Getting To Know-Newcastle University (UK)

Published by Stuart Nachbar at February 17, 2024

How did I learn about Newcastle University?

My friend, Lena Brooks, introduced me to Thomas Day, Newcastle’s Manager of International Recruitment for North America. I was so blown away by the campus and setting that I asked Thomas to do a Zoom interview and tell me more about the university. I hope that you will listen to this interview. There are differences between admissions to Newcastle, among other universities in the UK, which Thomas will introduce to you. I also want to thank him and the university for allowing me to share the photos I dropped into this post.

Visually, the most similar campus setting is the Central Campus of the University of Michigan.

Imagine putting the heart of Newcastle’s main campus (aerial above) on the site of the University of Pittsburgh and you will get some idea of the campus and city setting. And, like Michigan, the university also has state-of-the art modern buildings as well as early 19th-century architecture. You might also want to take a short virtual tour to get a better picture of the university

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, home to Newcastle University, is as famous for bridges in the UK as Pittsburgh is famous for bridges in America. Also like Pittsburgh, Newcastle has nice urban parks and waterfront walkways.

Interestingly, Newcastle University has several academic partnerships with Pitt and both universities have approximately 20,000 undergraduates. Newcastle-upon-Thyne and Pittsburgh also have about 300,000 residents. Newcastle is also an academic partner with the University of California-Davis on a sustainability project.

Newcastle University is a member of the Russell Group, an association of the 24 leading public research universities in the UK.

Collectively, Russell Group schools, including Oxford and Cambridge, have nearly 450,000 undergraduates. By comparison the Association of American Universities has 38 member public universities, including Newcastle’s partners Pitt and UC Davis. Newcastle also has very high rankings from sources that rank US and international universities together.

Some aspects of the admissions process for Newcastle are similar to applying to US schools.

Newcastle accepts ACT and SAT scores as well as results from AP and IB exams. High school transcripts are reviewed with fit to a desired academic program in mind, much like many state universities do in the US. The stronger the transcript, and the better the fit, the better the chances for admission.

Yet applying to Newcastle and other UK universities is also somewhat like applying to graduate school.

There isn’t a “choose one of seven” option as you will see on the Common App, nor are there supplemental essays for individual schools. Applicants write one personal statement about their academic interests and career direction and make it fit towards every UK school. They cannot apply undecided on a major. The university links to a site managed by the Russell Group, Informed Choices, to help prospective students learn about requirements to enter a major.

Since a bachelor’s degree takes only three years.Newcastle expects a higher level of academic preparation upon entry than virtually any US university. Prospective students must essentially have a year of college credits and be ready to enter their desired program. Because the university sets academic expectations upfront, admissions are less selective. Multiple sources reported an acceptance rate of 87 percent. My impression is that applicants to Newcastle and other Russell Group schools will self-select schools that are their best fit versus reaching for a “dream school.”

Is the effort to apply worth it?

If you’re ready to tackle the academics and are drawn to the community I would say yes.

As a former city planner, I have a tough time thinking of a nicer urban setting for a college campus. Downtown Newcastle-upon-Tyne, when you view it online, is a pedestrian-friendly business center that also has a nightlife with many student-oriented dining and entertainment options. Some might liken the community near campus to the heart of Ann Arbor or a neighborhood surrounding a famous private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

UK media sources have rated Newcastle-upon-Tyne as the UK city with the best nightlife. However, while the community supports professional soccer, the student body does not bond around major college sports as you would find at many US universities. This is one school where it appears that you need to find your friends quickly through the residence life, classes, sports clubs, and student societies.

It’s tough to beat the value for the money.

Newcastle’s cost of attendance for a US student is slightly more than $40,000 US, including one flight home each year. That’s less than a New Jersey resident would pay to attend an ultra-selective state university in any other US state. It’s also about half the costs of most of the ultra-selective private research universities. However, there are no scholarships for US students that will further reduce the costs. In addition, depending on the major, international students can find employment, much like a co-op, for a year between the second and last years of instruction. The university also offers some nice on-campus housing as you will see below..