CombinedHonoursBA Honours

UCAS code Y0013 Years

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Combined HonoursBA HonoursUCAS code Y0013 Years

Choose topics from our Single Honoursdegrees to create a unique pathway spanningtwo or three subjects of your choice.

If you are independently minded and enjoy studying andmastering more than one subject, you will find CombinedHonours at Newcastle has plenty to offer. 

Explore new interests or develop your existing expertise withthis intellectually demanding interdisciplinary degreeprogramme.

Study complementary subjects or choose unusual subjectcombinations to reflect your individual interests and careeraspirations.

Features of this degree include:

• more than 20 subjects to choose from• try new subjects without prior experience• language learning from beginners' and advanced level• specialist career and graduate development modules• a wide range of community engagement or independent

projects

Highlights of this degreeQuality and rankingCombined Honours at Newcastle achieved an impressive90% overall student satisfaction score in the NationalStudent Survey 2019.

Subject choiceWe offer over 20 different subjects, meaning you can createa degree that is as unique as you are. 

Options include:

• combining complementary subjects such asArchaeology, History and Classics

• creating an unusual subject combination such asBusiness, Politics and Music

• studying a language and spend a year abroad, boostingyour confidence and your CV

You will attend the same lectures and classes as a studentspecialising in each subject, so your studies are at the sameacademic level as a Single Honours degree.

Some of the subject combinations possible throughCombined Honours may already exist as a Joint Honoursdegree at Newcastle. We may advise you to transfer yourapplication to one of these degrees if that appears a bettermatch for your interests.

Flexible degree structureOur flexible degree structure gives you the freedom to trynew subjects.

In first year, you divide your time equally between the two orthree subjects you have chosen. You are also introduced tointerdisciplinary thinking to help you truly combine yoursubjects.

From second year onwards, you can choose how tocombine your subjects and how many you wish to study:

• study three subjects in equal proportion• study two subjects in equal proportion (the joint route)• spend two thirds of your time on one subject and one

third on the other (the major/minor route)

In your final year, you have the option of undertaking adissertation or project that spans more than one of yourchosen subjects or focuses on just one.

Your degree certificate will reference the subjects youstudied in Stages 2 and 3, allowing employers to identifyyour areas of expertise, for example, BA Combined Honoursin English Literature and French.

Studying a languageCombined Honours at Newcastle offers six differentlanguages:

• Chinese• French• German• Japanese• Portuguese• Spanish and Latin American Studies

Most language subjects are available for beginners andthose with previous language experience. (Portugueseavailable from beginner’s level only).   

If you study a language beyond Stage 1, you will spend ayear abroad between Stages 2 and 3, making your degreefour years long.

Some rules do apply to language learning on this degree.You may study a maximum of two language subjectstogether in Stage 1, alongside a third subject. Only one ofthese languages can be at beginners’ level. It is not possibleto study Chinese and Japanese together.

Study abroad / work placement

Students studying a languageIf you study a language beyond Stage 1, you will spend ayear abroad, extending your degree to four years. Thistakes place between Stages 2 and 3.

Find out more about what your year abroad will involve onthe Combined Honours Centre website

Students not studying a languageStudents who are not studying a language may alsohave the opportunity to study abroad through anErasmus or non-EU exchange (depending on subjectchoice).  

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You can substitute one semester of study at Newcastle forone semester abroad or add an extra year to study abroadbetween Stages 2 and 3.

Work placementStudents alternatively have the opportunity to take a 9 to 12month work placement in the UK or abroad betweenStages 2 and 3, regardless of subject combination.

You can apply to spend your placement year with anyorganisation and will receive University support to do so.

You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in your chosensector, putting your learning into practice and developingyour professional expertise.

It will extend your degree by a year and is subject toavailability, however it isn't available if you're spending a yearstudying abroad.

Find out more about Work Placements.

Facilities and supportAs a Combined Honours student you will be based in theCombined Honours Centre.

FacilitiesYou'll have access to modern teaching and learningfacilities. 

SupportYou'll be supported by a personal tutor throughout yourdegree – an academic member of staff who can help withacademic and personal issues. You'll also have access to apeer mentor in your first year – a fellow student who canhelp you settle in and answer any questions you have.

Social activitiesAs well as an active Combined Honours student society,you'll have access to student societies in your chosensubjects, giving you even more opportunities to meet newpeople.

The modern Devonshire Building.

Course Details

Subjects currently available

You can choose to combine two or three subjects atStage 1, totalling 120 credits (with a minimum of 40credits in each subject) and must continue with at leasttwo of them throughout the remainder of the degree. Youmay not take more than two Modern Language subjects,and only one of those may be studied at beginners’level.  In addition you are not permitted to study Chineseand Japanese together.

Archaeology: Spans prehistoric, Roman and earlymedieval archaeology, with the opportunity to undertakepractical fieldwork.

Business: Covers modules in accounting, economics,marketing and management delivered by NewcastleUniversity Business School. Grade B in Mathematics andEnglish at GCSE (or equivalent) normally required.

Chinese: Concentrates on the practical study of modernstandard Chinese (Mandarin), including study at auniversity in China between Stages 2 and 3. Theemphasis is on communication skills and no priorknowledge of Chinese is assumed.

Classics: Covers modules in ancient history, classicalworld culture, Greek and Latin delivered by the School ofHistory, Classics and Archaeology. No prior knowledge isrequired and all sources of Greek and Latin are studied intranslation.

Education: Studying education you will critically engagewith important questions such as: what is meant by‘education’ and what is its purpose? What role is playedby socio-cultural factors? What might the future ofteaching and learning look like?

English for Speakers of Other Languages(ESOL): This is available in Stage 1 only, to help supportstudents whose first language is not English.

English Linguistic Studies: Provides an introduction tolanguage study with particular reference to the structureand history of the English language.

English Literature: Offers a choice across a wide rangeof periods, genres and authors from post-RenaissanceEnglish literature. Grade A or B in English Literature at Alevel (or equivalent) normally required.

Film Studies/Documentary Practice: Offers anintroduction to a wide variety of international film involvingsome consideration of the history and theory of themedium. Available as a joint or minor subject only (not amajor).

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Subjects currently available

French: Involves the practical study of the Frenchlanguage plus a selection of modules from one or more ofthe following areas: French literature; modern history; filmand linguistics. Available at two levels – Level A forbeginners (no previous experience required) or Level B forthose with grade B in A level French (or equivalent).

Geography: Provides a broad training in human andphysical geography. Grade B or above in Geography at Alevel and grade C or above in Mathematics at GCSE (orequivalent) normally required.

German: Combines all forms of language work with thestudy of literature from 1770 to the present day, inaddition to options in: medieval and modern literature;politics; history; and film. Available at two levels – Level Afor beginners (no previous experience required) or Level Bfor those with grade B in A level German (or equivalent).

History: Covers a wide range of options in British,European, Russian, Japanese and American history,ranging from the early medieval period to the present day.A Level History (or equivalent) is normally required.

History of Art: Covers painting and sculpture from theRenaissance to the twentieth century and the study ofart-historical theory. An A level in one of the following isdesirable: Art, Art History, History, English or a language.

Japanese: Concentrates on the practical study ofJapanese language, including study at a university inJapan between Stages 2 and 3. The emphasis is oncommunication skills and no prior knowledge of Japaneseis required.

Media and Communication: A rich and diverse areaexploring mass media, communication theory andpractice, and culture. You study how information iscreated, managed, promoted, circulated and consumedacross contemporary society in a range of culturalindustries.

Music: Covers a wide range of modules including thehistory of music; compositional techniques; analysis;acoustics, and electro-acoustic music. A level Music (orequivalent) preferred. Students are also strongly advisedto gain competence in music theory to at least AssociatedBoard Grade V level before starting Music withinCombined Honours.

Philosophy: Provides a choice of modules in knowledgeand cosmology, and cultural manifestations of rationality,designed to bridge the gap between the sciences andhumanities.

Politics: Offers a wide range of options spanning themajor regions of the world, covering all forms ofgovernment and analysing fundamental political ideas.

Portuguese: Combines all forms of language work withthe study of literature and/or history ofPortuguese-speaking countries (including Brazil). Onlyavailable from beginners' level. Available as a joint orminor subject only (not a major).

Sociology: Covers a range of aspects of sociology,anthropology, social policy and social welfare. Noprevious study in the subject is required.

Subjects currently available

Spanish and Latin American Studies: Combines allforms of language work with the study of film, literatureand history of Spanish-speaking countries, includingSouth America. Available at two levels – Level A forbeginners (no previous experience required) or Level B forthose with grade B in A level Spanish (or equivalent).

Please note: Most students are able to follow their firstchoice of subjects. However, subject choice may beconstrained by the teaching timetable and capacity onmodules.

Work Placement (optional)

You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optionalwork placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can applyto spend your placement year with any organisation andwill receive University support to do so. It will extend yourdegree by a year and is subject to availability. Find outmore on about Work Placements.

Year abroad

If you are taking a language beyond Stage 1, you spend ayear abroad between Stages 2 and 3 in a country whereyour chosen language is spoken. You take the followingmodules:

SML3004 Year Abroad ePortfolio

And either

SML3007 Year Abroad Work Placement Report 1  OR

SML3008 Year Abroad Work Placement Report 2  OR

SML3006 Study Abroad 

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methodsAs a guide you will normally attend three or four lectures anda similar number of seminars a week.

You are taught by staff from within the different subjectareas that you choose to study, which means you learn fromspecialists in each field.

Assessment methodsYou have access to a wide range of modules, whichincludes a variety of assessment methods ranging fromcourse work to examinations.

Stages 2 and 3 students also have access to optionalindependent research and project-based modules.

If you take a modern language you will spend a year abroad,usually between Stages 2 and 3.

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Find out moreVisit our Teaching and Learning pages to read about theoutstanding learning experience available to all students atNewcastle University.

Careers

Combined Honours careersCombined Honours graduates are well placed to enter awide range of careers, being adaptable, efficient andself-motivated, with a variety of skills and qualities thatemployers are keen to use.

In the past, our graduates have secured editorial, PR,marketing and other creative careers; teaching andmanagement positions; as well as jobs in large internationalfinancial companies. Some go on to study for higherdegrees or other postgraduate qualifications.

Find out more about the career options for graduates fromProspects: The UK's Official Careers Website.

What our graduates go on to do:employment and further studychoicesSee what our recent graduates went on to do and viewgraduate destinations statistics. These statistics are basedon what graduates were doing on a specific date,approximately six months after graduation. Take a look atthe most recent data available for our graduates.

The destination data is available in varying levels, beginningwith the University and moving through Faculty and Schooldown to individual course reports. This final level may giveyou some useful ideas about possible options after yourcourse or a course you are considering.

Careers and employability atNewcastleNewcastle University consistently has one of the bestrecords for graduate employment in the UK.

96% of our 2017 UK-domiciled UG/PG graduatesprogressed to employment or further study within sixmonths of graduating.

85.5% of our graduates are in graduate level employment orfurther study within six months of graduating.

We provide an extensive range of opportunities to allstudents through an initiative called ncl+. This enables youto develop personal, employability and enterprise skills andto give you the edge in the employment market after yougraduate.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest andbest in the country, and we have strong links withemployers.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees (UK students)

2020 entry:£9,250For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.Please note:The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UKstudents is set by the UK government.As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.

Tuition Fees (EU students)

2020 entry:£9,250 You will pay the same tuition fees as UK studentsfor the duration of your course.For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.Please note:As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.

Tuition Fees (International students)

2020 entry*:£18,000*Please note:You will be charged tuition fees for each year of yourdegree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchangeprogramme).The tuition fee amount you will pay may increaseslightly year on year as a result of inflation.

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Tuition Fees (International students)

If you spend a year on placement or studying abroad aspart of your degree you may pay a reduced fee for thatyear.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.

Scholarships and Financial Support (UKstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support (EUstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support(International students)

We offer a range of scholarships to eligible internationalstudents:Vice-Chancellor's International ScholarshipsVice-Chancellor’s Excellence ScholarshipsVice-Chancellor’s Global ScholarshipsWe also offer International Family Discounts which areavailable for all international students with a close familymember who has graduated from or is now studying atNewcastle University.Newcastle University offers Sanctuary Scholarships foreligible undergraduate students (excludes MBBS andBDS students) from asylum-seeker and refugeebackgrounds. Some of our subject scholarships and sportsscholarships are also available for international students.

Apply

Applying to Newcastle Universitythrough UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you mustuse the online application system managed by theUniversities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

UCAS codes for Newcastle University

• institution name - NEWC• institution code - N21

UCAS buzzwordAsk your teacher or adviser from your school or college forthe UCAS buzzword. You need the buzzword when youregister on the Apply system. This makes it clear whichschool or college you are applying from.

All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU andinternational establishments are registered with UCAS.

If you are applying independently, or are applying from aschool or college which is not registered to manageapplications, you will still use the Apply system. You will notneed a buzzword.

Making your applicationOn the UCAS website you can also find out more about:

• application deadlines and other important dates• offers and tracking your application

Application decisions and enquiriesFind out more about our admissions process and who tocontact if you need help with your application.

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