Bachelor of Sustainability and Outdoor Education
Develop and share your passion for health and wellbeing, sustainability, outdoor education and New Zealand's geography.
This degree provides a unique combination of theory and practice to ensure you graduate with a sound understanding of contemporary social and cultural issues, geography and sustainability, and a proven capability in outdoor education. It is a broad degree that allows you to tailor your learning to meet the needs of a variety of career aspirations.
During your studies, you’ll engage with the natural landscape to develop an in-depth understanding of sustainability, and what it means to our society now and for the future. You’ll explore flora and fauna, and consider social geography with the human influences and impacts on our environment including how decisions on land use are made.
You’ll also develop the personal skills and learn effective methods for teaching, guiding and helping other people to engage with and respect our spectacular outdoor settings and instruct activities within it.
Essential studies include health and physical education, geography, environmental science, professional practices, leadership and safety. These are mixed with elective courses to foster your personal strengths and interests in adventure pursuits like rock climbing and ropes courses, white water and sea kayaking, surfing and winter back country touring.
In addition to your degree you can further enhance employment opportunities by gaining at least two industry awards such as New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association Leader Award, Surf Lifesaving New Zealand Award, Wilderness Advanced First Aid Award and Avalanche Awareness Award.
You’ll need to participate in field trips off-campus and outside Christchurch. Specialist equipment is provided, however personal clothing and equipment are necessary (a list is provided on request).
In our most recent graduate survey, 80% of 2016 Bachelor of Sustainability and Outdoor Education graduates were in employment (Ara Graduate Outcome Survey, 2016).
Campus Information
Christchurch City
The Madras street campus is on the fringe of Christchurch’s CBD and within easy walking distance of shops, cafes, supermarkets, entertainment venues, parks and other attractions. It’s well serviced by public transport, and is just five minutes from the city’s main bus exchange. The Madras street campus is Ara’s largest. In addition to modern, purpose designed facilities, it also has a recreation centre, gym, health centre, a bookshop and a number of on-site cafes.
Intakes
- Feb
Application Processing Time in Days: 20
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Our Careers & Employment team provides free advice to current and prospective students, as well as our graduates. We can help you with:
- Exploring your career options
- Developing your employ-ability
- Job search, CVs, interviews and more
PSW Opportunity
- During study, all students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full time during vacations.
- After completing Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Qualification, a student will get a three years open post-study work visa.
- After completing Level 8 Post Graduate courses of 1 year, students get 1 year PSW.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) which must include 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects and:
Literacy* - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing,
Numeracy* - 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)
OR New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Multi-skilled) (Level 4) or equivalent
OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) Ara Outdoor Education Pathway or equivalent
Due to Covid-19 disruption, if you studied and achieved NCEA Level 3 during 2020, you only need 12 credits per Level 3 subject (i.e. total of 36 credits). Literacy and Numeracy requirements remain the same
If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.
What if English is not my first Language?
If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study.
Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, book an IELTS or other test through the Ara Examination Centre or in your home country.
IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance?
You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills.
Overall IELTS 6.0 Academic
5.5 Listening
5.5 Reading
5.5 Writing
5.5 Speaking
- Course Code: CH4025
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
- Duration: 03 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
69780 NZD
Annual Cost of Living: 20000 NZD
Application Fee: N/A