The majority of degrees at Newcastle University are modular programmes made up of basic units called modules. Each module has a credit value (usually 10 or 20 credits, although you may come across 30 or 40 credit modules). Modules allow programmes to be more flexible and give you greater opportunity to combine different subject areas.
Degree programmes are modularised in stages. Each stage corresponds to one academic year. This means that you complete Stage 1 in your first year, and so on. At each stage, you complete modules to a value of 120 credits. Combined Honours students taking a Modern Foreign Language (Chinese, French, German etc) spend their third year (after Stage 2) on an Intercalating Study Abroad placement and complete Stage 3 (their final academic year) when they return.
At Stage 1, the 120 credits are either equally split between three subjects (40 credits in each subject), or equally split between two subjects (60 credits in each subject).
After the successful completion of Stage 1, students must choose which two subjects to continue for the remainder of their degree. Students must also choose whether they would like to study their subjects in a joint manner (60 credits in each subject) or in a major/minor manner (80 credits in one subject and 40 credits in another subject).
In stages 2 and/or 3 we encourage you to take a career development module where you can draw on part-time job, school tutoring, student mentoring, or volunteering to gain employability skills in a structured way. You may also have options to take project based interdisciplinary study modules at stage 3.
Degree programmes are linked to an academic year. The academic year is split into two semesters. Semester 1 runs from September to January, and Semester 2 runs from January to June. Holidays follow the traditional pattern of three terms plus three vacations (Christmas, Easter and Summer).
Modules may be taught in different ways – there is no standard format. Most modules will offer lectures and seminars. Some may also offer tutorials, laboratory classes or PC classes. The number of lectures and seminars on offer will vary between modules. The structure of the teaching should be explained to you during your first lecture for each module.
Modules may be assessed in different ways – there is no standard format. Depending on your choice of module, assessment could include written examinations, oral examinations, course work, projects and dissertations.