Cross-Cultural Communication MA

Overview

Explore the relationship between culture and communication with our Cross-Cultural Communication MA programme.

You will be taught and supported by experts in intercultural communication. Our teaching staff has years of professional and research experience. They have lived, worked, studied and conducted research all around the world

Our Cross-Cultural Communication Master's programme addresses questions such as:

• How do languages, cultures and identities affect communication?
• What is the role of intercultural communication in the global workplace?
• What is the importance of global citizenship?
• How can we minimise misunderstanding in intercultural communication?
• How can we teach, develop and assess intercultural competence?
• What is the role of multilingualism in intercultural communication?

We have a diverse cohort of students from a range of backgrounds, including home and international students. This means you'll work regularly with peers from a wide range of national, language and professional backgrounds. This will help you to develop your interpersonal and intercultural skills. Former students identify this as one of the main strengths of the course.

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

By the end of the course, you will develop your understanding of intercultural communication theory and research.

You will also become familiar with professional practice in intercultural and cross-cultural contexts. Key topics on the Cross Cultural Communication MA will include:

• international workplaces
• intercultural communication online
• multilingual communities and individuals
• transnationally mobile groups (such as refugees)
• global perspectives on intercultural communication
• multimodality of intercultural communication

You'll learn the practical, theoretical and methodological skills required to conduct research on intercultural communication topics. We will teach you various ways of collecting and analysing data, including:

• research interviews
• surveys and statistics
• linguistic analysis
• discourse analysis
• multimodal analysis

Our courses have received praise from external examiners and the University's Internal Subject Review committee for the emphasis on teaching and assessing empirical, data-driven research.

Language and communication

This strand is delivered by Applied Linguistics & Communication academics within the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences. You will study a compulsory module which introduces key theories and topics in intercultural communication. You can also choose from a range of optional modules depending on your interests.

You'll learn about communication and cross-cultural communication research. This will be from a range of perspectives, including:

• social psychology
• communication studies
• intercultural communication studies
• linguistics and discourse studies

We'll encourage you to apply your research interests to real-world case studies. These can be international organisations or workplaces with which you have a connection.

Pathway-specific modules

Modules in this area will be delivered by lecturers from the relevant school. You'll find details on the specific pathway webpage.

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 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

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 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
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Research paper

Additional assessment information

The Cross-Cultural Communication 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 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 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. You will be eligible for a scholarship worth 15% off the international fee. 

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.

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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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