Northumbria University

Location

Northumbria’s two Newcastle campuses are located in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in North East England.

One in the heart of the city and one just three miles away at Coach Lane. With its award-winning architecture, modern teaching buildings and impressive sports facilities, the City Campus creates an environment that encourages learning and self-development. Coach Lane Campus is home to all students from the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, and has excellent computing and library services; its own modern Students' Union, and new sports facilities.

The third campus is situated in the City of London, meaning students on Business, Computing and Technology pathways can study in a location where the financial district meet the technology sector.

The London campus is ideally situated just minutes away from Liverpool Street station. 

Northumbria University’s international partnership with Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) is the fourth campus.

Library and study facilities

Northumbria University’s campuses provide exceptional facilities to create an environment where students shape their future. Our technical facilities support ground-breaking research and ensure students have the practical tools they need to get the most out of their courses. We have state-of-the-art laboratories, prototyping workshops, CAD suites, media labs and more. And all of this is backed up by IT support that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Study

The University Library achieves some of the highest levels of student satisfaction in the UK and has held the Cabinet Office accreditation for Customer Service Excellence since 2010. City Campus Library and the University Library Digital Commons are open 24/7 during term-time, and the other libraries also operate generous opening hours, which can vary throughout the year to meet demand for space and support. The Libraries offer learning spaces to meet a variety of needs, from silent or quiet study through to social and collaborative learning. The Library provides an extensive collection of scholarly resources including books, ebooks, print and ejournals, as well as  databases, collections of early historical books and primary digital archives.

IT

IT Support is available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

Careers service

From first year through to final year and beyond graduation, Northumbria’s Careers and Employment Service is here to help. We want you to achieve your ambitions and make the most of your experiences, develop your skills and manage your future career. The team will help you with:

• Planning your career. Confidential one-to-one support to enable you to focus your career plans, enhance your employability and work towards application success.
• Finding a job. Sign up to JobsOnline and discover part-time jobs and volunteer roles that build your work experience and enhance your employability. Search from thousands of opportunities, which include graduate jobs and internships, in the North East, the rest of the UK and worldwide.  
• Meeting employers on campus. Introduce yourself to potential employers at one of the many employer visits or fairs held throughout the year.  Organisations targeting Northumbria students and graduates include Turner & Townsend, EY, Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, Procter & Gamble, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the NHS and Ward Hadaway.
• Becoming a global graduate with support on finding opportunities to work and study overseas

Students’ Union

Northumbria Students’ Union (NSU) is here to make sure that your time at Northumbria is the best it can be – in fact; it’s their mission to have ‘a positive impact on the lives of all our students.’

You can find the SU at City Campus, Coach Lane, London Campus and Amsterdam Campus, working hard to make sure you’ve got everything you need, whether that’s a drink at one of their award-winning bars or some advice about your course from their free representation service. Maybe you want to get involved with one of 100+ societies and make a few new friends. Whatever you’re looking for, chances are you’ll find it at NSU.

NSU is run by a team of students, known as Sabbatical Officers, elected by fellow students to represent you and speak up on your behalf to the University and beyond. If you have any issues with any part of your University experience - from coursework to living arrangements - tell them and they’ll work to make the changes you want to see.

Made up of bars, nightclubs, entertainment venues, coffee shops, workspaces meeting rooms, NSU has everything you need to make the most of your time as a student – all backed up by a highly qualified staff team who are there to offer support in every aspect of student life and most importantly to make sure you have a good time.

So, no matter who you are, how old you are or where you’re from, make sure you come along to YOUR Students’ Union.

Sports

Our sports centres offer fantastic opportunities for people at every level of fitness. We have fitness centres, a sprint track, squash courts, a six-lane 25m swimming pool and numerous outdoor pitches. At our flagship Sport Central facility, the main arena can cater for up to 3,000 people.

We’ve also got over 130 clubs and societies you can join and discover new talents.

Financial aid

Northumbria University is committed to supporting the best students with outstanding academic ability. We offer a number of support packages for students depending on academic achievement or personal financial circumstances; each of the tabs below will provide you with further information.

Financial support opportunities have associated eligibility conditions, therefore it is essential applicants consider all requirements and observe the application process and deadlines carefully.

Entry Requirements

Across the university there is an expected entry requirement of 120 UCAS tariff points. This can be from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate. Some courses may require a minimum GCSE grade from subjects such as Mathematics and English.

Faculties / Departments

At Northumbria students will enjoy a unique educational experience that will set them up for life, taught by academic excellence. Our programmes are rated silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework and our research is ranked in the Top 50 in the UK according to the results of the last Research Excellence Framework. In 2019 we were the fastest climbing UK university in Times Higher Education's world rankings. We have 16 different department areas, each with a strong national and international reputation for academic quality. We offer approximately 500 study programmes through four faculties:

• Arts, Design and Social Sciences
• Business and Law
• Engineering and Environment
• Health and Life Sciences

Our Arts, Design and Social Science programmes are taught across multiple buildings at city campus including our brand-new world-class architecture building. The studio was designed with innovative features tailored to how university student and staff work.  Each facility at city campus is within proximity of each other and is a short walk. Across the campus there are several spaces for students to collaborate, including our Mac Labs and Photographic Studios. Flexibility is inherent in our building’s design and is essential to support the innovative teaching methods and breadth of activities within the university.

The business and law courses are all taught in our City Campus East building which is a short five-minute walk from the Students’ Union. City Campus East compromises 24,000 square metres of purpose designed academic accommodation at the cutting edge of design and technology. It has received high acclaim, having been named as the North East Landmark of The Year. The ground floor is home to our largest Harvard style lecture theatres which accommodate up to 400 people. There is even a café with our own deli and a Starbucks. In addition to this there is our Ask4Help service desk which is designed to enhance student learning experience and career prospects. City Campus East is home to several unique facilities such as, The Bloomberg Trading Suite and our renowned Student Law Office. 

The Ellison building is home to our engineering and environment courses. Our wide range of laboratories and specialist facilities will support students throughout their work as they will experience hands-on testing, mixing materials, moulding and 3D printing. The Zone is a recently opened 24/7 open plan area which is popular amongst students undertaking group work or individual study. The Zone in Ellison building provides individual and group computer workstations with large screens to help students tackle their own work and group assignments comfortable. Our measurements and analysis laboratory is a great multi-purpose flexible bench space which enables students to work on a variety of projects. The Ellison building is situated at the centre of city campus and is a 5-minute walk from Haymarket metro station.

The Clinical Skills Centre is located at our Coach Lane Campus and is the focal point for our Health student’s educational journey. Coach Lane Campus is located just three miles outside of Newcastle and students can use a free student bus service from the main city campus to Coach Lane Campus. Our state-of-the-art Clinical Skills Centre is a purpose-built facility that allow students to develop practical skills and gain valuable experience of real hospital situations through a simulated environment. Our investment in Simulated Mannequins (SimMan and SimBaby) will allow you to practise skills, challenge your learning and develop confidence in your clinical ability. The high-performance Centre at Coach Lane is a state out the art sports training facility and is home to Team Northumbria, as well as other professional sporting establishments. The facility includes outdoor football pitches, a hockey pitch, a 3G football pitch and an indoor sports hall.

International

Northumbria University represents a strong community feel with over 30,000 worldwide students across our campus. We are a community of over 131 nationalities and placed 3^rd in the International category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2018. Newcastle is consistently voted one of the best and most affordable places for students to live in the UK therefore, Northumbria is a popular destination for international students to enhance their academic learning. Newcastle has its own international airport and national rail links making it easy to explore the UK and the rest of Europe.  Northumbria’s student support service include a skills centre where students can receive help with their academic writing and support with their courses. For those staying in student accommodation, all of the student residence are within walking distance of the campus or have convenient transport links. This means students are never more than a 20-minute walk from the city campus.

Tuition fees

EU and UK students will be charged a tuition fee of £9250 for a full-time undergraduate programme (subject to change).  Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation. Undergraduate fees are set by the Government, students are expected to pay tuition fees for every year of study. UK & EU students are eligible to apply for student finance through Student Finance England website. Student Finance England will pay your tuition fees directly to Northumbria and students can apply for a maintenance loan to cover their daily expenses whilst studying.

Bursaries and scholarships

Northumbria University is committed to supporting the best students with outstanding academic ability. We offer a number of scholarships and bursaries for students depending on academic achievement or personal financial circumstances. Each scholarship available for students are associated with eligible criteria.  Please visit our website for more information.

At Northumbria, we understand that where you live is a huge part of student life. That’s why we make sure that you are in control of shaping your experience from start to finish. When applying for accommodation, you can select the exact building, flat and room based on real-time availability. You’ll be able to see the floor plan and even learn a little bit about your flat mates and their interests before you commit to a specific room. Once you’ve found the perfect room for you, you can confirm your booking online within minutes.

We guarantee accommodation for all students and all of our residences are either on campus, or within easy reach of the University campuses and Newcastle’s bustling culture and nightlife. A number of our residences also benefit from vibrant shared communal hubs, perfect for meeting new people or hanging out with friends. With a wide array of choices, from modern en-suite rooms to budget-friendly options, there is something for everyone.

Visit us to learn more about our accommodation, to see virtual tours and to look at current rates.

On Campus

Northumbria’s main campus in Newcastle upon Tyne is set in the heart of the city. Newcastle is regularly named as the UK’s Best University City.

A number of flagship campus projects have been completed in the last few years, including Student Central at City Campus Library and the £7m Computer and Information Sciences Building, and most recently the new Architecture Studios at Sutherland Building. Additionally, there are many locations around the main campus for student to work collectively as they are able to access a 24/7 computer hub spots.

Located just 3 miles outside of Newcastle, Coach Lane Campus is an extensive site with its own Sports Centre, Students’ Union, Library and IT suites. This campus is home to all students from the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Our state-of-the-art Clinical Skills Centre is a purpose-built facility that will allow you to develop practical skills and gain valuable experience of real hospital situations through a simulated environment.

Sports and recreation

Our main campus offers a number of opportunities for students to indulge in, including our £30 million state of the art sport facility, Sport Central. As a Fitness Member or casual user, students can access our newly refurbished gym environment, 25m six lane pool (or even just the sauna and steam room!), take part in an exercise class, hire table tennis, squash and badminton courts or even one of our 4 sports halls to play with friends. If you’re looking to take your fitness to the next level or recover and rehabilitate we offer Personal Training and Sport Massage. 

The indoor sprint track area encompasses the 40m track, Strength & Conditioning suite and state-of-the-art laboratories dedicated to cutting edge sport science research. This area is a recognised Centre for Research utilised for academic excellence and study. In addition, our Northumbria Student Athletes, across many sports, work alongside our S&C professionals week in week out in these facilities to develop within their academic and athletic careers.  

Northumbria University is a major player in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) – the premier sporting competition for students across the UK. We compete in a huge range of BUCS sports across a multitude of different levels. With over 35 different sport clubs and 1800 students already involved it is a great way to get active on campus, try something new or continue in a sport you love and represent Northumbria University. 

 Additionally, our Students’ Union can be found at City Campus and Coach Lane. Our Sabbatical Officers work hard to make sure you’ve got everything you need, whether that’s a drink at one of our award-winning bars or joining one of 130+ societies. We have a number of societies for students’ to be get involved in including snow sports, dance, musical theatre, game of thrones and film society.

Our award-winning venues and bars on campus have everything including quality entertainment and everyday value food and drinks.

Entertainment

Our stylish café bar Habita is great for student events and group meetings as there are countless deals throughout the week for students to indulge in. For a more chilled environment, the NSU is equipped with comfy seating, computers and giant bean bags.

Just a short walk from our Students’ Union is the city centre which is full of activities and with over 50 independent restaurants around Newcastle, there is always a great selection to choose where to eat.

The Gate is a great leisure destination with a ride range of restaurants, nightclubs, virtual reality gaming rooms, cinema and a chance to experience an escape room. Across the Newcastle and Gateshead there are plenty of cinematic experiences including The Tyneside Cinema which is an independent cultural business in Newcastle upon Tyne and specialises in screening both independent and world films.

For those who love food and seek new flavours, Newcastle is full of a diverse range of cafes and restaurants. At the Monument, a number of shipping containers have been transformed into a village of food vendors and bars, known as Stack. Stack features a number of cuisines including authentic Italian, sushi, naan wraps, bubble teas and the popular ‘Boojie Burgers’. Students are able to sit at the outdoor bench area and enjoy the live music.

Nightlife

Newcastle is renowned for its nightlife and as the vast majority out in town are students, Newcastle city centre has a great buzz every night of the week. Whether it is just a quick drink at your local pub or browsing the 2 for 1 section across the bars on Grey Street, Newcastle has something for everyone. The Quayside is a great location for watching the sunset and enjoying a cold beverage along the river’s edge. Popular destinations for students can be Digital, Soho, Bijoux and as famously seen on Geordie Shore… House of Smith.

Every night in Newcastle is student night as each bar or club offers different deals and events for each day of the week. Furthermore, students are given the opportunity to attend ‘society only’ events and this is a great opportunity to feel a part of the NSU community and is an opportunity for fancy dress.

Alongside the bustling bars and clubs across Newcastle, there is also a great range of events from the likes of the Theatre Royal and The Stand comedy club. Additionally, in the heart of the city centre the O2 venue hosts plenty of gigs and great comedians. Just outside of the city centre is the quirky and upcoming area of Ouseburn where you can experience local bands and bespoke breweries.

The best thing about living in Newcastle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI9jM3JDDaM&list=PLK00xu2hGtYDjef-FCpvKe7IsBeqKbQH_&index=2

What do you look for in your students?

We obviously want students who can achieve the grades we require for our courses, however, we are also looking for those students to have good transferrable skills which they might have gained through volunteering, work experience, or part of club or sports team. We want the student to tell us in their personal statement about what makes them different from other students e.g. not just saying I am passionate about studying Midwifery, telling us why they want to study Midwifery e.g I have spent time volunteering with a Mother & Baby group etc.

What's the weirdest thing to happen at the university?

The strangest thing is starting university, in potentially a new place, and starting a course, meeting new people and moving away from home all at the same time which can be quite daunting but it is one of the best experiences they will have. The first week may seem strange and a bit overwhelming but they will soon settle in to your accommodation and make new friends. There are induction activities during Freshers’ Week and during the first week of the course which will allow you to ask lots of questions etc and introduce you to new people.

Do you have any famous or notable alumni?

Yes! Lots of them.

Sir Jonathan Ive. Former Senior Vice President of Design at Apple. He is credited as being the designer of the MacBook Pro, iMac, MacBook Air, Mac mini, iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, Apple Watch and iOS 7.

Victoria Pendleton CBE. One of Britain’s most successful female track cyclists and Olympic gold medallists.

What grants/scholarships do you offer? 

We have a range of funding and scholarships available. Please check out our website for details.

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/fees-funding/ug-fees-funding/undergraduate-funding/

How much of an emphasis do you place on building workplace skills like presenting, project management and people skills?

These will all be skills that are taught throughout the course, whichever course you study, such as presenting, note taking etc. Most of our courses offer placement opportunities and this is definitely something we recommend to increase employability skills. A top tip would be to use your long holidays at university to do work experience or an internship within your field which could also increase your employability skills. We also hold study skills sessions in the library and have a fantastic careers centre who can help you find job/volunteering opportunities.

What's university welfare and disability support like?

We ensure that the educational opportunities we provide are inclusive for all students, including the many disabled students who make the great choice to come and study here.

Our Disabilities Advisers are here to provide advice, guidance and support, whether you are a student with dyslexia or dyspraxia, a long-term medical condition, a sensory impairment, a mobility impairment, an autism spectrum condition or a diagnosed mental health condition.

Depending on your individual requirements, we can provide a range of services.

What support is available to students who are struggling for any reason? 

The support available for students is extensive. Whether it be welfare and health, finances or mental health, there is someone to help within the university. Northumbria makes the process of getting help when needed really simple and not stressful, with a wide range of information available and a lot of chances to speak to someone.

Do you offer any courses/sessions to help mature students with the university experience?

Once you are a student at Northumbria University after joining one of our degrees, there are several support channels available to support mature students through their studies such as student support and wellbeing, personal tutoring and there is also our award winning Mature Student’s Society run by the Students’ Union.

Support:

From when you begin studying and beyond graduation, our Careers and Employment Service is here to help. We want you to achieve your ambitions and make the most of your experiences, develop your skills and manage your future career.

What social events do you offer when people first join to help people make friends and settle in?

Northumbria offers great opportunities to meet new people and settle in the city from the minute you arrive on campus. A very fun and engaging Fresher’s Week kicks off right away and there is loads of events happening where you can make new friends. Alongside this, Northumbria’s great Students’ Union is a good place to go and chill and talk to your new flatmates or course mates.

What will my first few weeks at your uni be like?

Your first weeks at University will be exciting as you settle into a new surrounding and meet loads of new people. You will have your induction lectures and seminars, learning more about the course you’ve chosen to embark on. Whilst it can be a daunting time for some, there is something for everyone to help them settle into the new chapter in their life.

Is it a campus or city based university? What advantages do you think this offers?

Northumbria is a city-based university, with the campus only being a five-minute walk from the main city centre of Newcastle. The advantages of this is that you’re close to everything you need, whether it be food shopping or clothing stores or restaurants. Alongside this, the city in general is a nice compact city with everything being in walking distance. This has great advantages as you go on nights out and trips into town when you first arrive at Newcastle.

What sort of societies are there?

Northumbria’s Students’ Union has over 100 societies ranging from snow sports to LGBT* to Maths to Afro-Carribean and everything in between. There is loads of choice, meaning there is something for everyone. And if there isn’t a society you fancy, why not set one up yourself? It’s as easy as that.

How far is the campus from the town centre and what is the public transport like?

We have three campuses in England and one in Amsterdam. Our estate in Newcastle comprises of two campuses, one in the heart of the city and one just three miles away at Coach Lane. The city campus is just a couple of roads from the main shopping and cultural centres. The London campus is ideally situated just minutes away from Liverpool Street station. 

How far apart are different university buildings, and how far away is the accommodation?    

Northumbria has accommodation on the city campus, all of them being a couple minutes’ walk away. Our Trinity Square accommodation is a little further away, just across the Tyne Bridge in Gateshead but this is still a short 15-minute walk away, or you can get on the great public transport you will have access to.     

How much one-to-one contact time do students receive from their lecturers?   

The lecturers are always open to speaking to students. They are friendly and willing to discuss anything that is on your mind. It’s very helpful to have that at a university, so if you ever needed anything then go see your lecturers because their doors are always open when needed.

What percentage of your students get a full time job after 6 months of graduating?

​Northumbria University is top 10 in the UK for the total number of graduates in professional jobs​, with a graduate employment rate of 95.5% 

Roughly how many students start each year?

10,000 per year

What’s the ratio of male/female students?

44% males and 56% females

How much is a pint at the student union?

A pint of Carling in Habita is £2.40.

What fields of study is the university best known for?

Northumbria University is renowned for the calibre of its business-ready graduates. With over 216,000 alumni based in 175 countries worldwide, in a range of sectors, our alumni are making a real impact on the world. Our notable alumni include Olympics silver medal winning, Steve Cram CBE along with former Senior Vice President of Design at Apple Sir Jonathan Ive KBE, who is credited as being the designer of the MacBook Pro, iMac, MacBook Air, Mac mini, iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, Apple Watch and iOS 7.

What is the ratio of applications to places at your uni?  

21,000 UG UK apps and 600 places