Modern Languages and Business Studies
BA Honours
- UCAS code: TN92
- Full time
- 4 years
- Next start date: September 2020
This Modern Languages and Business Studies degree prepares you for a global career with business expertise and language skills.
Fees (per year)
- UK/EU: £9250
- International: £18000
Entry requirements
- A Level: ABB-BBB
- IB: 32 points
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
This four-year Modern Languages and Business Studies BA Honours degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge that are highly prized by employers.
With a combination of language and business studies, you'll develop your skills in one or two languages – from a choice of Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish – as well as the principles and practice of business management, following modules such as:
- organisational behaviour
- marketing
- human resource management
You will study language modules to help you develop near-native fluency alongside optional modules that will give you an insight into the cultures of the languages you are studying.
You'll become a confident multilinguist, ready to embark on your career journey as a global citizen.
Quality and ranking
- 5th in the UK – The Guardian University Guide 2020 (Modern Languages)
- top 10 in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2020 (French and Iberian languages)
- top 10 in the UK – The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 (Iberian languages)
- 6th in the UK for research power – Research Excellence Framework 2014
- top 200 – Arts and Humanities category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2018
- top 200 – Business and Economics category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2018
Teaching excellence
TEF GoldA ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research, and course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, student feedback, or numbers of students interested in an optional module.
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.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
This degree is run by the School of Modern Languages with either half or a third of your modules taught by the Business School. You can combine your languages in one of three ways:
- one language at beginners' level
- one or two languages at post-A level (or equivalent)
- two languages – one at post-A level (or equivalent) and one at beginners' level
Stage 1 of your degree lets you study your language(s) at post-A Level or beginners' level, depending on your current language ability. You can choose from Chinese or Japanese, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese.
You will also study modules in the culture, history, cinema or linguistics of the countries where your chosen languages are spoken.
You will study an Introduction to Management and Organisation and have the option to study additional business modules.
If you study two languages in your first year, you may reduce this to just one language for the remainder of your degree before moving on to Stage 2.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Management and Organisation | 20 |
You will continue to develop your language skills at an advanced/intermediate level. You’ll have the option to complement these skills by choosing cultural modules that relate to the language you are studying, for example, if you study Spanish, you can choose to study an introduction to Latin America.
You’ll also choose from optional business modules that include: Strategic Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Human Resource Management, and Interpreting Company Accounts.
Modules
You will spend your year abroad studying at one of our partner universities, on a work placement, or a combination of the two. You can spend the whole year in one country or divide the year between two countries where your chosen languages are spoken.
If you want to study Chinese or Japanese at Stage 4 you must spend this year studying in China or Japan.
We recommend you use the summer vacations on either side of this to visit French, German, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking countries, depending on the other languages you are studying.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Year Abroad ePortfolio (YAeP) | 100 |
You’ll continue your language studies and if you are studying a European Language, you will also choose to study Translation and Interpreting or Language for Professional and Academic Purposes.
You can complement your language study by selecting two optional cultural modules (if you are studying Chinese or Japanese you will only take one module).
You will choose from optional business modules that cover marketing, customer behaviour and finance.
Modules
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
The majority of language modules are taught by native speakers. You also work in language laboratories and undertake self-study in our award-winning Language Resource Centre.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
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Assessments
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Assignments – written or fieldwork
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Coursework
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Dissertation or research project
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Dossier
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Essays
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Examinations – practical or online
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Group work
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Portfolio submission
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Practical sessions
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Presentations
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Reflective report/journal
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Reports
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Seminar tasks/exercises
Skills and experience
Research skills
You have the option of writing a dissertation in your final year, which allows you to explore and discuss a topic of interest in great detail, while developing your research skills.
Chat to a student
I love being a part of the Modern Languages School - all the staff are so friendly and it has such a community feel. It's reassuring to know that any of the staff and students are always there to help if I need it.
Opportunities
Year abroad
This Modern Languages degree includes a compulsory year abroad.
Students studying a European language can:
- study at one of our partner universities
- undertake a work or voluntary placement
- undertake a combination of both (ensuring they do not overlap)
You usually divide the year between the countries relating to your chosen languages, although it may be possible to spend the entire year in one country.
If you are studying three languages we encourage you to spend some time during the summer vacation in the country of your third language.
If you're studying Chinese or Japanese, you'll spend the year studying at one of our partner universities in China or Japan.
Support for year abroad
You will receive lots of help to prepare for your year abroad, including:
- briefings covering practicalities like insurance, visas and student safety
- support in finding a work placement
- a Tandem Learning Scheme, to practise conversation in your foreign language and make in-country contacts, before you travel
- a training course for language assistants
There are also events in your second year where you can meet students who have already done their year abroad, Erasmus students from our partner universities in Europe, and Chinese and Japanese exchange students from our host universities in East Asia.
You'll be in contact with our Year Abroad team during your time abroad, and communicate with your personal tutor. You'll also write blog posts, reflecting on your linguistic, personal and professional development.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
As a Modern Languages student, you'll be based at our city-centre campus, in the School of Modern Languages. We've been teaching modern languages in Newcastle for more than 100 years.
You will have access to language laboratories and the award-winning Language Resource Centre, with self-study resources for over 50 languages. You'll also have access to:
- specialist language learning software
- dictionaries
- films
- live foreign-language TV channels
Support
You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.
Your future
Ability in languages is highly regarded by employers across all sectors, including industry and business. Employers value the linguistic skills and cultural awareness of graduates.
With ever more European and international connections, language skills are important and give you a real advantage in applying for a wide range of graduate jobs.
Graduates into a range of roles where their language skills are desirable, such as the media, teaching, sales, e-commerce, and areas of finance.
Make a difference
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Careers support
The School of Modern Languages works with the University’s Careers Service to run an annual Employability Week, including an opportunity to network with recent graduates.
We also collaborate on the Modern Languages careers blog, Careers Translated. The blog gives you access to a range of relevant jobs, training and work experience opportunities, as well as interviews with alumni and employers, and general advice.
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+ inititiative.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2020 entry.
A Level
ABB-BBB
International Baccalaureate
32 points
Other UK qualifications (and PARTNERS)
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
PARTNERS
Through our PARTNERS programme, you could receive an offer up to three grades lower than the typical requirements, and get support throughout the application process. To apply through PARTNERS, you must be based in the UK and meet our eligibility criteria.
Entrance courses (INTO)
International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.
Find out more about International Pathway Courses
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University, including Newcastle University London. 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.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for 2020 entry (per year)
UK Students
£9250
International Students
£18000
The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by the UK government.
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme).
The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.
Year abroad and additional costs
For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
Scholarships
Find out more about:
Open days and events
There's no better way to get a feel for Newcastle University than to come and visit our beautiful campus, located in one of the UK's most exciting student cities. The dates are now confirmed for our Undergraduate 2020 Open Days:
• Friday 26 June
• Saturday 27 June
• Saturday 19 September
Each open day is from 9am to 4pm.
Sign up for alerts, and we'll let you know when you can book to attend next Open Day.
You can also meet us at exhibitions across the UK.
Or you can join us for an event at our London Campus.
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University. Visit our events calendar to find out when we're visiting your region.
We don't have any virtual events scheduled at the moment. Keep checking our events calendar for more information.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:
- the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
- the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
- the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college
If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.
Apply through UCASApply through an agent
International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.
Get in touch
By Phone
Contact us on +44 (0) 191 208 3333. We're open 9.00 to 17.00 every week day except Wednesday (10.00 to 17.00).