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The overall ranking is decided by students from this institution rating them in a 2026 Whatuni review. This forms the basis of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs for short).
5.04.24.61101 Student reviews
Sort:Latest reviewsA big library and many buildings for different courses. Help has been given for any problems i have had, and it has been resolved quickly. Some buildings are not attractive to look at and the campus is very black and white
It’s a warm and friendly university. It’s easy to get involved, meet new people and try new experiences. For me, taking part in Be Part Of It events has been an amazing opportunity to try things I never thought I would for an incredible price. Societies (surf, mountaineering and climbing) have made me feel a part of a community and have provided me with an amazing social experience throughout university, aswell as the opportunity to keep active.
There are many study spots all over campus with different vibes depending on what you have to study. There are also a lot of activities you can do especially with be part of it where you can unwind and have fun and also meet new people. I would like more support when it comes to exams and assignments
Not ever having enough time, wish longer semesters. Teachers are brilliant, support is there as long as you make the effort to ask and look for it.
18-24 years
great environment. great courses, looking towards the future. more support within programmes
Best- experience of living away Worst- the lack of time actually in uni
Campus can feel a bit bleak, student support is okay but can take some time. Facilities are great, particularly 24/7 access to library. Student's union facilities are excellent- nice café and bar!
Studying at Northumbria University has been one of the most formative experiences of my life so far. When I first arrived, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves, unsure whether I would settle in or find my place. Looking back, I can confidently say that my time here has shaped me both academically and personally. While there have been challenges, the positives have far outweighed the negatives. One of the best aspects of studying at Northumbria is its location. Being right in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne means everything feels accessible. I live right next to campus, which has made a huge difference to my daily routine. I can walk to lectures within minutes, go home between classes, and meet friends without worrying about travel. The city itself is vibrant and welcoming, with a strong student presence that makes you feel part of something bigger. There is always something happening, and that energy adds so much to the overall university experience. Sport has been another highlight for me. I play hockey for the university, and being part of that team has given me an instant sense of belonging. Training sessions, match days and even travelling to away games have created friendships that go far beyond sport. Hockey has taught me discipline, teamwork and resilience, and it has provided balance alongside academic pressure. Joining the gym has also been a positive addition to my routine. Having accessible, well-equipped facilities on campus has helped me manage stress and stay motivated during busy periods. Outside of sport, Film Society has been an unexpected favourite part of my experience. University life can feel very structured, so having a relaxed space to watch and discuss films with people from different courses has been refreshing. It has broadened my perspective and introduced me to people I might never have met otherwise. Societies like this are what make the university feel like a community rather than just a place to study. Another major positive has been the support available. During a difficult period, I accessed help from the counselling team and felt genuinely listened to. University can be overwhelming at times, and knowing there are professional services that prioritise student wellbeing is incredibly reassuring. It reflects a culture that values more than just academic results. Academically, the facilities are modern and the teaching feels career-focused. Many lecturers are approachable and passionate about their subjects, which makes learning more engaging. The campus environment feels professional and motivates you to take your studies seriously. However, there are areas that could be improved. Communication around timetables and last-minute changes can sometimes feel inconsistent, which adds unnecessary stress when balancing academic work with sport and other commitments. While support services are strong, waiting times during busy periods can feel long. Increasing availability during peak times would improve the experience further. Additionally, more quiet study spaces during assessment season would help students manage the pressures of deadlines more effectively. Overall, what makes Northumbria such a great place to study is the balance it offers. It provides academic opportunity, strong support networks and a vibrant social environment. From hockey matches to film nights, gym sessions to counselling support, my experience has been shaped by far more than lectures alone. I have grown in confidence, independence and resilience. Although there are small areas for improvement, my time here has been overwhelmingly positive, and I am proud to call it my university.
There is a lot of support in place for any and every student, if you choose to accept it. We have a student union next to the student bar, a help desk in the library, and there is a security team and app for if you need help or feel unsafe whilst in or around campus. The buildings are easy to navigate after a week or so, especially when you learn the names. I personally use the student bar Habita as a centre to get to any building easily if I feel lost. The buildings are very modern (the uni won an award for it) and the tech is quite up-to-date. There are so many societies to join, i personally joined women's rugby league and enjoy it, even though it can be quite intimidating being new when there are so many friendships already formed. I have heard amazing things about other societies as well! The classes are mostly interesting, I feel that seminars are more helpful than lectures because there is less awkwardness asking questions and you have more time to take notes/finish activities. A lot of the lecture hall are uncomfortable to sit in, as you're very close to everyone around you, but the CCE building has the best seats! So roomy and comfy. The halls are bigger as well, so you have more to take in during pauses. The accommodations are close enough that you can walk to class within 5-20 minutes depending on which accom you're in. If you're looking for suggestions, I would say Winn and Trinity are good. DO NOT USE IQ! anyways, back to the university. It is right in town centre so you can walk 10 minutes to the nearest spoons, primark, Costa, and greggs, and roughly 15 minutes to Eldon Square (large shopping mall). These are good for when you have large gaps in your timetable. Or use the library! It's 24/7 and you can take books out whenever you need them or use the computers for work you can't access on your laptop (certain sites that required extra software for your course) I do criminology and the lecturers are all amazing. Some are easier to understand but they are all lovely and will answer any questions you have. As long as you do a couple of the readings a week (I recommend one book from each module a week, read a few of the most important chapters if you can't read quickly), you will be able to complete your essays and use amazing references (journal references are most important in an essay, it is preferred to websites). As long as you pass first year, you will get through to second. The grading isn't as important in first year but it is still important to put in as much effort as you can to prove to yourself later down the line that you can achieve high grades (I find it keeps me motivated knowing I can get high grades, especially when I feel like I won't get through my degree). One tip I have is don't let yourself get burned out. It sounds easy, but it can feel so daunting being away from home and your family, as well as working and attending classes and writing essays, but my tip is to explore two new places a week. You'll find your regular favourite spots in no time, and can invite new friends to explore with you to bring you closer together. There's an amazing ice cream shop near the train station, there are so many beaches up and down newcastle and Northumberland, and there are so many brilliant nightclubs to try out (so many have amazing student deals and discounts so you don't break your bank) Speaking of breaking the bank, DO NOT blow through your student finance. If you are struggling with money, go to your student union and they can help refer you to food banks or cheaper alternatives. I recommend putting £50-200 into savings every month depending on your income because otherwise you can find yourself in a rut that can be difficult to get out of (especially when Christmas and socials require spending). Remember- your student union and help desk are always there to help, even if you feel like there is nothing that could fix your situation. Northumbria has so many amazing aspects!!
I like how the lecturers are really supportive of the students and are there to help you when you need them. The campus facilities such as the Bloomberg Trading Room is really insightful, especially for finance students. I like how the modules are very practical based and facilities such as the 24 hour library allows us to focus on our assignments and is a comfortable place to study.
Overall a great place to study and meet new people! The societies and sports are great. Only downside is that some of the building facilities are slightly outdated such as the lifts.
All the lecturers and staff are supportive and are very helpful if you are stuck in any area
What’s great so far: I’ve really appreciated the supportive learning environment at the university. The facilities, particularly the library and online learning resources, have been very helpful in supporting independent study. As a healthcare student, I value access to quiet study spaces and reliable digital databases, which have made academic research more manageable. The campus atmosphere feels welcoming and diverse, and I’ve found staff to be approachable and supportive when guidance is needed. The Students’ Union also does a good job of creating opportunities for social connection and student engagement. It would be great to see more creative and supportive student events throughout the year — not just academically focused activities, but more fun, interactive, and wellbeing-centred events. Opportunities for students to relax, connect, and engage in playful or creative activities would really enhance the overall university experience. A stronger balance between academic rigour and enjoyable social engagement could help students feel more supported holistically.
I appreciate and love how my course is enhancing my skills for the real world and industry. Great integration of transferable skills
Best are the staff, truly supportive and helpful. Worst is freshers week, id moved in a week early and focused on my contract start instead of my uni start so really struggled and felt support less. Just a big lack of information.
It is great as there is plenty of practical and group activities, timetabling could be better in terms of long gaps between classes
Northumbria University has a welcoming feel, and has lots of resources to help with most issues, including disability support and mental health. The campus is located close to northumberland street and also not too far away from the quayside either, making it easy to get to. Lectures are recorded and lots of assignment guidance and extra information is provided on blackboard. The only thing I will say is, it is hard to know who to contact when needing academic support tailored to your degree. I once contacted the module lead and was told he doesn’t deal with those issues. It would be better if there is a contact list for staff on the module and what they can help with. Another thing I wish was different is in lectures when asked to pair up or talk to someone next to you can be quite daunting especially if you have communication differences. I feel this approach should be changed. Additionally lecturers have often waffled on and I’ve found wasted time when they could’ve been more efficient. The feedback provided on assignments isn’t the best either and dissertation supervision isn’t that good with meeting the supervisor barely throughout the year and getting different support compared to others as you don’t have a choice in your supervisor and can’t change it. Overall I would go to Northumbria again however improvements can definitely be made.
i go to Northumbria University and i think it’s a great place to study for many reasons. one of the best things about it is the diversity. there are students and teachers from lots of different backgrounds and cultures, which makes it really interesting and welcoming. it feels inclusive and you get to hear different perspectives in class discussions. the teachers are supportive and knowledgeable, and they make the lessons engaging. there are also friendly staff around the campus who are always willing to help if you need directions or support. this creates a positive and comfortable environment to learn in. however, i think it could be improved by offering more support with university work. sometimes assignments and essays can feel rushed, and it would be helpful to have more guidance or extra sessions to go over expectations. more detailed feedback and workshops on essay writing would also make a big difference. overall, it’s a great university, but a bit more academic support would improve the experience even more.
18-24 years
First gen student
Studying at Northumbria University has been a good experience overall. The campus is modern, with great facilities like the library and study spaces. Most lecturers are helpful and supportive, and the courses feel practical and career-focused. The university also provides useful career support and opportunities for placements. The student environment is friendly, and Newcastle is an affordable and welcoming city for students. However, feedback on assignments can sometimes be slow, and study spaces can get busy during peak times. Overall, it’s a great place to study with a good balance of academics and student life.
4.5
One thing that really sticks out to me is the Be Part Of It programme. It has a range of events and activities exclusively for Northumbria students designed to help you make friends, try new things and have fun outside of your course. In addition, all events are at heavily discounted prices so it’s affordable even on a student budget. This kind of programme contributes to what I enjoy about university life by making it easier to socialise and feel part of a community, which is a major part of the overall experience.
I enjoy my option modules, while the compulsory modules usually feel, well, compulsory. In general I enjoy my lectures, though sometimes I feel like even if I don't understand something I have to pretend that I do for things to run smoothly.