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Combined Honours BA Honours

  • UCAS code: Y001
  • Full time
  • 3 years

Combine two or three of more than 20 subjects and create a unique degree that develops your independence, adaptability, confidence and self-assurance.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £21000

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: AAB
  • IB: 34 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

This intellectually demanding multidisciplinary degree programme allows you to explore new subjects or develop your existing interests.

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

Specialist career and graduate development modules will prepare you for your future.

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
  • independent projects to combine your subject interests

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.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Our flexible degree structure gives you the freedom to try new subjects.

In Stage 1, you divide your time equally between the two or three subjects you have chosen.

Subjects currently available

You can choose to combine two or three subjects at Stage 1, totalling 120 credits (with a minimum of 40 credits in each subject) and must continue with at least two of them throughout the remainder of the degree.

Archaeology

Business

Chinese

Classics

Education

English Literature

Film (Film Studies or Documentary Practice)

French

Geography

German

History

History of Art

Japanese

Law

Linguistics

Media and Communication

Music

Philosophy

Politics

Portuguese

Sociology

Spanish and Latin American Studies

Please note:

  • you may not take more than two Modern Language subjects, and only one of those may be studied at beginners’ level
  • 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
  • it is not possible to study Chinese and Japanese, or Film Studies and Documentary Practice, together

From Stage 2 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)

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.

In addition to subject modules, we also offer Combined Honours modules unique to you. These include experiential learning and research-based project modules.

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.

Year abroad

If you are taking a language beyond Stage 1, you spend a year abroad between Stage 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

 

In addition to subject modules, we also offer Combined Honours modules unique to you. These include experiential learning and research-based project modules.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

As a guide, you'll normally attend three or four lectures and a similar number of seminars a week.

You'll be taught by staff from within the different subject areas that you choose to study, which means you'll learn from specialists in each field.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Assessments

  • Coursework

  • Projects

Skills and experience

The professional, practical and research skills you'll develop through your degree depend on the subjects you choose.

Combined Honours students are heavily involved with shaping the programme. This student engagement and partnership benefit you as a student and encourage you to grow in confidence.

Chat to a student

The most enjoyable part of studying a Combined Honours degree is that I have the flexibility to choose most of my modules. I’m studying things that I find interesting and align with my goals.

Layla Creaney, Combined Honours student

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country with study abroad. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

Students studying a language

If you study a language beyond Stage 1 you'll spend a year abroad after Stage 2, extending your degree to four years.

Find out more about study abroad when studying a language

Students not studying a language

Students who are not studying a language may also have the opportunity to study abroad. You can substitute one semester or add an extra year to study abroad after Stage 2 (depending on subject choice).

Find out more about spending a semester abroad

Find out more about spending a year abroad

Work placement 

Alternatively, you 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 environment

Facilities

As a Combined Honours student, you will be based at the Henry Daysh Building. Here and across campus you'll have access to a whole range of facilities

Newcastle University has achieved five QS Stars for facilities from QS Quacquarelli Symonds. You'll benefit from top facilities that not only support you and help you get the best out of your studies but give you an outstanding experience, such as:

  • an award-winning library service
  • excellent IT facilities
  • a range of study support and wellbeing services to help you reach your full potential
  • a wide range of sporting facilities

Find out more about our campus and facilities

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have, when starting university.

Your future

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.

Combined Honours graduates can be found in all roles and areas of a contemporary internationally facing economy. They take positions in government and civil service, media, journalism, financial services, marketing and project management. Their disciplinary knowledge, combined with their flexibility, and self-motivation make them especially attractive to employers in a rapidly changing environment.

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BA Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

21000

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

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.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

Get in touch

By phone

Call us on +44 (0) 191 208 3333 and press option 1. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am until 4pm.

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