BSc (Hons) in Adventure Performance and Coaching
Fort William, United Kingdom
DURATION
4 up to 8 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 13,980 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Scotland or EEA (outside of the UK): £1,820 per year | UK: £9,250 per year (Years 1, 2 and 3) | International: £13,980 per year
Key Summary
Introduction
What is special about this course?
BSc (Hons) Adventure Performance and Coaching brings a unique focus on sports science to the domain of adventure coaching. You will combine the skills and knowledge of the applied sports scientist with those of a modern adventure professional in ever-changing outdoor environments, preparing you to coach and guide the next generation of adventure athletes and participants.
Be part of a rapidly evolving sector, where the demand for healthy active lifestyles has brought about a drive for greater achievements in adventure sports and for the life-enhancing benefits of participation. With over 21 Olympic adventure sports disciplines, adventure sports performance and competition is a global phenomenon, and participants are demanding higher outcomes in their chosen areas, informed by expert coaches and leaders.
Special features
- Access to outstanding outdoor sports facilities set amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK
- Receive tailored outdoor-activity skill development and professional NGB training and assessment with the School of Adventure Studies' 'practical credits system': continuous professional skills development throughout your degree and beyond
- Be part of a vibrant and active student community of outdoor enthusiasts based in Fort William – within the Outdoor Capital of the UK
- Easy transfer options available between adventure programmes within the School of Adventure Studies: Adventure Tourism Management; Adventure Education; and Marine and Coastal Tourism
- Excellent links and work-placement opportunities with many adventure-based businesses and institutions in Scotland, the UK and internationally
- Residential field trips, clubs, international expeditions and many other opportunities to enhance your skills and experience in adventure activities
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation in Fort William ideally suited to students on this course.
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1 - CertHE
Core modules may include:
- Activity performance and skill acquisition
- Adventure geography: the Scottish perspective
- Human structure and function
- Introduction to professional adventure practice
- Introduction to sports coaching and leadership
You will also choose two option modules which may include:
- Adventure education journeys
- Adventure markets: products and services
Year 2 - DipHE
Core modules may include:
- Adventure operations and risk management
- Applied coaching and leadership
- Performance and analysis of specialist skills
- Principles of sport and exercise psychology
- Sport and exercise physiology
You will also choose one option module which may include:
- Understanding adventure
- Work placement: team working and communication
Year 3 - BSc
Core modules include:
- Applied sport and exercise psychology
- Planning international expeditions
- Research methods (sport)
You will also choose three option modules which must include one from the following:
- Design, manage and evaluate human fitness and physical performance
- Sports nutrition and dietary considerations
- Strength and conditioning
Additional options may also include:
- Adventure therapy
- International expedition leadership
- Work placement: industry specific skills
Year 4 - BSc (Hons)
Core modules include:
- Advanced applications of coaching and instruction
- Adventure psychology: skills and behaviours
- Inclusive adventure
- Perceptions of risk and decision-making
You will also choose one double credit project or research-based module from the following:
- Dissertation (sport)
- Professional adventure project (legacy project or major expedition venture)
Program delivery
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
You will learn through a combination of face-to-face lectures and tutorials in the classroom, with some online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE)
You will also spend a significant amount of time increasing your skills through practical, experiential learning. The main disciplines included are mountaineering and climbing, paddle sports and mountain biking, with a wide scope for progression and application of theories throughout the four years of study, through field work and industry activity.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years
Where can I study my course?
- Fort William
Start date
- August/September
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
EU scholarship
EEA/EU/Swiss nationals living in this region for the past 3 years will receive an automatic scholarship of £4,000 - with the fourth year of study free!
United States - Federal Aid (FAFSA)
Federal Aid can be used to cover tuition fees for American students studying on-campus in Scotland.
Canada - Federal Aid
Federal Aid can be used to cover tuition fees for Canadian students studying on-campus in Scotland, as well as the majority of the Canadian provinces' student aid programmes.
Why study at University of the Highlands and Islands
On-campus study - live and learn in Scotland
Courses in health, sustainability, engineering, history, outdoors and more with the University of the Highlands and Islands:
- #3 in the UK and #1 in Scotland for postgraduate student satisfaction
- Top 10 most affordable UK universities
- Specialist subjects with links to industry
Browse all of the on-campus undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that we offer for international students.
Online study - achieve a UK degree without moving abroad
Courses in health, sustainability, engineering, history, outdoors and more with the University of the Highlands and Islands:
- Flexible study options to fit with your life
- Top 10 most affordable UK universities
- Decades of online teaching experience
Browse all of the online undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that we offer for international students.
Career Opportunities
What can I do on completion of my course?
With a degree in Adventure Performance and Coaching you will hold a valuable array of knowledge and skills that are transferable to any of the various aspects of the UK or international adventure sector. The specific pathway you take will be vital in helping you shape your own chosen career. Adventure coaching covers a wide range of career pathways and specialist fields, including:
- Adventure sport coach
- Applied sport scientist or performance analyst
- Guiding and instructing in adventurous activities
- Leadership and management roles in activity organisations
- Sports development officer and talent identification
- Strength and conditioning coach
Your career will grow and change as the years go on, and your degree will prepare you for other related areas and possible future growth, so you may also find yourself involved in:
- Adventure education
- Adventure therapy
- Adventure tourism
- Higher level adventure sector leadership - shaping future policy and practice
- International expeditions
- Marine wildlife tourism
- Military or emergency services