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

Explore new interests or develop your existing expertise with this intellectually demanding interdisciplinary degree programme.

Study complementary subjects or choose unusual subject combinations to reflect your individual interests and career aspirations.

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 degree

Subjects currently available

You can choose to combine two or three subjects at Stage 1 and must continue with at least two of them throughout the remainder of the degree:

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 Stages 2 and 3. The emphasis is on communication skills and no prior knowledge of Chinese is assumed.

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

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

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

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 or B in English Literature at A level (or equivalent) normally required.

Film Studies/Documentary Practice: Offers an introduction to a wide variety of international film involving some consideration of the history and theory of the medium. Available as a joint or minor subject only (not a major).

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).

Geography: Provides a broad training in human and physical geography. Grade B or above in Geography at A level and grade C or above 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).

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 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.

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 required.

Media and Communication: A rich and diverse area exploring mass media, communication theory and practice, and culture. You study how information is created, managed, promoted, circulated and consumed across contemporary society in a range of cultural industries.

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.

Philosophy: 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). Only available from beginners' level. Available as a joint or minor subject only (not a major).

Sociology: Covers a range of aspects of sociology, anthropology, social policy and social welfare. No previous study in the subject is required.

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).

Please note: Most students are able to follow their first choice of subjects. However, subject choice may be constrained by the teaching timetable and capacity on modules.

Work Placement (optional)

You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optional work placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can apply to spend your placement year with any organisation and will receive University support to do so. It will extend your degree by a year and is subject to availability. Find out more on about Work Placements.

Year abroad

If you are taking a language beyond Stage 1, you spend a year abroad between Stages 2 and 3 in a country where your chosen language is spoken. You take the following modules:

• 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 

All candidates are considered on an individual basis.

If your qualifications are not listed here, please see our additional entry requirements web pages to find out which other qualifications are considered. 

The entrance requirements below apply to 2019 entry.

Undergraduate Admissions Policy

See our 2018 Admissions Policy (PDF: 185 KB).

See further policies related to admission.

What our graduates go on to do: employment and further study choices

See what our recent graduates went on to do and view graduate destinations statistics. These statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation. Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates.

The destination data is available in varying levels, beginning with the University and moving through Faculty and School down to individual course reports. This final level may give you some useful ideas about possible options after your course or a course you are considering.

Careers and employability at Newcastle

Newcastle University consistently has one of the best records for graduate employment in the UK.

95% of our 2016 UK-domiciled graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating.

Of our graduates who entered employment more than three quarters (78%) achieved a professional or managerial position.

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

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

Applying to Newcastle University through UCAS

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

UCAS codes for Newcastle University

• institution name - NEWC
• institution code - N21

UCAS buzzword

Ask your teacher or adviser from your school or college for the UCAS buzzword. You need the buzzword when you register on the Apply system. This makes it clear which school or college you are applying from.

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

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Making your application

On the UCAS website you can also find out more about:

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

Find out more about our admissions process and who to contact if you need help with your application.