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Ara Institute of Canterbury

Christchurch , South Island ,New Zealand

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
  • July

Application Processing Time in Days: 20

Application Process

More Information required
10 Days
Possible Interview Call from Institution
10 Days
Provisional /Unconditional Offer
20 Days
Visa Process
30 Days

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

Certificate at Level 3= General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 

Certificate at Level 4= General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 

Certificate or Diploma at Level 5= General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 

Certificate or Diploma at Level 6= General or Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5

Diploma or degree at Level 7= General or Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5

Graduate Certificate or IDiploma at Level 7= General or Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5

Post-graduate Diploma or Post- graduate Certificate at Level 8= General or Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0

Bachelor Honours Degree at Level 8= General or Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0

Master's Degree at Level 9= General or Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0

Doctoral !,}egree at Level 10= General or Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0

  • Course Code: CH4025
  • Course Type: Full Time
  • Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
  • Duration: 03 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee: 75000 NZD
    Average Cost of Living: 20000 NZD /year
    Application Fee: 100 NZD
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