University Trips with FSC

Each year, we welcome 8,000 university students to our centres for research, fieldwork and field trips

University Field Trips

All our courses offer:

High quality field sites – either within walking distance or a short drive away
Fully risk assessed field sites with prior access agreements for all course delivery
Well equipped, WiFi enabled classrooms, lecture rooms and laboratories
Range of field equipment, microscopes and species identification guides

Course content on university residentials can be entirely taught by Field Studies Council staff or co-taught with university staff whilst our tutors are able to lead the fieldwork component or provide specialist lectures. Alternatively, courses can be completely self-taught by university staff using our centres as a base. You are welcome to a free pre-visit to help plan your course and understand more about our university trips offering.

Biology and marine biology

We can offer a wide range of marine terrestrial and freshwater habitats, including a range of rocky shore exposures, salt marsh and sand dunes, woodlands and grasslands, and many more.

Ecology

The range of habitats on our doorstep make our centres ideal for teaching biological recording, taxonomic skills and field techniques.

Environmental Science

Environmental Science students will be spoilt for choice as our centres offer a wide range of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

Geography

All of our centres have a range of landscapes and habitats suitable for university students studying geography.

Geology and Earth Science

Significant geographical features can be found near many of our centres making them great places to study Geology and Earth Science.

Research Vessel at Millport

Our well equipped research vessel is often used during university field courses.

Diving courses at Millport, Scotland

Experience the exciting suite of diving courses available from FIeld Studies Council Millport with Freedom Diving.

Research opportunities at Slapton Ley, Devon

Students and early career academics use our field centre, field sites and nature reserve to carry out research on one-off visits or at regular intervals.

Get in touch

Four young people taking part in field studies. They are in a woodland area with ferns.

Green Skills Camp

Our Green Skills Camp is designed for 18-24 year olds looking to start a career in the environmental sector, as well as postgraduates seeking hands-on experience. The course offers a range of practical skills to support aspiring environmentalists.

In 2026, two camps will run from 31 August to 4 September: one at Slapton Ley in Devon and the other at Castle Head in Cumbria.

Find out more and book

Outdoor Education

Some of our centres are particularly well suited to support outdoor education university residentials and trips. Castle Head, Cumbria and Rhyd-y-creuau, North Wales all have access to high ropes courses and equipment for climbing and water based activities. Other centres such as Dale Fort, Pembrokeshire and Millport, Scotland have strong links with local outdoor activity providers, especially water sports. All our centres are well placed to lead or support the fieldwork elements of any outdoor activity course.

Students taking part in Engineering in the grounds of Preston Montford

Civil Engineering and Surveying

Many of our centres are in large, historic buildings within their own extensive grounds – great for university residentials too! Often they have heritage, landscape or environmental protections and make ideal case studies or practice sites for a range of field techniques. There is also easy access to neighbouring natural or built landscapes.

Employability in Ecology: Terrestrial Survey Skills

This immersive 3-day course will equip students of ecology and related disciplines with a firm grounding in key applied biodiversity skills required for entry level environmental consultancy positions.

The content of the course is aimed at university students studying ecology and associated disciplines. They will have prior knowledge of botanical identification and an academic grounding in terrestrial ecology but not the practical experience of floral and faunal ecological survey techniques and their professional applications.

Full course details

Teacher Training

Field Studies Council delivers a range of online and in-person training courses, specialising in skills to support the delivery of outdoor learning. We cover a wide range of teaching levels and specialist areas. You will develop skills and confidence to safely take young people outdoors and support their learning.

Find out more

Two women in outdoor clothing, participating in a demonstation of forest school skills

Introduction to Forest School

Intensive, practical one-day courses that gives students a forest school and outdoor learning experience, enabling them to complete a course assignment and develop their outdoor learning practice.

Please contact us with your enquiry

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University trips: Groups and individual students