Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Outdoor Education
Why Study / Key Benefits
Key benefits of studying this programme at Ara include:
Practical and theoretical learning: Combines classroom-based knowledge with practical outdoor education experiences.
Sustainability knowledge: Develops an understanding of sustainable practices, environmental responsibility and resource management.
Outdoor education skills: Builds the knowledge and practical capabilities needed to plan and facilitate outdoor learning experiences.
Environmental science: Explores journey-based environmental science and contemporary environmental issues.
Professional development: Suitable for established teachers, outdoor educators and instructors seeking career advancement.
Career transition: Provides retraining opportunities for graduates from other academic backgrounds.
Leadership development: Develops leadership, decision-making, instruction and project-management capabilities.
Elective flexibility: Students can select specialist practical and theoretical courses according to their interests and professional goals.
Field-based experience: Students participate in field trips outside Christchurch and learn in practical outdoor environments.
Further study: Graduates can progress to relevant postgraduate qualifications, subject to entry requirements.
Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics
The Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Outdoor Education is a 120-credit qualification combining compulsory and elective courses.
The programme allows students to develop a broad understanding of sustainability and outdoor education while choosing additional practical and theoretical courses according to their interests.
The following subjects are published in Ara's programme information.
Core learning areas identified by NZQA:
1. Leadership and Decision Making
Leadership principles.
Decision-making in outdoor environments.
Managing people and outdoor learning experiences.
Professional responsibility and leadership development.
2. Teaching and Learning
Teaching methodologies.
Learning facilitation.
Planning educational activities.
Supporting different learners.
Professional teaching practices.
3. Applied Instruction
Practical outdoor instruction.
Developing instructional skills.
Planning and facilitating outdoor activities.
Safe and effective learning experiences.
4. Sustainable Practices in a Changing World
Sustainability principles.
Environmental responsibility.
Sustainable resource management.
Contemporary sustainability challenges.
Applying sustainable practices in different contexts.
5. Capstone Project or Special Topic and Elective
Applied learning.
Independent or project-based study.
Research and investigation.
Developing knowledge in a selected area of interest.
Published Elective Courses
Ara identifies the following elective courses across different levels.
Level 5 – Practical Outdoor Skills
Water-Based Practical Skills – River and Oceans (BSOE523), 15 credits.
Land-Based Practical Skills 1 (BSOE524), 15 credits.
Land-Based Practical Skills 2 (BSOE528), 15 credits.
Level 6 – Advanced Outdoor Skills and Leadership
Advanced Rock Climbing (BSOE607), 15 credits.
Advanced Sea Kayaking (BSOE609), 15 credits.
Surf and Beach Education (BSOE611), 15 credits.
Advanced Bush Walking (BSOE612), 15 credits.
Advanced Mountain Bike (BSOE613), 15 credits.
Special Topic (BSOE614), 15 credits.
Leadership and Decision Making (BSOE622), 15 credits.
Te Wao Nui: Land-Based Systems and Environments (BSOE626), 15 credits.
Level 7 – Advanced Professional and Sustainability Learning
Contemporary Issues (BSOE701), 15 credits.
Special Topic (BSOE709), 15 credits.
Adventure Therapy and People Development (BSOE715), 15 credits.
Teaching and Learning 3 (BSOE721), 15 credits.
Applied Instruction (BSOE722), 15 credits.
Capstone Project (BSOE724), 30 credits.
Sustainable Practices in a Changing World (BSOE725), 15 credits.
Important Programme Structure Note
Ara publishes a mixture of core and elective courses, and students are advised to check course availability with the programme leader.
The courses listed above should not be interpreted as a requirement to complete every listed course. The exact combination of compulsory and elective courses depends on the approved individual programme of study.
Disciplines / Specialisations
The programme belongs to the Sustainability and Outdoor Education study area.
Its main disciplines include:
Sustainability and environmental education.
Outdoor and adventure education.
Environmental science.
Resource management.
Outdoor instruction.
Teaching and learning.
Leadership and decision-making.
Adventure therapy.
Recreation and community health.
Conservation and environmental protection.
Potential areas of focus include:
1. Land-based outdoor education
Bush walking.
Mountain biking.
Rock climbing.
Land-based systems and environments.
2. Water-based outdoor education
River activities.
Ocean activities.
Sea kayaking.
Surf and beach education.
3. Environmental and sustainability education
Sustainable practices.
Environmental science.
Resource management.
Contemporary sustainability issues.
4. Teaching and outdoor instruction
Teaching and learning.
Applied instruction.
Leadership and decision-making.
Adventure therapy and people development.
5. Specialist learning
Special Topic courses.
Capstone Project.
Programme Highlights
The programme offers a combination of professional development, outdoor education and sustainability-focused learning.
Key highlights include:
Recognised New Zealand Level 7 Graduate Diploma.
120-credit qualification.
One-year full-time study.
Part-time study available for up to three years.
Combination of compulsory and elective courses.
Practical outdoor education training.
Field trips outside Christchurch.
Journey-based environmental science.
Sustainable resource management.
Contemporary environmental and sustainability issues.
Advanced outdoor instruction.
Leadership and decision-making development.
Land-based and water-based practical activities.
Adventure therapy and people development.
Capstone project opportunities.
Some distance-learning course options.
Progression opportunities to relevant postgraduate qualifications.
Career Outcomes
Graduates can use this qualification to enhance their existing professional careers or pursue new opportunities in sustainability and outdoor education.
Career opportunities identified by Ara and NZQA include:
Outdoor Education Instructor.
Outdoor Activity Instructor.
Environmental Education Instructor.
Social Studies Teacher, subject to relevant teaching requirements.
Outdoor Learning Facilitator.
Adventure Tourism Professional.
Eco-tourism Professional.
Recreation Programme Coordinator.
Conservation Worker.
Community Health and Recreation Professional.
Sustainability Education Professional.
Potential employment sectors:
1. Education
Outdoor education providers.
Educational institutions.
Environmental education organisations.
Outdoor learning programmes.
2. Adventure and Tourism
Adventure tourism operators.
Eco-tourism organisations.
Outdoor recreation providers.
Guided outdoor activities.
3. Environment and Conservation
Conservation organisations.
Environmental education centres.
Sustainable development initiatives.
Resource management organisations.
4. Community and Recreation
Community health organisations.
Recreation centres.
Outdoor activity organisations.
Community development programmes.
5. Teaching and Professional Development
Social studies education.
Outdoor education.
Professional instruction.
Sustainability-focused education.
Further study opportunities:
After successfully completing the Graduate Diploma, students may consider:
Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Practice.
Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Practice.
Master of Sustainable Practice.
Other relevant postgraduate qualifications, subject to entry requirements.
Latest Updates / Special Requirements
Latest programme information for 2027:
Qualification: Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Outdoor Education.
Programme code: CH4032.
Qualification level: 7.
Total credits: 120.
Duration: 1 year full-time.
Part-time option: Up to 3 years.
February 2027 intake: Listed.
July 2027 intake: Listed.
International tuition fee: NZD $27,768 per year.
IELTS Academic: Overall 6.0, with no band below 5.5.
Special programme requirements:
First Aid Certificate: Students must hold a current two-day Comprehensive First Aid Certificate.
Police vetting: Applicants may need to complete a New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form depending on their placement.
Field trips: Students must participate in field trips outside Christchurch.
Personal equipment: Students must arrange their own required clothing and personal outdoor equipment.
Specialist equipment: Ara provides specialist equipment for programme activities.
Course availability: Students should confirm the availability of elective courses with the programme leader.
Additional expenses:
Ara indicates that additional equipment and programme-related costs will be advised before enrolment.
Exact equipment costs, field-trip expenses and First Aid training costs: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.
International application deadline:
The programme webpage displays 19 December as the international application closing date. The applicable year and intake-specific deadline should be confirmed directly with Ara.
International Student Visa Requirements
International students intending to study the one-year, full-time Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Outdoor Education will generally require a Fee Paying Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand.
Ara's programme listing indicates that the qualification may be available for a student visa. Final visa eligibility is determined by Immigration New Zealand.
Visa eligibility requirements:
Applicants generally need to:
Obtain an Offer of Place from Ara, an approved education provider.
Meet the programme's academic entry requirements.
Meet the English-language requirements.
Demonstrate sufficient funds to pay tuition fees.
Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover living expenses.
Meet health and character requirements.
Hold acceptable medical and travel insurance.
Demonstrate genuine intentions to study.
Provide evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to purchase an onward ticket.
Hold a valid passport.
Financial requirements:
Immigration New Zealand generally requires tertiary students studying for one year or longer to demonstrate access to:
- NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses.
For this programme, applicants should budget for NZD $20,000 in living expenses, in addition to tuition fees and travel costs.
Acceptable financial evidence may include:
Personal bank statements.
Education loan sanction letters.
Scholarship award letters.
Acceptable sponsorship.
Financial undertaking from an eligible guarantor.
Evidence of fixed-term deposits.
Other acceptable financial documents.
For applicants applying from India:
Under Immigration New Zealand's South Asia financial sponsorship requirements, applicants applying from India generally need an eligible immediate family member to act as their sponsor or provide a financial undertaking.
Eligible immediate family categories include:
Partner.
Parents.
Siblings.
Grandparents.
Parents-in-law.
Tuition fee payment:
Students must pay the required tuition fees according to Ara's invoice and payment instructions.
Ara issues an official payment receipt.
The receipt is required as evidence of tuition payment for the visa process.
Applicants applying from outside New Zealand may request an Approval in Principle before paying tuition fees, subject to Immigration New Zealand's procedures.
Visa application fee:
Fee Paying Student Visa: From NZD $850.
Processing benchmark: 80% of applications within 7 weeks.
These fees and processing times can change.
Work rights:
Subject to the conditions granted on the individual student visa:
Eligible students may work up to 25 hours per week during their studies.
Eligible students may work full-time during scheduled holidays.
Work rights are not automatic and must be confirmed through the individual eVisa.
Medical and travel insurance:
Ara requires international students to maintain appropriate and current medical and travel insurance.
The insurance must:
Cover the relevant period of study.
Meet New Zealand's international student protection requirements.
Be acceptable to Ara.
Cover appropriate medical and travel expenses.
Ara's 2027 International Mini Guide lists:
12-month insurance: NZD $992.
6-month insurance: NZD $506.
Practical field trips and student visa considerations:
The programme includes compulsory outdoor activities and field trips outside Christchurch.
Students should:
Obtain confirmation of the practical activity requirements.
Ensure their visa permits the intended study arrangements.
Provide any required evidence of practical work experience if requested by Immigration New Zealand.
Follow all health and safety requirements during field activities.
Attendance and academic progress:
Students must:
Attend the programme in accordance with their enrolment and visa conditions.
Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Participate in required practical activities.
Maintain appropriate medical and travel insurance.
Comply with all New Zealand immigration conditions.
Visa application timing:
Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before the intended travel date.
