Northumbria University
Northumbria University can trace its beginnings to Rutherford College, which was established in Newcastle towards the end of the nineteenth century. In 1969 a merger of three colleges in the area created Newcastle Polytechnic, and university status was granted in 1992. Northumbria has around 30,000 students, and alongside its professionally oriented teaching it has a research profile ranking it in the top 25 of UK institutions by research power.
City Campus, the main site, is located in central Newcastle upon Tyne, and Coach Lane Campus occupies a suburban location in the same city. A further campus in London, close to Liverpool Street, mostly offers programmes in computing, business and project management. The faculties cover business, law, design, engineering, computing, the social sciences and health, and the law school has a reputation for clinical legal education. Northumbria works closely with employers including the NHS, IBM and Nike, and is regarded as one of the leading UK universities for graduate start-ups. Times Higher Education named it University of the Year in 2022, and its alumni network numbers over 250,000 people around the world.
Information for International Students
Northumbria has students from over 130 countries, and its Welfare, Immigration and Funding advisers offer guidance on visas, work rules, banking, travel and registering for healthcare. New arrivals can be picked up at Newcastle Airport by a Meet and Greet service and taken to their accommodation. Requirements for English differ from course to course, with IELTS, Pearson and many equivalent qualifications accepted. The English Language Centre, which holds British Council accreditation, runs pre-sessional programmes throughout the year, as well as a large summer school for those whose English needs improving, and help with academic language is available throughout the degree.
In Newcastle, QA Higher Education partners with the university to teach pathway programmes such as the International Foundation and International Year One, which Northumbria validates. At the London campus, QA also delivers pre-master's courses, pre-sessional English and Northumbria degrees. All new full-time first-year undergraduates, international students included, are guaranteed a room in residences owned or commissioned by the university if they meet the booking requirements. Applicants can explore international scholarships through the university's scholarship search. Graduates who are eligible can apply to remain in the UK through the Graduate Route.