Spanish with Sport and Exercise Science BA (Hons)

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Course Summary

Our Spanish with Sport and Exercise Science combined honours degree course at Chester allows you to study a dynamic blend of language acquisition, cultural immersion, and applied sport sciences. You will not only develop a very high fluency level in Spanish, but you will also gain insights into the cultures, histories and sports of the Spanish-speaking world. You will have the chance to study abroad in Spain or Costa Rica on a five-to-eight-week placement at the end of your second year, and, if you wish, you can embark on an even bigger overseas adventure, spending a full year in Spain or Latin America, splitting your experience abroad across two countries. Whatever you decide to do, you will be able to enrich your language skills while engaging in real-world environments and will experience foreign cultures first-hand.

As you pursue your study of Spanish, our expert lecturers in sport and exercise sciences (SES) will ensure you become equipped with scientific and vocational expertise in areas such as sport and exercise psychology, sport and exercise physiology, performance analysis, and biomechanics. Consequently, you will be provided with a comprehensive multidimensional perspective of SES. They have designed the course with two core principles in mind: the development of knowledge, applied skills and analytical techniques; and the orientation of studies around vocational opportunities and practices (including sport and exercise scientist, performance analyst, and employment in sports development, teaching, coaching, health promotion, and leisure and recreation). On top of this, by combining SES with a language, you will be prepared for careers within international sports organisations, health promotion, and education, where bilingualism and a deep understanding of SES is key. Whether you go on to work as a sports professional in a global context, or contribute to wellness programs in multicultural communities, you will find that your fluency in Spanish will give you a significant edge.

Why You'll Love It

Get full access to excellent sport and science facilities

You will have regular access to facilities that have been custom-made to track performance analysis, study muscle function, and explore sports biomechanics (including bespoke laboratories). You will be frequently involved with the practicality of studying sport and exercise sciences, and will immerse yourself in the technology and digital side of the sport science world. We also have gymnasiums, a swimming pool, a floodlit 3G MUGA pitch and more available while you study.

a student in a sports performance lab using testing equipment and mask

Benefit from personalised learning and one-to-one tuition

Both our Spanish and our sport and exercise sciences classes are compact, intimate and supportive. In our sport science labs, you will receive personalised tuition from our dedicated research-informed teaching team, whilst making yourself heard and getting involved. Meanwhile, you will study Spanish in compact groups as part of a friendly and encouraging international community. On this course, you will broaden your exposure to other people’s concepts and perspectives.

A group of smiling students in a language study class.

Take advantage of course-exclusive learning and experiences

You can choose to gain an additional qualification in teaching English as a second language (through our Cambridge CELTA qualifying module); develop practical business, translation and interpretation skills for the workplace through specialist final-year modules; and study sport and exercise science at one of our partner universities in Spain. Furthermore, our sport science support placements include Auckland Rugby, Stoke City FC, British Cycling and GB Boxing, to name just a few.

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What Our Students Think

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What You'll Study

The BA Spanish with Sport and Exercise Science course contains core modules at Level 4, and both core and optional modules at Level 5 and Level 6. 

In Year 1 (Level 4), you will be introduced to the multidisciplinary and practical nature of the course, covering key physical and social sciences components of sport and exercise. Spanish can be studied in a beginner or post A Level set. At Level 4, you will develop your language skills while exploring societies and cultures across the world where Spanish is spoken.

 

Modules

You will be studying Spanish or Chinese in the global context of the contemporary Spanish/Chinese societies. You will immerse yourself in your languages and their related societies through themes such as sustainability and other cultural, social and political issues. Classes will be conducted in a mixture of English and Spanish/Chinese depending on the content of the session and your entry level. For Post A level students most teaching will be delivered in Chinese/Spanish and beginner students will build up the target language content across the term. There will be plenary sessions on academic skills, for example, but language classes will be in workshop mode with an emphasis on practical activities, including group and pair work, information sharing and discussion and you will have conversation classes with a native speaker. In addition to written texts and grammar work, a range of multi-media materials will be used for the development of comprehension and production. These materials will be used in the language laboratories in timetabled sessions as well as in private study time and can be accessed on the module VLE. If you are a Post A level student or have an equivalent level, this module will advance your linguistic knowledge and skills towards a threshold B2 in the CEFR. If you are beginner student, you will be able to develop towards a A2 in the CEFR (A2 equivalent for Chinese). For a beginner, the content will be tailored to accompany your language development. Key skills like autonomous learning and reflection will be worked on through a portfolio of tasks, developed with tutorial support.

This module is designed for students that have completed GCSE or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

This module is designed for students that have completed a A-Level or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

The aim of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental areas underpinning Sport and Exercise Science and become competent in the application of theory to practice. You will develop a variety of practical and academic skills relevant to careers in Sport and Exercise Science.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Year 2 (Level 5) builds upon this foundation with more in-depth learning that will encourage you to develop your understanding and the application of knowledge in both an applied and research context in sport, exercise and health. At Level 5, you can opt to focus more specifically on physical or social scientific applications of study. 

At Level 5, your Spanish language skills will be applied to real-world situations in preparation for living, studying or working abroad. You may choose to take a language study placement abroad at the end of Level 5, or undertake a Cambridge CELTA qualification for teaching English to speakers of other languages. On your year abroad, you can choose either: the exciting opportunity to study sport and exercise science in Spanish at one of our partner universities; to find a work placement; or to become a British Council English Language Assistant.

This module is an important step in your language learning journey and prepares you for your residence abroad in person or equivalent immersive experience in Spanish. It combines contemporary Spanish history and current societal and cultural issues with developing language skills and competencies related to the workplace which will enhance your employability profile.   The overall aim is to support your success in a Spanish-speaking professional context as well as in your everyday interactions.

Students will advance towards a B2 level on the CEFR. The material is tailored to support your language level.  You will build on key skills such as reflecting on your learning and identifying development opportunities, participating in group work and carrying out research.

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at intermediate level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes an placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a business or tourism issue in a target language country. 

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at advanced level. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a sustainability issue in a target language country. The first half of the module will prepare you for placements abroad where appropriate as well as a deeper understanding of sustainability in target language contexts. 

This module provides the opportunity to achieve the University of Cambridge’s CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) qualification, which is an internationally recognised initial ELT (English Language Teaching) teacher qualification. The standards of teaching required in this are in accordance with CELTA standards. The CELTA is assessed on a Pass/Fail basis for the purposes of the University of Chester. There are pass grades A, B & C Pass, which are applied by Cambridge and will be indicated on the certificate issued by them on completion of the course. These grades do not apply to the grading of the university.

The aim of this module is to provide an opportunity for you to further your understanding of multidisciplinary scientific principles that limit, control and determine sporting performance. The module will provide you with the applied, practical and analytical skills necessary to evaluate and critically assess human performance. An emphasis will be placed on developing an understanding of how human performance is influenced by a variety of integrated factors in sports physiology and biomechanics disciplines.

This module focuses on the relationship between exercise and health. You will become familiar with and implement physiological and psychosocial measures of health that will provide you with the applied, practical and analytical skills to evaluate the relationship between exercise and health. You will critically evaluate the role of exercise for potential quality of life, well being and mental health.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In Year 3 (Level 6), you will enhance and extend your skills, integrating knowledge and experience acquired throughout your studies with a focus on employability characteristics and fulfilling the requirements for your chosen career in sport, exercise and health settings, and beyond.  

Work placement opportunities are built into the course at Level 5 and Level 6, to enable you to apply a ‘real-world’ understanding of your knowledge and skills.  

In the final year, you will have the opportunity to develop professional skills in translation and mediation and Spanish in the business world. You'll also be able to explore an issue of interest to you in your major project, which provides the opportunity to bring together both your subject areas.

Modules

The module centres on the study, translation and post-editing of written texts, as well as the practice of interpreting.

Texts for translation will be linguistically demanding, illustrating different genres, styles and registers, and will cover varied subject matter, including current affairs, advertising, and contemporary literature. With a view to developing your employability profile, you will be introduced to current practices in professional translation, such as revision, post-editing and the use of appropriate Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and of artificial intelligence. You will also study methods and principles of translation and related terminology to be able to reflect critically on translation processes.

Additionally, the module will focus on interpreting as a vocational skill. You will explore different methods of interpreting and will practise applying these in simulated professional contexts, for example business meetings and public sector environments. In so doing, you will develop an awareness of the specialised language and register appropriate to each.

This module will re-engage you in studying more formally and put in context all your previous experiences whether in your placements or taught modules at level 5, by taking a more analytical and in-depth study of salient societal changes in the Spanish speaking world.  This module will also offer the possibility of developing your target language skills in a practical, immersive and interactive way. The module offers plenty of opportunities for oral practice and student input through class presentations, discussions and debates.

This module will offer you the opportunity to examine thematically some of the challenges of representing identity and giving voice to diversity in contemporary global societies. You will explore a range of literary, visual, audio and cinematic texts (all available in English translation) from across the different language cultures studied on this course. These texts will be structured around dominant themes drawn from, among others: decolonising the intellectual; ableism, hip hop and oral traditions in the 21st century; visual representations of difference; young voices in protest; identity politics in action. You will analyse and discuss cultural representations of contemporary identities and be invited to suggest and present ideas for new texts to include.

This module will provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills to work with high performance athletes. Contemporary multi-disciplinary issues relating to training, performance and recovery in a variety of high performance settings will be covered. You will also be provided with the opportunity to use relevant practical skills necessary to support the high performance athlete.

This module focuses on exercise participation, adherence and health. Models and theories of exercise behaviour change will be critically evaluated in terms of their application and effectiveness. The psychosocial implications of exercise participation and over-involvement in exercise behaviours will be considered within the context of exercise prescription/interventions. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

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The majority of teaching takes place in lectures and classes

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You will be assessed in a variety of ways

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This course is designed around in-person study

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Curriculum developed to match workforce priorities

The course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, you will study 40 credits comprising either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately seven and 12 hours per week, depending upon the level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is delivered in person; you can expect to take part in practical sessions (including practical laboratory sessions), seminars, lectures, workshops and peer-led seminars.

You should expect to spend an average of 25-35 hours per week on independent study, which might include independent research, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced, well-published academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so that you are exposed to the different types of tasks you might encounter in the workplace, whether in professional sport settings, exercise and health promotion settings or beyond. These will include assessments in the form of practical lab assessments, lab-reports, written work (both long and short form, e.g., reports, reflections), portfolios and presentations. Spanish is assessed across all skill areas and includes portfolios of language work, vocational tasks, group discussions, mediation and negotiations. We continuously review the assessment methods used to ensure they adequately prepare you for graduate level employment.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

112 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BCC-BBC

GCE A-level/AS-level Spanish for entry cohort 1 (post-A-level Spanish), or a GCSE in a Modern Foreign Language for entry cohort 2 (Beginners' route).

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma/Diploma (Sport and Exercise Sciences, Sport Development or Applied Science): Typical offer - DMM Plus a GCSE in a Modern Foreign Language.

International Baccalaureate

28 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4

Scottish Highers - BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DMM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
  • Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Where You'll Study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Exton Park is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student. While it is undoubtedly beautiful and packed with history, Chester is also a bustling 21st-century city balancing big-name shopping, eating and living with a thriving independent scene.

Modern learning resources and library

We have dedicated resources and IT services across campus, as well as our Seaborne Library; home to an extensive selection of books, e-books and e-journals, as well as bookable multimedia rooms, video conferencing space, 24-hour access computer labs, and The Hub; a comfortable two-floor study zone, suitable for independent and group study.

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Fitness facilities

Exton Park boasts an impressive choice of indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities, which are used for both competitive and recreational sports. Our facilities include a swimming pool, gym, squash, and tennis courts, running track and two floodlit pitches.

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Student Services

Exton Park is home to a number of our central support services, including Disability and Inclusion, Careers and Employability, and Student Support.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Built in 1847 by former students, the University Chapel offers regular services and a venue to services. The University of Chester also has multi-faith spaces across the campus for prayer or quiet reflection.

Accommodation

Most of our student accommodation is located either on or near Exton Park.

Catering

We have several catering outlets available onsite, offering a wide selection of hot and cold food to students and visitors. Term-time Meal Schemes are also available for those students interested in non-residential catering schemes.

Your Future Career

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service, which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

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