Pre-arrival

Students are advised to arrive with a level of fitness that is appropriate for multi-day canoeing and hill-walking journeys. A typical day in the field may involve walking on uneven terrain, up and down steep inclines for up to 20km per day, for multiple days in a row. If you have any concerns about fitness level, please email the Programme Director to discuss. In addition, gaining additional experience and/or instruction in any of the practical skill courses that you will be taking is highly recommended.

Detailed information about the Professional Development Programme (PDP) will be discussed and a dedicated Learn page provided at the start of the semester. 

The University provides all of the technical equipment required for practical courses, although you are welcome to use your own if you prefer. Our technical equipment (eg. ice axes, crampons, helmets, climbing hardware, buoyancy aids, wet suits, paddles, stoves, tents), some of which can be loaned to students for their personal use outside of the courses, as long as they are deemed competent to use it. Naturally, students are responsible for loss or damage to this equipment while on loan.

In terms of what equipment and clothing you should bring with you, we have prepared this list with the help of former students.

Required/Essential

Clothing

• Robust, quick-drying ‘walking/hiking’ trousers
• Thermal base layer i.e. tops and bottoms – such as polypropylene or smart wool
• Mid layer – fleece and/or soft shell
• Woollen walking socks (at least 2 pairs)
• Synthetic insulated jacket - synthetic insulation is better than down due to our damp climate but down is ok if you already have it, it just isn’t very warm if it gets wet
• Waterproof breathable shell jacket – must be a minimum of 10,000 mm Hydrostatic Head waterproof for British mountain conditions
• Waterproof breathable trousers (preferably with zip sides to allow them to be put on or taken off over boots)
• Robust three-season hiking boots, with soles which will grip rock, grass and mud
• Thin gloves e.g. wool or polypropylene
• Warm, waterproof gloves/glove shells
• Fleece or wool hat
• Sun hat

Equipment

• Head torch and spare batteries
• Digital watch with stop-watch - essential for navigation
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Personal mini first aid kit, blister kit and tick remover
• Insect repellent – Smidge is excellent for our resident mini mosquitos the Midge and also protects against ticks
• ‘Midge’ net
• Rucksack (60-70 litres) - essential for Summer Hills course as we will be backpacking at times
• Rucksack (30-45 litres)

For camping and residential

• Three-season sleeping bag
• Sleeping mat
• Mug, bowl, spoon
• 2 tea towels
• Lunch box/reusable sandwich wraps (beeswax or similar)

Items marked with (*) are available for loan from our stores, subject to availability.

Useful/Advisable

• Wool or ‘Buffalo’ mittens – for Winter Hills
• Synthetic gilet/vest
• Map case (Ortlieb is best)
• Compass - Silva Type 4 or one with the same size base plate (*)
• 0.5-litre thermos flask
• 20-30 litre dry bag
• Gaiters  - advisable for Summer Hills but essential for Winter Hills (*)
• Walking poles
• A second, thicker fleece or insulated jacket
• Spare warm hat
• Neck warmer (Buff or similar, may also double as a mask)

A number of PDP and academic courses take place outside of Edinburgh, in a range of places. Given normal driving conditions, the journey by minibus from the University to most of the venues takes anywhere from one to five hours.

Your tuition fees cover all transport, accommodation, and food costs during practical courses (unless otherwise specified). Food to be eaten is organised, prepared and purchased with the help of students on the Programme. While on residential courses there is limited domestic help and the tasks of cooking, washing up and keeping the building clean are the responsibility of the students and staff in residence. A simple duty rota helps to ensure the smooth running of this system.

Occasionally it is possible for a student who is highly experienced and/or qualified in certain professional areas to be exempt from participation in certain elements of the PDP. This must be negotiated with the Programme Director long before arrival. 

All students of the University are covered against serious injury under the University’s Public Liability policy (subject to legal liability being proven). Please ask to see our Health and Safety documents if you wish to confirm details. You may need to purchase additional coverage for travel outside of the UK, even if this is for a university activity.

A number of associated costs that are not covered by your fees are directly related to Placement.

• First, students are responsible for their travel expenses to and from the Placement agency, irrespective of its location.
• Second, students undertaking their Placement at a residential centre may be charged a nominal cost for food and lodging by the Placement organisation. Students are responsible for this expense which is usually about £5 a day.
• Another possibility highlighted above: your Placement agency may insist on a PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) disclosure, which normally costs £59 and is paid by students.

Students who will be undertaking a work placement may require a disclosure (aka criminal record check or PVG). Those students already disclosed at this level should bring their documentation with them. Overseas students should bring with them appropriate documentation from their own country, which might be a certificate of good conduct from the relevant policy authority. Some placement agencies, however, may insist that students undergo a further disclosure at their own expense (usually £59).  Further information will be provided during Induction.

Dr Morgan Ludington, a recent graduate from the Outdoor and Environmental Education programmes, is one of the Student Ambassadors here at the University of Edinburgh. Morgan will be a great source of knowledge and information on student life in Edinburgh and will be able to support with specific information on her experiences on the Outdoor and Environmental Education programme.

Chat to Morgan

Many students (particularly those from overseas) find that securing accommodation can be very difficult. If you have not already organised accommodation, some past OE/OESE students recommend not rushing into it at this point. They advise showing up at the beginning of the Programme and staying at a nearby hostel. Then, during the first few days, students in similar circumstances can team up and find suitable housing. We also encourage people looking for roommates to use our OE/OESE Facebook page as a means of connecting.  Note that the end of August is the height of the Edinburgh Festival, so finding a bed for a few nights when you first arrive may be quite challenging. The following sites may be helpful:

• The Advice Place Guide to Search for Accommodation
• The University of Edinburgh accommodation for students search

If you are planning to stay in University Halls of residence, please be advised that this does not normally begin until mid-September (when most of the University programmes begin). If you would like to book temporary University accommodation before your main tenancy starts, please contact Michelle Tait (University Accommodation Services) at once. 

Contact Michelle Tait