Master of Arts in International Relations

at Newcastle University United Kingdom

The Cross-Cultural Communication and Applied Linguistics MA provides theoretical, research and practical training in areas of international and intercultural communication. It also provides training on the analysis of language in use, in a variety of settings and on the teaching and learning of English as a second language.

The Applied Linguistics pathway is a specialism on the Cross-Cultural Communication MA. It allows you to study applied linguistics and intercultural communication. It provides knowledge and expertise in the new approaches and techniques for teaching English as a second or foreign language.

Academic staff in applied linguistics and communication within the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences deliver this specialist pathway. It offers a wide range of optional modules in the areas of applied linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

The applied linguistics academic staff have teaching and research expertise in:

• Second language acquisition
• Discourse analysis
• Classroom interaction
• Multimodal interaction
• Teaching and learning English through media and technology
• Teacher development

If you're interested in a career in language teaching, but have little or no previous teaching experience, this pathway offers the option of introductory modules in TESOL. These provide a thorough grounding in the practical skills and knowledge for language teaching and learning.

During this three-year degree, you will divide your time equally between politics and sociology – acquiring a rich theoretical understanding of both disciplines and a set of practical skills valued by employers.

The course features regular fieldwork and hands-on workshops to ensure that you graduate as a practising sociologist and political scientist. You'll be trained to conduct surveys, evaluate statistics, and use SPSS – the professional-standard data analysis software.

With a wide choice of modules throughout, you can tailor your degree to your interests – whether it's the sociology of childhood or race, or the politics of the UK parliament, international diplomacy or the far-right in Europe.

This is an individually tailored research master's degree designed for graduates with a good background in linguistics and/or English language.

Our research master's in English Language and/or Linguistics is largely based around your own research interests. We'll prepare you for further research within and beyond academia. You'll be fully supported by experts situated in one of the largest centres for linguistics research in Europe.

The individually tailored course contains some taught modules. It mostly consists of smaller, independently conducted research assignments and a larger research dissertation at the end. The topics are chosen by you, in consultation with your supervisor.

Linguistic theory

• Syntactic theory and comparative syntax
• Phonological theory
• Morphophonology and morphosyntax
• Philosophy of language
• Philosophy of linguistics
• Architecture of the language faculty

Our British History MA is the only master's in history of its kind in the UK. It provides you with the opportunity to study the political, social, economic and cultural history of the British Isles. 

This history master's covers a wide range of British history from early medieval to modern periods. It includes:

• Ideas and influences
• Reform and reaction
• Intensive teaching in the methodologies and concepts used by historians

The course is flexible. You can choose taught modules covering the periods of history and subjects that most interest you.

Our MArch Architecture is designed to help you define the kind of architect you want to be. You can tailor your portfolio towards the practices in which you want to work or areas in which you want to demonstrate your expertise.

It is a modular MArch based on design project work. Lectures and seminars examine the theoretical, practical and material dimensions of architecture.

Through the course you'll:

• Develop an appreciation of design as a collective cultural endeavour involving the acquisition and exercise of complex knowledge and skills
• Learn to think and act critically. You'll think harder and deeper about architecture, what it can achieve and what you can do with it
• Define the kind of architect you want to be
• Tailor your portfolio towards the practices in which you want to work or areas in which you want to demonstrate expertise
• Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the architectural profession with an independent, research-led attitude towards design

This accredited, Electrical and Electronic Engineering integrated master's degree focuses on developing your core knowledge and practical skills. You'll also explore more advanced specialist topics in your fourth year, so you're prepared for a career in this fast-paced industry.

With a focus on practical work and research-informed teaching, you'll cover the core aspects of the generation, distribution, storage, and conversion of electrical power.

You'll also have the opportunity to work on a real-world engineering project with an industry partner, so you gain an insight into the sector, develop industry contacts and enhance your CV.

While establishing a firm foundation of electrical and electronic engineering knowledge, you'll become a confident expert in more specialist topics, through optional modules such as: nano-electronic devices and national-scale electricity networks.

Our master's inInternational Development and Education with Cross Cultural Communication uses a multidisciplinary approach to international development. It considers contemporary global change through various perspectives, including:

• Social
• Political
• Historical
• Environmental
• Economic

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) run through the modules. This provides a contemporary stance on where the world stands today at building a better world for people and our planet by 2030. You'll gain an understanding of and explore current debates around how education contributes to the development process.

Learning through case studies will cultivate your ability to think critically about development issues. You'll explore data using secondary sources. You'll also carry out your own research study through our unique placement module. This extends your learning into the field of development and education. This hands-on experience is an opportunity to co-create and co-develop impactful change.

This degree allows you to develop an advanced level of knowledge and skills in film-making. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the relationship between documentary practice, film theory and the film industry.

You’ll work on a range of individual and crew-based film projects, and develop sophisticated camera, sound, editing and storytelling skills.

Your studies are set in the context of world cinema and the international history of the cinematic documentary. You'll graduate with a portfolio of creative documentary and experimental non-fiction films.

You will learn from scholar film-makers in our state-of-the-art facilities and develop a range of professional skills to prepare you for your future.

This degree follow the same programme as our Environmental Sciences BSc Honours degree but includes a year's work placement.

Topics cover a wide range of subjects, from plant biology and ecology, to sustainability and environmental law.

Biology and geography are an important part of this degree, to help you to understand the processes within ecosystems and how we can manage our natural resources effectively.

You will also study chemistry, physics and geology as applied to the study of the environment.

You'll learn about the role of social and economic factors, ethics and public perception in environmental management.

Between Stages 2 and 3 you take a year-long work placement in a relevant environmental sector. This gives you the chance to put your learning into practise and gain valuable work experience, helping you stand out in the graduate job market.

Your degree is shaped by the cutting-edge research of our expert staff, so you know your degree is focused on up-to-date and socially important theories and discoveries in the area.

BSc or MEnvSci?
Some of our degrees are offered at two levels:

• Three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• Four-year Master in Environmental Science (MEnvSci)

Our MEnvSci degrees include an additional year of advanced study at master’s level, where you will gain additional research and practical experience to increase your employability and have the opportunity to work alongside our world-leading experts.

This Media and Public Relations master's combines public relations practice with theoretical analysis of the media. Theoretical studies are put in context by social, cultural, economic and political issues.

This master's in media and PR is suitable for:

• Students who have some PR knowledge through their undergraduate studies or voluntary work
• PR professionals wishing to develop their academic knowledge and research methods

Teaching draws on current research carried out by specialists in media, communication and cultural studies.

Through the course you'll gain:

• A critical understanding of media, culture and society
• Knowledge to theorise and analyse media and public relations
• Knowledge of media law and public relations regulations in a transnational context
• An understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different types of data dissemination

You'll also develop valuable professional skills, such as:

• Analytical and critical skills to assess and conduct research in the field of media and PR
• The ability to deliver and evaluate a PR event in the public, private and voluntary sectors
• Skills to set up a campaign network and deliver PR campaign messages
• Skills to produce effective press releases