Northumbria University, Newcastle

Northumbria is an innovative, pioneering university which pursues new thinking, forges new partnerships, creates and exchanges new knowledge and finds new solutions to tackle tomorrow’s challenges head on.

The University’s inspirational academics, partners and students work together to transform lives and make a remarkable impact on the world.

Rated 5 stars for both teaching and employability by QS Stars, and awarded Silver in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework, Northumbria offers cutting-edge postgraduate degrees, degree apprenticeships, and research degree opportunities.

All of these have been shaped by the University’s ground-breaking research and created in collaboration with the 560 employers and 60 professional bodies who sponsor or accredit Northumbria’s programmes.

The University has invested more than £250m in campus facilities over the past 10 years, in order to support its world-class research and learning experience.

A vibrant multicultural community, the University is home to over 32,000 students, from nearly 140 countries. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, which is regularly voted the best student city in the UK, there are also campuses in London and Amsterdam and partnerships with other higher education institutions across the globe. 

Northumbria University produces work-ready graduates fully equipped with everything they need to succeed in their chosen industries.

Northumbria is top ten in the UK for the number of graduates entering professional employment and nine out of ten graduates are working or studying six months after graduation.

Northumbria works with major employers, including Nike, IBM, Nissan, Proctor & Gamble, the BBC, and the FA, while more than 560 employers and 60 professional bodies sponsor or accredit the University’s programmes. Innovative and entrepreneurial, Northumbria is also ranked second in the UK for graduate business start-ups.

Professional practice is central to Northumbria’s postgraduate programmes. The University works with industry leaders including Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline, NASA, the Ministry of Defence, Kellogg’s, and the NHS to provide a wide range of work placement and research collaboration opportunities.

Students are given opportunities to put what they’ve learnt into practice in the real-world, working with companies on live briefs and projects. For example, students at the Business School work on live consultancy projects for external clients and Law students are given the chance to provide legal services to members of the public, community groups, and local businesses.

In addition to the experience and network building opportunities within courses, the university also provides a dedicated Careers and Employment Service, which provides guidance on writing CVs and creating portfolios, operates a jobs board with graduate jobs advertised, and runs careers fairs where students can meet recruiters. It also offers a free business start-up service to support students who want to set up their own business.

Northumbria’s mission is to ‘Take on Tomorrow’ through empowering the next generation of visionaries and innovators who can challenge the status quo and transform lives across the globe.

Every postgraduate course offered at Northumbria has been created in line with this mission. Courses are heavily influenced by the University’s internationally-renowned research, and created in collaboration with employers. Most come with accreditation from professional bodies such as the British Psychological Society, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Courses are led by world-leading academics, many of whom remain active researchers or work as consultants to businesses and government bodies, ensuring that their teaching is both current and highly relevant.

Northumbria offers a huge variety of postgraduate courses. Students can choose to study general MA, MSc, and MRes degrees, or shorter Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas. Or they can gain a career-specific degree, such as an MBA, a PGCE, or an LLM.

Some of Northumbria’s taught programmes come with a two-year Advanced Practice Masters’ option, which includes the opportunity to undertake a consultancy project or in some cases an opportunity for a work placement or study abroad in their second year – giving students skills that can help them stand out in the job market. It also offers a small number of unique Postgraduate Degree Apprenticeships, which allow students to combine full-time paid work with gaining a Master’s degree.

The University offers a range of flexible study options across most subject areas, including part-time and distance learning options – so students can study around their other commitments. Many courses also come with January and September start dates.

Northumbria also offers a range of research degrees, including PhDs and research-based Master’s (MRes). Students will work in collaboration with the University’s industry partners on research projects that explore some of the world’s most urgent and complex problems, driving discoveries that can transform lives.

Northumbria’s Students’ Union is there to support Northumbria students.

In Newcastle, the SU is run by a team of six democratically-elected Sabbatical Officers. The team’s primary role is to represent the voice of students - they sit on the Student Council, the University’s Sustainability Management Group, and the University’s Board of Trustees - working hard to ensure the University enacts changes that students want to see.

Alongside the sabbatical officers, every course has a programme representative – a volunteer student who works with both students and academic staff to ensure students get the best academic experience. Any student can apply to become a course rep or stand for election to become a sabbatical officer.

The SU team also offer academic support to students – on everything from academic appeals, to leaving or changing courses – and provide helpful advice and guidance on housing, financial and welfare issues. They also offer volunteering opportunities for students, enabling them to contribute to student life, meet new people, and gain valuable experience for their CVs.

The SU team are also in charge of all the Union’s social activities. They manage societies and sports clubs and organise a wide variety of events and activities throughout the year, such as live gigs, club nights, big screen sport and more.

Northumbria offers a wide range of accommodation, located close to the city campus, which is open to all students - including postgraduates.

Accommodation is booked through Northumbria’s unique booking system, which enables students to have complete control over where they live. Students can pick the exact building, flat and bedroom of their choice and can see key details (age and study level) about other students who have already booked a room in that flat.

There are 10 halls of residence, many of which have undergone extensive refurbishments in the last few years. Many come with high-spec on-site facilities, including cinema rooms, fitness suites, and games rooms, plus all of the standard features expected in halls (laundry facilities, security and staffed reception areas). There are two catered halls of residence on campus - Claude Gibb and Lovaine Hall – for students who would prefer someone else to take care of the cooking!

Students can choose from a range of room options, including standard rooms with shared bathroom facilities; en-suite bedrooms; premium en-suites bedrooms (with more space and either bigger beds or a TV); and self-contained studio apartments. Prices range from £79.80 - £166.95 per week and include all utility bills, basic contents insurance, and Wi-Fi.

Over the last decade, Northumbria has invested over £250 million in its campus, making sure students have a world-class learning experience.

Applied Sciences students can access cutting-edge scientific equipment worth over £1 million, including genome analysis and mass spectrometry and microscopy tools. And students studying Psychology have access to an eye-tracking lab, a motion capture suite, and sleep lab.

Nursing and Healthcare students study at the state-of-the-art Clinical Skills Centre - one of the biggest and best healthcare training facilities in the country, while Computer and Information Sciences students study in a £7 million ‘Smart Building’, which comes fully equipped with industry-standard equipment.

Law and Legal Studies students have access to purpose built, authentic-looking, mock civil and criminal courtrooms. And Architecture, Art and Design students have purpose-built studio spaces and art gallery/exhibition space.

The £30 million Sport Central building contains a fitness centre, sprint track, swimming pool and various indoor and outdoor courts. The centre also houses physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition labs, plus strength and conditioning suites and performance analysis facilities for those studying Sports and Rehabilitation courses.

Northumbria’s library is one of the biggest and best in the UK. It contains over 500,000 print books, 843,000 e-books, 110,000 journals and 2,000 study spaces. The students’ union building is home to a coffee shop, three award-winning bars, a dedicated performance space, chill out zones and workspaces.

Newcastle is often voted the best place in the UK to be a student. It’s a friendly and diverse city and one of the most affordable places to live in the UK. Over 100,000 students choose to make it their home each year - in fact, one in six people in the city is a student, making it feel like one giant student community!

At the heart of student life in Newcastle is the nightlife scene. The city is home to a huge amount of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and world-class music venues, including the Utilita Arena, the O2 Academy, and the Sage Gateshead.

While Newcastle certainly rocks at night, the city also offers plenty to do during the day. Students can while away their spare time admiring the city’s landmark bridges or checking out the city’s many historical and cultural sites. Or they can amuse themselves by playing a game of bowling or mini golf, or by exploring the city’s range of quirky markets.

For those who crave some peace and tranquillity, the city’s Jesmond Dene park is a must-visit. As are the epic coastlines of Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Whitley Bay and South Shields – which are all less than 30 minutes away on the metro.

For students who want to explore further afield, Newcastle is well connected - with Manchester, Birmingham, London and Edinburgh being all just a few hours away by train.

Northumbria understands that university life is not just about academia. It’s a chance to meet new people and try new experiences. In fact, there are a massive 138 societies, and 48 sports clubs for students to choose from.

Societies cover faith and belief, culture and politics, academic subjects, and hobbies and special interests. From French to cocktail-making, Harry Potter to snow sports, whatever your background and interests, there’ll be something for you. And if not, you can start your own. There are a number of volunteering and charitable societies for students who want to help others, including the Lets End Homelessness society, the Marrow society, and the Halo Project.

There‘s a huge range of sports clubs and men’s and women’s teams compete against teams from other universities in the British University & College Sport Leagues (BUCS).

All sports clubs and societies are open to all students, including postgraduate students, and membership fees are low. There is no pressure to attend every meeting or training session or to continue their membership. If students can’t find anything that suits them or have a great idea for a new society, they can apply to the Students’ Union to set up their own.

Northumbria’s Ask4Help student support teams can be found across all four of the university’s campuses. In Newcastle, the Student Central Building provides a hub for students to find confidential, tailored support from trained specialists on a wide range of academic, student life, and wellbeing issues throughout their time studying at Northumbria.

The Disability team will provide advice and practical support for students with disabilities or learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. It can help with any special academic or access requirements or extra financial support students may need.

The Welfare, Immigration and Funding Advisers offer all students guidance and information on a wide range of issues, including accommodation, money management, and health and personal security.

The Careers and Employment Service offers guidance on writing CVs and creating portfolios and runs regular skills workshops and career fairs. It also delivers the Northumbria Skills Programme, which can help research students learn skills such as reference management and measuring research performance.

For students who are finding university life tough, or are struggling with mental health conditions, the university also offers a free confidential counselling and mental health support service. The university’s Chaplaincy team is also on hand to offer non-judgemental cultural, spiritual and emotional support.

Course fees for students on Master’s and other postgraduate courses vary and depend on the type of course studied and the study mode. Full information on exact course fees can be found on each individual course page on the University’s website.

The University offers an interest-free payment plan for UK/EU students whose tuition fees are not paid by a sponsor. It also offers a range of discount offers, including: an alumni discount of 20% on postgraduate tuition fees; an NU in Amsterdam discount for students applying for courses in Amsterdam; and a £500 tuition fee discount for students who apply early.

The University also offers 100 funded PhD studentships, which not only cover all tuition fees but pay a salary to cover living costs. Full information on the types of studentship available and how to apply can be found on the university’s website.

Northumbria offers a number of scholarships to both UK/EU and International students.

UK/EU student scholarships

Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: 50 scholarships – worth £2,750 in fee discounts – are open to master’s students. Applicants have to provide a 1000 character answer to the following question: ‘how will being awarded a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship prepare you for the challenges of a constantly changing world?’ 

Agile Business Consortium Scholarship: Three scholarships – worth £1,000 in cash – are open to students who have been accepted on to a Project Management MSc.

Bar Course Scholarship: Five scholarships – providing a full waiver of the course fees – are open to students accepted onto the university’s Bar Course.

International student scholarships

Northumbria Global Scholarship: All self-funded international students who have enrolled on a full-time postgraduate taught or research course will be given a £2,000 discount on their course fees.

Asylum Seekers Sanctuary Scholarship: Three outstanding international students will be rewarded with a full waiver of their course fees and £1,000 per year towards living costs.

Terms and conditions and eligibility criteria apply to all scholarships. Full information on these criteria and how to apply for scholarships can be found on the university’s website.

Northumbria’s strengths lie in its diverse body of world-leading research, which underpins all course curriculums. Northumbria researchers are working at the forefront of current global knowledge and practice and responding to the world’s most urgent and complex problems. World-changing research projects undertaken at the university include:

• Dr Sterghios Moschos’ breakthrough in the fight against Ebola. His development of rapid, mass screening means patients can be treated sooner, reducing the spread and severity of the disease.
• The exploration of sustainability and environmental responsibility in the fashion industry, which is actively influencing the way businesses work.
• The development of numerical models to predict ice flows by the Glaciology team, which is changing the way the world understands the effects of global warming on rising sea levels.

Northumbria’s researchers are also involved in two of 12 new Global Research Hubs – the Living Deltas Hub and the Urban Disaster Risk Hub – which have been set up with the world’s leading academics, government and non-governmental organisations to meet the world’s biggest challenges.

Exact entry requirements vary from course to course and can be found on the individual course pages on the university’s website.

Whilst typically students will need at least a 2:2 undergraduate degree in a relevant subject for a taught Master’s course, Northumbria prides itself on the accessibility of its postgraduate education. It also understands that many prospective postgraduate students are looking to change career direction and may not have the relevant undergraduate education required for their chosen postgraduate course.

That’s why many courses are open to students with an undergraduate degree in a different subject area. The university also offers a range of Foundation and Pre-Master’s programmes, which have been designed to bridge the gap between a student’s current academic knowledge and what is needed to succeed on the master’s course.

Most postgraduate courses require students to write a personal statement as part of the application process and some will also require students to submit a portfolio of work.

For research degrees, applicants are typically expected to have an honours degree (at least 2:2) or equivalent, plus a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline. Applicants without these qualifications will need to demonstrate enough intellectual competence and relevant work experience to be considered.

Students who choose to undertake a research degree at Northumbria will be joining 900 fellow researchers in tackling some of the world’s biggest and most pressing challenges and in making some of the world’s most important discoveries. They are currently using their research to help people live longer and healthier lives and protect the planet.

In the Research Excellence Framework 2014, 60% of the university’s research was deemed to be internationally excellent (3*) or world-leading (4*), putting it in the UK top 50 for research power.

The university currently offers a wide range of research degrees, including Master’s of Research (MRes), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees. PhDs and MRes courses allow students to undertake an individual programme of original research development in their chosen field of study, whereas DBAs or Professional Doctorates offer students the chance to develop their professional skills and understanding of practice.

Research students work alongside and are supervised by academics who are leaders in their field and genuinely passionate about their subject. They will share their own experience and knowledge and work with students to develop their own knowledge and research skills. They will challenge students to question the status quo, to look at problems in new ways, to utilise innovative methods and to justify their research conclusions.

Northumbria offers around 170 taught postgraduate courses on its Newcastle campuses, 56 of which are offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. Students can choose between a wide range of MA, MSc, MArch, MRes, LLM, MBA courses offered through the university’s four faculties:

• Arts, Design and Social Sciences
• Engineering and Environment
• Business and Law
• Health and Life Sciences

A further seven courses are offered on the London campus and six courses on the Amsterdam campus – covering Business and Project Management subjects.

The majority of Master’s courses last 1-year full-time and 2-years part-time. However, a number of courses also come with an Advanced Practice or Study Abroad option. These 2-year full-time courses provide students with the opportunity to put what they have learnt into practice through a 3-4 month work placement, study abroad placement, or a research study project in their second year.

Students also have significant control over how and what they learn, and can tailor their learning experience by choosing which modules and projects they undertake and the topic of their final dissertation or project.

Students are taught by experts in their field, who remain active researchers and continue to develop their own expertise through collaborations with industry. Teaching is conducted through seminars, lectures and practical sessions such as workshops and project work.

Northumbria offers 24 postgraduate courses that are delivered via distance learning, covering a range of subject areas including: Business, Computer Science; English, History, Law, PGCE, Project Management, and Psychology.

Courses are flexibly designed to support learning at a pace that suits a busy lifestyle. But just because these courses are delivered online doesn’t mean that the quality of education is compromised. Students will be taught by the same expert academic staff as students on campus and many of the university’s online courses are professionally accredited.

Students on distance learning courses will have access to the eLearning Portal, a virtual learning environment with a wide range of interactive tools and learning resources. Through this portal, students can take part in virtual lectures, seminars, and debates with academics and fellow students. They can also access online presentations, eBooks and documents, and quizzes and activities.

Students will be fully supported throughout their online courses by a programme leader, programme administrator and individual module tutors – who will be easily accessible via the eLearning Portal and can help on a wide range of academic issues.

Students who live close enough are also allowed to access all of the on-campus facilities, including the library and the student’s union building. They can also request face-to-face meetings with the student support services or their academic tutor.

Northumbria offers a wide range of taught postgraduate degrees, degree apprenticeships, and research degree opportunities through their four faculties:

• Arts, Design and Social Sciences
• Engineering and Environment
• Business and Law
• Health and Life Sciences

Courses have been expertly crafted to help expand students’ knowledge and skills, whilst connections with a huge variety of national and international employers and professional bodies help students gain valuable experience and contacts within their industry.

The university is renowned for its academic and research excellence. It was awarded Silver in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and in the Research Excellence Framework 2014, 60% of the university’s research was deemed to be internationally excellent (3*) or world-leading (4*), putting it in the UK top 50 for research power.

Taught postgraduate courses are heavily influenced by the innovative research being undertaken at the university, which is responding to some of the world’s most pressing economic, cultural, social, and environmental challenges. Research students will become a part of this world-leading research community, driving forward new discoveries and influencing real change in the world.

The university has invested more than £250m into its teaching and research facilities and social spaces over the past decade, in order to provide postgraduate students with everything they need to have the best learning experience possible.