Master of Speech and Language Sciences (Hons)

at Newcastle University United Kingdom

The Bioinformatics MSc combines foundational skills in bioinformatics with specialist skills in computing programming, molecular biology and research methods.

Our MSc Bioinformatics is unique and interdisciplinary. It draws together highly-rated teaching and research expertise from across the University. It equips you for a successful career in the bioinformatics industry or academia.

We've designed this MSc Bioinformatics for students from both biological science and computational backgrounds. Prior experience with computer programming is not needed. We welcome applications from those with mathematical, engineering or other scientific backgrounds.

Our course structure is highly flexible and you can tailor it to your own skills and interests.

Research is a large component of this course. Our emphasis is on delivering the research training you'll need to meet the demands of industry and academia now and in the future. Our research in bioinformatics, life sciences, computing and mathematics is internationally recognised. The School of Computing has an active research community. We have several research groups and three research centres.

The course is part of a suite of related programmes that include:

• Synthetic Biology MSc
• Computational Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics MSc

All four courses share core modules. This creates a tight-knit cohort. It encourages collaborations on projects undertaking interdisciplinary research.

This degree will give you a global perspective on the ideas, actors and structures that shape our world, and train you to reach well-informed conclusions on complex issues – an ability prized by employers around the world.

You will be taught by acknowledged experts in the politics of Africa, China, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and the Americas. You can choose to enrich your experience by studying at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong and the USA.

Choosing from a range of specialist modules, you can tailor your degree to cover particular nations, international organisations, security and foreign policy, and international political economy. You'll become a keen analyst of international relations, able to identify, assess, analyse, and evaluate global issues with critical insight and methodological sophistication.

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

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

You'll benefit from expertise at our Centre for Rural Economy, recipient of the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education 2014.

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.

Our Global Public Health MSc give you the skills and knowledge to confidently address global health challenges facing societies today. 

There are many public health challenges facing societies today, including:

• Increasing inequalities
• Climate change
• Displacement of populations
• Global pandemics

Global Public Health MSc addresses these issues and others. It encourages you to consider the roles of and interactions between:

• Governments
• International organisations
• Multinational corporations

You'll investigate global health challenges with a specific focus on your interests.

This course provides you with a balance of molecular biology, engineering, computing and modelling skills necessary for a career in synthetic biology.

As the field of synthetic biology grows, computational design of biological systems is important. It allows the construction of complex and large biological systems.

This Synthetic Biology master's specialises in computational design. Laboratory approaches to engineering biological systems are also a major focus. The course provides you with essential computing and engineering skills. You'll learn to develop software to program biological systems.

We've designed this Synthetic Biology master's for students from both biological and computational backgrounds. Prior experience with computers or computer programming is not required. Students with mathematical, engineering or other scientific backgrounds are also welcome to apply. It is ideal if you are aiming for careers in industry or academia.

We provide a unique, multidisciplinary experience that is essential for understanding synthetic biology. The programme draws together the highly-rated teaching and research expertise from:

• Computing Science
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Biology
• the Medical Faculty
• the Institute of Human Genetics

Research is a large component of this course. The emphasis is on delivering the research training you will need in the future to meet the demands of industry and academia. Newcastle's research in life sciences, computing and mathematics is internationally recognised.

Our professionally accredited Marine Engineering degree provides a pathway to becoming a Chartered Engineer and the expertise to design specialist systems demanding the latest technologies. You'll be prepared to face the challenges of developing advanced alternative power systems that are eco-friendly, ultra-efficient and reliable.

You’ll learn from research-active professors from across the globe, bringing their cutting-edge ideas into the classroom. You'll also benefit from using our specialist facilities.

After learning the fundamentals of marine technology in your first two years, you'll move on to specialist marine engineering modules.

This four-year Linguistics with Chinese or Japanese degree concentrates on developing your understanding of how languages work, how we communicate, and the growth of language in the brain. You'll explore linguistics in the context of English and either Chinese or Japanese language. You'll build a firm foundation of skills and knowledge to pursue many career paths.

Building your fluency in Mandarin Chinese or Japanese alongside your study of linguistics will give you a unique perspective on the language. You will study the language of your choice from a beginner or advanced level depending on your previous experience.

In your third year, you'll immerse yourself in East Asian culture as you spend the year in China or Japan, further improving your language skills and confidence, and gaining a first-hand appreciation for the language in context.

Our cutting-edge programme – shaped by the research specialisms of our world-leading staff – ensures your studies explore the latest ideas and most exciting areas of linguistics, such as:

• Computational linguistics
• Language variation
• Psycholinguistics
• Theoretical linguistics

Our Creative Writing master's develops your understanding and awareness of your own writing and your technical writing skills.

You'll further your awareness of:

• Writing processes
• Professional writing
• Publishing

This MA in Creative Writing provide a unique opportunity to explore and develop your creative writing skills. We teach creative writing in three areas:

• Prose writing, with an emphasis on short fiction, creative non-fiction and the essay
• Poetry with an emphasis on the practice and study of a variety of poetic traditions and contemporary techniques
• Scriptwriting, which includes writing for the theatre and screenwriting

Through these areas, we'll introduce you to a wide range of subjects and opportunities with which writers are working professionally.

This Modern Languages and Business Studies degree prepares you for a global career with business expertise and language skills.

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.

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, 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.

Our course provides theories and methods in teaching English as a second language. It also develops your research skills, enhancing your professional performance in the future.

Our Applied Linguistics and TESOL MA will improve or update your knowledge and understanding of teaching English as a foreign or second language.

It has a strong emphasis on:

• Language learning
• Interaction in second language classrooms and wider settings
• Teacher development
• Engagement in learning and with technology

The course is available to:

• Those with teaching experience (in-service)
• Those without teaching experience (pre-service)
• Lecturers at higher education institutions

You'll be taught by expert staff with experience of teaching English around the world. Our range of optional modules allow you to build your own course matching your individual interests