FdSc Coastal Adventure

Course information

• A course developed and ran in partnership with the Coastal Adventure industry to provide a pathway into a career in Coastal Adventure management in all of its forms
• Receive tailored outdoor-activity skill development and professional NGB training and assessment: as well as continuous professional skills development throughout your degree and beyond
• Live and work in the heart of British Surfing and Coastal activities Newquay. Cornwall is a region that is unique for its rich history and variety of Coastal Adventure opportunities.
• Excellent links and work-placement opportunities with many adventure-based businesses and institutions in the UK and internationally
• Residential field trips, clubs, international expeditions and many other opportunities to enhance your skills and experience in adventure activities

This is a unique programme to be delivered in partnership with Vertical Descents. Based on an outdoor education model but tailored to the marine adventure sector this programme will focus on coastal activities that have achieved mainstream popularity in the last five years. Students will have the opportunity to develop specialist skills and knowledge and build a CV primed for employment.

This course is the only one of its kind in the world and should be at the forefront of enhancing the industry with its graduates and sustaining its future. The course will therefore include specific modules, learning outcomes and indicative content related to coaching, wellbeing and fitness, sustainable and environmental awareness, leadership and business practices, project and event management, and applications of media.

Industry relevant skills, knowledge and behaviours are integral to the programme having been co-designed with Vertical Descents from inception. Sam Starkie co-founded the company with his brother as pioneers of canyoning and coasteering; Sam is the Director of the Cornwall branch and is passionate about leading the way in training and development, he strongly believes there is a gap in the adventure sector degree market for this provision.

What You Will Learn

INDICATIVE MODULES - YEAR 1

• Incident Management in the Coastal Environment
• Human Biology and Sports Psychology
• The Coastal Environment 1
• Operating in the Outdoor Adventure Sector
• Adventure Media and Application
• Skills for Scientific Success and Reflective practice

INDICATIVE MODULES - YEAR 2

• Individual Research Project
• Coastal Social Value
• Coastal Environment 2
• Business Management
• Outdoor Adventure Education
• Advanced Skills Development and Leadership

All second-year students will have an opportunity to reflect on work experience hours and are tasked to design a poster/visual display which is showcased and assessed during our second-year work experience poster fair. We invite employers, other student year groups as well as members of our board of governors along to the event.

Entry Requirements

• GCSE (or equivalent) - Minimum of Grade C/grade 4 in Maths, English Language and Science or Functional Skills - L2 Literacy and L2 Numeracy
• AS/A Levels - 64 UCAS tariff points to include 48 UCAS tariff points for A2 level in appropriate subjects
BTEC National Diploma/BTEC Extended Diploma/City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma – 64 UCAS Tariff points required and in appropriate subject areas
• Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject - 45 credits at level 3 (specific unit grades may be requested).
• International Baccalaureate Diploma – overall score of 24 points.
• Other qualifications will be considered.
• Mature applicants with relevant experience but without the stated qualifications will be considered individually and are encouraged to apply.

Work Experience

Students will be based at the main campus but will spend time with the Vertical Descents team where they will learn from the partner staff about the business aspects of the sector and hone their practical skills. As part of the programme students are expected to complete 100 hours of work experience at one or multiple locations. The students are given guidance on the expectation of the level, relevance and process of completing their work placements during the enrolment period. It is expected that individual student's source, liaise and organise their own placements relevant to their own PDP. There is a dedicated work experience Moodle page which provides the students with relevant templates for the paperwork needed to notify us of placements, ensure health and safety regulations are met, and record hours gained.

Assessment

• Written exam and in-class tests.
• Written assignment.
• Report; a description, summary or other account of an experience or activity.
• Research Report
• Oral assessment and presentation,
• Practical skills assessment,
• Poster; a presentation of information by written poster.
• Reflective account / log; a written work that enables the students to develop greater ownership in their learning experience.

Progression

Upon successful completion of the FdSc Coastal Adventure students will be able to progress onto the following programmes at (Level 6) Cornwall College:

• BSc (Hons) Marine Sports Science (Newquay)
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Resource Management (Newquay)

Any student who has completed a TCCG approved programme and then opts to progress to a University of Plymouth validated programme, within Cornwall College will not be able to use those credits achieved on a TCCG programme as part of their overall degree classification. This therefore means that the outcome of the progression route will be based purely on the Level 6 modules.

Following successful completion of this qualification the students will be qualified to work in a number of employment destinations such as; outdoor adventure centres, coaching, self-employment, event management, photography, outdoor education, environmental sector, health and fitness.

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College is a small but vibrant campus specialising in university level courses focussing on the environment. For over 20 years, we have inspired hundreds of students to make that all-important difference, using their passion as a guide. Our dedicated higher education campus is home to the marine science, zoology and surf stars of the future.

Championing #generationrestoration, this campus may be small, but its students and staff have a big impact on our planet and its future wellbeing. Likeminded individuals come together to undertake international, award-winning research, meaning when their incredible time at Newquay is done, they move onto fantastic and important careers.

It’s why you should definitely consider Newquay University Centre Cornwall College for your #careercollege experience.

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