Newcastle University

Combined Honours BA Honours UCAS Code: Y001 (3 or 4 years)Combined Honours Centre

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This degree offers you the chance to create your own combination of subjects, choosing from the extensive list of subjects below.

If you know the two subjects you want to concentrate on, you can take only those from the start of your degree (two-subject entry).

Alternatively, you may take three subjects in Stage 1, before deciding which two to take forward in Stages 2 and 3 (three-subject entry).

Whether you choose two subjects or three subjects in Stage 1, you combine them equally for this first year.

From Stage 2 onwards, you can choose how you wish to combine your subjects for the rest of your degree:

• study both subjects in equal proportion (the joint route); or
• spend two thirds of your time on one subject and one third on the other (the major/minor route)

For more information on the possible subject combinations, see the course structure on the Combined Honours Centre website.

Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts for an academic year and you need to complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage.

Subjects available

Unless otherwise indicated, you can take subjects without any previous experience. You can obtain further information about the range of options in each subject by visiting the relevant subject areas on the Combined Honours Centre website.

Archaeology: Spans prehistoric, Roman and early medieval archaeology, with the opportunity to undertake practical fieldwork.

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

Chinese: Concentrates on the practical study of modern standard Chinese (Mandarin), including study at a university in China between either Stages 1 and 2 or Stages 2 and 3 depending on your entry level. The emphasis is on communication skills and no prior knowledge of Chinese is assumed. See note below about combining language subjects.

Classics: Covers modules in ancient history, classical world culture, Greek and Latin delivered by the School of Historical Studies. No prior knowledge is required and all sources of Greek and Latin are studied in translation.

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

English Literature: Offers a choice across a wide range of periods, genres and authors from post-Renaissance English literature. Grade A in English Literature at A level (or equivalent) normally required.

Film Studies: Offers an introduction to American, British and European film involving some consideration of the history and theory of the medium. No practical film-making is involved in this course.

French: Involves the practical study of the French language plus a selection of modules from one or more of the following areas: French literature; modern history; film and linguistics. Available at two levels – Level A for beginners (no previous experience required) or Level B for those with grade B in A level French (or equivalent). See note below about combining language subjects.

Geography: Provides a broad training in human and physical geography. Grade B in Geography at A level and grade B in Mathematics at GCSE (or equivalent) normally required.

German: Combines all forms of language work with the study of literature from 1770 to the present day, in addition to options in: medieval and modern literature; politics; history; and film. Available at two levels – Level A for beginners (no previous experience required) or Level B for those with grade B in A level German (or equivalent). See note below about combining language subjects.

History: Covers a wide range of options in British, European, Russian 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 the Renaissance to the twentieth century and the study of art-historical theory. An A level in one of the following is desirable: Art, Art History, History, English or a language. Please note that you may not take History of Art as a major route (over 60 credits) through the degree programme.

Japanese: Concentrates on the practical study of Japanese language, including study at a university in Japan between Stages 2 and 3. The emphasis is on communication skills and no prior knowledge of Japanese is assumed. See note below about combining language subjects.

Mathematics and Statistics: Spans a wide range of modules including mathematical modelling; logic; statistics; and combinatorial geometry. A good grade in A level Mathematics (or equivalent) is required.

Media and Communication: Enables you to study how information is created, managed, promoted, circulated and consumed across contemporary society in a range of cultural industries. It is a rich, exciting and diverse area that explores the mass media, communication theory and practice, and the study of culture. No prior knowledge is required.

Museum, Gallery and Heritage Studies: Covers a wide range of specialisms including: art curatorship; museum and gallery education; cultural policy; interpretation; visitor studies; the care of human remains; museum and identity; and digital technologies for heritage. Available as a minor subject only.

Music: Covers a wide range of modules including the history of music; compositional techniques; analysis; acoustics, and electro-acoustic music. A level Music (or equivalent) preferred. Students are also strongly advised to gain competence in music theory to at least Associated Board Grade V level before starting Music within Combined Honours.

Philosophical Studies: Provides a choice of modules in knowledge and cosmology, and cultural manifestations of rationality, designed to bridge the gap between the sciences and humanities.

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

Portuguese: Combines all forms of language work with the study of literature and/or history of Portuguese-speaking countries (including Brazil). No prior knowledge of Portuguese is assumed. Please note that Portuguese can be taken as a minor subject only (40 credits). See note below about combining language subjects.

Psychology: Covers options in general and experimental psychology. Grade A or B in a science (which may include Psychology) A level (or equivalent) is required. Grade B Mathematics at GCSE (or equivalent) is also required, plus a science subject. Please note that you may not take Psychology as a major route (over 60 credits) through the degree programme.

Sociology: Covers a range of aspects of sociology, anthropology, social policy and social welfare.

Spanish and Latin American Studies: Combines all forms of language work with the study of film, literature and history of Spanish-speaking countries, including South America. Available at two levels – Level A for beginners (no previous experience required) or Level B for those with grade B in A level Spanish (or equivalent). See note below about combining language subjects.

Please note:

• If you wish to study a combination of two subjects that form an existing Joint Honours degree at Newcastle, you should apply directly to that degree rather than Combined Honours.
• Most students are able to pursue their first choice of subjects. However, choice of subjects may be limited by timetabling, staffing or student numbers.
• Some subject areas are not available as a major or joint route in the programme.

Language subjects 

Most language subjects provide modules both for those with prior language experience and for beginners. Please note that:

• you may only study a maximum of two language subjects together in Stage 1
• only one of these language subjects can be at beginners’ level
• you can only continue to study one modern language past Stage 1
• it is not possible to study Chinese and Japanese together
• if you study a modern language beyond Stage 1, you will spend a year abroad between Stages 2 and 3, making your degree programme four years in length. Most students spend this year abroad between Stages 2 and 3, but those who begin studying Chinese or Japanese at Level B will spend their year abroad between Stages 1 and 2