Adventure and Outdoor Education
Community Educator (Bachelor of Humanities)
Explore, lead, grow — study Adventure and Outdoor Education
This English-taught degree prepares you to become a community educator who uses adventure and experiential learning as professional methods.
You will learn to guide individuals and groups safely in nature and other environments, and to integrate outdoor experiences into learning, growth, well-being, and community development. Throughout the studies, you build strong pedagogical, social, and safety competences needed to design and lead meaningful adventure education processes.
Who is this programme for?
Educators and instructors expanding their skills
You already have experience in youth work, education, sports instruction, or community activities — and now you want to broaden your professional toolkit. You’re interested in learning how adventure and outdoor methods can strengthen learning, participation, and well-being. Our studies help you deepen your pedagogical and guiding skills and give you the competence to plan and lead safe, meaningful learning experiences for different groups.
International Learners and Explorers
You’re looking for an international study experience that combines nature, culture, and community. You want to study in English, live in Finland, and learn in group where collaboration and reflection are part of everyday life. At Humak, you’ll join an international community of learners who share your curiosity and love for the nature.
Nature-oriented explorers building their first professional path
You may not yet have work experience or a previous degree, but nature, movement, and outdoor life are an important part of who you are. You’re curious, ready to learn, and motivated to turn your interest in adventure into a meaningful profession. Our studies help you build a strong foundation in pedagogical, social, and safety skills — giving you a clear path toward working with people, guiding groups, and creating outdoor learningexperiences.
Programme content
Learn through experience – in nature and in community! Adventure and Outdoor Education degree combines theory, practice, and adventurous elements in nature.
The degree consists of 210 ECTS credits and is usually completed in 3,5 years. The studies include common core studies, professional basics, specialization in adventure and outdoor education, optional studies, and supervised internships in Finland or abroad. Dialogue between theory and practice runs through the whole curriculum. You can graduate more quickly by gaining recognition of prior learning (RPL) and/or completing courses during the summer.
You’ll develop strong interaction, teamwork, and project management skills and learn to work for a more equal and sustainable world. These studies also cover future-oriented thinking, research-based workplace development, and understanding of the Nordic welfare model.
You’ll explore how communities work and how social change happens. You’ll gain pedagogical skills for guiding individuals and groups and learn how equality, diversity, and participation can be supported in different educational and community settings.
In the specialization studies, theory meets practice. You’ll learn outdoor and adventure methods such as trekking, kayaking, climbing, and winter activities. Studies include environmental education, group leadership, safety and risk management, and pedagogical facilitation. Multi-day field courses in Finland’s national parks and wilderness areas are a part of learning.
You’ll apply your knowledge in real working-life settings, e.g. in NGOs, youth centers, schools, or adventure-based companies. Training can be completed in Finland or abroad. Through three internships, you’ll build professional networks and gain hands-on experience in the field. The networks and work experience from internships often play a key role in finding employment.
At Humak, the RPL, i.e. Recognition of Prior Learning process, means in practice that a student can make use of their prior expertise to advance their studies. This expertise can come from work experience, prior studies or, for example, hobbies and volunteer work, if they are related to the goals of the studies. Approved skills are entered into the study register, which can compensate for a course partially or entirely. Your personal coach is responsible for the RPL procedure.
We also offer you the opportunity to complete courses as summer studies
Who are the daytime studies in Outdoor and Adventure Education suitable for?
Helsinki
Daytime studies are perfect for you, if…
You want to study on campus in a community
In the daytime studies, you study at the Helsinki campus in an active and international learning community.
You want to learn in nature
Your studies include wilderness periods, hiking, kayaking and climbing in nature – both classroom teaching on campus and authentic learning environments on waters, in forests and in the mountains.
You want to focus on full-time studies
The studies are full-time contact teaching, including summer terms. Teaching on campus usually takes place between 9 am and 4 pm, and the studies include multi-day wilderness periods.
What skills will you have upon graduation?
We train professionals who can lead others toward learning, well-being, and growth — through nature, community, and adventure.
Our goal is, that upon graduation, you know how to…
Instruct others
You know how to plan, lead, and evaluate safe and meaningful adventure and outdoor activities for different groups and age levels. You can select activities and challenge levels that match your own skills and the participants’ abilities. You ensure that every activity is physically, psychologically, and socially safe.
Facilitate learning and growth
You promote well-being and inclusion through experiential and activity-based learning methods.
Collaborate across communities
You work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams and build networks with organizations, schools, and communities in Finland and abroad
Develop yourself and your field
You use research-based approaches to improve your own work and to develop organizations and projects in the field of adventure and community education.
“By overcoming discomfort, you experience feelings of success and happiness that are hard to find indoors.”
Olli Kamunen, lecturer, Adventure and Outdoor Education
Community Educator graduates from the Adventure and Outdoor Education studies can find employment in a wide range of professional fields
Many work in youth services, NGOs, education, or the nature-based experience and tourism sector, while some start their own businesses combining adventure, learning, and well-being.
Frequently asked questions
There is no tuition fee for EU/EEA or Swiss citizens. For students coming from outside these areas, the tuition fee is 14,000 € per academic year. All students should reserve a small budget for personal equipment, travel to study locations, and optional study trips, some of which may include additional costs.
The main study location is Humak’s Helsinki campus (Ilkantie 4, Helsinki, Finland). Some field courses and training periods take place elsewhere in Finland.
Humak provides all essential adventure education equipment such as tents, kayaks, and safety gear. Students should have besides personal outdoor clothing and footwear suitable for all seasons also personal computer. New students receive a detailed equipment list before studies begin.
Yes. You can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if you already have relevant work experience or studies. Approved credits can shorten your study time and let you focus on developing new skills.
Further information
Degree information on StudyInfo
Read more about admission criteria and upcoming application rounds.
Want to know more about the degree?
Download our digital brochure to find out more about studying at Humak.
Have questions?
Contact our Admissions services via email: admissions(at)humak.fi
Or by phone Mon-Thu from 13 to 15:
+358 20 7621 234
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