Cross-Cultural Communication and Education MA

Overview

The Cross-Cultural Communication and Education MA offers theory, research, and practical training. This covers intercultural communication and education.

The Education pathway is a specialism on the Cross-Cultural Communication MA.

Read more about the Cross-Cultural Communication MA

Academic staff within the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences deliver this specialist pathway.

Our academic staff have teaching and research expertise in:

• intercultural communication
• the analysis of language in use in a range of settings
• educational leadership
• management in all sectors of education

Read more about our staff in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences

A feature of the Cross-Cultural Communication and Education MA is its international dimension. It provides a greater understanding of the comparative context of educational organisations. It also focuses on the latest thinking and research on educational effectiveness and leadership.

Education professionals around the world need to develop skills and understanding of leadership. At the start of your career, you'll benefit from understanding the management of change. This ensures you meet the demands of new developments in your country's education system.

You'll understand the wider leadership context of a variety of educational systems through:

• studying with students from other countries
• the international examples discussed

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

Language and communication

Applied linguistics academic staff within the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences will deliver this strand. The strand comprises one compulsory module and a number of optional modules available to all Cross-Cultural Communication students.

Education pathway-specific modules

Academic staff in education from the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences will deliver this strand of taught modules. You'll study alongside other education students.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

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.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Cross-Cultural Communication and Education MA modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Research Portfolio	60
Introduction to Intercultural Communication	20

Optional Modules	Credits
The Social Psychology of Communication	20
Sociolinguistics	20
Professional Communication in Intercultural Settings	20
English in the World	20
Language and Social Interaction	20
Multimodal Communication	20
Multilingualism	20
Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment as Foundations of Teaching and Learning	20
Innovative Pedagogies	20
Leadership and Strategic Management	20
The Role of the State in Education: Education Policy and Entrepreneurship for Development	20
The Future of Learning in the Digital Age	20
International Development: Theory and Practice	20
Investigating Technology Enhanced Learning	20
Future of Educational Leadership and Practitioner Research	20

With the approval of the Degree Programme Director and depending upon the academic background of the candidate, alternative optional modules to those listed above may be selected.

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

On our Cross-Cultural Communication and Education MA, we deliver modules through a mix of:

• online lecture videos and activities
• online interactive lessons
• in-person lectures
• in-person small group teaching
• in-person small group workshops

We use a variety of teaching methods to:

• support your learning experience
• develop your learning potential
• prepare you for real-world challenges

Interactive sessions encourage you to apply new knowledge, concepts and skills to your practice. Weekly independent study tasks allow you to engage with and contribute to sessions and seminars.

If you choose to study part-time, we will work flexibly with you to develop a plan for your studies.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Portfolio
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Research paper

Additional assessment information

Research portfolio

The research portfolio is equal to an MA-level dissertation. It involves three separate research files which take place over the course of the academic year:

• a reflective literature-based research skills assignment
• a presentation on a methodological approach to research in intercultural communication
• an empirical research project

Student Support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

 

Your development

Our Cross-Cultural Communication and Education programme is designed to support your development over the course of the year.

Semester 1 modules will give you a foundational knowledge of key areas in intercultural communication. Semester 2 modules will allow you to build on this. You will select specialist topics suited to your interests and future goals.

Through class discussion and assessment, you will reflect on your own intercultural communication, learning and development.

Through a research portfolio, you'll gain the analytical and theoretical skills required to understand and analyse communication in a social setting of personal interest or relevance to you.

As a part-time student, you can conduct a research project of relevance to your employer and/or industry.

Your future

Intercultural communication careers

The Cross-Cultural Communication And Education Master's is relevant if you wish to study communication, language and culture. The course will prepare you for work in international and intercultural environments.

Communication is an essential aspect of the work in roles such as:

• marketing and communications
• communications consultants
• human resources advisors
• international recruitment
• digital communications
• translators and interpreters
• social workers
• international sales representatives
• NGO staff
• Study Abroad coordinators
• teachers

Our Careers Service

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+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

As a student in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, you'll have access to facilities and a growing collection of online resources, including:

• a well-stocked Education Resource Centre
• a language analysis lab
• a phonetics lab
• an audio-video lab
• a recording studio

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

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.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

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INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. 

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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