Disclosure: I teach on the BA (Hons) Leadership Through Outdoor Adventure programme at the University of Lancashire. This article shares my perspective on why outdoor leadership education can be a valuable pathway for those looking to build a life and career around adventure.
For many people, adventure starts as a hobby.
A weekend spent hiking in the Lake District. A climbing trip abroad. A paddleboarding session that turns into a new obsession. A season working in the Alps. A gap year that sparks a lifelong love of travel and the outdoors.
But for some, a question eventually emerges: Could I build a life around this?
It’s a question I’ve asked myself throughout my own journey. From working as an outdoor instructor and living overseas, to delivering active holidays in Greece, coaching athletes on a canoe slalom training camp, climbing and other adventurers. Now my career has naturally shifted towards higher education and I get to blend my performance expertise with my background in adventure sports (both have shaped my career).
What I’ve learned along the way is that there is no single route into the outdoor industry.
Some people start straight from college. Others return to education later in life (like myself). Some are already working as instructors, guides, seasonnaires, photographers, videographers or military personnel. Many are looking for a way to continue travelling and gaining experience while developing professionally.
That’s why I find programmes such as the BA (Hons) Leadership Through Outdoor Adventure so interesting, and something I positioned myself to deliver on. This course for students challenges the idea that higher education has to mean putting the rest of your life on hold. Though I have no regrets and my pathway in strength and conditioning was right for me, if this programme and structure existed when I decided to go to university I would have taken this hands down.
More Than a Traditional Degree
One of the biggest barriers for adventurous people considering higher education is cost of living and having to move. If you’re already working seasons, guiding, travelling, creating content, or building experience in the outdoors, relocating full-time to a university campus isn’t always practical.
The Leadership Through Outdoor Adventure degree at the University of Lancashire takes a different approach.
Students can choose to be based in Preston or study from elsewhere in the UK, While combining online learning with five week-long residentials each year. These residential experiences take place in outdoor environments including North Wales, the Lake District, Peak District etc. where students develop leadership skills through activities such as climbing, kayaking, mountaineering and bushcraft. The flexible delivery model allows students to continue working, travelling and gaining industry experience alongside their studies.
For many students, that has been the real attraction. Education becomes part of their outdoor lifestyle rather than a replacement for it.
A Degree for People Already Living Adventurous Lives
One of the things I enjoy most about teaching on the programme is the diversity of backgrounds students bring.Some join directly from college. Others have spent years working in the outdoor sector.
We’ve had students who are:
- Outdoor instructors and guides
- Seasonal workers
- Armed Forces personnel and veterans
- Outdoor photographers and videographers
- Career changers
- International students
- Entrepreneurs building outdoor businesses
The common thread isn’t age or experience (we have had students from 18 – 65 on the degree). It’s a passion for the outdoors and a desire to develop as leaders both personally and professionally.
When Adventure Becomes a Business
One example is graduate Les, who used the programme as a springboard to launch his own paddleboarding business.
While studying, Les discovered that his future lay in entrepreneurship and outdoor adventure. What began as a passion for the outdoors evolved into a successful paddleboard business, demonstrating how outdoor education can help turn interests into career opportunities. Les had been in the outdoor industry for over a decade and worked all over the world. He never thought that university was something he could do.
The degree isn’t necessarily about following a predefined career path. It’s about creating opportunities and developing the confidence to build something of your own.
Returning to Education Later in Life
Not every student arrives straight from school or college. Ian’s returned to education as a mature student and found the experience transformative. Reflecting on his journey, Ian has spoken about discovering his potential through immersive outdoor learning and a supportive learning environment.
His experience is a reminder that adventure and learning don’t have an age limit, and he is now using these additional skills to help others. In many ways, the experiences people bring from careers, travel and life outside education can enrich the learning process.
Why Location Matters
One of the advantages of studying through the University of Lancashire is its location. Preston sits within easy reach of some of the UK’s most iconic outdoor landscapes.
The Forest of Bowland National Landscape is on the doorstep, while the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, Eryri (Snowdonia), and even southern Scotland are all accessible for adventure, exploration and field-based learning.
For anyone passionate about climbing, hiking, paddling or mountain environments, it’s a fantastic base from which to explore.
For those who want to love on or near campus, Preston is one of the most affordable student cities in the UK.
Leadership Through Adventure
Perhaps the biggest lesson from outdoor environments is that leadership isn’t simply about leading others.
It’s about decision-making, communication, resilience, self-awareness and adaptability in dynamic environments. Whether you’re navigating a mountain, managing a group, planning an expedition, or building a business, many of the same skills apply.
Adventure provides a powerful environment in which to learn them.
Is This Path Right for You?
If you dream of building a life around adventure, there are more options than ever before.
Whether your goal is to work in outdoor education, lead expeditions, develop your own business, continue seasonal work, or simply deepen your understanding of leadership and the outdoors, flexible pathways now exist that allow you to continue living an adventurous life while studying.
For those who want to combine education, travel, personal growth and the outdoors, the BA (Hons) Leadership Through Outdoor Adventure offers one route worth considering.
