Linguistics with Spanish BA Honours
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
This four-year Linguistics with Spanish degree concentrates on developing your understanding of how we communicate, and the growth of language in the brain.
You'll explore linguistics in the context of English and Spanish. You'll focus on the structure, history and social aspects of English, Spanish, and language in general. You will build a foundation of skills and knowledge to pursue many career paths.
You will study Spanish from an intermediate or advanced level depending on your previous experience. Building your fluency in Spanish alongside your study of linguistics will give you a unique perspective on the language.
In your third year, you'll immerse yourself in Spanish culture as you spend the year in a Spanish-speaking country. You'll further improve your language skills and confidence. You'll also gain a first-hand appreciation for the language in context.
Our cutting-edge Linguistics with Spanish programme is shaped by the research specialisms of our staff. You will explore the latest ideas and most exciting areas of linguistics, such as:
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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 2022-23.
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.
Program Outline
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability. 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.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
The linguistics topics you study are broadly similar to our Single Honours Linguistics degree. Your stage 1 modules will lay the foundation for in-depth analysis and description of language. They focus on topics such as the:
Your language tuition involves two hours a week on skills including:
You'll also have a weekly one-hour Spanish grammar lesson. This is complemented by classes aimed at helping you understand the culture and society of the countries where Spanish is spoken.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| The Nature of Language | 20 |
| Introduction to the Structure of Language 1: Syntax and Phonology | 20 |
| Introduction to the Structure of Language 2: Morphology and Meaning | 20 |
| Language Variation and Change: Dealing with Data | 20 |
| Level B (HE Intermediate) Spanish | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Linguistics | 20 |
| Introduction to History, Culture and Society of the Iberian Peninsula | 20 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
The linguistics topics you study are broadly similar to our Single Honours Linguistics degree.
You will develop your knowledge of core aspects of grammar and sound patterns and how these apply to a range of languages. You'll broaden your understanding of language study by exploring the social context in which languages are learned, used and developed over time.
In your Spanish modules in the School of Modern Languages, you’ll develop your reading, listening, writing and speaking skills. You’ll also develop your understanding of the culture and society of Spanish-speaking countries, in preparation for your year abroad.
In addition, you can take a module on Catalan, or one that introduces you to the different varieties of Spanish that are spoken throughout the world.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Phonological Theory | 20 |
| Syntactic Theory | 20 |
| Level C (HE Advanced) Spanish | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Child and Adult Language Acquisition | 20 |
| Sociolinguistics | 20 |
| Early English: Texts, Patterns and Varieties | 20 |
| Speakers as Wordsmiths: the creation of new words in present-day English | 20 |
| Experimental Methods in Linguistics | 20 |
| Multilingualism | 20 |
| Linguistic Controversies | 20 |
| Pragmatics | 20 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
You will spend your third year studying or working in a Spanish-speaking country.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Year Abroad Tutor Posts | 100 |
Optional Modules
You take one of the following optional modules:Study Abroad (20 credits) Year Abroad Work Placement Report (Semester 1) (20 credits) Year Abroad Work Placement Report (Semester 2) (20 credits) Year Abroad Project (Semester 2) (20 credits)
How you'll learn
Learning methods used over the year (estimated % of time)
How you'll be assessed
Assessment methods used over the year (estimated % of time)
You will continue to study advanced language modules in Spanish, reflecting the fluency you will have gained during your year abroad. You will also undertake an independent project, leading your own research in close collaboration with a faculty supervisor.
You can select your remaining modules from an array of choices, each of which is closely linked to your lecturers’ active research specialisms. These currently include syntactic and phonological theory, low-educated second language and literacy acquisition, language origins and evolution, child language acquisition and language change.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Advanced Writing Skills | 10 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Child and Adult Language Acquisition | 20 |
| Sociolinguistics | 20 |
| Early English: Texts, Patterns and Varieties | 20 |
| Speakers as Wordsmiths: the creation of new words in present-day English | 20 |
| Experimental Methods in Linguistics | 20 |
| Multilingualism | 20 |
| Linguistic Controversies | 20 |
| Topics in Phonological Theory | 20 |
| English Grammar through Time | 20 |
| Language in the City | 20 |
| Extended Study 1: Linguistics and English Language | 20 |
| Extended Study 2: Linguistics and English Language | 20 |
| The History of Linguistic Ideas | 20 |
| Language and Ageing | 20 |
| Comparative Syntax: English in a cross-linguistic context | 20 |
| Second Language Acquisition | 20 |
| Pragmatic Theory | 20 |
| Child Language Acquisition | 20 |
| Dissertation | 20 |
| Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Language for Professional & Academic Purposes | 10 |
| Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Translation & Interpreting | 10 |
Information about these graphs
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.
Teaching time is made up of:
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
You can normally expect to spend around 10 hours per week attending lectures, seminars, workshops and film screenings, plus weekly study groups.
You also spend around 25 hours per week on class preparation, reading, writing, and other kinds of independent research recommended by your tutor.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
Assignments – written or fieldwork
Coursework
Dissertation or research project
Essays
Examinations – practical or online
Group work
Presentations
Skills and experience
Practical experience
Studying Linguistics at Newcastle means you will benefit from access to our state-of-the-art Linguistics Laboratory. The LingLab hosts collections of language data for analysis of linguistic variation and change. It also hosts a range of equipment for advanced articulatory, phonetic and psycholinguistic research. Activities are supported by a dedicated lab manager.
You will also have access to the award-winning Language Resource Centre, in the School of Modern Languages. These facilities support and facilitate your language learning, and encourage cross-cultural communication.
Research skills
As part of your degree, you will complete an independent research project in your final year. You will collaborate with a faculty member to investigate a novel topic that you are passionate about. You will also be offered a range of opportunities to participate in staff research projects.
Chat with a Linguistics student
Newcastle is the ideal place to experience student life, from our super photogenic campus to the bustling city centre just across the road from it.
Sophie Krol, Linguistics
