History
Since its foundation in the historic city of Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumbria has developed into a successful regional, national, and international institution. Formed in 1969 from the amalgamation of three regional colleges, the Polytechnic became one of the leading institutions of its type in the UK. It was awarded university status in September 1992 and became Northumbria University.
Education
We offer highly rated courses with many programmes accredited by professional bodies. Our courses are at the forefront of real-world current knowledge and practice and informed by global perspectives and research to shape and enrich our teaching. You’ll learn from inspiring and passionate academics who are pioneers in their areas of expertise. Our lecturers boost our student's independence, build their transferable skills, and develop their critical thinking. To ensure students receive the best of what Northumbria has to offer, our staff are committed to delivering outstanding teaching experiences enriched through successful partnerships and collaborative working with external organisations.
Research
Ranked top 25 in the UK for the research power (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) Northumbria is a research-intensive university with a proud heritage of making a difference to individuals and to society. We have a number of areas where our research is truly outstanding and is shaping knowledge and practice around the world. We call these our Peaks of Research Excellence. Focused and cohesive areas of outstanding research they are a vital part of our vibrant research landscape. Collaborating with external partners is a vital part of the research process and we encourage existing and new potential partners to reach out.
Career
We are ranked top 30 in England for career prospects, both for the number of students achieving a First or 2:1 grade and for the above average number of students in high-skilled jobs or further study within 15 months of leaving (Guardian University Guide, 2024). More than 430 employers sponsor our students, and more than 50 professional bodies accredit our programmes, ensuring that they are relevant and up-to-date. This is one of the highest figures in the UK, meaning our students are ‘work ready’ when they graduate. We were praised for this in the Which? University Student Survey 2018 which ranked us as one of the top-rated universities for ‘job readiness’.
Northumbria University Key Statistics & Highlights
- #401 Ranking
- 9 PhDs
- 38 Scholarships
- 1,695 Academic Staff
- 37,143 Students
- 12,418 Students (int'l)
- 20,057 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
Northumbria University Overview
Northumbria University Scholarships
Northumbria University Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Northumbria University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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Northumbria University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
World University Rankings
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | 401 | 401 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
By TopUniversities
Dropped 15 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 548 | 535 | 550 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 801 | 701 | 701 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 67 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 708 | 814 | 747 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
As well as the academic support from your tutors, there are teams of people who are there to help you reach the point of graduation feeling nurtured, fulfilled, and supported at every step of your student journey. Our friendly and specialist Student Life and Wellbeing advisors are here to offer support, whatever your needs and circumstances, such as around disability issues, faith issues, counselling and mental health support, finance and funding, welfare issues and international student support. Our Graduate Futures team are also there to help you achieve your career ambitions, make the most of your experiences, develop your skills and manage your future.
Housing services
At Northumbria, we understand that where you live is a big aspect of your student life. We have over 3,000 rooms that are available either self-catered or catered and the majority of accommodation is a few minutes’ walk from campus. When applying for accommodation, you can choose the exact room, floor and residence online based on real-time availability, and view your flat occupancy before you arrive to find out if your flatmates are male or female, undergraduate or postgraduate, UK or international, and use social media to connect with them. We also provide free 1GB broadband in all Northumbria University accommodation.
Library services
One of the best academic libraries in the UK, with around half a million print books, over 900,000 e-books and around 85,000 e-journals, our library provides learning spaces to meet a variety of needs, from silent or quiet study, through to social and collaborative learning. Open 24/7 during term-time, the award-winning building has held the UK Customer Service Excellence (CSE) standard since 2010.
ICT services
Ranked 10th in the UK for Facilities (WhatUni Student Choice Awards, 2024), students have access to modern labs, workshops, CAD suites, media labs and classrooms with all the necessary IT facilities to achieve the best education possible. There’s also plenty of study spaces, digital hubs and touch down spaces, including our Digital Commons. IT support is also available 24/7 to assist with any queries.
Medical services
Your health matters. We’re there to guide, signpost and support you. Our Accessibility & Inclusion, Counselling & Mental Health, Wellbeing, Chaplaincy & Faith and International Student Support services hold the Customer Service Excellence award accredited by the Home Office. We also recommend registering with a Doctor (GP), as it’s essential for medical support while you’re in the UK.
Campus life
We want students to make the most of our fantastic campus and feel safe and supported and ready to make the most of life at university. Ranked 9th in the UK for Student Life (WhatUni Student Choice Awards, 2024), our City campus is based in Newcastle’s city centre with Coach Lane Campus a mere 7-minute drive out of the city. On each Campus there are a range of cafes that serve hot and cold food which can be pre-ordered via an app, and places to meet up with friends, including bars at the City Campus Students’ Union. We also have a wide array of learning spaces available, where students can meet, study, and collaborate, including our Digital Commons.
Sports facilities
Whether you just want to get fit and have fun, or whether you’re a talented athlete, Northumbria Sport has something for everyone - from our performance sport programme through to the clubs and leagues, or as a member of our award-winning Volunteering and Internship programme. Our City Campus flagship £30 million Sports Central is home to a state-of-the-art fitness centre, squash courts, a sprint track, six-lane 25m swimming pool, a number of high-quality outdoor pitches, sauna, steam room, exercise classes and sports clubs, plus much more. The main Sports Central arena can also hold up to 3,000 spectators.
Student clubs
The Students’ Union is run by students for students, and offers a range of services and activities, including over 100 clubs and societies covering a range of interests and cultural beliefs, as well as volunteering opportunities. Recently voted by students as being in the Top 20 Best Student Unions by the Student Crowd Awards, 2023. We also have a new initiative, ‘Be Part of It’, which is a programme of activities exclusive to Northumbria students and offers a fantastic opportunity for new experiences, to make friends and have the best experience while you are here with us. This also includes discounted tickets for a huge variety of activities including paddle boarding, cocktail making and theatre visits.
Northumbria University Campus Locations
Northumbria University Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 40 Reviews
- 4 Star 45 Reviews
- 3 Star 11 Reviews
- 2 Star 4 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.2
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.2
- Student Diversity 4.5
- Admission Process 4.7
- Quality of Student Life 4.4
- Career Development 4.4
Applications to Study Abroad
Wow! This was truly amazing. My application to Newcastle University was smooth, and the guidance I received was very satisfying and sufficient—it genuinely felt like having someone walk with me every step of the way. I am deeply passionate about agriculture and climate change. Receiving this opportunity is truly an answered prayer and a great privilege that I deeply treasure. My goal is to give it my very best, to learn as much as I can, and to bring meaningful change and transformation to my society and my country at large. I would encourage others that dreams are valid—but only if you keep trying and remain focused despite discouragement and repeated attempts. Thank you, and keep at it!
Living the best experience
Choosing the right university for my Master’s degree was an important decision, and Northumbria University immediately stood out to me because of its strong reputation in academic excellence and its supportive learning environment. While exploring different programs, I was particularly drawn to the Master’s in Criminal Justice because it combines theory with practical insights, preparing students to understand and address real-world challenges in justice systems. What excites me most about Northumbria University is its international and diverse student community. Studying alongside people from different backgrounds will allow me to exchange ideas, learn new perspectives, and better understand global approaches to crime prevention and justice policy. I also appreciate how the university emphasizes critical thinking, research skills, and practical application, which are essential for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in society. Even though I have not started the program yet, the information and experiences shared by other students gave me confidence that Northumbria University provides a learning environment where students are encouraged to grow academically and personally. I believe it is a university that nurtures curiosity, supports ambition, and prepares students to contribute positively to their communities. Overall, I am excited about the opportunity to study here, learn from experienced lecturers, and be part of a community that values education as a tool for positive change. For anyone considering a Master’s in Criminal Justice, Northumbria University offers the guidance, support, and opportunities needed to succeed.
It was a dream, study on MSc BUSINESS
I am developing my career study in MSc BUSINESS WITH HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT FULL TIME (LONDON)
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Admission ProcessHow simple was it to apply to your programme?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?