Course Summary
This MSc in Outdoor Education, Sustainability and Well-being in ATU Mayo campus will develop the knowledge, capacity, and know-how of outdoor professionals. Graduates will function as highly competent self-aware senior leaders, capable of implementation of programmes in well-being, experiential place-based learning and education for sustainability. This Masters degree is work-focused and applied in nature, focusing on interdisciplinary application.
Graduates will draw on the latest research and methodology to critically reflect on and develop their impact in their chosen specialist sector. It is aimed at those who want to develop policy, change practice and further develop their competencies to play a valuable role in shaping their organisations and teams.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants will require the following:
A personal statement
Ideally, applicants will hold a Level 8 degree at H2.2 or equivalent and experiential / outdoor education (OE) experiences. However, applicants not having a formal qualification can be considered through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Please note that RPL is a separate process (i.e. applicants must first apply to the programme on the ATU website, and then apply for RPL on www.myexperience.ie– you can link with [email protected] to guide you through this process).
There is no cognate award requirement for entry as candidates Applicants may be come from a diversity of backgrounds. Applicant’s Candidates’ outdoor education experience may be from any facet of OE ranging from education / outdoor adventure / environmental studies/ outdoor playschools / field studies / or other disciplines utilising experiential pedagogies in the outdoor environment.
Please Note:
All students will require Garda vetting
One of the modules has a 5-day journeying experience which will require participants to be available for this aspect of the programme.
Application Details
Flexible learning courses are popular, and they fill on a first come, first served basis. There are two major intake periods throughout the academic year, September and January.
For January start courses, applications typically open in October, and for September start courses, applications typically open in February. Closing dates for applications are listed on the individual course webpage.
Start Date: September 2026.
Fees
Total Fees: €7,200
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.
Career Progression
The broad youth and community sector
The informal education sector
The environmental studies sector
The therapeutic sector
Duration
Study Hours
The programme is delivered with monthly workshops and enables flexibility. Each module will have directed e-learning between workshops, approximately 10-12 hours per week.
On-Campus Attendance
4 residential workshops per semester at the ATU Mayo Campus.