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Module Catalogue

Discover the wealth of modules available to you as a Study Abroad student

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

We aim to offer modules as they are described, but sometimes changes are necessary. This may happen because staff expertise changes, the subject area develops, external bodies or partners update their requirements, or we receive feedback from students. For these reasons, the Module Catalogue may change.

Your final module allocation will also depend on whether the module is available when you arrive and whether you meet any prerequisites.

If you have questions about a specific module, please contact the relevant School. You can also contact the Global Opportunities Team if you need further support.

Module availability

Please be aware that the content in our Module Catalogue is updated every April to show the modules available for the next academic year. Because of this yearly refresh, module availability is subject to change.

If your home university requires you to take a specific module as part of your study abroad or exchange programme, you must tell us this in your application. While we cannot guarantee that you will be able to take the module, we can inform you if there are any problems with your selection.

Choosing the appropriate Stage

Stage 1 modules are designed for first‑year undergraduate students. These are introductory modules that give you the basic knowledge needed for more advanced study (for example: HIS1044).

Stage 2 modules are designed for second‑year undergraduate students. These modules expect you to already understand the subject at a basic level and aim to broaden and deepen your knowledge (for example: BUS2021). You should have some previous experience in the topic, and the Academic Coordinator may check this.

Stage 3 modules are designed for third‑year/final‑year undergraduate students. These are the most advanced undergraduate modules and provide highly specialised teaching (for example: BIO3050). You will usually need permission from the relevant School to take these modules and you must have completed the required prerequisite classes.

Exchange students

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

Please make sure you understand which subjects you are allowed to take. This will help you avoid disappointment when trying to register for subjects that you are not eligible for.

If you are not sure which subjects are open to you, please contact your home university or get in touch with 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. They should check subject knowledge in any pre-requisite module that is stated, to see if their previous learning correlates to a similar curriculum.

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.

History

Students are not permitted to take more than four Stage 3 capped modules in an academic year, with a maximum of two per semester.

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 Global Opportunities Team.


Key terms

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

Module A module is one course or class
Credits

Credits show how much study a module requires.
• 10 credits = 100 hours of study.
• Students normally take 50–70 credits per semester.
• A full year is 120 credits.
• 10 Newcastle credits = 5 ECTS.

Semester

Newcastle has two semesters:
Semester 1: September–January
Semester 2: January–June


You can filter the Module Catalogue by semester.

If a module is shown as available in both semesters (Semester 1 and Semester 2), it is a full‑year module, only for students studying for the whole academic year.

You must be in Newcastle for all assessments. Some non‑EU students may be able to take alternative assessments in December.

Stage This shows the level or year of the module.

• Stage 1: First year of an undergraduate degree
• Stage 2: Second year
• Stage 3: Third or final year

The first number in the module code shows the Stage (e.g., NCL2007 = Stage 2).

Inactive

If you see “Inactive” next to a module, it means it is not available this year and you cannot take it. Availability may change, so check again closer to your arrival.

Prerequisite

Some Stage 2 and Stage 3 modules require previous experience in the subject. You must show that you meet these requirements if you want to take the module.

 


Module catalogue

We have a variety of modules for you to choose from at Newcastle University. Our Module Catalogue is the best place to explore your options and decide what you would like to study during your time abroad.

Before you start browsing, we strongly recommend that you read the guidance above. These instructions will help you choose modules that match your level of study, meet your credit requirements and fit within your permitted subject areas.

Some students can choose freely across different academic disciplines, while others will have a more defined set of subject requirements. Whatever your situation, you can enjoy exploring our wide range of academic opportunities.

Academic skills for Study Abroad

Humanities and Social Sciences

Medical Sciences

Science, Agriculture and Engineering

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, we are happy to help.