Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne, in the North East of England, is one of the UK's best student cities – affordable, safe and full of culture (QS Best Student Cities 2026; Student Crowd 2025). Northumbria University sits at its heart, offering international students a welcoming base that is as well-connected as it is vibrant.

At Northumbria, students get more from their degree. As a research-intensive university, it combines academic excellence with real-world experience, creating life-changing opportunities and unlocking potential for students from every corner of the world.

Real-world learning is embedded across the university. Students have opportunities to work on live consultancy projects with industry partners, learn in immersive simulated environments, and step into the professional world through placements and internships, building the skills and confidence that employers are looking for.

Research excellence is not just something students learn about at Northumbria – it's something they can be part of. Taught by academics actively pushing the boundaries of their fields, students have the opportunity to co-create knowledge and contribute to work that tackles real-world challenges.

Whatever a student's background, Northumbria believes talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. That commitment runs through everything, from a diverse, welcoming community of over 35,000 students from more than 140 countries, to placing more graduates into highly skilled employment in the North East than any other university (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23 Leavers).

Northumbria University achieved a Gold rating for Student Outcomes and Silver overall in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), recognising the quality of its teaching, research-enriched education and the outstanding range of opportunities it creates for students. The university is also ranked joint 13th in England for Value Added (Guardian University Guide 2026), an indicator of how effectively students are taught relative to their entry qualifications.

Research sits at the heart of the teaching experience at Northumbria. Ranked in the UK's Top 25 for Research Power in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), its academics are actively pushing the boundaries of their fields, and students have the opportunity to contribute to that cutting-edge research rather than simply learning about it.

This research-enriched approach is complemented by a strong commitment to real-world learning, giving students the practical experience and confidence that employers are looking for alongside their academic development.

Northumbria University is structured around three faculties: the Faculty of Society and Culture, the Faculty of Science and Environment, and the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing.

Each faculty brings together a diverse range of disciplines united by a shared commitment to academic excellence and real-world impact. Whether it is transforming healthcare, powering the creative economy or exploring space-based technology, Northumbria's faculties are at the forefront of knowledge creation, delivering life-changing opportunities for students and society alike.

Spanning 12 academic schools across its three faculties, Northumbria offers an expansive portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate, top-up and pathway courses across a wide range of subject areas, from business, law and the creative arts, to engineering, health sciences and sport. Whatever a student's ambitions, there is a course and a community to support them.

Northumbria University welcomes applications from students worldwide with a broad range of qualifications. Those who have studied outside the UK can find out how their qualifications compare by visiting the university's breakdown of accepted qualifications by country.

Entry requirements may vary depending on the chosen course of study, and some courses have specific or additional criteria. Full details are available in Northumbria's course directory. Decisions are based on the whole application, including personal statements and previous study, not just final grades, so students are encouraged to put time and effort into every aspect of their application.

All courses at Northumbria are taught in English. For information about accepted English language qualifications, students should refer to the university's website.

From accommodation and sports facilities to specialist learning spaces, Northumbria University provides everything students need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom, and for those yet to visit, virtual tours, and interactive 360-degree images of the campus and learning spaces are available online.

Northumbria offers a range of accommodation to suit different budgets and lifestyles. Students can select their exact room, floor and residence online based on real-time availability, and view their flat occupancy before arrival to find out who they will be living with.

Sport Central at City Campus features a six-lane 25-metre swimming pool, running track, sports halls, a fitness centre and gym, giving students everything they need to stay active and healthy throughout their studies.

Northumbria's specialist teaching and learning facilities are designed to give students the practical, real-world experience their subject demands. These include a Clinical Skills Centre, mock courtroom, architecture studios, modern laboratories, workshops, CAD suites and media labs, alongside fully equipped classrooms and IT facilities throughout.

The City Campus Library and University Digital Commons are open 24/7 during term time, providing learning spaces, scholarly resources and online services. The library has held the Cabinet Office Customer Service Excellence accreditation since 2010.

International students choosing to study at the Newcastle campus who meet the eligibility criteria are automatically awarded a dedicated scholarship as a fee discount, with no separate application required. The value of the scholarship varies depending on a student's country of origin and level of study.

Students are encouraged to use the scholarship search function on the Northumbria University website to check their eligibility.

Scholarships are available to new, self-funded international students. Those who are existing Northumbria graduates returning to study a postgraduate course will automatically receive whichever is the higher value between the scholarship and the alumni discount.

International students considering the London campus may also be eligible for a scholarship or bursary, awarded on a case-by-case basis. Students should contact the London campus for more information.

Beyond scholarships, Northumbria's student support teams provide practical financial guidance, from advice on available funding options to help finding part-time work that fits around studies. Useful links and guidance are available via the university's Cost of Living Hub.

Northumbria University is in an exciting period of growth and innovation, with significant developments across its campus, courses and methods of studying.

From September 2026, Northumbria is introducing Extended Degrees, a new, accessible route into undergraduate study. Available across a wide range of subjects, Extended Degrees include an additional preparatory year designed to build academic skills, subject knowledge and confidence, with lower entry requirements making them an inclusive option for international applicants.

Northumbria is currently trialling Fixed Block Degrees on a select number of undergraduate courses. Fixed Block Degrees are a flexible new way to study where teaching is delivered across a maximum of three fixed days per week, offering students greater flexibility without compromising on the quality of their degree. Northumbria plans to expand the offering further if the pilot proves successful.

Northumbria has invested GBP 200 million in its campuses over the last ten years, and its ambitions don't stop there. The North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST), a GBP 50 million skills, research and technology centre currently under construction, will unite industry with academia to help transform the UK space economy. Looking ahead, the Centre for Health and Social Equity (CHASE) will bring modern teaching spaces, clinical skills laboratories and simulated environments to the campus.