Outdoor Adventure SCQF 5 (Broadford) NQ

What is special about this course?

Are you ready to turn your passion for the outdoors into a career?

The NQ Outdoor Adventure course (SCQF Level 5) based in Broadford, Isle of Skye, is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to build skills in outdoor activities and pursue work or further study in the adventure sector.

You'll develop practical experience in a range of outdoor disciplines, including mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, hillwalking, and navigation - all set against the stunning backdrop of the Isle of Skye.

The course combines hands-on training with essential theory in leadership, safety, and environmental responsibility. Whether you're planning a future in guiding, instructing, or simply want to gain confidence in outdoor environments, this course provides a strong foundation.

Delivered by experienced instructors from our School of Adventure Studies, this course offers clear progression to our Outdoor Leadership course at SCQF Level 6, and onward to degree and postgraduate study.

Entry requirements

  • Students must be 16 years of age at the start of the course.
  • Applicants should have at least three National 4s or above or equivalent; a passion for the outdoors (mountain and water environments) and a good level of fitness.
  • If you do not meet all the entry requirements this can be discussed and your previous experience may still qualify you for entry to this course. We’ll be inviting you by email to attend course information sessions between now and the start of your course. We’d urge you to come along if at all possible.
  • Please note that you are required to have a satisfactory Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check to enable participation in work placement. This will be provided as a mandatory part of your course. Further information can be found here at mygov.scot

The course provides solid foundation skills in hillwalking, navigation (summer and winter), climbing, kayaking, canoeing and mountain biking.  It also offers a chance to try additional activities such as skiing, snowboarding, coasteering and stand-up paddleboarding.

Areas covered:

  • paddle-sports and teamwork
  • mountain sports and leadership
  • mountain biking
  • ecology and species identification
  • anatomy, physiology, fitness and exercise
  • progression in core skills for employment or further study
  • embedded development of core and essential skills
  • development of study skills and meta-skills

You will have the opportunity to obtain awards including:

  • Paddle UK Paddlesport Awards
  • Paddle UK Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course
  • Paddle UK Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue Course
  • HSE Outdoor First Aid (16 Hours)
  • National Indoor Climbing Wall Achievement Scheme Levels 1 and 2
  • British Cycling Fundamentals of MTB Leadership Award
  • National Navigation Awards Scheme Bronze and Silver Awards

Equipment

If students are in receipt of bursary, course PPE will be purchased for them through the bursary. If a student is not eligible for bursary, they will be required to supply their own at their own cost.
The required personal protective equipment is:

  • Suitable hard shell waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Hill walking boots (B1 are adequate)

We can provide advice on this if required.
No other equipment needs to be purchased prior to the course starting. During the course all the major and essential items of equipment are provided, but it is helpful, if possible, to set aside a budget for purchasing your own accessories such as thermal underwear or gloves.

How will I study my course?

  • Full Time

Your study will be 70% practical and 30% theory.

You will attend the course four days per week. Three of these days are usually practical and the fourth day is either classroom-based or set aside for online timetabled learning. Your timetabled learning will probably take place in and around our Broadford College Centre.

How is this course assessed?

A combination of approaches, including observation of practical, teamwork, and leadership skills, presentations, and written work.

How long will my course last?

26 Weeks

Where can I study my course?

    • Broadford

Start date

Early October - early May

Fees

Find out more about fees, fee waivers and funding options.

Funding

Students may qualify for bursary funding.

What can I do on completion of my course?

After completing this course, many students go on to study the NQ in Outdoor Leadership at SCQF Level 6 in Fort William, or progress to similar programmes in outdoor education and leadership.

The NQ in Outdoor Adventure builds essential skills like resilience, confidence, problem-solving, and teamwork, all of which form a strong foundation for a wide range of careers.

Graduates have gone on to work in the outdoor sector in roles such as bushcraft instructor and glacier guide, as well as in other fields where they have applied their skills to further study and employment, including paramedic science, early years education, the police, and even film-making.

Is there more information available online?

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I came to Broadford to study Outdoor Adventure. That changed everything and made me realise that this is the industry I want to work in. It was a great course, and it gave me a good grounding in a wide variety of outdoor activities. I wanted to carry on to the next level and so I went on to Fort William to study Outdoor Leadership. That gave me the skills needed to organise and lead groups in adventure activities. These two courses gave me what I needed to look for employment. After an amazing work placement as a glacier guide in Iceland, I then got work in Ireland with residential outdoor centres providing supervised outdoor activities for school groups. I’ve just finished a season with them. I am staying over the winter in Ireland, being put through various certificates by my employer and then using them over the coming summer season. 

Jamie Bradley 

Apply for Outdoor Adventure SCQF 5 (Broadford) NQ

I want to start in 2025/26

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at UHI North, West and Hebrides. UHI North, West and Hebrides operates a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion and/or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.