Best universities for a master’s in Newcastle

Newcastle is one of the largest cities in the north east of England, and is known for its independent spirit, creative energy and welcoming atmosphere. The city is a hub for culture and the arts, as well as its energetic nightlife which draws visitors from across the region and beyond. Impressive Victorian architecture, hip bars and gourmet restaurants come together to form an enviable student city with its own metro system and easy access to the beautiful north-eastern coastline. Several well-ranking universities, which between them support over 40,000 students, offer a wealth of postgraduate courses and make this a great choice as your next student city. 

CONTENTS 

• Which universities are in Newcastle
• Newcastle University
• Northumbria University
• Entry Requirements
• What to do in Newcastle

Which universities are in Newcastle? 

Newcastle University 

Newcastle University is a prominent higher education institution offering excellent postgraduate study options. With 36th place in the Complete University  Guide’s 2023 league table, it’s highly competitive among UK universities. It’s a member of the Russell Group of universities with its academic roots stretching back to 1834, as the School of Medicine and Surgery. It became a university under its current name in 1963, and today offers courses from an impressive 50-acre campus site in the heart of Newcastle. 

Various taught and research postgraduate programmes are available to study at Newcastle University. Outstanding facilities and world-renowned academics ensure that students—from agriculture to archaeology, architecture or ageing—are able to achieve their academic potential. The university also maintains part-time and online postgraduate study options to allow a wide range of students to study there. 

Newcastle University is based out of an expansive campus site right in the heart of the city, over 50 acres of impressive architecture, wide open landscaping and cutting-edge facilities. The university also has campuses in London, Malaysia and Singapore, offering expanded postgraduate research or study abroad opportunities. The university’s Newcastle campus is home to a number of unique and specialist facilities, including the Campus for Ageing and Vitality, the Newcastle International Centre for Life and the Newcastle Helix—home to a living laboratory dedicated to pioneering sustainable urban design and science for the world. 

Go to: Search courses at Newcastle University

Northumbria University 

Northumbria University is a competitive institution in Newcastle, offering quality postgraduate programmes across a number of disciplines. It recently placed 43rd in the Complete University Guide 2023 league table, confirming its status as a leading university. Its origins begin in 1877, with the Rutherford College, and for over 140 years the university has continued to thrive and grow. It has two campus sites for postgraduate students to study at, with one in the heart of the city while the other is easily accessible, just three miles away. 

There are plenty of postgraduate courses to choose from at Northumbria, all of which share a focus on building career-ready students and providing them with access to state-of-the-art research facilities. As well as taught master’s courses, such as the MA, MSc or shorter PGCert and PGDip, students can undertake a number of professionally-focused qualifications like an LLM or PGCE. It’s also possible to complete an Advanced Practice Master’s, which takes two years and requires students to complete a work placement, study period abroad or consultancy project—an excellent way to build in-demand skills and experience. 

Northumbria University has invested over £250 million into its two campus sites in recent years, constructing modern and spacious learning environments and installing the latest industry standard facilities and technologies. The City campus is a contemporary site with award-winning architecture always around the corner. As well as quality teaching and research environments, students can make use of excellent sports facilities—whether competitively or just for fun. Health and life science students will benefit from specialised resources and spaces in the Coach Lane campus, which even has its own students union building. 

Go to: Search courses at Northumbria University

Entry Requirements 

When applying to a postgraduate programme at a university in Newcastle, you’ll need to be aware of the specific entry requirements for your chosen course. These will likely vary depending on the subject, level of study and institution that you’re applying to. You can use our handy course finder tool to get details of these admissions criteria, as well as checking the relevant part of each university’s website. 

What to do in Newcastle 

Newcastle is a vibrant city that combines a wealth of history—from Roman times to the industrial era—with a modern outlook and exciting contemporary living. 

On a day off or even just downtime between classes, you can visit icons like the Tyne Bridge—standing for over 100 years—to Newcastle Castle, which contains a comprehensive history of the city, going back to Roman times, within its walls. 

Newcastle is home to an impressive array of galleries and museums, from the Discovery Museum and The Great North Museum to Laing Art Gallery. There’s also the magnificent Theatre Royal, with a busy calendar of international and local shows of all kinds. 

Newcastle is rapidly becoming one of the most popular cities in the UK, with incredible dining options alongside bars and pubs. The Quayside and Ouseburn areas are hotspots for this, offering up a range of great places to eat, drink and dance close to or on the water’s edge. 

There’s plenty of shopping to be had, too, from high street staples to independent retailers and boutiques—some of which can be found in gorgeous settings like the Edwardian Central Arcade. 

Newcastle benefits from its location between the lovely coastlines and hills of Northumbria, being on the edge of the national park. Its metro system can take you straight to the sea at Whitby Bay, too. 

Next: Search for postgraduate universities