Bachelor of Outdoor and Environmental Leadership

As the only degree of its kind in SA, the Bachelor of Outdoor and Environmental Leadership combines foundational environmental science and outdoor leadership concepts to equip future Outdoor Education professionals with a unique set of skills and knowledge.

This industry-relevant degree provides the foundational skills and knowledge for a rewarding career in nature-based tourism, environmental interpretation, education, adventure therapy or adventure-based leadership.

Develop the reflective, evaluative and critical-thinking skills required to implement and lead culturally aware and environmentally sustainable outdoor experiences.

You will complete more than 400 hours of practical experience working directly with industry, including outdoor fieldwork, peer leadership and experiential learning.

Align your studies with your interests, with the opportunity to study a major in ecosystem sciences or select courses in the areas of community engagement and sustainability, management, counselling and interpersonal skills, Aboriginal cultures and biology for education.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
• Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

OR Higher education study

• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma or above

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

You will explore an integrated range of industry-relevant topics balancing core concepts of bioscience and social science. Develop foundational knowledge in key areas such as biodiversity, sustainable ecosystems, caring for country, coastal environments and Earth systems.

In your final year, you will strengthen your understanding of professional practice, advanced environmental science, as well as specialised management skills fostering your transition into the workforce.

In addition to placement opportunities within leading industry environments, you will apply your learned skills through intensive fieldwork including:

• leading an introductory kayaking or canoeing experience for UniSA students
• planning and implementing a four-day experiential learning program for more than 200 participants
• conducting interpretive experiences such as a ‘Water Workshop’ at a primary school
• undertaking a week-long immersive field trip including a day of service learning in areas such as the Nantawarrina Indigenous Protected Area.

Develop in-demand research skills alongside world-class researchers during your degree, focussing on areas such as species study, laboratory analysis of soils and contamination, sampling and field-based data collection, and critical analysis of human-nature interactions.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. Australian and international students may have the option to do an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas. We have links with universities worldwide. You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Your career

The field of Outdoor Environmental Leadership is currently experiencing rapid expansion, with very strong future growth in employment outcomes predicted.1 In fact, the demand for outdoor adventure guides is expected to increase by more than 19 per cent over the next five years, with low levels of unemployment.2

Outdoor Environmental leaders can be employed in a wide range of settings, with the versatility of expertise applicable to the global industry of nature-based leadership and environmental interpretation.

Graduates will be able to consider careers such as:

Outdoor education practitioner: facilitate nature-based outdoor learning experiences for personal and group development, health and wellbeing, environmental learning, sustainability and social justice

Community development officer: design, implement and lead initiatives and collective solutions to address issues associated with recreational, health, housing and other community welfare matters

Ecotourism guide: plan and lead culturally-aware and environmentally-sustainable experiences to assist with nature-based therapy and responsible tourism practices

Outdoor adventure instructor: provide adventure-based experiential education in nature-based adventure, with specialisations in this field including abseiling, rock climbing and bushwalking

Youth worker: collaborate with social workers, psychologists and support agencies to provide therapeutic outdoor experiences for at-risk youth and community members

Environmental interpretation officer: provide guidance and consultation for human interaction with natural environments and educate visitors and tourists in areas of cultural and conservationist significance.

Further your studies with a Master of Environmental Science, or pursue a career in teaching by following on from this degree with the Master of Teaching (Secondary), enabling you to teach across Biology or Environmental Science. Visit 'How do I become a secondary teacher?' for more information.

Interested in a career using your outdoor and environmental leadership skills and knowledge to help others? Follow this degree with a Master of Social Work. *conditions apply.

Graduates are also well-placed for further study in areas such as psychology, management, engineering, project management or Indigenous leadership.

1Australian Government, Job Outlook 2019. 2Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business 2019.

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.