Degree in adventure comes to Fort William

WEST Highland College students will benefit from a fourth adventure degree which will be available from September this year.

This is the University of the Highlands and Islands fourth degree programme which enables students to study adventure at degree level.

The degree focuses on preparing students for careers in education or as professional adventure practitioners.

The university’s original flagship programme, the degree in adventure tourism management, was established in 2008/2009 with five students. Since then the BA (Hons) marine and coastal tourism and BA (Hons) adventure performance and coaching have been added to this portfolio and now have around 130 students studying for adventure degrees.

Dr Brian Boag, the university’s acting dean of arts, humanities and business, said: ‘This new programme builds on the success of the adventure tourism programmes already in place and opens up new and further opportunities for students who will be attracted by the area, the expertise of the staff and the nature of the programme.’

Lydia Rohmer, the university’s principal and chief executive, also commended the team who gained approval for the degree, saying: ‘I am so proud of our staff for all of their hard work in not only gaining validation for our latest BA (Hons) adventure education degree programme, but for their enthusiasm and innovation which continues to add to the success of the School of Adventure Studies.’