Course Overview
As a Hartpury student, you’ll develop the technical skills and experience to run a range of outdoor adventure activities with different age groups. We’ll support you to get out of your comfort zone and develop key skills in leadership, problem solving, and using your initiative, as well as how to work well in a team.
One of the most popular elements of our Outdoor Adventure BTEC diplomas is the sheer amount of time our students spend developing their practical skills. You could be sailing one week and climbing the next, thanks to our excellent partnerships with the adventure centres on our doorstep. Our students become the confident, multi-skilled young people driving the outdoor adventure industry forward.
We’re ideally situated for you to make the most of the great outdoors. With the Forest of Dean, Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons, and the River Wye on our doorstep, you’ll be perfectly placed to apply your learning with practical activities on the land and water. If you’re passionate about outdoor adventure, our qualifications are your first step towards your dream job in this action-packed industry.
You will develop practical skills in a range of outdoor activities including water based sports and land based sports such as:
- Sailing
- Canoeing
- Climbing
- Hill-walking
Your course will include units such as:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Exercise Programmes
- Leading Sports Activities
- Sports Injuries
You will have opportunities to undertake National Governing Body awards and industry-recognised qualifications to complement your CV.
Diploma courses combine classroom-based theory with extensive hands-on learning in real-world environments. Lessons are delivered in our modern College Learning Centre and specialist teaching spaces, using contemporary classrooms with smart boards, well-equipped libraries, and dedicated course facilities.
You’ll take part in practical sessions in our professional sports environment with access to the latest facilities, developing the technical skills and industry knowledge employers are looking for.
Learning is varied and interactive, with individual projects, group activities, and practical assessments alongside written work. You’ll complete regular assignments and coursework tasks.
Diploma timetables are designed to support participation in sport, clubs, and a full enrichment programme to enhance employability skills and personal development.
You’ll be supported by a pastoral tutor, as well as our academic and wellbeing teams, who provide workshops, one-to-one guidance, and online resources. All students also have access to medical professionals on campus.
During this course you will be assessed through both written and practical assessments. You will sit two exams with internal coursework assessments for the remaining modules. Internal coursework assessments will have a variety of assessment methods such as written reports, practical assessments and presentations.
To help prepare you for your exams throughout the course, you’ll complete regular end-of-topic assessments, homework tasks and mock exams. These will help track your progress and highlight areas to improve.
This course prepares students for dynamic careers in the outdoor and public services sectors, including roles such as outdoor activity instructor, lifeguard, climbing instructor, firefighter, police officer, paramedic and business owner.
Many progress to university degrees such as Outdoor Adventure, Surf Science, Watersports Management or BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences. Our students have gone on to roles at PGL, Rockley Watersports and Blackwood Adventure, or launched their own businesses. Others now serve as police officers, paramedics or firefighters in Gloucestershire and beyond.
These pathways support national priorities in STEM, life sciences and employability. Locally, they contribute to health, leisure, youth development and Gloucestershire’s growing tourism and visitor economy.
Course Overview
Course information
As a Hartpury student, you’ll develop the technical skills and experience to run a range of outdoor adventure activities with different age groups. We’ll support you to get out of your comfort zone and develop key skills in leadership, problem solving, and using your initiative, as well as how to work well in a team.
One of the most popular elements of our Outdoor Adventure BTEC diplomas is the sheer amount of time our students spend developing their practical skills. You could be sailing one week and climbing the next, thanks to our excellent partnerships with the adventure centres on our doorstep. Our students become the confident, multi-skilled young people driving the outdoor adventure industry forward.
We’re ideally situated for you to make the most of the great outdoors. With the Forest of Dean, Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons, and the River Wye on our doorstep, you’ll be perfectly placed to apply your learning with practical activities on the land and water. If you’re passionate about outdoor adventure, our qualifications are your first step towards your dream job in this action-packed industry.
What you’ll learn
You will develop practical skills in a range of outdoor activities including water based sports and land based sports such as:
- Sailing
- Canoeing
- Climbing
- Hill-walking
Your course will include units such as:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Exercise Programmes
- Leading Sports Activities
- Sports Injuries
You will have opportunities to undertake National Governing Body awards and industry-recognised qualifications to complement your CV.
How you’ll learn
Diploma courses combine classroom-based theory with extensive hands-on learning in real-world environments. Lessons are delivered in our modern College Learning Centre and specialist teaching spaces, using contemporary classrooms with smart boards, well-equipped libraries, and dedicated course facilities.
You’ll take part in practical sessions in our professional sports environment with access to the latest facilities, developing the technical skills and industry knowledge employers are looking for.
Learning is varied and interactive, with individual projects, group activities, and practical assessments alongside written work. You’ll complete regular assignments and coursework tasks.
Diploma timetables are designed to support participation in sport, clubs, and a full enrichment programme to enhance employability skills and personal development.
You’ll be supported by a pastoral tutor, as well as our academic and wellbeing teams, who provide workshops, one-to-one guidance, and online resources. All students also have access to medical professionals on campus.
How you’ll be assessed
During this course you will be assessed through both written and practical assessments. You will sit two exams with internal coursework assessments for the remaining modules. Internal coursework assessments will have a variety of assessment methods such as written reports, practical assessments and presentations.
To help prepare you for your exams throughout the course, you’ll complete regular end-of-topic assessments, homework tasks and mock exams. These will help track your progress and highlight areas to improve.
What can you do after this course?
This course prepares students for dynamic careers in the outdoor and public services sectors, including roles such as outdoor activity instructor, lifeguard, climbing instructor, firefighter, police officer, paramedic and business owner.
Many progress to university degrees such as Outdoor Adventure, Surf Science, Watersports Management or BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences. Our students have gone on to roles at PGL, Rockley Watersports and Blackwood Adventure, or launched their own businesses. Others now serve as police officers, paramedics or firefighters in Gloucestershire and beyond.
These pathways support national priorities in STEM, life sciences and employability. Locally, they contribute to health, leisure, youth development and Gloucestershire’s growing tourism and visitor economy.
5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above to include Mathematics and English Language.
You should expect some small costs for books and stationery. There will also be opportunities to take part in trips related to the topics you are studying. In the past, these have included visits to Alton Towers, the Houses of Parliament, JCB, Uttoxeter, and the Cadbury Factory. These trips incur a charge/are covered by the educational visits fee.
Students are required to pay a non-refundable educational visits fee at enrolment.
More details on Sports Academy and gym membership fees are available here. Hartpury kit bundles are available here.
Can I study this course and play in the Sports Academy?
Yes. Where possible we try to work academy timetables around academic timetables.
What skills and attributes do I need to succeed?
Successful students are passionate about sport, organised, and good at managing their workload. They take pride in their work, meet deadlines, and stay motivated with clear goals whether that’s achieving top grades or progressing to university or employment.
How much does the course cost?
If you're a UK student under the age of 19 enrolling in full-time A-level courses at Hartpury College, you typically won't need to pay tuition fees. For further information, details for those over 19 year-of-age and international students, visit: Finance | Hartpury College
Why study Outdoor Adventure at Hartpury College?
We have strong ties with local, national and international organisations. Alongside your classroom sessions, you’ll complete one week of work experience in your first year and 12 weeks in your second year.
This will underpin everything you learn on your BTEC diploma and include the opportunity to complete National Governing Body awards and industry-recognised qualifications.
This will help you to stand out from the crowd when applying for future jobs or university courses.
Why study Outdoor Adventure at Hartpury College?
We have strong ties with local, national and international organisations. Alongside your classroom sessions, you’ll complete one week of work experience in your first year and 12 weeks in your second year.
This will underpin everything you learn on your BTEC diploma and include the opportunity to complete National Governing Body awards and industry-recognised qualifications.
This will help you to stand out from the crowd when applying for future jobs or university courses.
Outstanding
Rated 'Ofsted Outstanding in all areas' for academic and curriculum-related provision
99.8% pass-rate
With a 99.2% BTEC pass rate (Hartpury College 2025), our outcomes for students are exceptional.
Living in on-site college accommodation at Hartpury, you’ll be part of a vibrant and international community of students of all ages who share their experience of life at college and university together on one campus.
The Hartpury Certificate is an enrichment programme designed to support our students to grow.
A-levels or a diploma?
Are you unsure about whether A-levels or a BTEC Diploma are the right choice for you? Find out the key differences and which qualification would best suit your learning style and your career and further study ambitions on our dedicated page.
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