Overview

Located in the north-east of England, Newcastle University is a renowned public research institution with an international reputation for excellence. This red brick university was established in 1834 and is founded on more than 180 years of educational heritage, with a progressive and future-focused curriculum.

　　Newcastle University is a research-driven institution, and a member of the prestigious Russell Group. It offers an impressive selection of almost 250 full-time undergraduate courses and more than 400 postgraduate courses spanning a range of subject areas from arts and sciences, engineering and technology, medicine, healthcare and humanities. The academic structure of the university comprises three departments: the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering.

　　There are around 16,000 undergraduate student and 5,000 postgraduates, who form an inclusive and international community of learners, representing more than 140 global nationalities. Campus accommodation is available to all first-year students, and the site is well serviced by academic resources, coffee shops and cafes, and world-class sports and fitness facilities.

　　In addition to its UK campus, Newcastle University has campuses in Singapore and Malaysia.

　　

What's new

Newcastle University has been recognised for the quality and impact of its research output in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF, 2021).

　　In REF2021, 42 per cent of Newcastle's research was rated as world-leading, which is an improvement on their REF2014 result of 31 per cent. Their overall research capacity has improved by 65 per cent since the 2014 assessment, which is a testament to the growing team of researchers driving the university research programme forward. The team itself has grown by 54 per cent in this time, boding well for the future of the university and its research output.

　　In April, the university was rated first in the UK and 8th worldwide in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022, which is a measure of the work contributed by a university to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals.

　　Newcastle University also rose to 122nd place globally in the 2023 QS World rankings, further cementing its place among the world's top 150 universities due to its world class teaching and research.

　　

Teaching quality

Newcastle University has an educational heritage of more than 180 years, and in this time has developed an impressive curriculum, both in terms of breadth and quality, and operates with an extremely high standard of teaching. The university holds the QAA Quality Mark, which represents a nationally recognised standard of learning and tuition. Newcastle is a university which prepares its students for successful careers after graduation and, in particular, the QAA give high praise to the range of methods by which student employability is developed within the curriculum.

　　Many undergraduate courses are rated within the top 20 in the UK, with several consistently ranked among the top ten, including Art and Design, Linguistics, Architecture, Medicine and Dentistry.

　　The teaching faculty is comprised of highly qualified academics, many of whom have international experience and significant industry insights, which they may readily impart to their students. Students receive plenty of contact time and individual attention, creating a personalised learning experience. The teaching faculty represent a very high academic standard, with nine of Newcastle's academic team receiving a National Teaching Fellowship in recognition of individual excellence.

　　

Department structure

Newcastle University has a total enrolment of around 29,000 students and well over 650 undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses to choose from. These courses are distributed across the following three academic faculties:

　　The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

　　The Faculty of Medical Sciences

　　The Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering

　　Each of these faculties is directed by a Vice Chancellor and team of Deans with specific roles and responsibilities, each taking on a distinct academic direction and ethos. These three faculties are further divided into 19 academic schools, 13 research institutes and 38 research centres. Newcastle is a research-intensive university, and students are encouraged to participate in active research projects from undergraduate level. Applied learning is also encouraged, with opportunities for practical learning built into many courses, as well as options for work experience, internships, and volunteering.

　　

Entry requirements

As a research-oriented Russell Group university, the admission requirements at Newcastle are highly competitive. For undergraduate entry, the typical minimum requirement is ABB at A-level. The admissions team considers applications on an individual basis and accepts a wide range of qualifications and experience when making selections for placement.

　　Academic entry requirements will vary according to the subject being applied for and the level of study, so applicants should check the specific page for their chosen course before applying.

　　Newcastle University works hard to ensure that the application process remains fair and accessible to all students, and all prospective students are encouraged to make an application. The admissions team is available to contact all year-round.

　　Non-native English speakers will be required to demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency, and certain courses may additionally require a small portfolio of work.

　　

Scholarships & Funding

The university is committed to ensuring the financial security of students at all levels, and runs an impressive programme of scholarships, bursaries and financial awards which are open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. These awards can help students cover the costs associated with tuition or their student lifestyle.

　　Newcastle University has one of the largest EU research portfolios in the UK, and in the 2020/21 academic year, recorded an income of over GBP 520 million, of which approximately GBP 100 million came from research grants and contracts.

　　There are many other types of award, including prizes for academic performance, donor funded schemes, sports awards and expedition subsidies for students continuing their academic work abroad. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the university website to check their eligibility before making an application.

　　

Facilities

Students who are fortunate enough to study at the university's beautiful and historic campus will experience a self-contained learning environment located in the heart of the city, with a mixture of traditional red-brick architecture, modern buildings and facilities surrounded by plenty of green space and recreational opportunities.

　　The campus fosters a firm feeling of community and is located within a short walk of the city centre. There is a variety of recreational spaces, well serviced by coffee shops and eateries, providing ample opportunity to socialise and absorb the university atmosphere.

　　The university has superb technical facilities, with many course-specific laboratories, computer suites, modern lecture theatres furnished with the latest teaching technologies and research-grade equipment. There are several libraries, with hundreds of thousands of books, journals and digital resources. The Philip Robson Library is open 24 hours a day during term time, and has both group and individual study spaces, and IT support.

　　The university has fantastic options for sports and fitness training, having recently invested GBP 30 million into a range of new and improved facilities including a gymnasium, and eight-court sports hall, squash courts, artificial pitches and a strength and conditioning centre.