Download course PDF
If you are independently minded and enjoy studying and mastering more than one subject, you will find Combined Honours at Newcastle has plenty to offer.
You have unrivalled flexibility to choose topics from our Single Honours degrees, creating a unique pathway spanning two or three subjects of your choice.
Explore new interests or develop your existing expertise with this intellectually demanding interdisciplinary degree programme.
Study complementary subjects or choose unusual subject combinations to reflect your individual interests and career aspirations.
Features of this degree include:
- more than 20 subjects to choose from
- try new subjects without prior experience
- language learning from beginners' and advanced level
Please note: Psychology will not be available as a subject option from 2017 entry.
Highlights of this degree
Quality and ranking
Quality and ranking
Combined Honours at Newcastle achieved an impressive 99% overall student satisfaction score in the National Student Survey 2016, ranking us 1st in the UK.
Subject choice
Subject choice
We offer over 20 different subjects, meaning you can create a degree that is as unique as you are.
Options include:
- combining complementary subjects such as Archaeology, History and Classics
- creating an unusual subject combination such as Business, Politics and Music
- studying a language and spend a year abroad, boosting your confidence and your CV
You will attend the same lectures and classes as a student specialising in each subject, so your studies are at the same academic level as a Single Honours degree.
Some of the subject combinations possible through Combined Honours may already exist as a Joint Honours degree at Newcastle. We may advise you to transfer your application to one of these degrees if that appears a better match for your interests.
Please note: Psychology will not be available as a subject option from 2017 entry.
Flexible degree structure
Flexible degree structure
Our flexible degree structure gives you the freedom to try new subjects, without committing to your final subject choice until Stage 2.
In first year, you divide your time equally between the two or three subjects you have chosen. You are also introduced to interdisciplinary thinking to help you truly combine your subjects.
From second year onwards, you can choose how to combine your subjects and how many you wish to study:
- study three subjects in equal proportion
- study two subjects in equal proportion (the joint route)
- spend two thirds of your time on one subject and one third on the other (the major/minor route)
In your final year, you have the option of undertaking a dissertation or project that spans more than one of your chosen subjects or focuses on just one.
Your degree certificate will reference the subjects you studied in Stages 2 and 3, allowing employers to identify your areas of expertise, for example, BA Combined Honours in English Literature and French.
Studying a language
Studying a language
Combined Honours at Newcastle offers six different languages:
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Portuguese
- Spanish and Latin American Studies
Most language subjects are available for beginners and those with previous language experience.
If you study a language beyond Stage 1, you will spend a year abroad between Stages 2 and 3, making your degree four years long.
Some rules do apply to language learning on this degree. You may study a maximum of two language subjects together in Stage 1, alongside a third subject. Only one of these languages can be at beginners' level. It is not possible to study Chinese and Japanese together.
Study abroad / work placement
Study abroad / work placement
Students studying a language
If you study a language beyond Stage 1, you will spend a year abroad, extending your degree to four years. This takes place between Stages 2 and 3.
Find out more about what your year abroad will involve on the Combined Honours Centre website
Students not studying a language
UK and EU students who are not studying a language may also have the opportunity to study abroad through an Erasmus or non-EU exchange (depending on subject choice).
You can substitute one semester of study at Newcastle for one semester abroad or add an extra year to study abroad between Stages 2 and 3.
Work placement
UK and EU students alternatively have the opportunity to take a year long work placement in the UK or abroad between Stages 2 and 3, regardless of subject combination.
Facilities and support
Facilities and support
As a Combined Honours student you will be based in the Combined Honours Centre.
Facilities
You'll have access to modern teaching and learning facilities. Take a virtual tour on our School website.
Support
You'll be supported by a personal tutor throughout your degree