Outdoor Leadership with Integrated Foundation Year

You have a passion for being active outdoors, learning about yourself and how to work as a team. You enjoy acting for the environment and ensuring the safety, welfare and engagement of others.

Our outdoor leadership foundation year in Carlisle will build a solid base in scientific, intellectual and investigative skills and knowledge so that you reach the level needed to undertake the remainder of your degree in Ambleside.

Course Overview
You’ll develop outdoor and leadership skills, knowledge and experience working with people in challenging environments. You will enjoy great facilities at our Lake District campus whilst gaining all the skills you need to work in the outdoor sector. There will be plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy exciting field trips in a range of locations which may include the Highlands of Scotland, North Wales and the Spanish Pyrenees.

The outdoor leadership degree course is organised to blend theory and practice seamlessly, using a range of adventurous outdoor activities to promote your learning whilst gaining valuable experience and skills to support your journey towards National Governing Body Awards.

On this course you will...
• Benefit from the outdoor experience that's at the heart of this course with theory backed up by practice.



• Improve your competencies in mountaineering, climbing, sailing, caving and paddling.



• Explore the Cumbrian outdoors while developing academic, critical-thinking and valuable life skills.



• Learn to successfully lead people with the most up-to-date and best practice coaching.



• Gain valuable commercial and entrepreneurial skills – enhancing your employability.



What You Will Learn
You’ll have an outdoor classroom quite literally on your doorstep – with more than 150 lofty peaks, 16 lakes and an abundance of rivers. So, there are ample opportunities to learn all the academic knowledge and practical skills you need to kick-start your career as an outdoor leader.

We don’t just teach you the theory, you’ll get on with it in practice so you become a proactive and confident problem-solver able to make sound professional judgements and decisions.

So, if you have the desire to operate effectively and lead in challenging environments, then our uniquely-located course will provide everything you need to succeed. Experience-gaining and skill development sit at the centre of all our modules.

With campuses in the Lake District, Carlisle, Lancaster, Ambleside, Barrow, and London, you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty, supportive communities, and real opportunities.

With strong links to law firms, schools, NHS Trusts, creative agencies, and employers nationwide, we connect your learning directly to your future career.

Ranked the No. 1 university in the Northwest and in the Top 5 in the UK for Graduates into employment or further study within 15 months (97.5% of Graduates – Graduate Outcomes Survey, HESA 2026), Cumbria is a university focused on your future from day one.