Search
Search
Menu
  1. Home
  2. Members
  3. Jobs
  4. Events
  5. Good Practice
  6. Awards
  7. News
  8. Help

College and University Courses

FE and HE Courses from IOL Organisational Members

Whether you are interested in practical skills, knowledge, understanding or research, FE College and HE University courses allow you to learn from experts and follow your areas of interest in your studies.

 

Qualifications Aligned to IOL Occupational Standards

 

Pearson BTEC Level 3
National Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities

100% internally assessed, this course is highly practical and progression focused, it allows for practical and professional skills development. There are three options each of a different size and purpose:

  • Foundation Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities (540 GLH) intended for post-16 learners who want to progress directly to employment in the outdoor activities sector as an assistant outdoor instructor.
  • Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities (720 GLH) intended for post-16 learners who want to progress directly to employment in the outdoor activities sector as an outdoor activities instructor.
  • Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities (1080 GLH) intended for post-16 learners who want to progress directly to employment or self-employment in the outdoor activities sector as an outdoor activities instructor and widen their progression opportunities.

Progression

Each size of this pathway attracts UCAS points, to support HE progression in related subjects.

Completion of the Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities (720 GLH) or Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities (1080 GLH) achieves a prerequisite requirement for the L5 Outdoor Learning Specialist Apprenticeship (EPA enquiries)

Matched IOL Occupational Standard

Yes - the courses were designed by Pearson, college lecturers and IOL and fully aligns with the Outdoor Activity Instructor Occupational Standard.

Duration

24 Months (720 Guided Learning Hours)

Entry Requirements

Typically an interest in the outdoors and/or participation in outdoor activities.

Level

3

Professional Recognition

On completion, and with more than 180 days on-the-job experience plus employer endorsement, Outdoor Activity Instructors are eligible to join IOL as Associate Professional Members of the Institute for Outdoor Learning to support their career development and progression.

NCFE Level 3
Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity (Outdoors)

There are four options each of a different size and purpose:

  • To be awarded the NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Sport and Physical Activity (Outdoors), learners are required to successfully complete 3 mandatory units and 3 optional units.
  • To be awarded the NCFE Level 3 Diploma (540) in Sport and Physical Activity (Outdoors), learners are required to successfully complete 3 mandatory units and 6 optional units.
  • To be awarded the NCFE Level 3 Diploma (720) in Sport and Physical Activity (Outdoors), learners are required to successfully complete 3 mandatory units and 9 optional units.
  • To be awarded the NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity (Outdoors), learners are required to successfully complete 3 mandatory units and 15 optional units.

Matched IOL Occupational Standard

The NCFE Level 3 Diploma (720) and Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity aligns with the Outdoor Activity Instructor Occupational Standard ONLY IF one of the following units must be covered: Leading land-based activities OR Leading water-based activities.

Duration

24 Months (720 Guided Learning Hours)

Entry Requirements

Typically an interest in the outdoors and/or participation in outdoor activities.

Level

3

Professional Recognition

On completion, and with more than 180 days on-the-job experience plus employer endorsement, Outdoor Activity Instructors are eligible to join IOL as Associate Professional Members of the Institute for Outdoor Learning to support their career development and progression.

 

 


 

College (FE) Courses Aligned to IOL Occupational Standards

 

FE College Location Course Offered IOL Organisational Member?
Perth College UHI Perthshire NQ Outdoor Activities and Leadership (SCQF 5 / RQF 2) Yes
NQ Activity Tourism (SCQF 6 / RQF 3)
Course details link available soon, new for 22/23
Sparsholt College Hampshire BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
Berkshire College of Agriculture Berkshire BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
Kendal College Cumbria BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
Hartpury College Gloucestershire BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport & Outdoor Activities No
Shrewsbury Colleges Group Shropshire BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
Exeter College Devon BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities
Newman College East Sussex BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
South Eastern Regional College Bangor, County Down BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
Queen Elizabeth's School Devon BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities
HSDC – South Downs Campus Hampshire BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
Coleg Sir Gar Carmarthenshire BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
Writtle University College Essex BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities No

 

 


 

University (HE) Courses

 

HE University Location Course Offered IOL Accredited Course?
Perth College UHI Perthshire BA (Hons) Outdoor Education and Learning No - In Progress

 

 


 

IOL Accredited FE and HE Courses

Organisations that have completed an IOL Quality Assurance process demonstrating their course is well designed, outcomes are clear and assessable, content is aligned to relevant IOL Statements of Good Practice, and delivery is appropriate for outdoor learning professionals.

 

University of Central Lancashire

Outdoor Adventure Leadership BA (Hons)

University of Central Lancashire - Outdoor Adventure Leadership BA (Hons)

University of Worcester

BSc Outdoor Adventure Leadership and Management

University of Worcester - BSc Outdoor Adventure Leadership and Management

Middlesbrough College

BA(Hons) Outdoor Adventure Education & Leadership

Middlesbrough College - BA(Hons) Outdoor Adventure Education & Leadership

University of Central Lancashire

MA Outdoor Practice

University of Central Lancashire - MA Outdoor Practice

Plymouth Marjon University

BA (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Education

Plymouth Marjon University - BA (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Education

 


 

If you have any concerns about the quality of a course, please talk initially to the course staff and organisation. If there are still problems, please contact the IOL office.

 

 

 

Warwick Mill Business Centre, Warwick Bridge, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA4 8RR

+44 (0)1228 564580
Email

 

 

What we collect and why

Name, Email Address, Phone Number (optional). Only if you provide it to us in order to contact you or to use our services.

Your Privacy

Who we share with

We will never sell your personal data to 3rd parties. We may share your personal data with our suppliers in order to provide our online and member services to you.

Copyright 2023 Institute for Outdoor Learning Terms Of Use Privacy Statement
Back To Top