Outdoor recreation

Swap the office for the great outdoors. Choose one of our industry-renowned courses, including the Bachelor of Outdoor Leadership – the only course of its kind in Australia.

Courses in outdoor recreation

Undergraduate (entry-level university courses)

University study undertaken before you graduate with a degree (up to including a bachelor with honours).

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science
SBEC | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years full time or longer for part time
Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Science
SBOE | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years full time or longer for part time
Bachelor of Outdoor Leadership
SBOL | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years full time or longer for part time
Bachelor of Sport Science
SBSA | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years full time or longer for part time

Why choose VU

Studying outdoor recreation at VU

Casie Chalman
4 people who made the outdoors their office
Dreaming about swapping the office for white water rafting, abseiling or mountain biking? Here are four people who have done just that.
students watching a teacher as he explains as someone demonstrates on an exercise bike
VU Block Model
Complete one unit (subject) at a time, in workshop-style classes, with our award-winning learning model.
Pathways into outdoor recreation
If you don’t yet meet the entry requirements to get into your chosen arts course, we'll get you where you need to be with our study pathways.

Career outcomes

Practical field experience, combined with your knowledge of the natural environment, group leadership and planning will open up diverse career possibilities in the following industries:

  • adventure tourism
  • adventure sports
  • ecotourism or adventure tourism
  • environmental or outdoor education
  • land and resource management
  • outdoor adventure
  • outdoor education
  • outdoor recreation
  • national park work
  • natural science work.

VU stories

Basketball champ's secrets to study success
Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports Science
"Studying has been crucial for my mental health – it's given me something else to focus on so I’m not thinking about sport 24/7."
Read Lauren's story
Sultan Saleh Rubayan
Home away from home
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Architectural Engineering)
"I really enjoy the course because it’s very practical and hands-on."
I really enjoy the course because it’s very practical and hands-on.
Sultan's story
Rob Legeun
A competitive edge: Robert’s international soccer success
Master of Sport & Exercise Science
"What really stood out was how practical and all-encompassing the subjects were – from load management, ethics and research – to the impact of exercise on the body."
What really stood out was how practical and all-encompassing the subjects were – from load management, ethics and research – to the impact of exercise on the body.
Robert's story
Want a career in outdoor recreation?
National Head of Educational Delivery with Outdoor Education Group
"Nowhere else in the country can ... students gain the valuable and unique blend of practical skills, academic understanding and on-field experience that VU’s Bachelor of Outdoor Leadership offers."
Nowhere else in the country can ... students gain the valuable and unique blend of practical skills, academic understanding and on-field experience that VU’s Bachelor of Outdoor Leadership offers.
Want a career in outdoor recreation?

Related interests

Exercise science

Fitness

Massage

Physical education

Sport science

Sports coaching

Sports management

Back to Sports & exercise

See also

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Study at VU
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Why choose VU
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Life at VU
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