New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Multi-skilled) (Level 4)
Learn the core skills and knowledge you need to work in the outdoor adventure industry including kayaking, rafting, rock climbing and tramping, mountain biking, nutrition, health, physical and psychological performance, and leadership.
Domestic
About the programme
A great first step into outdoor and adventure education.
Enjoy studying in Wanaka, Central Otago, New Zealand’s best outdoor classroom and the country’s epicentre of outdoor pursuits. Take your gap year within New Zealand and get the chance grow your personal and life skills.
Our Certificate will provide you with the core skills and knowledge you need to work in the outdoor adventure industry, including kayaking, rafting, rock climbing and tramping, mountain biking, nutrition, health, physical and psychological performance, and leadership.
It will also enhance your understanding and skills in leadership, personal communication, group interaction, tikanga, kawa of mana whenua and sustainable practice.
Graduates could engage in paid or volunteer roles as a trainee instructor, leader or guide within community and private outdoor or adventure education/recreation/tourism providers. You may also be eligible to apply for full registration on the New Zealand Register of Recreation Professionals (NZRRP).
International
About the programme
A great first step into outdoor and adventure education.
Enjoy studying in Wanaka, Central Otago, New Zealand’s best outdoor classroom and the country’s epicentre of outdoor pursuits. Take your gap year within New Zealand and get the chance grow your personal and life skills.
Our Certificate will provide you with the core skills and knowledge you need to work in the outdoor adventure industry, including kayaking, rafting, rock climbing and tramping, mountain biking, nutrition, health, physical and psychological performance, and leadership.
It will also enhance your understanding and skills in leadership, personal communication, group interaction, tikanga, kawa of mana whenua and sustainable practice.
Graduates could engage in paid or volunteer roles as a trainee instructor, leader or guide within community and private outdoor or adventure education/recreation/tourism providers. You may also be eligible to apply for full registration on the New Zealand Register of Recreation Professionals (NZRRP).
What You Study
Courses
|
Course |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Kayaking |
Develop and apply knowledge and skills in the pursuit of kayaking, to manage self and peers on Grade 2 whitewater and experience sea kayak journeys. |
|
Rock Climbing |
Develop and apply knowledge and skills to the pursuit of Rock Climbing, managing self and peers. |
|
Mountain Biking |
Develop and apply knowledge and skills in the pursuit of mountain biking, to manage self and peers, on grade 3 trails. |
|
Rafting |
Develop and apply knowledge and skills in the pursuit of rafting being able to guide a raft and perform appropriate rescues on Grade 2 whitewater. |
|
Hautūtanga |
Develop and apply contemporary knowledge of leadership and leadership theories and how these can be applied to self and peers in the outdoors. |
|
Te Taiao |
Develop practical knowledge and understanding of environmental sciences and sustainable practice in the outdoor context. |
|
Kaitiakatanga |
Develop practical knowledge and understanding in tikanga, kawa of mana whenua and sustainable practice. |
At the end of this programme, you'll be able to:
- Manage yourself across a range of outdoor activities, taking into account equipment, weather, local conditions, logistics and safety management.
- Apply principles of health, physical and psychological performance to enhance personal competence and safe participation for a range of outdoor activities.
- Apply a framework of kaitiakitanga that incorporates respect for the tikanga and kawa of local iwi and/or hap¯u, sustainability, and the environment in which you are operating.
- Use leadership theories to inform personal leadership and leadership of peers in a range of outdoor activities.
- Apply the safety management system of an organisation, including being able to respond appropriately within an emergency care situation.
- Plan, prepare and lead outdoor activities in low-risk, low technical outdoor environments, under direct supervision.
Further study options
Opportunities exist for you to bridge into other Otago Polytechnic qualifications and you could increase your career prospects with our Bachelor of Applied Science degree.
Workload
Your workload
Your week will run from Monday to Thursday with Friday being an Independent Learning day (you are expected to practise skills learned during the programme on these days).
This is a full-time programme and a typical practical week may involve between 20-30 contact hours, which may include online components.
You should commit yourself to a 9.00am-4.30pm day, but these times may vary, especially during daylight saving months.
In addition, there are field trips during the year when you will be required to be away for one or more nights.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- Open entry.
Other requirements
- If accepted, we'll also require you to complete a Statement of Offences Against the Law form.
English Language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Please note: It's desirable that you also have a reasonable level of fitness including the ability to swim a minimum of 50 metres and the ability to carry a full overnight tramping pack on multi-day trips. It's also a good idea to look at obtaining your full driver licence as soon as possible (the outdoor industry sees the gaining of/or the ability to gain a 'P' licence as highly desirable).
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
You will need to supply some of your own equipment during this programme. You will be sent a detailed equipment list as part of your enrolment pack.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
Application
Need more info?
If you want to chat about the programme, please email Programme Leader, peter.eley@op.ac.nz
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
