International masters' programme in Outdoor and sustainability education

All children deserve the opportunity to learn and reach their full potential. This master’s programme will increase your knowledge about learning processes with a focus on school-based learning, using different modes and methods. The advanced courses in educational science will help teachers and other educators understand how a variety of outdoor environments can be used as resources for learning and knowledge. During the courses you will learn the theoretical backgrounds for using other learning environments than the classroom.

Outdoor education is a diverse field of research and practice. This programme derives from the Scandinavian perspective on outdoor education - the concept of "uteskola", literally meaning outdoor school. In outdoor school the syllabus is taught outdoors on a regular basis in an interplay with indoor learning. You vill broaden your professional expertis as a teacher by training to use outdoor environments for teaching and learning.

Outdoor learning for all ages

You will gain theoretical and practical knowledge on how to teach different school subjects outdoors, in natural as well as urban environments. We explore the city, nature reserves and other green settings, play grounds and school grounds as learning environments. Examples of educational settings come from the entire school system, pre-school up to secondary school. You will also have the possibility to focus on your particular interests and field of practice.

In addition to classroom lectures and seminars, students work in pairs or groups for assignments in outdoor natural and cultural landscapes. All program courses include individually written assignments and you will collect your own empirical data for your thesis.

Provide young people with sustainability skills

One essential question in societies worldwide is how to sustain our planet’s functions and resources and at the same time improve well-being for a growing population. Environmental and sustainability education focusses on possible ways work with the knowledge, skills and values needed for contributing and participating in a sustainable society. Furthermore, the programme explores what research has revealed about the role of nature and green settings for learning and well-being.

As a graduate, you will be able to work with pedagogical development in schools or other educational fields in society. The programme also prepares you for future PhD studies and research.

You can choose to complete the programme with a one-year (60 credits) master’s degree or continue to a two-year (120 credits) master’s. The flexible structure allows you to tailor your studies to your interests and career goals – and to contribute meaningfully to the future of education and sustainability.