find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
Guide to Postgraduate Study in Newcastle
Find your PERFECT POSTGRAD PROGRAMWhy is Newcastle such a great city for postgraduate students?
So what has Newcastle got to offer a postgraduate student? Whilst there are great swathes of the country that suspect or indeed know that the nightlife of Newcastle is fun to say the least, it certainly has more to offer than is depicted on the TV show Geordie Shore! Yes, you can have a fun night out.
But more than this Newcastle has the beauty of Grey Street, the history of Hadrian's Wall, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, and the bargains of Grainger Market – to name but a few unique attractions.
Plus, there are some stunning nearby beaches to visit in your downtime – including Whitley Bay and Whitburn Beach – and don't even get us started on the castles!
One more major draw for students? Newcastle consistently ranks as one of the most affordable of UK cities.
Well connected
Located in the North-East of England and only three hours by train from London (or a 250-mile drive), Newcastle is well connected to the rest of England. It also has its own international airport to connect it to the rest of Europe and the world. Not to mention being just a hop across the border from Bonnie Scotland.
Fighting fit
Newcastle's population is approximately 300,000 people, and it shares a fierce rivalry with the neighbouring city of Sunderland, which started in the 17th Century during the English Civil War when the cities took different sides – it is now football focussed with many Geordies passionately supporting the Magpies (Newcastle United).
Easy to navigate
The centre of Newcastle is easy to walk around, a major plus when you're on a student budget. The metro and bus systems make the universities and student areas easy to get in and out of. Newcastle will get under your skin and infect you with its humour, culture and easy-going atmosphere.
5 reasons to be a student in Newcastle
1,000+ postgraduate courses – how will you make your decision as to what you should study?
10,000+ postgraduate students – you’ll have too many friends to choose from!
20 culture venues in one location – having been voted the most creative city in the world, Newcastle continues to grow on this reputation with the Newcastle Gateshead Cultural Venues being the largest group of galleries, theatres and museums working together in the UK, boasting 20 venues to entertain you.
Over 15 beautiful beaches – the award-winning Blue Flag beaches of North Tyneside are a short Metro journey from the city centre, and the near-deserted beaches up the Northumbrian Coast are only a 40-minute drive north of Newcastle.
400+ licensed premises in the centre of Newcastle, plenty of places to go out partying – but don't forget your studies!
Students in Newcastle – facts & figures
With one in six people in Newcastle being a student, there are plenty of like-minded people to meet in this great UK city.
The two universities – Newcastle University and Northumbria University – have a broad range of students from different backgrounds and countries giving a cosmopolitan vibe.
Newcastle University is the choice for 6,000 postgraduate students, and of these just over half are international students and nearly a quarter are studying part time. This table shows a breakdwon of the student population at Newcastle University in the academic year 2024/25.
|
Undergraduate Students |
Home Students |
International Students |
Total |
|
Full-time students |
18,398 |
2,463 |
20,861 |
|
Part-time students |
66 |
7 |
73 |
|
Undergraduate Total |
18,464 |
2,470 |
20,934 |
|
Postgraduate Students |
Home Students |
International Students |
Total |
|
Full-time students |
1,666 |
3,119 |
4,785 |
|
Part-time students |
1,113 |
105 |
1,218 |
|
Postgraduate Total |
2,779 |
3,224 |
6,003 |
Northumbria University has a student population of around 32,000 with 3,300 overseas students studying at the Newcastle campuses and a further 3,000 studying on University courses in their own countries. In the year 2000, Northumbria University became the largest university in the North East of England.
Accommodation options in Newcastle
There are plenty of options for living arrangements in Newcastle. Both universities offer a range of their own catered and self-catering halls of residence on and around the central campuses. Living in university-managed accommodation such as the halls of residence has plenty of upsides, not least the fact that they are usually located very close to lectures and the student union. Newcastle University and Northumbria University both offer arrangements for students who need accommodation for only part of the year or for 50 weeks as postgraduate courses often require, rather than the standard 38 weeks that undergraduates require.
If you would rather live in privately owned student accommodation then Newcastle also has a healthy private student rental sector. Privately owned purpose built accommodation from providers such as Fresh offer fabulous accommodation close to both universities. One major advantage to opting for accommodation from Fresh is that you will meet a range of students from both universities, as well as from Newcastle College. You can book rooms with your friends and/or your partner at no extra cost, plus all bills, internet access, and security. The Fresh accommodation providers also arrange social evenings for their residents, adding an extra layer of activities for you to join in with. This high quality accommodation is also available on a flexible short-term basis or even as a summer let.
Newcastle also offers a good range of private student housing and shared housing, but these tend to be occupied by students who are already based in Newcastle. Most people arriving in Newcastle for the first time opt for university provided accommodation or private halls of residence.
What can you do in Newcastle when you’re not studying?
If you discount all the nights out that you will have in Newcastle, then you are left with an amazing selection of cultural pursuits.
Getting out and about is a great way to relax – so why not take the time to experience some culture. The Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art is one of the best art galleries in the world, rivalling London’s Tate Modern for its modern art exhibitions. Shopping is another major pursuit in Newcastle and there's a large range of high-end shops and shopping malls.
If you want to get out of the city for the day there are plenty of historic houses and sites to visit from Roman ruins at Hadrian's Wall to more modern museums depicting the industrial heritage of the North East. There are castles aplenty – a must-visit for those interested in the history of England and the North East.
Finally, being right on the sea, there are wonderful long sandy beaches within easy reach of the centre of Newcastle.
Find your perfect postgrad programNewcastle University
With over 185 undergraduate degrees and 300 postgraduate degrees to choose from, Newcastle University offers teaching and research across a diverse and exciting range of subject areas.
Tuition fees & costs
The postgraduate tuition fees for masters degrees at Newcastle University vary according to the subject and type of degree being studied. Home and International students will also pay different tuition fees.
This table shows a selection of masters course tuition fees to provide some idea of what you can expect to pay at Newcastle University in the academic year 2025/26.
|
Masters Degree |
Home Students |
International Students |
|
MA in History |
£11,200 |
£25,100 |
|
MSc in Accounting, Finance & Financial Analysis |
£16,000 |
£29,900 |
|
MBA |
£32,600 |
£32,600 |
|
PGCE |
£9,250 (2024 rates, 2025 not set yet) |
£25,100 |
Facilities & specialisms
The facilities for Engineering at Newcastle University are world-renowned, resulting in a large number of Engineering students choosing Newcastle University. The courses in Modern Languages, Medicine and Law are all very highly rated too.
Student life
Teaching at Newcastle scores very highly, especially in the Medical School. The campus is in the centre of Newcastle and this gives the chance to mix with plenty of other students. There is a large postgraduate population with students – with the postgraduate research community alone boasting around 5,000 international students from more than 120 countries.
Facts about Newcastle University
- The School of Medicine and Surgery was established in 1834
- Newcastle University became independent from the University of Durham in 1963
- Bryan Ferry CBE and Rowan Atkinson CBE are both Newcastle University Alumni
- Newcastle University is in the top 50 global universities
Find your perfect postgrad program
Northumbria University
Northumbria University has over 3,200 international students, with students from over 100 countries – plus, it has more than 100 university partners worldwide.
Northumbria University offers 269 postgraduate courses encompassing a diverse selection of topics, from Accounting & Finance to Web & Mobile Development Technologies. Northumbria also provides opportunities for professional development through CPD and short courses.
Tuition fees & costs
Northumbria University offers almost 270 postgraduate degrees, and the tuition fees of these vary according to the type of masters course – MA, MSc, PGCE, MBA, etc – and whether you are paying home or international tuition fees.
Here is a selection of tuition fees that you could expect to pay for different masters degrees at Northumbnria University.
|
Masters Degree |
Home Students |
International Students |
|
MA in History |
£9,700 |
£19,350 |
|
MSc in Accounting & Finance |
£11,000 |
£20,950 |
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
£13,200 |
£13,200 |
|
PGCE |
£9,535 |
£19,350 |
Facilities & specialisms
Northumbria University has great facilities for Sports Science, a large legal library and a great wealth of different Business courses on offer. Northumbria University’s Teaching course one of only a few in the UK to hold an outstanding award from Ofsted.
Student life
Studying at Northumbria University is highly rated by students as they consider the staff approachable and helpful. The campus is in the centre of Newcastle, with another campus just out of the city as well. There is also an opportunity to study in London at the campus there too.
Facts about Northumbria University
- It was established in 1969 at Newcastle Polytechnic.
- Northumbria alumni, Sir Jonathan Ive, designed the iPhone, iPad and iMac
- Northumbria University gained university status in 1992
- Northumbria University, Newcastle, was named University of the Year 2022 in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards.
