Module Catalogue

Choosing modules

The below list features all modules open to Study Abroad and Exchange students. Please only use this page as your source of module information, as details provided on other pages may not clarify availability.

Module changes

Like all universities, while we make efforts to deliver the modules as described, occasionally some amendments are needed. We have to take into account changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Therefore, please be aware that the Module Catalogue is subject to change. Module allocation will also depend on individual module availability and the fulfilment of any prerequisites.

If you have any questions about specific modules, please contact the relevant School. Alternatively, you can contact the Global Opportunities Team.

Module availability

Please be aware that content within our module catalogue refreshes every April to reflect availability for the following academic year. Therefore, module availability is subject to change.

If your home university states that taking a specific module is mandatory for your study abroad or exchange programme, you must tell us this in your application. We cannot provide any guarantee of undertaking the module, but we can notify you if there are any issues with your selection.

Choosing the appropriate Stage

Stage 1 modules are for Year 1 undergraduate students. These are introductory modules, designed to provide a basis for more advanced and specialised modules (e.g.: HIS1044).

Stage 2 modules are for Year 2 undergraduate students. These modules assume substantial understanding and aim to both broaden and deepen knowledge of the subject matter (e.g.: BUS2021). You should have some prior experience in the topic area – this may be checked by the Academic Selector.

Stage 3 modules are for Year 3 or Final Year undergraduate students. These modules form the highest level of undergraduate modules and provide highly specialised instruction (e.g.: BIO3050). You are likely to need permission from the relevant School to take these modules. You must also have taken the relevant pre-requisite classes.

Exchange students

If you are studying at Newcastle University through an exchange partnership with your home university, you will need to choose modules from subjects that are listed in the exchange agreement.

Please make sure you are clear about which subjects you are required to take in order to avoid disappointment when trying to register in subjects you are not eligible for. If you are unsure which subjects are open to you, please contact your home institution or contact us for clarification.

Subject limitations

Please see specific limitations on modules for certain subject-areas below.

Biomedical Sciences

Students may choose modules that they have appropriate prerequisite knowledge for.

Business School

The Business School offers modules across four different and diverse subject areas:

Accounting and Finance
Economics
Management
Marketing

Try to avoid choosing modules from different Stages within a subject group. For example, it is not advised to take a first year, second year and third year module from within Economics.

If you want to study modules from a subject area that is new to you, we recommend you focus on Stage 1 or perhaps Stage 2 modules. For example, it's unlikely that you would be able to pick Stage 2 or 3 Economics modules if you have never studied Economics before.

We are currently finalising changes to the modules we offer for the 2024-25 academic year. Some Management and Marketing modules are changing from year-long modules to Semester 1- or Semester 2-only modules. If a module you select is affected by these changes, we will aim to communicate this to you at the earliest opportunity.

If you're an incoming exchange student on a Business School exchange agreement:

you must take a minimum of 40 credits per semester of Business School modules
you can take no more than 20 credits per semester outside of the Business School

Please note that Postgraduate modules are only available to Postgraduate students from Business School exchange partners.

If you are an incoming exchange student allocated to any other School, you can apply for no more than 20 credits per semester of Business School modules.

English Literature, Creative Writing, and Linguistics

The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics offers modules in:

English Literature
Creative Writing
Linguistics

Browse the full list of English Literature, Creative Writing and Linguistics modules available for Study Abroad and Exchange students before making your decision.

Please note, each of these subject areas have different requirements and all module selections are subject to availability. Please read the following information carefully to make sure you are eligible to take your requested module.

Literature modules

Stage 1 Literature modules provide foundational knowledge and skills for literary analysis
Stage 2 modules offer more specialisation, while still providing direction and guidance in lecture
Stage 3 modules are highly specialised modes, requiring background knowledge of the subject, as well as substantial independent research and reading
if you have never studied English Literature at university level, you should select Stage 1 modules
if you have some experience studying English Literature at university level, choose Stage 2 modules
if you have extensive experience studying English Literature at university level, opt for Stage 3 modules

Creative Writing modules

There is one Stage 1 Creative Writing module – SEL1000: Introduction to Creative Writing.

There are several Stage 2 Creative Writing modules. If you select Stage 2 modules, the Module Leader may ask you to submit a portfolio of your creative writing to demonstrate that you have a pre-existing creative practice.

Linguistics modules

Stage 2 or Stage 3 modules will require some previous experience of studying language or linguistics. We do have one module – SEL3349: The History of Linguistic Ideas – that a student with less previous experience may be able to deal with. There are no formal prerequisites for this module.

Law

Only students on Law School exchange agreements can choose modules in this subject area.

Mathematics, Statistics and Physics

Students may only choose modules in these subject areas with explicit permission from the School. Module applications are considered on an individual basis.

Modern Languages

The requirements below should be carefully read before any School of Modern Languages modules are selected. Please read these together with the online module catalogue.

Some modules may have prerequisites that are not listed in this module catalogue. Please check the main Newcastle University module catalogue here https://www.ncl.ac.uk/module-catalogue/ to ensure you meet the requirements. Students need to have adequate skills in the relevant language depending on the module(s) they wish to study.

There are two types of SML modules – language learning modules and content modules (study of film, history/politics, linguistics, lierature of the relevant country[ies]).

There are separate coded language and content modules for Exchange students who are in Newcastle for one semester only and would not be able to register on the full year module. Students studying in Newcastle for the full year would be take the full year module only.

Language modules are available in four levels, labelled A, B, C and D.

Level A is Beginners’ level. Level B builds on a secondary school leaving qualification in the relevant language and Levels C and D follow. Only Level A modules are available to beginners; all others require prior study

Level A consists of two consecutive 20 credit modules (one in each semester). European Languages at Levels B and C are based on year-long 20 credit modules.

Chinese and Japanese modules at Levels B-D are 40 credits year-long.

Students cannot take more than one East Asian Language module per semester.

Students must not select more than 20 credits for a single language at Level D.

Exchange students from a Translation and Interpreting programme are not permitted to take XXX4087, but they can take XXX4187/XXX4287 if no other module can be found.

Exchange students should not study XXX4086/ 4186/4286 for Professional and Academic Purposes in their own native language.

Exchange students should only study XXX4087/4187/4287 Translation & Interpreting in their own native language.

(TRIXXXX) Translation modules are for students on a Translation and Interpreting (T&I) programme in their home university.

Content modules are usually studied alongside the relevant language modules (some content modules may require reading in the target language even when taught in English). Some are taught in the target language. Please look in the main module catalogue to check that modules are taught/assessed in the relevant language. Please check with SML staff at the module fair regarding your knowledge of the language when registering for content modules if you are not studying a language module alongside.

As a guide, Stage 1 modules are usually at beginner level/post A-level, Stage 2 is intermediate and Stage 4 advanced level. The first number in the module code denotes the stage which the module is studied in: 1-coded modules are usually Level A or B; 2-coded modules are usually Level B or C; 4-coded modules are Level D.

Psychology

Only students on the Study Abroad programme and Psychology-specific exchange agreements can choose modules in this subject area.

Module registration process

Although you may indicate your preferred modules for your course of study, the modules chosen during the application process are not guaranteed and are subject to change, dependent upon availability. You may also need to demonstrate that you have the prerequisite knowledge for certain higher-level modules.

Module registration will be done during a meeting with your School Coordinator. You will agree on your modules and (if applicable) your School Coordinator will sign your Learning Agreement.

We also host a Module Fair for modules within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, for students interested in taking a subject outside of the chosen subject area. More information about the Module Fair will be provided closer to the start of your study period.

While we make efforts to deliver the modules as described, occasionally amendments are needed. Therefore, please be aware that the Module Catalogue is subject to change. Individual module availability and the fulfilment of any prerequisites will also be taken into account when it comes to module allocation.

If you have questions about specific modules, please contact the relevant School. Alternatively, you can contact the Global Opportunities Team.

Key terms

Please familiarise yourself with the below terminology before browsing the Module Catalogue.

Module – You may describe this as one course or class.

Credits – Credits are a value given to each module as an equivalent to a notional total study time for that module. Each 10 credit module represents 100 study hours. You'll select 50-70 credits per semester. 120 credits per year is a normal workload at Newcastle. 10 Newcastle University credits are equal to 5 ECTS.

Semester – Semester 1 runs from September–January and Semester 2 from January–June. You can order the Module Catalogue by semester to only see modules for your period of study. Where a module states both semesters, it is a full-year module lasting two semesters. This means it can only be taken by students with us for a full academic year. You are expected to be present in Newcastle for all assessments. Students from non-EU partners may be able to return home in December and undertake ‘Alternative Assessments’ to complete their studies early.

Stage – This is the level of the module. For example, Stage 2 means the second year of an undergraduate degree. The first number of each module code correlates to the Stage. For example, NCL2007 is a Stage 2 (or second year) undergraduate module.

(Inactive) – If you see this next to a module title it means that the module is not available this year. You will not be able to take these modules. Availability can change without notice, so please do check back in the Module Catalogue closer to your time of arrival.

Prerequisite - Stage 2 and 3 modules are likely to require prior experience in the subject field. You will need to show that you have met these prerequisites in order to study these modules.