Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Science

Victoria University

About

Our outdoor education and environmental science degree opens up a range of possibilities for work in the great outdoors:

outdoor or environmental educator park ranger ecotourism or adventure-tourism worker natural-science work (field or lab-based positions) land and resource management roles (Parks, DELWP, CMA’s) environmental/adventure activity programs.

Throughout your degree there are numerous field-based components designed to grow your understanding of outdoor environments.

You'll explore ways to move through the natural environment, ways to understand and experience it, and ways to help others enjoy and appreciate it.

You'll acquire a solid, science-based foundation, along with skills and understanding in:

adventure activities community building conservation, ecology and sustainability group and resource management leadership indigenous knowledge risk and safety.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Sciences, students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

  • 72 credit points First Year Core units
  • 216 credit points Professional Core units

Course structure and units

First Year Core Units

  • Global Environmental Issues Unit code RBF1150 Credits12
  • Biology 1 Unit code RBF1310 Credits12
  • Biology 2 Unit code RBF1320 Credits12
  • Natural Environments 1 Unit code SOL1001 Credits12
  • Safety in Natural Environments Unit code SOL1002 Credits12
  • Preparing to Lead in Natural Environments Unit code SOL1004 Credits12

Professional Core Units

  • Australian Landscapes and Biota Unit code NPU2110 Credits12
  • Fundamentals of Ecology Unit code RBF2610 Credits12
  • Australian Plants Unit code RBF2620 Credits12
  • Australian Animals Unit code RBF2640 Credits12
  • Natural Environments 2 Unit code SOL2000 Credits24
  • River Environments 1 Unit code SOL2001 Credits12
  • Bush Environments Unit code SOL2002 Credits12
  • Mountain Environments Unit code SOL2003 Credits12
  • Risk Management in Natural Environments Unit code SOL2004 Credits12
  • Conservation Genetics Unit code NPU3106 Credits12
  • Marine & Freshwater Ecology Unit code RBF3110 Credits12
  • Environmental Rehabilitation Unit code RBF3210 Credits12
  • Conservation and Sustainability Unit code RBF3620 Credits12
  • Leading Facilitating and Interpreting in Natural Environments Unit code SOL3000 Credits12
  • Programming and Logistics in Natural Environments Unit code SOL3001 Credits12
  • Outdoor and Environmental Philosophy Unit code SSM3002 Credits12
  • Environmental Inquiry, Sustainability and Communities Unit code SSM3101 Credits12

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent). OR:Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies. OR:Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Health or Human Sciences, Training & Development, Community Sports or similar.OR:Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Additional information

Due to the nature of the field lab components of this course students should note that some unit delivery will take place outside of the normal university hours. Please note that SOL2000 Natural Environments 2 will be delivered during the summer semester due to environmental constraints.

Students may incur a levy of approximately $2000 across the duration of the course for transport, accommodation and camping fees associated with field laboratories. This levy will be charged at a unit level depending on the requirements specific to the unit.

Students will require a Working with Children Check and National Police Check to be eligible to undertake and participate in workplace visits, placements or projects. Use the following site links to obtain additional information:http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/ (external link)http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274 (external link)

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Pathways from other institutions

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

The Gordon

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Sports Education and Development Australia (SEDA)

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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  1. Integrate knowledge and skills from the outdoor education, general science and environmental science disciplines to become a leader in their area of expertise;  
  2. Develop and design evidence-based practice in outdoor education and environmental science to support a diverse range of individual, group, community and stakeholder needs;  
  3. Analyse and synthesise information gathered from outdoor education and environmental science research to develop knowledge and understanding of professional identity and discipline specific requirements and as a basis for independent lifelong learning;  
  4. Evaluate and apply information to creatively solve problems related to professional practice in outdoor education and environmental science;  
  5. Work as an independent and collaborative professional who can clearly and coherently communicate outdoor education and environmental science knowledge and ideas;  
  6. Analyse and evaluate a diverse range of policies and procedures to enable the safe delivery and implementation of field based programs across the outdoor education and environmental science disciplines; and  
  7. Develop skill specific knowledge and technique in a broad range of outdoor adventure activities to use as a platform for the development of meta-skills related to outdoor education and environmental science.  

Institution