Greetings from the International Office at Newcastle University, in the UK. We’re very pleased and proud to be working alongside the NSHSS in launching a new $3,000 scholarship for talented US students and to have the opportunity to tell you a little more about what our city and University have to offer you.

Newcastle is a large city in the North East of England, about 3 hours by train from London and two hours from Edinburgh. Cosmopolitan, vibrant, friendly and exciting, it was recently voted the best city for students in the UK and is located in an area described by the Lonely Planet Blue Guide as “the most exciting, beautiful and friendly region in the whole of England”. The University campus sits at the heart of the city, meaning our diverse range of shops, restaurants, galleries, theatres, music venues and nightlife are all just a short walk away, whilst excellent transport links (including our very own subway system, the Metro) give our students direct access to award-winning beaches, historic castles and archaeological remains, dramatic countryside and of course the rest of the UK. 

The University itself has a long history as one of the UK’s finest educational institutions; originally founded as a Medical School in 1834, it has gradually expanded to offer programmes across three Faculties; Medical Sciences; Science, Agriculture and Engineering; and Humanities and Social Sciences. Now home to over 19,700 students and a member of the elite Russell Group of UK research-led Universities, we’re able to offer first-class teaching, access to academics at the forefront of their fields and a welcoming, supportive atmosphere that will help you make the very most of your studies.

Graduation may seem a long way away but you’re probably already thinking about your long-term job prospects and so will be pleased to know that we have one of the best records for graduate employment in the country. Our award-winning careers service provides a huge amount of support to our International students and can offer you a range of activities that will help you in finding work, including a work-experience programme that allows you to gain paid experience with a local company.

Here in the International Office we’re very much aware of the big step you’d be taking in choosing to study abroad and work hard each year to ensure that the process of applying to, and joining, the University goes as smoothly as possible. We produce a range of materials to guide students through the process of joining us here in Newcastle and when you arrive at the start of your first semester we’ll be there to meet you at the airport (Newcastle has its own International airport, just a short Metro ride from the University – great news if you’re also keen to explore the rest of Europe). Our International welcome week is designed to help you get settled into life here in the UK and from that point on you’ll find a wealth of support services that will help ensure you enjoy your time with us.

Hopefully this will give you a flavour of life in Newcastle but if you’d like to know more please do check out our website www.ncl.ac.uk/international or follow our Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/nuinternational.