Northumbria University, Newcastle

About Northumbria University

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).

Graduate outcomes

Northumbria University is committed to preparing students for successful careers. The dedicated graduate futures team supports students from their very first day of study, offering careers guidance, employability support, and help with placements and further study. This support doesn't stop at graduation as the team continues to support alumni for up to five years after completing their studies, helping graduates navigate the next steps in their careers wherever in the world they are headed. Throughout the academic year, the team also organises careers fairs, part-time work fairs and employability events to help students build connections and experience.

Among UK graduates, 91 per cent were in employment or further study and 78 per cent of those in work were in a skilled role (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23 Leavers). Northumbria also ranks in the Top 20 in the UK for the number of UK undergraduates going into skilled jobs (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23 Leavers) and puts more graduates into highly skilled employment in the North East than any other university (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23 Leavers).

For those with entrepreneurial ambitions, Northumbria has ranked in the Top 10 in the UK for graduate enterprise for 17 consecutive years (HEBCIS 2024/25), with graduate businesses generating an estimated GBP 166.7 million in annual turnover and supporting 1,645 jobs across the UK.

By joining Northumbria, students become part of a global alumni community of over 253,000 graduates based in 178 countries. Among them are Dr Arnab Basu MBE, Chief Executive of technology company Kromek, and Dr Tshering Lama, Executive Chairperson and Co-Founder of Idea Studio Nepal. Both are excellent examples of the international impact Northumbria graduates go on to make.

What's new

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.