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Cross-Cultural Communication MA

Receive communication-focused training and develop expertise in intercultural communication through this Master's degree in Cross-Cultural Communication.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2025

Overview

Explore the relationship between culture and communication with our Cross-Cultural Communication MA programme.

You will be taught and supported by experts in intercultural communication. Our teaching staff has years of professional and research experience. They have lived, worked, studied and conducted research all around the world

Our Cross-Cultural Communication Master's programme addresses questions such as:

  • How do languages, cultures and identities affect communication?
  • What is the role of intercultural communication in the global workplace?
  • What is the importance of global citizenship?
  • How can we minimise misunderstanding in intercultural communication?
  • How can we teach, develop and assess intercultural competence?
  • What is the role of multilingualism in intercultural communication?

We have a diverse cohort of students from a range of backgrounds, including home and international students. This means you'll work regularly with peers from a wide range of national, language and professional backgrounds. This will help you to develop your interpersonal and intercultural skills. Former students identify this as one of the main strengths of the course.

You can choose to study Cross-Cultural Communication alongside one of six specialist pathways:  

  • Cross-Cultural Communication and International Marketing MA
  • Cross-Cultural Communication and International Management MA
  • Cross-Cultural Communication and Media Studies MA
  • Cross-Cultural Communication and Applied Linguistics MA
  • Cross-Cultural Communication and Education MA
  • Cross-Cultural Communication and International Relations MA

Our Cross-Cultural Communication courses are the only ones in the world to offer such a broad range of specialisms. They allow you to develop a combination of expertise in cross-cultural communication and an additional area. This means enhanced employability in the competitive global marketplace.

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Important information

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What you'll learn

By the end of the course, you will develop your understanding of intercultural communication theory and research.

You will also become familiar with professional practice in intercultural and cross-cultural contexts. Key topics on the Cross Cultural Communication MA will include:

  • international workplaces
  • intercultural communication online
  • multilingual communities and individuals
  • transnationally mobile groups (such as refugees)
  • global perspectives on intercultural communication
  • multimodality of intercultural communication

You'll learn the practical, theoretical and methodological skills required to conduct research on intercultural communication topics. We will teach you various ways of collecting and analysing data, including:

  • research interviews
  • surveys and statistics
  • linguistic analysis
  • discourse analysis
  • multimodal analysis

Our courses have received praise from external examiners and the University's Internal Subject Review committee for the emphasis on teaching and assessing empirical, data-driven research.

Language and communication

This strand is delivered by Applied Linguistics & Communication academics within the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences. You will study a compulsory module which introduces key theories and topics in intercultural communication. You can also choose from a range of optional modules depending on your interests.

You'll learn about communication and cross-cultural communication research. This will be from a range of perspectives, including:

  • social psychology
  • communication studies
  • intercultural communication studies
  • linguistics and discourse studies

We'll encourage you to apply your research interests to real-world case studies. These can be international organisations or workplaces with which you have a connection.

Pathway-specific modules

Modules in this area will be delivered by lecturers from the relevant school. You'll find details on the specific pathway webpage.

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.

How you'll learn

Your development

Our programme is designed to support your development over the course of the year.

Semester 1 modules will give you a foundational knowledge of key areas in intercultural communication. Semester 2 modules will allow you to build on this. You will select specialist topics suited to your interests and future goals.

Through class discussion and assessment, you will reflect on your own intercultural communication, learning and development.

Through a research portfolio, you'll gain the analytical and theoretical skills required to understand and analyse communication in a social setting of personal interest or relevance to you.

As 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 is relevant if you wish to study communication, language and culture. The course will prepare you for work in international and intercultural environments.

Communication is an essential aspect of the work in roles such as:

  • marketing and communications
  • communications consultants
  • human resources advisors
  • international recruitment
  • digital communications
  • translators and interpreters
  • social workers
  • international sales representatives
  • NGO staff
  • Study Abroad coordinators
  • teachers

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

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:

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

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

Find out more about:

Search for funding

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Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

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.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

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

INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. 

How to apply


Using the application portal

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Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Degree Programme Secretary
School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 8830
Email: CCC@ncl.ac.uk

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