Overview

The International Relations pathway is a specialism on the Cross-Cultural Communication MA. It lets you study international relations with intercultural communication. You'll gain a comprehensive grounding in the approaches to understanding contemporary international politics and society.

This master's addresses contemporary international dynamics through a range of approaches:

• theoretical
• empirical
• area-based

Academic staff in politics from the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology deliver this specialist pathway.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course during COVID-19

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.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.

View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2021-22.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information

What you'll learn

Language and communication

Applied linguistics academic staff from the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences deliver this strand. The strand comprises one compulsory module and a number of optional modules available to all cross-cultural and communication students.

International relations pathway-specific modules

Academic staff in politics from the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology deliver the international relations strand of taught modules. You'll study with other politics students.

You'll develop:

• advanced knowledge and understanding of areas such as international relations theory and international studies politics topics
• knowledge of the more important approaches and methods in social science research and the techniques required to carry out advanced research
• theoretical and practical research skills, including the synthesis of materials from a variety of primary and secondary sources

 

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

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

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

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.

Optional modules availability

Some course have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Cross-Cultural Communication and International Relations MA modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Research Portfolio	60
Introduction to Intercultural Communication	20

Optional Modules	Credits
The Social Psychology of Communication	20
Sociolinguistics	20
Professional Communication	20
Language & Intercultural Pragmatics	20
English in the World	20
Multimodal Communication	20
Multilingualism, language planning, policy and identity	20
Integration in Europe	20
Theories of International Relations	20
American Foreign Policy	20
Global Justice and Human Rights	20
Globalisation, Poverty and Development	20
Critical Geopolitics	20
World Politics and Popular Culture	20
Ethics in IR	20
The United Nations and Global Governance	20
Gender, War and Military	20
Welfare Attitudes: A Comparative Politics Approach	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You'll be taught using a range of methods, including:

• online lecture videos and activities
• online interactive lessons
• in-person small group teaching
• in-person small group workshops

Each module tends to last one semester.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Research paper

Assessment additional info

Research portfolio

The research portfolio is equal to an MA-level dissertation. It involves three separate research files which take place over the course of the academic year:

• a reflective research journal, submitted early January
• a presentation on a methodological approach to research in cross-cultural communication
• an empirical research project conducted over the summer months, submitted at the end of August

 

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• courses
• groups
• notifications
• messages

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• our University Student Services Team

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your development

Placements

You're encouraged to apply your research interests to real-world case studies. These could be from international organisations or workplaces with which you have a connection.

For example, your empirical project submitted in research file three can be in connection with voluntary work (for a charity or NGO) or an internship, arranged over the summer towards the end of the course.

If you're a part-time student you can conduct a research project of relevance to your employer and/or industry.

Your future

Intercultural communication careers

The cross-cultural communication master's are relevant if you wish to study communication, language and culture. They'll also suit anyone intending to work, or are already working, in international and cross-cultural environments. Communication is an essential aspect of the work in roles such as:

• communications consultants
• interpreters
• social workers
• international sales representatives
• journalists
• medical and healthcare professionals
• humanitarian aid staff
• teachers
• local government officials

Our Careers Service

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

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

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

Read our detailed explanation

Facilities

As a student in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences you'll have access to facilities and a growing collection of online resources, including:

• a well-stocked Education Resource Centre
• Language Analysis Lab
• a phonetics lab
• an audio-video lab
• a recording studio

Find out more about facilities in the School

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2022 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.

If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

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

Find out more about:

• additional costs
• living costs
• tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The applicant portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the applicant portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

Open days

The situation with Covid-19 means that we're unable to hold open days on campus. However, you don’t have to visit in person to experience Newcastle.

From the comfort of your sofa you'll be able to:

• explore our beautiful campus
• find out about our vibrant city
• discover what students think about studying at Newcastle

You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the courses you're interested in.

Find out about upcoming postgraduate open days

Events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

We also hold various online and virtual events.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events