Program Overview

Overview

The Cross-Cultural Communication MA programme is designed to enhance understanding of language, culture, and communication, preparing students for work in international and intercultural environments. The course explores the relationship between culture and communication, addressing questions such as the role of intercultural communication in the global workplace, the importance of global citizenship, and the minimization of misunderstanding in intercultural communication.

What You'll Learn

By the end of the course, students will develop their understanding of intercultural communication theory and research, as well as become familiar with professional practice in intercultural and cross-cultural contexts. Key topics include:

• Global perspectives on intercultural communication
• International workplaces
• Intercultural communication online
• Multilingual communities and individuals
• Transnationally mobile groups (such as refugees)
• Multimodality of intercultural communication

Students will also learn practical, theoretical, and methodological skills required to conduct research on intercultural communication topics, including various ways of collecting and analyzing data.

How You'll Learn

The course is delivered through a mix of:

• In-person lectures
• In-person small group teaching
• In-person small group workshops
• Online lecture videos and activities
• Online interactive lessons

Assessment methods include:

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

Your Development

The programme is designed to support student development over the course of the year, with semester 1 modules providing foundational knowledge and semester 2 modules allowing students to build on this knowledge. Students will reflect on their own intercultural communication, learning, and development, and develop valuable intercultural skills essential for working in diverse academic and professional environments.

Your Future

The Cross-Cultural Communication MA is relevant for those wishing to study communication, language, and culture, and prepares students for work in international and intercultural environments. Career paths may include:

• 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

Quality and Ranking

Newcastle University is ranked:

• Global Top 140 University (QS World University Rankings 2026)
• Global Top 160 University (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025)
• Top 125 for Social Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
• Top 150 for Communication and Media Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Facilities

As a student in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, you will 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
• Newcastle University Library, consisting of four buildings on campus and one off-campus facility, home to over 0.8 million print books, over 0.7 million e-books, and over 54,000 e-journal titles.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year):

• Home students: £11,400 (full-time), £5,700 (part-time)
• International students: £25,900 (full-time)

Scholarships are available, including a 25% discount on international fees for EU students without settled or pre-settled status.

Entry Requirements

Academic entry requirements:

• A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant discipline (such as Anthropology, Communication, Ethnography, Intercultural Communication, International Relations, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, Politics, Social Anthropology, Social Psychology, Sociology, TESOL, Modern Foreign Languages, Translation)
• Relevant professional experience may be considered for graduates in other disciplines.

English Language requirements:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in all sub-skills)
• Pearson: 62 overall (with a minimum of 59 in all sub-skills)
• Duolingo English Test: 105 overall (with a minimum of 95 in all sub-skills)
• TOEFL: 90 overall (with a minimum of 19 in all sub-skills)

Admissions policy:

• The University's admissions policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be available for relevant university-level knowledge, skills, and experience.

Pre-Master's and English Language courses are available for those who need additional support before starting the MA programme.