Arctic Nature Guide - one year programme

Facts

Duration:	1 År
Credits (ECTS):	60
Qualification:	None
Admission requirements:
Application deadline:	Nordic applicants: 15 April, EU/EEA + Swiss applicants: 1 March, Non-EU/EEA applicants: 15 November
Application code:	Nordic applicants: 9500 EU/EEA + Swiss applicants: 9013 Non-EU/EEA applicants: 2063

Programme description

This international study program will provide candidates with the opportunity to experience Svalbard’s nature and culture at close hand by combining arctic friluftsliv with a practical program in tourism and guiding.

The study program is a full-time program comprising 60 ECTS credits. The study program is given on Svalbard. The study program is a given in cooperation with UNIS – The University Center in Svalbard.

The study program is according to the profession standard defined by the Norwegian Nature Guide Association (NNGA). By fulfilling the study program and complete the required amount of nature guide work experience, the candidates are in a position of becoming members of NNGA and an approved Arctic Nature Guide and International Mountain Leader (UIMLA) by the Norwegian Nature Guide Association.

Arctic Nature guides educated in this study program have work limitations according to these frames of nature; an Arctic Nature Guide do not have competence to work in nature where there is a particular risk of falls with serious consequences or terrain steeper than 30 degrees on layered winter snow.

The courses contains a large degree of activity and long outdoor expeditions. It is therefore required that the students are in good physical shape and able to carry equipment for a multidays expeditions in the arctic. The candidates must be able to maintain a physical and mental surplus during long and cold outdoor excursions sleeping in tent and snow caves.

Most of the field excursions involve Nordic mountain skiing, so candidates must be experienced skiers and be physically fit for Nordic mountain skiing over long distances. Candidates must have their own personal equipment in accordance with the individual equipment list.

Programme structure

Studieplan

	10 ects	10 ects		10 ects
1. sem. (autumn)	FRI-1110 Nature guiding as a profession - 15 stp.		AS-211 Health, safety and risk in the Arctic - 10 stp.		FRI-1130 Natur and culture in the Arctic - 5 stp.
2. sem. (spring)	FRI-1120 Value based guiding in nature - 20 stp.			AGF-216 The Stormy Sun and the Northern Lights - 5 stp.	AS-212 Applied Arctic field leadership - 5 stp.

Learning outcomes

The program provides broad theoretical and practical knowledge for safe travel and guiding in Arctic nature, including leadership, hostmanship, and experience-based tourism. Students gain insight into Arctic nature, culture, history, and geopolitics, and develop skills in safety routines, group leadership, and communication of values and experiences. The program fosters awareness of the responsibilities and competencies required of nature guides, encouraging reflection on personal values and the guide’s role as an ambassador for sustainable interaction with the vulnerable Arctic environment.

Teaching and assessment

Student-centred learning activities with problem-based learning approaches, project work, group work, practical and methodical work with guidance are used throughout the study program, in addition to lectures, discussions and the use of ICT. In other words, this involves a lot of self-directed and practical work indoors and outdoors for students.

A large part of the studyprogram takes place in nature and includes practical exercises and the development of experience. Guide role experience will be obtained through a practical training period. This period will be carried out as interval sessions in the autumn semester and in a longer period in the spring semester. The period should consist of about 150 hours in total. The candidate will formulate a plan for the period, which must be approved by the teacher. The criteria for the period are given in a separate document, which candidates will receive at the start of the studies.

During the course of the study, students are assessed through practical and theoretical assignments in addition to requirements for participation, especially in practical subjects.

An overview of formative assessment is provided in the various course descriptions. Students are also assessed through written and oral school exams, as well as written take-home exams and practical exams.

A more detailed description of content, teaching, assignments, and exams is provided in the course description. The framework for and information about required reading materials will also be outlined in the course plans

Language of instruction

English.

Job prospectives

Future employment opportunities may be found primarily in guiding activities in the Arctic region. After completing the study programme, students will have gained expertise that will be relevant for employment on the mainland in outdoor recreation, tourism, education, culture and environmental hostmanship, as well as in voluntary organizations.