geological, geographical, social, political, and historical as well as perceived, individual and emotional.
This programme immerses you in outdoor experiences as a vehicle to develop outdoor skills, environmental knowledge, contemporary and creative practice, communication and facilitation skills (working with people), personal ethics, and values. You will gain an understanding of not just the environment, but wider practices and management styles that occur within the UK and the wider world.
You will explore how people, places, and environments interact and develop curiosity, ideas, and a lifelong passion for learning. Our degree is a way of life that fully immerses you in outdoor learning, both theory and practice.
Source: University of Cumbria
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Department
Science and Environment
Location
Carlisle - Fusehill Street | Carlisle
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Ecology
• Physical geography
• Recreation and leisure studies
Start date
14 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,790 per year |
| Scotland | £9,790 per year |
| Wales | £9,790 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,790 per year |
| EU | £9,790 per year |
| International | £16,000 per year |
The modules you will study
Year 1
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Essential University Skills 1
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Essential Biology
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Scientific Investigation
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Essential University Skills 2
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Environmental Sciences
-
Dynamic Earth
Year 2
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Ecological Knowledge, Interactions and Change
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Outdoor Adventure Skills and Learning (Water)
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Exploring Lake District Landscapes
-
Living and Working in Groups Outdoors
-
Outdoor Professional Development
-
The Earth System
Year 3
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Habitats and Ecosystem
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Outdoor Living Learning and Adventure
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European Mountains: Ecology, Culture and Tourism (domestic travel when restricted by Covid regulations)
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Health and Wellbeing and Environmental Health
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Research Design
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Catchments: Summit to Sea (Optional)
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Traditional and Innovative Approaches to Outdoor Education (Optional)
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Exploring Coastal Environments (Optional)
Year 4
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Dissertation
-
Contemporary Global Conservation
-
Adventure and Environmental Ethics
-
Cold Environments (The Cryosphere) (Optional)
-
Outdoor and Environmental Education (Optional)
-
Therapeutic Opportunities (Optional)
How you will be assessed
Assessments will take place throughout each year to support the development of academic and employability skills.
Key areas such as literacy, numeracy, communication, presentation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and solutions are developed as part of the assessment package. The assessment briefs are written so the student can make choices and individualise the context, knowledge and skills they need to develop.
Assessments are an opportunity to demonstrate your learning, creativity and critical perspectives. Your assessment load will be spread throughout the year to avoid "bunching" of submission deadlines. The students’ journey through the assessments will be facilitated and appraised by their personal tutor.
University of Cumbria student reviews
Showing 34 reviews
1st year student
3 years ago
Haven't really utilised it
1st year student
3 years ago
Uni life is decent, I enjoy the independence, drinking and nightlife is overrated and gets old quick. However you get to explore opportunities that you may never have had the chance to look at and don't get normally, who knows where it may take you?
1st year student
3 years ago
Currently getting funded as it's an apprenticeship, so luckily not too impactful on my finances, although better courses exist
1st year student
3 years ago
Unfortunately my course has been so easy that I work at a distinction level without any support. I'm not particularly smart but this course is taking the Mick.
1st year student
3 years ago
I haven't used much of the campus facilities.
1st year student
3 years ago
Legitimately a terrible course. Not really a subject, more of a skill that used to be just an expectation I'm addition to ones actual qualifications. I'm not particularly intelligent but this course is easier than A-Levels. Currently planning on dropping out come September.
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Cumbria
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies with Integrated Foundation Year course at University of Cumbria features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
92%
med
Teaching on my course
92%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
79%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
96%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
100%
high
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
94%
med
Learning opportunities
89%
med
Learning opportunities
89%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
94%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
94%
high
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
81%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
98%
high
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
79%
med
Assessment and feedback
74%
low
Assessment and feedback
74%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
86%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
67%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
64%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
80%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
74%
low
Academic support
82%
low
Academic support
82%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
76%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
89%
med
Organisation and management
55%
low
Organisation and management
55%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
64%
low
How well organised is your course?
46%
low
Learning resources
85%
low
Learning resources
85%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
78%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
89%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
88%
med
Student voice
71%
low
Student voice
71%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
49%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
91%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
76%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
62%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
85%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
59%
low
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
82%
low
Teaching on my course
82%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
67%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
94%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
97%
high
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
68%
low
Learning opportunities
85%
med
Learning opportunities
85%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
91%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
87%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
86%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
85%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
74%
low
Assessment and feedback
79%
low
Assessment and feedback
79%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
71%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
90%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
63%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
85%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
87%
med
Academic support
81%
low
Academic support
81%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
77%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
85%
low
Organisation and management
66%
low
Organisation and management
66%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
66%
low
How well organised is your course?
64%
low
Learning resources
90%
med
Learning resources
90%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
82%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
94%
high
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
94%
med
Student voice
72%
low
Student voice
72%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
58%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
79%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
77%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
59%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
89%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
56%
low
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
80%
low
Teaching on my course
80%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
63%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
93%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
93%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
72%
low
Learning opportunities
82%
low
Learning opportunities
82%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
93%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
88%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
76%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
88%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
67%
low
Assessment and feedback
77%
med
Assessment and feedback
77%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
69%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
82%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
70%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
88%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
76%
med
Academic support
81%
low
Academic support
81%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
75%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
88%
low
Organisation and management
60%
low
Organisation and management
60%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
55%
low
How well organised is your course?
63%
low
Learning resources
88%
low
Learning resources
88%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
77%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
85%
low
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
100%
high
Student voice
71%
low
Student voice
71%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
50%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
80%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
81%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
66%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
88%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
56%
low
Student information
The Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies with Integrated Foundation Year course at University of Cumbria features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
The Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies with Integrated Foundation Year course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for information about University of Cumbria graduates across each of those subject areas.
Graduate statistics
50%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
60%
Say it fits with future plans
50%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
25%
Elementary occupations
15%
Skilled trades occupations
10%
Conservation and environment professionals
10%
Engineering professionals
Graduate statistics
70%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
75%
In work, study or other activity
65%
Say it fits with future plans
65%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
25%
Natural and social science professionals
15%
Business and public service associate professionals
15%
Elementary occupations
10%
Sales occupations
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
The Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies with Integrated Foundation Year course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for University of Cumbria graduate earnings across each of those subject areas.
Earnings
£19.7k
First year after graduation
£22.6k
Third year after graduation
Earnings
£25.3k
First year after graduation
£24.5k
Third year after graduation
£27k
Fifth year after graduation
Earnings
£20.1k
Third year after graduation
£24.5k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies with Integrated Foundation Year.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
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Discussions
Students are talking about University of Cumbria on The Student Room.
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