Key dates

These are the dates you are required to be in Edinburgh for the coming academic year, along with a short explanation as to why these dates are important to you.

Your Programme Induction

Meet and Greet

Monday 31 August 10:00 am to Tuesday 1 September 5:00 pm (please note the early programme start date)

Location: Thomson’s Land Quad (outside Thomson’s Land near picnic tables) then Paterson's Land 1.26

All new MSC Outdoor and Environmental Education students will meet for the first time on Monday 31 August 2026, at 10:00 am. Please arrive at the latest 9:45 am.

At induction you will meet the Outdoor and Environmental Education Staff team and your peers and start to get to know the programme and local area. You will also have an opportunity to meet current students on the programme. More information about specifics will be provided through the Outdoor and Environmental Education (OEE) Programme's Learn site in August. We look forward to welcoming you and getting to know you!

Meet at the benches outdoors in Thomson’s Land Quad – we will walk together to Paterson’s Land 1.26. If the weather is awful, or you arrive late, please find your own way to Paterson’s Land 1.26. 

An evening social event to take place on 1 September from 5pm - 9pm in person in Edinburgh where current students, staff and alumni will also attend.

IMPORTANT: Please note that our programme starts two weeks earlier than most others at the University.

Programme and Staff Introductions

Monday 31 August 11:15 - 12:30

Location: Paterson's Land 1.26

Meet the OEE team and get an overview of the programme.

Out and About

Monday 31 August, 13:30 - 16:00

Location: Paterson's Land 1.26

Out and About – What to pack? 
  • Packing a day bag  
  • Planning for residentials  
  • Technical kit 
  • Summer Hills – Briefing session 
Buy/swap/sell – Arranged by current students. Staff and students will bring kit they no longer need for giving away or selling. It is also a chance to talk about what kit that works well (or doesn’t!) in a Scottish context. 

Programme Overview and Q&A

Tuesday 1 September, 10:00 - 12:30

Location: Paterson's Land 1.26

  • Introduction to Learn/Teams/Outlook 
  • Academic & PDP – deep dive 
  • Student reps & social media takeover 
  • Medical information 
  • Google calendar 
  • Student advisor support

We will stop for tea/coffee at some point through the morning.

Walk and Talk in Holyrood Park

Tuesday 1 September, 14:30 - 16:30

Location: Thomson's Land quad

What brings you to be here now? A chance for staff and students to share their stories.

Meet outside Thomson’s Land near picnic benches.

Evening Drinks

Tuesday 1 September, 17:00 - 21:00

Location: BrewDog - 5 New Street

This is twice yearly event where new and current students meet together and local alumni also attend. It is very relaxed and a nice chance to get to know each other. 

IMPORTANT: Information on your first course

Your first academic course is Foundations of Outdoor and Environmental Education.

Foundations of Outdoor and Environmental Education will start on Wednesday 2 September, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. (More information available via Learn.)

The room number will be confirmed during Induction. Please arrive well ahead of the start time (at the latest 8:45am).

Timetable

The google calendar timetable below is 'live' and will help you to plan your year. This timetable may change slightly before the start of the Programme, but any changes will be minor ones.

Please note that this is the most accurate and up-to-date timetable – more so than those to be found in Learn or elsewhere on the University systems.

As you can see from the calendar and information above, your programme begins earlier than most University Masters programmes and is taught in blocks. As such, your schedule may not necessarily align with the University's academic calendar. Below, you will find an indicative calendar for most other Moray House Masters programmes. These details below can provide you with some information on the University's Welcome Week activities, and graduation, should you wish to participate in these.

Welcome Week 2026 - Download the UoE Welcome Week app

14 - 18 September 2026

The standard University semester 1 opens with Welcome Week, the week before the first week of teaching. Typically students are recommended to arrive in Edinburgh a couple of days before the start of Welcome Week to settle in. 

Welcome Week is a key part of the undergraduate experience and participation is essential. It is an information-packed week with social and instructive activities planned by the School and the University. It is recommended that you download the University Events App where you will find all Moray House and University-wide welcome events. 

General School Induction Events

We encourage you to attend but please always prioritise your programme-specific induction session and your programme teaching should timings conflict.  Recordings will be made available and published on the Student SharePoint after the event. 

Please access links to all online and recorded sessions on the MHSES Student Hub Events page. 

View the Student Hub Events page

EventDateTimeLocation

Getting Started at Moray House School of Education and Sport

This induction event will introduce you to Moray House, with a warm welcome from staff and an overview of the resources and support available to you as a student. It’s also a chance to learn where to go for advice and guidance throughout your studies.

Mon 14 Sept10:00 - 11:00Paterson's Land G1

MHSES School Community Fair

A chance for students to meet with students and staff involved in the School community and more importantly how you can get involved.

Wed 23 Sept10:30 - 12:30 noonMoray House quad (weather dependant)

Academic Year 2026/27

2 September 2026 to 28 November 2026

​​​​Important:

Students must be fully matriculated to start their programme in September. If you are not fully matriculated by this point, you may lose your place on your programme. 

  • Semester 1 is very demanding. Students will complete various forms of assessments, including individual tasks and group work.
  • Students are expected to attend all classes and registers will be taken at tutorials, seminars and workshops. If you are unable to attend a tutorial, seminar or workshop due to illness or for any other reason, you must email the tutor or lecturer in advance to explain why you will be absent.
  • Teaching ends on 28 November 2026 and the time remaining until the end of the semester is used to complete assignments and take exams.  Students will be advised of assignment deadlines by course organisers.   
  • If you are studying here on a Tier 4 visa, and move to Edinburgh, you must let us know in advance if you are going to be travelling away from Edinburgh for more than 5 days. Typically, students must stay in Edinburgh for the duration of their studies and you should advise staff if you wish to leave the country at any point.

For the MSc Outdoor and Environmental Education Programmes, please check the linked Google Calendar for actual dates of commitment during semester and before booking travel, confirm dates with the Programme Director (Gavin). 

View the Google calendar


22 December 2026 to 10 January 2027

If you are studying here on a Tier 4 visa, and move to Edinburgh, you must let us know in advance if you are going to be travelling away from Edinburgh for more than 5 days.

The University campus is typically closed for some period of time during the Winter holidays and staff and students will not be able to access campus facilities. 


11 January 2027 to 21 May 2027

  • Semester 2 is very demanding, especially as most students will spend time preparing for their Master's dissertation in Semester 2.
  • Students are expected to attend all classes and registers will be taken at tutorials, seminars and workshops.  If you are unable to attend a tutorial, seminar or workshop due to illness or for any other reason, you must email the tutor or lecturer in advance to explain why you will be absent.
  • Teaching for most courses ends on 2 April 2027, and the time remaining until the end of the semester is used to complete assignments and take exams. Students will be advised of assignment deadlines by course organisers.
  • If you are studying here on a Tier 4 visa, and move to Edinburgh, you must let us know in advance if you are going to be travelling away from Edinburgh for more than 5 days. Typically, students must stay in Edinburgh for the duration of their studies and you should advise staff if you wish to leave the country at any point.

For the MSc Outdoor and Environmental Education Programmes, please check the linked Google Calendar for actual dates of commitment during semester and before booking travel, confirm dates with the Programme Director (Gavin). 

View the Google calendar


July 2027 to November 2027

Programme Directors will advise students of the submission date for their dissertation.


  • Graduations are arranged by Student Administration
  • MSc Outdoor and Environmental Education students would typically graduate in the Summer Graduations held in July

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