Sport and Outdoor Activities Level 3

Key Details

Available at:
Dolgellau
Study Mode:
Full-time
Course Length:
2 years

Sport and Outdoor Activities Level 3

Full-time (Further Education)

Dolgellau

Please note: We recommend that you have access to a laptop or Chromebook to enable coursework to be completed digitally at home. There is a dedicated IT Digital Inclusion fund to support those learners who do not have a digital device and are unable to purchase one.

Course Description

Would you like a career in the outdoor education industry or the public services, military or civilian?

Are you looking for a practical route into Higher Education?

This course gives you the equivalent of up to three A Levels. You will also complete work experience, and have the opportunity to achieve a variety of personal qualifications and national governing body awards. Your full programme of study will include the Outdoor Sport qualification, alongside additional qualifications which will support your wider skills development and support you to progress. Your personalised programme (grade profile development) will include a combination from the Welsh Baccalaureate (which allows you to gain additional UCAS points), Literacy, Numeracy, Employability and Digital skills.

For information about our Sport Academies please click here Gym & Sports Academies

Entry Criteria

In order to qualify for this course, you will need at least one of the following:

5 GCSEs at grade C or above. This must include English or Welsh 1st Language. You must also have Mathematics/Numeracy at grade D or above.

Level 2 Sport Diploma and preferably GCSE English/Welsh 1st Language and Mathematics at grade D or higher (or equivalent - i.e. Communications and Number ESWs at Level 2)

If you are not sure if you have the entry requirements profile, or have alternative qualifications that you think are equivalent, please contact learner services via the chat function or directly.

Learner services will be able to discuss your profile and advise you of course options.

Delivery

The programme will be delivered through a blend of the following:

Practical and outdoor activities
Classroom discussion
Formal lectures
Guest speakers
Individual research
Group work
Projects
Online support and resources

Your programme will include a combination of:

Essential Skills qualifications and/or
GCSE resits and/or
The Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate is a valuable qualification which is often studied alongside your Level 3 full-time course.

The qualification is graded A*-E, carrying the equivalent UCAS points at Level 3, and equips you with transferable personal and business skills. It is highly regarded by universities and employers alike.

As part of the qualification, you will learn about Global Citizenship, Enterprise and Employability and take part in community engagement and work experience.

Essential Skills

This may include a combination of Application of Number, Communication, Digital Literacy and Essential Employability Skills

GCSE resits

This may include GCSE Numeracy/Maths and/or Welsh/English Language.

Maths & Welsh/English

If you don't achieve a C or above in Maths and/ or English/Welsh, we will support you to retake these subjects as part of your study programme.

Assessment

Practical and written assessments/assignments
Presentations and demonstrations
Portfolios of work
Performance and observation

Progression

Completion of this course will provide you with various options in employment and education.

You could proceed onto a number of programmes at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, including:

Foundation Degree (FdSc) Sport Science (Sports Coaching)
Foundation Degree (FdSc) Sports Science (Outdoor Recreation)

Alternatively, you may apply to other institutions for Degrees, Foundation Degrees and HNDs in Outdoor subjects, Sports Science, Sports Development, Geography, Nursing, Teacher Training, Business and Computing, to name just a few.

You could also move into employment, either directly or after further study. Previous students have secured roles at sport, leisure or outdoors facilities as instructors, supervisors and managers. Others have been accepted into the Police, the Army and the Royal Marines.

Campus Information Llangefni

The course uses the amazing Snowdonia National park and surrounding areas as our outdoor classroom.
The course is fully equipped with our own resources (bikes, kayaks, canoes, wetsuits, camping equipment etc) allowing us to give a well rounded experience, including kit maintenance skills.- The course is a mixture of theory and practical, delivered by our highly skilled team of instructors who have a wealth of knowledge in the the civilian and military Outdoor Education world.
The course uses a range of Outdoor activities as a method of delivering quality practical learning, activities such as Mountaineering, Open boat Canoeing, Rock climbing, Coasteering and many more.
Local and UK wide expeditions are run in both years, ranging from the Lake District to Cairngorm National Park.
Images and information can be found at our Instagram page (gllm_awyragored_outdoor) and Facebook (Sport Outdoor: Coleg Menai)

Campus Information Dolgellau

Located in Dolgellau, the students are spoiled for choice with regards where they can undertake their practical studies and outdoor activities! Many of Snowdonia National Park iconic natural features are located within 10 mile radius of the college, so students can do mountain walking on Cader Idris, kayaking down the tidal Mawddach estuary, Mountain Biking through manmade Coed y Brenin or have a low level walk along the New Precipice trail. This makes Dolgellau a unique, special and exhilarating place to study for a Level 3 Sports and Outdoor Activities qualification.

The course is suitable if you are into your sport such as football, netball, rugby or Outdoor Activities. As you can see from the title it covers both career pathways! So, for example within your Health and Safety assignments you can either investigate the local Outdoor Leisure Centre - Glan Wnion or a local Outdoor Activities provider such as Glan Llyn.

The course has a strong links with Glan Llyn, the Urdd National Outdoor Activity Centre. One of the biggest outdoor centres in Wales. Students will have two residential’s at the centre every year, one dedicated to Water Sports while the other includes Land Based activities. Other specialist professionals come into college on a regular basis, where they lead practical days, taking advantage of local attractions such as Barmouth Slabs for rock climbing and Afon Wnion for gorge walking.

The pinnacle of year two is a 5 day expedition in Wales, planed, designed and undertaken by the students. A very popular one has been the Brecon to Cardiff Bay challenge. A gruelling 55 mile walk through spectacular Brecon Beacons, following the iconic Taff’s Trail through the South Wales valley’s down passing National land marks such as Aberfan to the serine Cardiff Bay.

Students have two weeks work experience during the first year. They can either choose a Sports Facility or an Outdoor Activities Centre. Past students have gone for example to local Leisure Centres if they are keen sports students or if they want an outdoor activity experience they have visited a number of local Outdoor Activities Centres.

What else after the course? Students often take three career pathways after the BTEC course, namely:

Higher Education course at a variety of Universities such as Cardiff, Bangor etc.
Foundation Degree at Dolgellau, which validated by Bangor University. Then top this up with a year at Bangor to a full degree.
Or take a one or two year apprenticeship scheme at a local outdoor centre. Many have followed this route at Glan Llyn.

They may also apply for local employment.

Campus Information Rhos-on-Sea

The course uses the Conway Centre, one of the top Outdoor Education centres in the UK, with its own harbour and climbing facilities. You will be based here for one day per week for the entire two years.

There are three 'mini' weekend expeditions for each year. On top of this, in Year 1, there is a one-week expedition to the Peak District and a one-week work placement.

In Year 2, there is a one-week winter expedition to Scotland and then a Final Expedition, which the students themselves must plan.

As part of the course, British Canoeing, RYA, Powerboat, DofE Silver and First Aid qualifications are also achieved by most students.