More information about our programme

Answers to some frequently asked questions, including equipment you should bring, how fit you need to be, and whether you can study part time.

Physical fitness requirements

You must be fit enough to fully engage in all programme activities. If you have any questions about your own level of physical fitness, please contact the Programme Director to discuss.

The Outdoor and Environmental Education Professional Development Programme (PDP) requires the ability to: 

  • camp and canoe for a week
  • lift and carry canoes over uneven terrain
  • carry an expedition rucksack in mountainous terrain for several days at a time
  • sea kayak in potentially inclement weather 
  • walk on uneven, rocky shores carrying sea kayaks and overnight camping equipment
  • climb on single pitch crags

You do not need to be at the peak of human physical fitness, so please do not see this as a barrier, but clearly you do need a certain level of physical capability. 

Visit the Professional Development Programme page

Examples of courses and the physical fitness required

Context: Takes place on the Isle of Rum for six full days. The programme is almost entirely practical and outdoors, with learning occurring mostly some distance from the bunkhouse where we stay.

The population is small (~30 individuals) and there are no medical facilities on the island, or on any of the other Small Isles. The nearest facility is in Mallaig and then Fort William.

Living arrangements are community living in a bunkhouse for the six days.

Walking distances, conditions and terrain:

  • The island has no roads, and whilst we use some of the tracks, a lot of the walking is off these and in ‘rugged’ terrain
  • Most days students must carry a rucksack with personal and field-work equipment
  • The longest walk (mostly on rough tracks) is about 24 km - an all-day walk to the north-west of the island
  • Another is a day walk about 8-10 km that involves some scrambling and walking over a rocky seashore (with seaweed-covered boulders)
  • All other days involve walks of 4-8 km - one of these is on and through a boggy area; others are mostly off tracks and in and through a mixture of scrub, woodland and tussocks.
  • One of the sessions involves a night walk (approximately 9pm to 3am the next morning) up a mountain, from sea level to about 700m. This involves walking in the dark (using a head torch) on mostly uneven rock and very steep ground, sometimes using hands to scramble rocky ridges. You will return the same way. All students need to carry extra personal and safety equipment in their rucksack and be confident in their walking ability, balance and fitness.
  • Students have a set-programmed day during which they are encouraged to visit the south or west side of the island for their studies. This is usually a 20-25 km walk.

Context: Takes place on the West Coast of Scotland – Ardnamurchan Peninsula. The nearest medical facility is in Fort William. The programme involves sea kayaking skill development over five days with day trips building to an overnight expedition of one or two nights. Living arrangements are community living in a bunkhouse for five days.

Walking distances, conditions, terrain:

  • the landscape is remote and the sea shore is extremely rocky with seaweed growing over rocks, making it slippery
  • tides are large; low tide can result in a long walk (e.g. 500m, sometimes more) with heavy boats making at least two trips to get equipment to the banks (sometimes more) necessary
  • lunch spots are usually on rocky shores requiring you to land boats and carry them short distances, then walk on rocky slippery ground for short distances
  • students are required to carry sea kayaks, equipment for camping, etc over rocky, slippery ground for various distances depending on launching places, campsites and exit options, all dependent on tides and weather

Context: Two consecutive days of hillwalking in the Pentland Hills. Students return to their homes overnight.

Walking distances, conditions, terrain:

  • The landscape is remote, rocky, and will include walking on and off tracks
  • Minimum distance per day will be 10 km, including steep incline and descents 
  • Maximum distance per day will be approx. 15 km. This is difficult to predict and is determined by weather, conditions and meeting learning outcomes.
  • There will be a lunch break if the weather’s suitable. If not, it will be eaten ‘on the go’.
  • students must carry all necessary emergency personal clothing and equipment as well as group items (approx. 5-8kg)

Necessary equipment

We have prepared a list of equipment and clothing you should bring with you. Many students borrow from each other, hire and/or bring along their own personal equipment. 

The weather in Scotland is very changeable and, where possible, we conduct as much learning and teaching outdoors, whether away on Residential Courses or when in Edinburgh.

Required/essential clothing and equipment

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

  • 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 on rock, grass and mud
  • Thin gloves e.g. wool or polypropylene
  • Warm, waterproof gloves / glove shells
  • Fleece or wool hat
  • Sun hat

  • 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)
  • Sit mat (small waterproof mat to sit on)
  • Waterproof notebook (for notetaking outdoors)

  • Three season sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mat
  • Mug, bowl, spoon
  • 2 tea towels

  • 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)

Residential courses

A residential course is a course that is taught away from the Edinburgh city campus. Residential courses in the Outdoor and Environmental Education programmes take place across different locations around Scotland, for example, the West Coast or the Highlands. 

As stated above, accommodation and transport to residential courses are provided and included in the programme/course fees. Please note, some courses are core and included in academic fees, others are optional and incur an additional course fee. 

Are there online versions of the programmes?

Not at this time, no. 

The Outdoor and Environmental Education (OEE) programme is designed to be taught in person and there is currently no plan to create OEE online degrees. If this is of interest to you, please feel free to email us (use the link below or email: oee.programmes@ed.ac.uk) and indicate your interest in a fully online programme.

Email the OEE programme

Entry requirements: Outdoor experience

Outdoor experience is an entry requirement to the programme; however, we are quite flexible in what that outdoor experience looks like specifically.

We are interested to know about your personal and professional experience in the outdoors, and also your passion for pursuing a career in outdoor and environmental education.

If you are unsure whether your experience meets the requirements of the programme, please email us and we'll be happy to advise you.

Email the OEE programme

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