We’re here to help you prepare for life as an international student – and that means giving you more than just practical information.
There are many things about studying in the UK and living in Newcastle that you might not expect, so we asked some of our students what surprised them and what they wish they’d known:
Contents:
- “Geordies are always happy to help.”
- “I’ve found it to be a welcoming, diverse community.”
- “I love British food – especially Greggs and roast dinners!”
- “Newcastle offers a lower cost of living.”
- “I was surprised by the amount of support available to students.”
- “Learning is very varied which makes classes interesting.”
- “I thought it would be a small city but there is so much to do here!”
- “The city is so accessible – you can walk wherever you want to go.”
- “The surrounding beaches and landscapes are amazing.”
- “I didn’t realise how cold it gets!”
1. “Geordies are always happy to help.”
The local people in Newcastle are known as Geordies. As our campus is located in the city centre, you’ll meet a lot of Geordies while you’re here:
“What surprised me was the Geordie accent, as well as some of the cultural differences I experienced. For example, social interactions differ. In Ecuador, greetings are warm and involve physical gestures like a kiss on the cheek or a hug. British people prefer more formal or reserved greetings, such as a handshake or a simple ‘hello’.” – Isabel from Ecuador, studying International Development and Education MA
“The people you meet in the city are so friendly. Geordies are always happy to help!” – John from India, studying Geospatial Surveying and Mapping BEng
Get a head start on learning Geordie phrases and dialects in our blog, "Geordie Dictionary: A Beginner's Guide".
2. “I’ve found it to be a welcoming, diverse community.”
When we say we’re diverse, we really mean it. With students from over 135 countries, our community is truly international, but some of our students don’t realise what this looks like until they arrive. Here’s how it helps them quickly feel at home:
“Before coming to the UK, I’d never travelled before, so everything was very different to me. I was really nervous about feeling homesick when I first arrived, but I’ve found it to be a very welcoming, diverse community.” – Khushi from India, studying Digital Marketing MSc
“I came from Indonesia to study business management. I was fascinated by the country’s history and geography, plus at Newcastle I could study business and Chinese together. The diversity was unexpected – I feel seen at the University as an Indonesian and have met people from back home through the Indonesian Society.” – Jerry from Indonesia, studying International Business Management with Chinese BSc (Hons)
3. “I love British food – especially Greggs and roast dinners!”
You’ll be able to find many of your favourites from back home in international supermarkets.
However, our international students also find new favourite foods here, and often discover some surprising differences:
“The food preferences here are quite different from those back home in India. We typically have something salty and savoury for breakfast, so I was surprised to discover that the usual preference here is for sweet options in the morning.” – Samraat from India, studying Computer Science BSc
“I’m from China but I love British food – especially Greggs (which is a bakery chain) and roast dinners.” – Frieda from China, studying Conference Interpreting MA
“One thing I couldn’t believe when I arrived in the UK is that people drink the tap water. We’d never do that back home!” – Khushi
4. “Newcastle offers a lower cost of living.”
Newcastle is a top eight city for affordability according to QS Best Student Cities 2025. Many of our students are surprised at how much more they can get for their money living here:
“When I was trying to decide whether to study in the UK or the US, I was trying to find out which country offered a better lifestyle for families. The UK has better and cheaper accommodation. I also liked that the campus is in the city centre.” – Akbar from Indonesia, studying, Development, Environment and International Politics MSc
“I’m from China but I studied for my Masters at Glasgow. When I was looking to do my PhD, I found Newcastle offered a lower cost of living. I also love having the opportunities to do different hobbies and explore the city in my spare time.” – Jingyao from China, studying Business and Management PhD
5. “I was surprised by the amount of support available to students.”
Making sure you feel supported is a priority for us. Students often tell us we go above and beyond their expectations in this area:
“I was surprised by the amount of support available to students. Not just the resources, but also mentors who can help you. There are so many opportunities, and it has opened my eyes to different possibilities. The industry partnerships with leading organisations like P&G have shown me what I can achieve.” – Temilayo from Nigeria, studying Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons)
“The Students’ Union have been fantastic. I’ve had so many opportunities to meet people and get involved in different communities.” – Frieda
6. “Learning is very varied which makes classes interesting.”
Learning is different all over the world, so the way we teach and organise your study might not be what you’re used to. Luckily, our students soon realise they love our approach:
“The biggest surprise for me was the study culture – there is much more independent study than I expected. You’re encouraged to be self-driven here which is new to me. What I’ve really enjoyed though is working alongside students from all different backgrounds.” – Akbar
“I was surprised how different it was from what I’d experienced before in a different country. The teachers at Newcastle are so helpful. The study system in the UK means learning is very varied which makes classes interesting.”– Jerry
7. “I thought it would be a small city but there is so much to do here!”
Newcastle is a big city in a small place. It might be different to the cities you have visited before, but we know you won’t be disappointed:
“The buildings aren’t tall here like they are back home in China. This was unexpected as it’s a city, but I love all the old buildings in Newcastle.” – Jingyao
“Crossing the road here is different! You have to press the button and wait for the traffic light to change. The streets are also very narrow. If you come here to study, you need to explore the city. I remember being in awe the first time I came out of the station. The architecture is iconic and there are amazing castles here.” – Frieda
“I thought it would be a small city but there is so much to do here! I’ve enjoyed experiencing the culture and learning about history by visiting museums. There are so many events too.” – Jerry
“I love Northumberland Street – there are musicians and the atmosphere is great. I also love going to Quayside which is so beautiful at night. Also, I have to mention the ducks in Leazes Park!” – Temilayo
8. “The city is so accessible – you can walk wherever you want to go.”
Did you know our main campus is less than two minutes from the city centre? It’s often not until our students arrive that they realise how easy it is to walk everywhere:
“The city is so accessible – you can walk wherever you want to go. You don’t need a car or any other transport. When I need a break from studying, I like going to the restaurants and the coffee shops in the city centre.” – Samraat
“I was surprised how quick it was to walk to town from my accommodation and use public transport to escape from the city. Visiting parks in Jesmond Dene or the beaches of Tynemouth and Whitley Bay has been fun.” – Jasmine from Malaysia, studying, Dietetics MDiet
9. “The surrounding beaches and landscapes are amazing.”
Newcastle is surrounded by stunning countryside and coastline. If you want to escape the city, you won’t have to go far to explore somewhere new:
“I love the beach. I grew up in the city so it’s very special to me to be by the sea.” – Frieda
“Newcastle has something for everyone. The surrounding beaches and landscape are amazing. I’ve enjoyed visiting Tynemouth and going to the market there.” – Khushi
10. “I didn’t realise how cold it gets!”
The weather is often one of the biggest surprises for our international students. Here are just a few reasons why:
“The climate in the UK surprised me. The sun is very weak here – it reminds me of the little light in the fridge!” – John
“I was not prepared for the weather – and how quickly it can change! During Freshers Week, we went surfing. The weather was nice, then five minutes later it started to rain.” – Samraat
“I didn’t realise how cold it gets – make sure you bring lots of jackets with you!” – Akbar
Excited about starting your student experience at Newcastle? Read our blog, "Living in Newcastle: British culture, conversation, and cups of tea", to help you understand the culture of Britain.
And if you're interested in finding out more about living in Newcastle, our Newcastle University City Guide is available to download for free.
Our beautiful campus, with world-class facilities, is perfectly situated less than two minutes’ walk from the city centre.