University of Chichester

Placement Year

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Adventure Education Placement Year

During the third year of the degree students undertake a ‘placement’ year. In conjunction with the staff teaching team students plan a negotiated learning contract containing periods of work in the adventure industry, personal adventuring, and experiences towards governing body awards. This period provides an opportunity for students to explore in depth the links between theory and practice.

Placement year pic2A typical placement year might contain:

  • four weeks climbing throughout the country working towards SPA assessment
  • twelve weeks of employment working as an adventure facilitator in a centre
  • twelve weeks working in Europe as part of a ski patrol
  • six weeks personal trekking

The placement year enables students to observe and be involved in work in adventure education first hand and to consider the varying approaches adopted by providers. They will be able to reflect upon the nature and quality of provision in the light of links that they have established between theory and practice. Experiences in the placement year contribute further to students becoming ‘reflective practitioners’, able to evaluate their experiences and articulate them to others.