Modern Languages and Linguistics (BA (Hons))

Course Overview

This degree combines the study of foreign languages with linguistic theory, to explore how language works.

At a Glance

UCAS Code
QT19

UCAS Institution Name and Code
NEWC, N21

Degree Awarded
BA Honours

Course Duration
4 Years

Entry Requirements
A Level: ABB-BBB
IB: 32 points

Opportunities
Study abroad
Work placement

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You choose two languages to study and will gain near-native fluency.

Cultural modules provide you with an in-depth insight into the countries where your languages are spoken, covering topics such as:

• culture, cinema and literature
• history, politics and society

You also study linguistics, concentrating on the structure, history and use of both the English language and your foreign languages. Topics include:

• syntax, phonology and morphology
• semantics and pragmatics
• sociolinguistics and language acquisition

You'll also spend a year studying or working abroad, immersed in the culture of another country, developing your language skills and confidence.

Highlights of this degree

Languages available

You select from the following list of languages (with at least one in French, German or Spanish at post-A level or equivalent):

• Chinese
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Portuguese
• Spanish

In addition, there are optional beginners' modules available in:

• Catalan, Quechua or Italian for students of Spanish
• Catalan or Italian for students of French
• Dutch for students of German

Quality and ranking

Modern Languages at Newcastle is highly regarded, ranking in the top 10 in the UK for French, German and Spanish in The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017. 

We also rank 6th in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

Year abroad

All of our modern languages degrees include a compulsory year abroad.

Students studying a European language can:

• study at one of our partner universities
• work as an English language assistant in a school (UK nationals only)
• undertake a work placement in a European business
• or do a combination of the above (ensuring that they do not overlap)

You usually divide the year between the two countries relating to your chosen languages, although it may be possible to spend the whole 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.

Support for year abroad

We offer lots of help to prepare you for your year abroad, including:

• briefings covering practicalities like insurance, visas and student safety
• a Tandem Learning Scheme, to practise conversation in your foreign language
• optional group sessions with a native speaker of your foreign language, to help with daily practicalities and small talk
• free access to the newly updated Language Resource Centre for independent study
• a training course for language assistants

We also run social events for second-year students to meet finalists 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.

Our team of Year Abroad Officers will keep in close touch with you while you are abroad. You will also communicate regularly with your personal tutor via the web-based e-portfolio.

Facilities and support

As a Modern Languages and Linguistics student at Newcastle you will divide your time between the School of Modern Languages and the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics.

Facilities

You will have access to language laboratories and the award-winning Language Resource Centre, with self-study resources for over 50 languages.

Take a virtual tour of our facilities on the School website.

Support

You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can 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.

Social events

You will receive lots of support from both Schools to help you settle in and feel at home. This includes a busy programme of social and academic events, organised by our two very active student-run societies:

• the Modern Languages Society
• the Linguistics Society

Cutting edge expertise

The School of Modern Languages produces high-level original research in the cultures of the contemporary societies with which it engages. We have particular research expertise in:

• Film Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Linguistics
• Medieval Studies

The Language and Linguistics section within the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is part of one of the largest concentrations of research expertise in Linguistics and Language Sciences in the UK. Our current research expertise includes:

• Computational linguistics
• Language variation
• Psycholinguistics
• Theoretical linguistics

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

The majority of practical language modules are taught through classes led by native speakers. You also work in language laboratories and undertake self-study in our Language Resource Centre.

Assessment methods

Assessment involves oral and language laboratory work and written examinations at the end of each Stage, as well as course work submitted during the year.

During your year abroad in Stage 3 you are required to complete a personal learning record (a diary exercise consisting of three short pieces of work), and either write a project in the relevant language or submit marks from modules taken at the exchange university.

Find out more

Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module. More information about each module including specific assessment credits and contact hours, can be found in the Course Details section.

Visit our Teaching and Learning pages to read about the outstanding learning experience available to all students at Newcastle University.

Compare this course

See how this course compares with others for topics such as student satisfaction, fees and costs and prospects after graduation using the Unistats Key Information Set.

Related Degrees

• Modern Languages BA Honours

  At Newcastle you can study a striking range of languages, countries and cultures, in flexible combinations to match your interests.

• Linguistics BA Honours

  This degree focuses on how language works, how it is structured and what it does, from the physical properties of speech, to how languages change and develop over time.

Opportunities
Study abroad
Work placement

Download course PDF