Spanish and Adventure Tourism Management

Program Overview

The Spanish and Adventure Tourism Management BSc at Aberystwyth University combines fluency in Spanish with expertise in adventure tourism. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of the industry, sustainable practices, and business principles through classroom learning and field visits. The program culminates in a year abroad, providing immersive experience and enhanced language proficiency. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in adventure tourism management, hotel management, and related roles in the broader tourism sector.

Program Outline

This four-year degree program combines business, marketing, and management principles with practical experience in adventure tourism, preparing graduates for a wide range of careers in the sector.

Objectives:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the development, operation, and impacts of both domestic and international adventure tourism.
• Gain expertise in contemporary issues facing the industry, including market trends, destination challenges, sustainable tourism practices, and effective marketing strategies.
• Enhance Spanish language proficiency through intensive linguistic classes focusing on listening, reading/writing, oral communication, and translation.
• Acquire practical skills in the business, marketing, and management of adventure tourism operations through classroom learning and field visits.
• Develop professional skills through a variety of assessments, including business plan creation, web page development, field research, critical reviews, presentations, and reflective exercises.

Outline:

Year 1:

Core Modules:

• Fundamentals of Management and Business (AB15120, 20 credits)
• Marketing Principles and Contemporary Practice (AB17120, 20 credits)
• Principles of Tourism Management (AB19120, 20 credits)
• Beginners Spanish 1 (SP10820, 20 credits)
• Beginners Spanish 2 (SP11020, 20 credits)
• Spanish Language Advanced (SP19930, 30 credits)

Optional Modules:

• Brazilian Portuguese (Basic) (EL10720, 20 credits)
• Introduction to European Film (EL10520, 20 credits)
• Language, Culture, and Identity in Europe (EL10820, 20 credits)
• Study and Research Skills in Spanish and Latin American Studies (SP11120, 20 credits)
• Hispanic Civilization (SP10610, 10 credits)

Year 2:

Core Modules:

• Activity Certification 1 (AB29420, 20 credits)
• Adventure Tourism (AB29220, 20 credits)
• International Tourism in Practice (AB29320, 20 credits)
• Spanish Language (SP20130, 30 credits)

Optional Modules:

• Brazilian / Portuguese Language II (EL20720, 20 credits)
• Cuba in Revolution (SP26020, 20 credits)
• Cuban Cinema of the Revolution: Crisis, National Identity and the Critique of Contemporary Society (SP27020, 20 credits)
• Extended Essay Module (EL20510, 10 credits)
• Language of Business and Current Affairs 1 (SP20310, 10 credits)
• Seeing Spain Through Cinema (SP25020, 20 credits)
• Spanish American Cinema (SP26120, 20 credits)
• The Spanish Avant-Garde (SP20010, 10 credits)

Year 3:

• Year Abroad: Students can choose to study at a partner Spanish university, undertake a work placement in a Spanish-speaking country, or participate in the British Council English Language Assistantship Programme.

Year 4:

Core Modules:

• Activity Certification 2 (AB39420, 20 credits)
• Sustainable Tourism (AB39120, 20 credits)
• Spanish Language (SP30130, 30 credits)

Optional Modules:

• Tourism Development and Planning (AB39320, 20 credits)
• Tourism Marketing (AB39220, 20 credits)
• Brazilian / Portuguese Language III (EL30720, 20 credits)
• Cuba in Revolution (SP36020, 20 credits)
• Cuban Cinema of the Revolution: Crisis, National Identity and the Critique of Contemporary Society (SP37020, 20 credits)
• Dissertation (EL30120, 20 credits)
• Extended Essay Module (EL30510, 10 credits)
• Reading Late 19th Century Literature (SP35120, 20 credits)
• Seeing Spain Through Cinema (SP35020, 20 credits)
• Traducción al español (SP39910, 10 credits)

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Exams
• Essays
• Projects
• Reports
• Reflective diaries
• Portfolios
• Presentations

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: Lectures, small-group seminars, and tutorials.
• Faculty: Lecturers in the Department of Modern Languages hold PhDs and are active researchers in their fields.
The program also employs highly qualified and experienced language tutors and native speakers.
• Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes practical experience through regular day and overnight field visits in the UK and overseas.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Adventure tourism management
• Hotel management
• Destination marketing
• Travel agency management
• Restaurant management
• Tour operator
• Tourism consultant
• Research and development in the tourism sector
• Opportunities: The program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to pursue a wide range of careers in the tourism industry, both in the UK and internationally.
• Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:
• Speak Spanish fluently and confidently.
• Understand the complexities of the adventure tourism industry.
• Develop and implement sustainable tourism practices.
• Manage and market adventure tourism operations effectively.
• Apply business and management principles to real-world situations.

Other:

• The Adventure Tourism Management element of the degree is accredited by the Tourism Management Institute (TMI).
• The program offers a vibrant and supportive learning environment with a close-knit community of students and faculty.
• Students have access to a range of support services, including personal tutors, career advisors, and the Aberystwyth University Careers team.
• The program is designed to enhance employability prospects through opportunities like GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme).
• The program is taught in English, but students can choose to study some modules through the medium of Welsh.