Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Science

VU course code:SBOELevel of study:Undergraduate

Domestic only

ATAR

Not required

Duration

3 years full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

Hybrid

Fees

View all fees

Location

Footscray Park Campus

Intakes

View all intakes

Overview

Prepare for a career working in nature, with a Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Science from VU.

Our outdoor education and environmental science degree opens up a range of possibilities for work in environmental education, ecotourism, resource management and more.

Throughout your dual Bachelor of Outdoor Education / Bachelor of Environmental Science degree you'll take part in field-based components designed to grow your understanding of outdoor environments. You'll explore ways to understand and experience the natural environment, and ways to help others enjoy and appreciate it.

Throughout the Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Science you'll acquire a solid science-based foundation, along with expertise in:

adventure activities
community building
conservation, ecology and sustainability
group and resource management
leadership
Indigenous knowledge
risk and safety.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Integrate knowledge and skills from the outdoor education, general science and environmental science disciplines to become a leader in their area of expertise;
Develop and design evidence-based practice in outdoor education and environmental science to support a diverse range of individual, group, community and stakeholder needs;
Analyse and synthesise information gathered from outdoor education and environmental science research to develop knowledge and understanding of professional identity and discipline specific requirements and as a basis for independent lifelong learning;
Evaluate and apply information to creatively solve problems related to professional practice in outdoor education and environmental science;
Work as an independent and collaborative professional who can clearly and coherently communicate outdoor education and environmental science knowledge and ideas;
Analyse and evaluate a diverse range of policies and procedures to enable the safe delivery and implementation of field based programs across the outdoor education and environmental science disciplines; and
Develop skill specific knowledge and technique in a broad range of outdoor adventure activities to use as a platform for the development of meta-skills related to outdoor education and environmental science.
: You'll have the opportunity to complete external industry-based qualifications, including:
Wilderness First Aid
White-water Raft Guide (grade 3)
Flatwater Canoe Instructor
Bushwalking Guide.
: Achieve your full potential with The Learning Hub, which helps you develop your confidence, academic ability, and study skills.
Benefit from in-person mentoring and study sessions, along with a range of digital learning modules that you can access anytime.
Get help from our online, 24/7 support service to polish your assignments before you submit, and receive guidance on writing, referencing, maths and more.
Read more about The Learning Hub
: Study this course via our award-winning VU Block Model®, where you complete one subject at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several at once.
Learning in workshop-style classes, you’ll develop strong connections with your peers and practical skills for your future career.
You’ll also get fast feedback on your assignments, helping you to improve quickly as you progress through your course.
Learn more about the VU Block Model®

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

No minimum ATAR required

This course does not have a minimum ATAR requirement for entry. Read the entry criteria for this course below.

Why ATAR is not applicable

You do not need an ATAR score to apply for this course. Instead, you need to have successfully completed secondary school and to meet any requirements outlined below. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their ATAR, age, education or socioeconomic background.

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:
Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)
an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE
an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.
Admission criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.
Admission criteria
Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Health or Human Sciences, Training & Development, Community Sports or similar.
OR:
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
: Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study
(includes a bridging or enabling course) 9 27.3%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study NP NP
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
NA NA
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
NA NA
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
18 54.5%
(D) Work and Life experience <5 <5
International students 0 0.0%
All students 33 100%
"<5" – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Applicant background	Number of students	Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	9	27.3%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study	NP	NP
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)	18	54.5%
(D) Work and Life experience	<5	<5
International students	0	0.0%
All students	33	100%

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a:

guide for your learning during the course
way for you to identify challenges you may have in studying this course.

Learn more about inherent requirements

Additional information

Due to the nature of the field lab components of this course students should note that some unit delivery will take place outside of the normal university hours. Please note that SOL2000 Natural Environments 2 will be delivered during the summer semester due to environmental constraints.

Students may incur a levy of approximately $2000 across the duration of the course for transport, accommodation and camping fees associated with field teaching. This levy will be charged at a unit level depending on the requirements specific to the unit.

Students will require a Working with Children Check and National Police Check to be eligible to undertake and participate in workplace visits, placements or projects. Use the following site links to obtain additional information:
http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Sciences, students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

72 credit points First Year Core units
216 credit points Professional Core units

After you are accepted into your course, you will need to enrol in your course units.

During enrolment, use your course delivery plan to understand the structure and requirements of your course.

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Careers

The Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Science offers several career pathways:

environmental educator
outdoor educator
outdoor adventure guide, instructor or facilitator
park ranger
teaching (with additional Master of Teaching (Secondary Education))
scientific roles in organisations such as the CSIRO
land management roles with organisations such as National/State Parks, Local Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs), Local Councils and Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP)
eco and adventure tourism.

The nature-based outdoor economy offers many career opportunities. An industry-based report Outdoors Victoria and Sport and Recreation Victoria – Victoria’s nature based outdoor economy, indicates this industry is worth $7.4 billion annually to Victoria’s economy, employing 71,000 fulltime jobs.

Teaching roles

The Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Science satisfies three major teaching areas for the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT):

General Science
Environmental Science
Outdoor and Environmental Studies.

On graduation, you may continue on to our Master of Teaching (Secondary) to become a registered teacher.

Salaries & job prospects

Visit Jobs and Skills Australia for job information, including salaries, for environmental scientists.

Careers in the outdoors

Read about careers in the great outdoors after studying at VU!

Intakes

Melbourne

On campus – Melbourne Footscray Park Campus

Semester 1 - Block 1

Course starts 15 February 2027

Applications close07 February 2027

Semester 1 - Block 3

Course starts 26 April 2027

Applications close18 April 2027

Semester 2 - Block 1

Course starts 26 July 2027

Applications close18 July 2027

Apply via VTAC if you are:

in Year 12 or
applying to multiple universities

VTAC course code 4301010911

VTAC very late applications are due by 22 January 2027

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this page, please note that dates are subject to change. Some courses may close early due to an earlier start date or there being limited places available.

VU stories

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