Newcastle University

Modern Languages and Linguistics BA Honours
UCAS Code: QT19 (4 Years)

• Course Overview
• Modules
• Entry Requirements
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• Finance

This degree is run by the School of Modern Languages together with the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics. It combines the study of foreign languages with linguistic theory to explore how language works.

You spend two thirds of your time studying two languages.  You spend the remaining third studying linguistics, concentrating on the structure, history, and sociological aspects of the English language. Topics include:

• syntax
• phonology
• morphology
• semantics
• sociolinguistics

We've been teaching modern languages for over 100 years at Newcastle, and our long history is testament to the quality of our teaching and research. We have built up professional networks from across the globe to give you access to excellent opportunities for work and study abroad.

As well as gaining near-native fluency in your chosen language(s), you'll also gain an in-depth insight into the countries where your languages are spoken. We take a multidisciplinary approach to teaching, including cinema, culture, history, politics, society, linguistics and literature.

You'll also spend a year abroad, immersed in the culture and societies of the countries that fascinate you.

Languages available

You select from the following list of languages (with at least one in French, German or Spanish at post-A level or equivalent):

• Chinese
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Portuguese
• Spanish

In addition, there are optional beginners' modules available in:

• Catalan, Quechua or Italian for Spanish speakers
• Catalan or Italian for French speakers
• Dutch for German speakers

Teaching and assessment

The School of Modern Languages produces high-level original research in the cultures of the contemporary societies with which it engages. This gives you the chance to really get to know the modern societies connected to your chosen languages before experiencing them first hand in the countries where they are spoken. We have particular research expertise in:

• Film Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Linguistics
• Medieval Studies

The Language and Linguistics section within the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is part of one of the largest concentrations of research expertise in Linguistics and Language Sciences in the UK. Our current research expertise includes:

• Computational linguistics
• Language variation
• Psycholinguistics
• Theoretical linguistics

You spend two thirds of your time studying your two languages and the remaining third studying linguistics. The majority of practical language modules are taught through classes led by native speakers, as well as through work in language laboratories and self-study in our Language Resource Centre. 

Assessment involves oral and language laboratory work and written examinations at the end of each Stage, as well as course work submitted during the year. During your year abroad in Stage 3 you are required to complete a personal learning record (a diary exercise consisting of three short pieces of work), and either write a project in the relevant language or submit marks from modules taken at the exchange university. Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module; more information can be found in our individual module listings.

Year abroad

All of our modern languages degrees include a compulsory year abroad.

Students studying a European language can:

• study at one of our partner universities
• work as an English language assistant in a school (UK nationals only)
• undertake a work placement in a European business
• or do a combination of the above (ensuring that they do not overlap)

Students of Chinese or Japanese spend the whole year studying at one of our partner institutions in China or Japan.

If you’re studying more than one language you usually divide the year between the two countries relating to your chosen languages, although it may be possible to spend the whole year in one country. If you are studying three languages we encourage you to spend some time during the summer vacation in the country of your third language.

Support for year abroad

We offer lots of help to prepare you for your year abroad including:

• organising briefings covering practicalities like insurance, visas, student safety
• social events for second-year students to meet with finalists returning from their year abroad, and with incoming Erasmus students from our partner universities
• a Tandem Learning Scheme to partner you with a native speaker in your chosen language for regular conversation
• free access to the Language Resource Centre for independent study
• training course for language assistants

Our team of year abroad officers will keep in touch with you while you are abroad, and you will communicate regularly with your personal tutor via the e-portfolio.  

Modern Languages and Linguistics at Newcastle

As a Modern Languages and Linguistics student at Newcastle you will divide your time between the School of Modern Languages and the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics.

Our outstanding facilities ensure that you have everything you need to support your language learning, from state-of-the-art language laboratories to an award-winning Language Resource Centre.

You will also receive lots of support from both Schools to help you settle in and feel at home. This includes a personal tutor and a busy programme of social and academic events, organised by our two very active student-run societies:

• the Modern Languages Society
• the Linguistics Society