Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities

Endorsed by the Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL), the Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities is aimed at post-16 learners looking to progress to employment as an Outdoor Activities Instructor.

This two-year, full-time qualification has been developed in consultation with employers and the main professional body in outdoor activities, the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL), in order to confirm that the content is appropriate and consistent with current industry practice and that it will allow learners to enter employment directly in the outdoor activities sector. In addition, higher-education institutions have been consulted to ensure that the qualification allows progression for those aspiring to higher-level study.

This qualification is also mapped to the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA) Safeguarding and Protecting Children's Standards, thereby supporting an individual who, within their job role, has a need to be aware of and/or implement safeguarding procedures to protect children.

This qualification is equivalent in size to three A Levels and consists of the following mandatory and selected optional specialist units.

Mandatory Units

The mandatory content ensures students will gain the underpinning knowledge, skills and behaviour needed to work as an outdoor activities instructor so that they can work independently in outdoor pursuit centres or as a freelance instructor. In addition, students will learn how to support sustainable participation in the outdoors to help to protect the environment, which is a growing concern with increased participation in this sector.

• Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry
• Health, Wellbeing and Sport
• Personal Skills Development in Outdoor Activities
• Applied Leadership and Instructing in Outdoor Activity
• Research Project in Sport*
• Health and Safety Factors in Outdoor Learning
• Outdoor Activity Provision
• Impacts and Sustainability of Outdoor Activities

The research project can be used to support an in-depth understanding of a specific area of the outdoor activities sector that relates to the local or regional area, and to develop learners' research skills, which are transferable to higher education and employment.

Optional Specialist Units

Students will also study four optional specialist units (as determined by WUC Course lead) from the following.

• Sport Development
• Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
• Nutrition for Physical Performance
• Anatomy and Physiology in Sport
• Sporting Injuries
• Fitness Training
• Influence of Technology in Sport and Physical Activity
• Organising Events in Sport and Physical Activities
• Ethical and Current Issues in Sport
• Marketing Communications
• Sport and Leisure Facility Operations
• Sports Tourism
• Expedition Experience

The following information provides students with the entry requirements for this particular course.

• 5 GCSEs at Grade 9-4 or A*-C
• Must include English, Maths and Science
• Satisfactory references from most recent school, college or employer

Please note:
Alternative qualifications or experience will be considered on application.

This qualification includes a minimum of 20 hours' work placement.

Units are assessed using a wide variety of methods including through forms of written, practical assessment and presentation assessment.

This qualification is focused primarily on progression directly to employment as an Outdoor Activities Instructor.

On successful completion of this qualification, Students can go on to work as a freelance outdoor activities instructor. They can work at a variety of outdoor pursuit centres, both daytime centres, for example high ropes courses, and residential centres. They can work as expedition leaders in the UK and overseas, with school-age children on bushcraft trips or in holiday companies and national parks, wildlife trusts and country parks.