Adventure and Outdoor Education
Adventure and Outdoor Education – help people learn through outdoor experiences
Want the outdoors to be part of your future work? In this programme, you will explore how hiking, kayaking, climbing and winter activities can help people learn, build confidence and work together. The degree combines community education with experiential learning outdoors.
What will you learn?
Plan and lead experiential learning activities for different groups.
Understand group dynamics, encourage participation and evaluate learning experiences.
Apply safety and risk management principles to outdoor activities.
Connect outdoor activities with environmental education.
How will you study?
You will put theory into practice through projects, multi-day trips to Finnish national parks and wilderness areas, and three work placements. Placements can take place in Finland or, where opportunities are available, abroad. Helsinki is the main study location, but some trips and placements take place elsewhere in Finland. Your studies will also include summer semesters.
This full-time daytime programme is taught in English, comprises 210 ECTS credits and usually takes 3.5 years to complete. On graduation, you will receive the Community Educator (Bachelor of Humanities) degree.
Prepare for outdoor activities
Your studies will include multi-day expeditions with overnight stays in tents or cabins throughout the year. Humak’s information for new students in 2026 refers to adequate physical and mental health and basic swimming and cycling skills. Check the participation requirements for your own intake directly with the university.
Humak provides core shared equipment, such as tents, kayaks and safety gear. You need your own clothing, footwear and computer; budget for travel and other study-related expenses.
Transcript of records – if you are still at school, prepare a transcript showing your current grades. Use the Kastu template and instructions. Check whether your chosen Humak admission route accepts applicants who have not yet graduated: Humak's current public Rolling Admission requires a completed secondary school qualification.
Upper secondary qualification and supporting certificates – if you have already graduated, prepare the qualification that gives you access to higher education, together with any supporting school documents required for your admission route.
You may not need to take IELTS or TOEFL. University usually allow you to prove your English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL iBT*
- IELTS Academic
- A Cambridge English qualification
- A national English examination listed on your secondary school leaving certificate
- An English subject and grade on your secondary school leaving certificate that meet the university’s requirements
- Secondary education completed in English in a country or school qualification accepted by the university
- An International Baccalaureate (IB) or European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma
- Other
Important: Accepted methods and minimum results depend on study programme, your secondary school qualification and the country where you completed your education. Check the official requirementsfor your chosen study programme.
*Use the Kastu promo code LTU1000102 when registering for TOEFL iBT and receive a 5% discount.
After graduation, you can look for roles in youth centres, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), education projects and businesses offering outdoor activities or tourism services. You can apply your skills to:
leading group activities and outdoor sessions;
designing experiential learning programmes;
organising youth activities and coordinating projects;
developing your own education or outdoor activity services.
If you plan to work in Finland, Finnish language skills are useful when working with local organisations and participants.
