y001 - Combined Honours BA
Combined Honours BA Honours
UCAS Code: Y001 (full time: 3 Years)
Course Overview
Choose topics from our Single Honours degrees to create a unique pathway spanning two or three subjects of your choice.

At a Glance
UCAS Code
Y001
UCAS Institution Name and Code
NEWC, N21
Degree Awarded
BA Honours
Course Duration
3 Years
Entry Requirements
A Level: AAB
IB: 34 points
Opportunities

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
Quality and ranking
Combined Honours at Newcastle achieved an impressive 96% overall student satisfaction score in the National Student Survey 2017.
Subject choice
We offer over 20 different subjects, meaning you can create a degree that is as unique as you are.
Options include:
- combining complementary subjects such as Archaeology, History and Classics
- creating an unusual subject combination such as Business, Politics and Music
- studying a language and spend a year abroad, boosting your confidence and your CV
You will attend the same lectures and classes as a student specialising in each subject, so your studies are at the same academic level as a Single Honours degree.
Some of the subject combinations possible through Combined Honours may already exist as a Joint Honours degree at Newcastle. We may advise you to transfer your application to one of these degrees if that appears a better match for your interests.
Flexible degree structure
Our flexible degree structure gives you the freedom to try new subjects.
In first year, you divide your time equally between the two or three subjects you have chosen. You are also introduced to interdisciplinary thinking to help you truly combine your subjects.
From second year onwards, you can choose how to combine 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 a dissertation or project that spans more than one of your chosen subjects or focuses on just one.
Your degree certificate will reference the subjects you studied in Stages 2 and 3, allowing employers to identify your areas of expertise, for example, BA Combined Honours in English Literature and French.
Studying a language
Combined Honours at Newcastle offers six different languages:
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Portuguese
- Spanish and Latin American Studies
Most language subjects are available for beginners and those with previous language experience. (Portuguese available from beginner’s level only).
If you study a language beyond Stage 1, you will spend a year abroad between Stages 2 and 3, making your degree four years long.
Some rules do apply to language learning on this degree. You may study a maximum of two language subjects together in Stage 1, alongside a third subject. Only one of these languages can be at beginners’ level. It is not possible to study Chinese and Japanese together.
Study abroad / work placement
Students studying a language
If you study a language beyond Stage 1, you will spend a year abroad, extending your degree to four years. This takes place between Stages 2 and 3.
Find out more about what your year abroad will involve on the Combined Honours Centre website
Students not studying a language
Students who are not studying a language may also have the opportunity to study abroad through an Erasmus or non-EU exchange (depending on subject choice).
You can substitute one semester of study at Newcastle for one semester abroad or add an extra year to study abroad between Stages 2 and 3.
Work placement
Students alternatively have the opportunity to take a 9 to 12 month work placement in the UK or abroad between Stages 2 and 3, regardless of subject combination.
You can apply to spend your placement year with any organisation and will receive University support to do so.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in your chosen sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
It will extend your degree by a year and is subject to availability, however it isn't available if you're spending a year studying abroad.
Find out more about Work Placements.
Facilities and support
As a Combined Honours student you will be based in the Combined Honours Centre.
Facilities
You'll have access to modern teaching and learning facilities.
Support
You'll be supported by a personal tutor throughout your degree – an academic member of staff who can help with academic and personal issues. You'll also have access to a peer mentor in your first year – a fellow student who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have.
Social activities
As well as an active Combined Honours student society, you'll have access to student societies in your chosen subjects, giving you even more opportunities to meet new people.
Compare this course
See how this course compares with others for topics such as student satisfaction, fees and costs and prospects after graduation using the Unistats Key Information Set.
Course Details
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:
And either
Entry Requirements
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.
Careers
Combined Honours careers
Combined Honours graduates are well placed to enter a wide range of careers, being adaptable, efficient and self-motivated, with a variety of skills and qualities that employers are keen to use.
In the past, our graduates have secured editorial, PR, marketing and other creative careers; teaching and management positions; as well as jobs in large international financial companies. Some go on to study for higher degrees or other postgraduate qualifications.
Find out more about the career options for graduates from Prospects: The UK's Official Careers Website.
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.
Fees & Funding
Apply
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
Application decisions and enquiries
Find out more about our admissions process and who to contact if you need help with your application.