Bachelor of Sustainability and Outdoor Education

Develop and share your passion for health and wellbeing, sustainability, outdoor education and New Zealand's geography.

This degree provides a unique combination of theory and practice to produce high quality graduates with a sound understanding of contemporary social and cultural issues, geography and sustainability, and proven capability in outdoor education. It is a broad degree that allows students opportunities to tailor their learning to meet the needs of a variety of career aspirations. During your studies, you will engage with the natural landscape to develop an in-depth understanding of sustainability, and what it means to our society now and for the future. You will explore flora and fauna, and consider social geography with the human influences and impacts on our environment including how decisions on land use are made. You will also develop the personal skills and learn effective methods for teaching, guiding and helping other people to engage with and respect our spectacular outdoor settings and instruct activities within it. Essential studies include health and physical education, geography, environmental science, professional practices, leadership and safety. These are mixed with elective courses to foster your personal strengths and interests in adventure pursuits like rock climbing and ropes courses, white water and sea kayaking, surfing and winter back country touring. In addition to your degree you can further enhance employment opportunities by gaining at least two industry awards such as New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association Leader Award, Surf Lifesaving New Zealand Award, Wilderness Advanced First Aid Award and Avalanche Awareness Award. You will need to participate in field trips off campus and outside Christchurch. Specialist equipment is provided, however personal clothing and equipment are necessary - a list will be provided for you on request. Please check with programme leader for course availability.