Newcastle University: Best courses, Rankings, Eligibility, Fees

Have you ever dreamt of what it would be like to live like royalty and wake up in a castle every morning? Well, this isn’t that kind of castle, but with a little effort and a good application, you could be studying and living in Newcastle! Just keep on reading, and in a few short minutes, you’ll learn all there is to know about Newcastle University. 

About Newcastle University

Officially founded in 1963, Newcastle University is one of the most prestigious universities in the city, constantly ranking among the top 200 universities in the world. The main Newcastle University campus is located in Newcastle upon Tyne, but if you’re looking to study somewhere warmer, the university also has campuses in Singapore and Malaysia!

Newcastle University Rankings, Awards and Ratings

Newcastle University is one of the top ranked universities in the UK, currently ranked 122nd in the QS world rankings and securing the 139th spot on the 139th in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023. The THE Europe teaching ranked the University 23rd in 2019. In 2022 the University was awarded 5 Plus Starts for overall excellence by the QS start rating system. 

Popular Courses at Newcastle University

​​With undergraduate courses, master's courses and PhD programmes, Newcastle University has a place for you no matter where you are in your education journey. To make your search easier, we’ve listed down some of the best courses for each program for you to check out. 

Newcastle University undergraduate courses

The university has over 185 undergraduate courses for you to choose from, and undergraduate course at Newcastle University takes around 3-4 years to complete depending on your field of study. Some of the most sought-after disciplines are: 

• Archaeology 
• Engineering 
• English Language and Linguistics
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Marine Biology 
• Media, Journalism and Film practice 
• Music
• Nutrition and Dietetics 
• Philosophy 
• Sports and Exercise Science

​​Newcastle University postgraduate courses

Newcastle University has around 300 master's courses for students to choose from. A master’s course at the university takes most students 1-2 years to complete. Here’s a list of some of the master's programs the university has to offer: 

• MSc in Oncology 
• MSc in Hydrogeology and Water Management 
• MSc in Global Public Health
• MSc in Exercise Physiology
• MA in Creative Writing 
• MA in International Multimedia Journalism 
• MA in Sociology 
• MA in Interpreting 
• MA Translating 
• MPhil in Rural Studies 

Newcastle University PhD programs

Newcastle University welcomes research and doctorate students and usually takes around 3-5 years to complete. The university maintains good relationships with a number of different organisations like the Alan Turing Institute, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and  UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which gives students access to a large pool of helpful resources.

• PhD in Economics
• PhD in Film Practice
• PhD in Food and Human Nutrition
• PhD in Mathematics
• PhD in Statistics

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees differ depending on the course you’re studying and on whether or not you’re a UK resident. Fees are subject to change and are revised every couple of years, but to give you a rough idea, we have provided a rough breakdown of the costs of studying at Newcastle University. There are also several top student accommodation near Newcastle University which are also quite affordable and help student live comfortably near the university.

Scholarships provided by Newcastle University

If looking at those prices almost crushed your dreams of applying to Newcastle University, then we’re here to put them back together. Apart from external scholarships like the Chevening scholarship, the university offers its students a range of scholarships including but not limited to: 

• Subject scholarships: Depending upon your discipline, if you meet certain academic criteria, you may eligible for certain subject-specific scholarships. 
• Sports scholarships: If you’re an exceptional sportsperson, the university offers students a variety of different sports scholarships  for you to choose from. 
• St Nicholas’ Educational Trust Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded only to students who have been a resident of Newcastle upon Tyne for at least five years. 

Eligibility Criteria

Depending upon the discipline and program that you apply for, the eligibility criteria will differ. Make sure to check the university’s official course page to find out exactly what they’re looking for. To give you a rough idea of their expectations, here is a list of the average scores required on different tests to be applicable to apply to Newcastle University. 

How to apply to Newcastle University?

The Newcastle University acceptance rate is roughly 80-85%, so you’re chances of getting in are pretty good. You can begin applying to Newcastle 3-4 months before submitting your application so that you have ample time to devote towards your application. 

• Gather all the documents you need
• Create an account online at the university’s official website 
• Fill out your online application and cross-check your information
• Submit all your documents through the official portal
• Pay the application fee, and you’re done!

Life at Newcastle University 

Your student life at Newcastle University will undoubtedly be incredibly fulfilling. The University holds their students’ well-being in very high regard and tries to ensure that its students have access to everything that they could possibly need. Their low dropout rates of less than 4% and consistently high satisfaction ratings on the NSS (National Student Survey) are proof of the university’s dedication to student well-being. 

Student Services

Newcastle University prioritises both the physical and mental health of its students and has undertaken several initiatives to make student life as fulfilling as possible. Aside from the many clubs and societies of its student union, some other interesting organisations and groups the University has are:

• Nightline: Let’s face it, University can be tough and sometimes you just need someone to talk to. That’s exactly what Nightline was created for. This student-run organisation has been created as a safe space for anyone going through a hard time. No problem is too small for them. 
• Support for mature students: Starting school after a gap rewarded should be rewarded but a lot of older students find it difficult when they make the decision to go back to school. To make the transition easier, the university offers support to all of its mature students. 

Student Life

In addition to the many resources provided by the University, Newcastle itself is a great city for packed with many things to do and see, ensuring that students never have a dull moment during the time they spend at university. Newcastle Castle and the Quayside Sunday Market are two great attractions that students must visit. The city also has a number of great cafes and clubs where you can go to blow off some steam after a tiring week of classes. 

Placements and career assistance

With a graduate employment rate of 95%, you can rest assured knowing that your university will do everything it can to help with your career advancement. The university’s career services centre provides assistance to students, from helping them create their CVs to preparing for interviews. Newcastle University graduates are incredibly sought-after, so you can be sure that having a degree from this university will stand out to employers. 

Why should you consider Newcastle University?

Apart from being one of the highest-ranking universities in the world, there is a long list of benefits that comes along with studying at Newcastle University. Here are just a few of them to get you excited by the thought of studying here:

• Study in Newcastle: The city is a great place to study with a rich cultural history, large student population and a long list of bars and pubs to hang out at. The city has also consistently ranked as one of the most affordable places for students in the UK.  
• Boost your future: A part of the infamous Russel group of universities, Newcastle University alumni are widely sought after by top companies in the UK, as evidenced by their 94% employment rate. The university also provides its students with a range of career services they can use to secure their futures. 
• Ensure your safety:  The university is committed to ensuring the physical and mental safety of its students. Newcastle University provides its students with a wide range of services like counselling, health services, disability services and round-the-clock campus security

Notable alumni

Time to name-drop! Of course, rankings, courses and faculty are definitely the most important things to look for when you choose a place to study, but who doesn’t love hearing about celebrities? If you choose to study at Newcastle University, you will be joining people like:

• Rowan Atkinson: Yes, that’s right! Mr. Bean himself studied electrical engineering at Newcastle University. 
• Peter Straughan: A famous screenwriter and playwright, Straughan studied English at the university. 
• Dr Ali Mohamed Shein: The 7th president of Zanzibar, got his PhD in biochemistry from Newcastle University. 
• Charlie Webster: A famous TV broadcaster and strong campaigner for women’s rights, Webster studied Language and Linguistics at the university. 

That was all you needed to know about Newcastle University! We’ve covered everything from the university’s top courses, history, application process and tuition fees. For more information on the city, check out our Newcastle city guide for help with what to do once you’re there. We hope you’ve found this blog helpful and wish you the best of luck with your application!