Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies

Share your love of outdoor recreation and nature with others.

Help people experience the joy of nature and promote active lifestyles.

Domestic
International

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Note: this program does not qualify you to teach in schools. If you want to qualify as a teacher, consider USC’s Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies.

Study locations: Sunshine Coast

Moreton Bay

Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code: 094768G
Commence: Semester 1 or 2
Program length (full-time): 3 years
Annual tuition fee 2022: A$25,600
Estimated total tuition fee *: A$76,800

Footnotes

Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
* Estimated tuition fees are based on 2022 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.

Study locations QTAC code: Sunshine Coast 013261

Moreton Bay 014261
Minimum selection threshold: ATAR - 52.00 Rank - 52
USC program code: ED312
Commence: Semester 1 or 2
Duration: 3 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode: Blended Learning
Recommended prior study: Health and Physical Education
Recommended prior preparation: It is recommended that students obtain First Aid and CPR certificates.
Fee type 2022: Commonwealth supported places
Total courses: 24
Total units: 288

Student profile: Explore the likely peer cohort in the student profile data
Inherent Academic Requirements: Prospective students must consider the Inherent Academic Requirements before applying to study this program.
Program coordinator: Dr Glyn Thomas

Help people experience the joy of nature and promote active lifestyles.

The first of its kind in Queensland, this program teaches you the skills to work with people, engaging them in more active lifestyles and helping them to connect with and appreciate nature. This program gives you a broad, versatile education in health and physical education, outdoor environmental studies, and sports coaching.

In this program you will:

attend more than 25 outdoor environmental studies fieldwork days in the Sunshine Coast area, including Fraser Island.
study an innovative four-course minor culminating with an expedition and leadership experiences.
learn to coach a range of sports, recreational activities, adventure activities, and outdoor environmental education activities and develop your expertise in experiential, active learning and teaching strategies.
become equipped with the skills, knowledge, and experience to journey safely with participants in a range of natural environments and to study the relationships that humans have with nature.
tailor your studies to your personal interests and career ambitions by selecting from a wide range of elective courses in complementary areas such as tourism, leisure and event management, restoration and conservation, indigenous studies, marine science or sustainability.

Post-admission requirements

Students need to be aware of the physical components and location requirements of the program. If they have a disability, medical condition or any concerns that may affect their potential participation in some of the practical components of the program, they are invited to discuss their options with the program coordinator.

Career opportunities

As a graduate, you can pursue work with secondary schools, private colleges, outdoor/environmental education centres, universities or private companies/businesses.

Outdoor leader
Outdoor guide
Sports coach
Outdoor recreation officer
Environmental interpretation guide
Adventure tourism guide
Ecotourism guide

Membership

Potential registration with the National Outdoor Recreation Leadership Scheme.

What will I study?

Select your location, starting year and starting semester below to display your program structure and study sequence.

The study sequence ONLY represents the CURRENT program structure. Students MUST follow their commencing structure and use this study sequence to guide enrolment.

Download PDF Enrol via USC Central

Program structure

Total units:

Study sequence

Program structure

Introductory courses (4) 48 units

EDU119 English Language and Literacy
OES100 Outdoor Living and Travel Skills
OES101 Foundations of Outdoor Environmental Studies
SPX102 Introduction to Coaching Science

Health and Physical Education major (8) 96 units

HLT100 Anatomy and Physiology
SPX101 Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science
NUT212 Principles of Nutrition
OES240 Leading Groups in Outdoor Environments
SPX231 Motor Control and Learning
OES300 Outdoor Environmental Expeditions
OES301 Leading Coastal Environmental Studies
NUT300 Nutrition for Health and Exercise

Minor courses (4) 48 units

Environmental Management
Indigenous Studies
Marine Science
Restoration and Conservation
Sustainability

Elective courses (8) 96 units

Select 8 elective courses (96 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.

If you wish to use your electives to complete 4 courses in a discipline that links to a secondary school subject (e.g. English), you will need to choose only one 100-level course in your list of 4 courses to be eligible to use these as a teaching area.

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 288

Recommended study sequences

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in program structure
Complete no more then 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses (120 units), including the core course
Complete 25 days Outdoor Environmental Fieldwork on Fraser Island and other natural environments on the Sunshine Coast

In order to commence Supervised Professional Experience placement you must:

Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority)
Travel to attend field education placements
A Blue Card is required, refer to Requirements for placements

Program notes

Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
Students will need to be aware of the physical components and location requirements of the program. If you have a disability, medical condition or any concerns that may affect your potential participation in some of the practical components of the program, you are invited to discuss your options with the program coordinator
Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.

Submit an enquiry

Questions? Ask us anything about studying this program. Alternatively, contact Student Central with any student-related enquiries.

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Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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