Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities

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Introduction

Get the skills and expertise you need to lead outdoor activities, with our professionally endorsed Level 3 National Extended Diploma at Writtle College.

We’ve developed our course in consultation with employers and professional bodies. It’s endorsed by the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL), meaning its content is consistent with current industry practice. After successfully completing the course, you’ll be ready to work as an outdoor activities instructor.

As a student at Writtle College, you’ll learn how to lead land- and water-based activities such as navigation, mountain biking, clay pigeon shooting, paddle-boarding and canoeing.

Your course includes a work placement of at least 20 hours, and the opportunity to work towards a CYQ Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

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Entry requirements

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Fees and funding

Facilities

Two students using equipment to monitor sporting performance

Hands-on learning

As a student at Writtle College you’ll benefit from:

  • extensive sporting facilities including floodlit tennis and netball courts, football and rugby pitches, a squash court, cricket square, and sports hall
  • recreation and fitness centre equipped with cardiovascular and resistance machinery, functional fitness and free-weights area, and fitness studio
  • access to the latest equipment such as watt bikes, video analysis, and health-screening tools.
Three students standing in a group and looking at books

Outstanding student support

Join our student community and:

  • learn from experienced tutors, who'll provide encouragement and feedback
  • make full use of facilities including library and IT resources
  • access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.

Accreditation

Institute for Outdoor Learning logo

Institute for Outdoor Learning

This course has been endorsed by the Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL), confirming that the content is appropriate and consistent with current industry practice and will allow learners to enter employment in the outdoor activities sector.

Awarding body

Pearson and BTEC logos

Pearson

Pearson is the UK's largest awarding organisation offering academic, vocational and work-based learning qualifications.

Careers and educational progression

The Level 3 National Extended Diploma, endorsed by the Institute of Outdoor Learning, will prepare you for employment as an outdoor activities instructor.

You might work:

  • at outdoor pursuit centres, including both daytime and residential centres
  • as an expedition leader in the UK and overseas
  • with school-age children on bushcraft trips
  • in holiday companies
  • for national parks, wildlife trusts and country parks.

Alternatively, you might decide to continue your studies. Writtle College is part of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) which offers a number of degrees in sport.

Apply now for Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities

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Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts about courses at Writtle College.

We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.

Main entrance building and front lawn at ARU Writtle

Life in Writtle

Close to major cities, Writtle College is located on a picturesque 150-hectare campus in the heart of the Essex countryside.

Explore the Writtle campus