Module Guidance

Choosing modules

Browse our module catalogue

We have a specialist module catalogue that shows all modules open to Study Abroad and exchange students. Please only use this page as your source of module information as information provided on other pages may not clarify what is and what is not available to you.

Module availability

Please be aware that our module catalogue refreshes its content in April each year 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 still do not provide any guarantee of undertaking the module, but it will mean we can notify you if there were any issues with your selection.

Choose 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. You should have some prior experience in the topic area and this may be checked by the Academic Selector. (e.g. BUS2021)

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. You are likely to need permission from the School to take these modules, and must have taken relevant pre-requisite classes. (e.g. BIO3050)

Exchange students

If you are studying with us through an exchange partnership we have 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 these are to avoid disappointment when trying to register in subjects you're not eligible for. If you are unsure which subjects are open to you please contact your institution or contact us for clarification.

Subject limitations

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

Biomedical Sciences

Students may choose modules if they have appropriate pre-requisite knowledge.

Business School

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

Accounting and Finance
Economics
Management
Marketing

Advice:

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 not studied Economics before.
We are making some 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 one or semester two only modules. We are currently finalising details and 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 and can take no more than 20 credits per semester outside the Business School
Postgraduate modules are 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

You'll find the list of modules available for Study Abroad and Exchange students here.

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 and substantial independent research and reading. You should choose:

Stage 1 modules if you have never studied English Literature at university level
Stage 2 modules if you have some experience studying English Literature at university level
Stage 3 modules if you have extensive experience studying English Literature at university level

Creative Writing modules

There is one Stage 1 module - SEL1000 Introduction to Creative Writing. There are several Stage 2 modules. If you indicate Stage 2 modules the Creative Writing module leader might 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/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 as there are no formal prerequisites for this.

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, considered on an individual basis.

Psychology

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

Module Registration Process

Formal module registration does not happen until you arrive on campus.

Although you may review the module catalogue and indicate your preferred modules for your course of study, the modules chosen during the application process are not guaranteed and are subject to change according to availability. You may also need to demonstrate that you have the pre-requisite 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 that you may be interested in taking outside of your 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, as well as individual module availability and fulfilment of any pre-requisites. If you have questions about specific modules, please contact the relevant School. Alternatively, you can contact the Global Opportunities Team.

Key words

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 = 5 ECTS.

Semester – Semester 1 runs from September–January and Semester 2 from January–June. You can order the 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/second year undergraduate module.

(Inactive) – If you see this next to a module title it means 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 catalogue closer to your time of arrival.

Pre-requisite - Stage 2 and 3 modules are likely to require any student studying them to have prior experience in the subject field. You will need to show you have met these pre-requisites in order to be given permission to study these modules.