Masters study in Outdoor and Environmental Education

Study outdoors from Edinburgh to the Scottish Highlands at one of the world's best Schools of Education and Sport.

At Moray House School of Education and Sport, we are thrilled to announce a significant evolution in our postgraduate degrees in Outdoor and Environmental Education. For over 50 years, our programmes have stood the test of time and have been about living, learning and educating in the outdoors. As we continue a legacy of excellence and innovation, we are entering an exciting phase of reshaping our offering to adapt to the needs of our changing world and the pressing issue of environmental sustainability.

What’s happening now

From September 2025, we are bringing together our two closely related Masters tracks into one streamlined programme. This consolidated programme preserves the quality and depth of education provided by a world-ranked University and prepares our students for a future where environmental consciousness is at the forefront of global priorities.

Postgraduate virtual open days

Join our online event to learn about Masters and PhD study at Moray House School of Education and Sport.

Date: 12-15 November

Location: Online

Learn more and register

Moray House School of Education and Sport is ranked 12th in the world for Education and Training

Who the programme is for

Our programme is geared towards those interested in environmental and sustainability education, teaching in the outdoors, adventure education, expeditions, and personal and social development through outdoor experiences, particularly in informal and non-formal sectors.

It is ideal for people working or seeking to work in:

adventure and expedition education
outdoor recreation
eco-tourism
physical education
youth development
outdoor and environmental education centres
interpretive centres
development organisations
environmental non-governmental or non-profit organisations
environment-related government work
park rangers

Programme structure

Taught courses take place in Edinburgh and at bases across Scotland. From these bases, you will live and learn in the outdoors. Learning takes the form of lectures, seminars, group discussions, student presentations, field courses, residential courses, self-study and work experience or practicum.

All Masters degrees culminate in the opportunity to undertake a dissertation or an applied research project, where you will have the chance to identify and deeply examine a topic which interests you.

The programme was more than technical skills, focusing on the foundations of what it means to be an educator. We experience, reflect and learn as individuals and as a group. There is a lot to learn and knowledge within the diverse group.

Why study with us?

As always, our commitment remains strong: to deliver top-quality education and practical experiences in Scotland’s inspiring landscapes. Your journey with us is not just about what you learn today, but how you help us shape tomorrow.

Using the outdoors as a teaching and learning environment while promoting sustainable thinking and practice has never been more important and this course has given me the skills and confidence to feel that my practice in this area will help make a positive difference.

Join in

Whether you are just starting to think about University, you’re already here, or you graduated and want to stay connected, your voice matters. Together, we can forge a path toward a sustainable future, informed by 50 years of experience and fuelled by a shared commitment to our planet.

Stay tuned for updates and to find out how you can be part of this changing landscape. We plan for applications to our Masters programme to open before the end of 2024. Register your interest, and we will contact you when we begin accepting applications. For details about the application process and programme developments, note your interest here:

This article was published on 2024-10-07