Bachelor of Outdoor Leadership

This unique degree is designed to meet the needs of the outdoor-education and recreation sectors, helping you create a rewarding lifelong career.

You'll learn to apply your on-campus study through a range of activities in our outdoor labs.

This practical experience combined with your knowledge of the natural environment, group leadership and planning will open up diverse career possibilities in the following industries:

adventure tourism adventure sports environmental education outdoor adventure outdoor education outdoor recreation nature tourism.

We offer an exceptional opportunity to gain career experience through a paid internship with The Outdoor Education Group (external link) .

This internship has been designed to work in tandem with your study, so you can apply best-practice theory to real situations.

Throughout your degree, the main themes will be explored through adventure-based activities such as:

bushwalking canoeing cycling white-water rafting alpine activities rock-climbing.

Join VU for one of the most adrenaline-packed degrees in Australia!

To attain the Bachelor of Outdoor Leadership, students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

• 72 credit points of First Year Core units
• 120 credit points of Professional Core units

Plus one of the following: Option A:

• 96 credit points of SMAOLI Outdoor Leadership Industry Internship Major studies

OR Option B:

• 96 credit points of Major studies from the approved list

OR Option C:

• 96 credit points of Minor studies from the approved list

Course structure and units

First Year Core Units

• Interpersonal Skills and Communication Unit code HHH1000 Credits12
• Introduction to Adventure Environments Unit code SOL1000 Credits12
• Natural Environments 1 Unit code SOL1001 Credits12
• Safety in Natural Environments Unit code SOL1002 Credits12
• Adventure Based Learning for Outdoor Environments Unit code SOL1003 Credits12
• Preparing to Lead in Natural Environments Unit code SOL1004 Credits12

Professional Core Units

• 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
• Leading Facilitating and Interpreting in Natural Environments Unit code SOL3000 Credits12
• Programming and Logistics in Natural Environments Unit code SOL3001 Credits12
• Environmental Inquiry, Sustainability and Communities Unit code SSM3101 Credits12
• Outdoor and Environmental Philosophy Unit code SSM3002 Credits12

Majors

• Ecology and Environmental Management Unit code NMAENV
• Sport and Active Communities Unit code SMASAC
• Sport Performance Unit code SMASPP
• Human Movement Unit code SMAHUM
• Sport Coaching Unit code SMASCO
• Outdoor Leadership Industry Internship Unit code SMAOLI

Minors

• Health (Sport Science Minor) Unit code SMIHEA
• Fitness and Conditioning Unit code SMIFIT
• Professional Development in Sport and Outdoor Recreation Unit code SMIPDS
• Sport and Active Communities Unit code SMISAC
• Games and Sports Unit code SMIGAM
• Aboriginal Yulendj (Knowledge) and Community Unit code EMIAGL
• Human Movement Unit code SMIHUM
• Sport Coaching Unit code SMISCO
• The Entrepreneurial Mindset Unit code AMITEM
• Adventure Sports Unit code SMIADS
• Applied Health Nutrition Unit code HMIATN

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 wishing to undertake SMAOLI Outdoor Leadership Industry Internship major will be required to undertake a selection process, managed by the organisation offering the internship through their standard employment process, to ensure their suitability for the available internship options. This selection process will take place in the second half of the first year of study.

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)

Students will need to undertake an industry standard first aid course and an industry recognised aquatic rescue course by the end of their first year to satisfy Industry risk management and VIT requirements. The Australian Adventure Activity Standards (AAAS) will determine the standard for these courses.

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.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

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.

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