At Newcastle University, we welcome students from over 135 countries. This creates a vibrant, multicultural community where you're likely to meet people from all corners of the globe.
Part of being an international student in Newcastle is the opportunity to experience a culture that’s different to your own. Like any country, you’ll quickly discover England has its own characteristics and traditions, and it can be useful to understand a bit about them before you join us. From the seasons of the year to popular dishes, we’ve explained some British customs and information we think you’ll find helpful.
Contents:
- Key facts you need to know
- The people you’ll meet
- British culture and customs
- Food and drink
- You’ll know you’re a true Newcastle student and an honorary Geordie when...
Key facts you need to know
Geography
The United Kingdom or UK is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You might also hear people talk about Great Britain which refers to England, Wales and Scotland. When it comes to culture, there are lots of similarities across the UK, but each area has their own unique customs too.
Newcastle is in the North East of England about 46 miles from the border of Scotland. London is also only two hours and 35 minutes by train.
British holidays
The main British holidays are Easter and Christmas (you’ll hear us refer to this time as ‘winter break’ too) with bank holidays throughout the year. Bank holidays are what other countries call ‘national holidays’.
Make sure you check when these are as the University will be closed and you won’t have any lectures: you can find all our key term dates on our website.
Weather and seasons
British weather is known for being slightly unpredictable – there can be beautiful sunshine and rain on the same day. Living in Newcastle, you’ll quickly discover that talking about the weather is a popular topic of conversation.
Remember to pack or buy a warm coat. Autumn and winter in the UK can get cold (the average temperature in January is 7 °C). It snows almost every winter in the North East. Many students tell us one of their favourite memories is seeing snow on campus for the first time.
Spring and summer are warmer, but the average temperature for July and August is still only 19°C. The weather can still be changeable so it’s best to be prepared for rain showers even in these months.
Good to know:
- Summer – June to August
- Autumn – September to November
- Winter – December to February
- Spring – March to May
The people you’ll meet
British people are known for being welcoming, humorous and polite. Like any country, the accent varies depending on where you go. If you meet someone from the south of England, they’ll often sound very different to someone from the north.
Locals from Newcastle are sometimes referred to as Geordies. Geordies are known for their friendliness and warmth. Their accent has also been voted the top accent for putting a smile on your face when you hear it. To learn more about our Geordie words and phrases, read Geordie Dictionary: A Beginner’s Guide.
At Newcastle University, you’ll meet people from all over the world on campus. In fact, our community of over 29,000 students comes from over 135 different countries.
Faith and religion
Britain is home to a multi-faith society. The largest religion is Christianity followed by the non-religious, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, Buddhism, and Taoism (Census for England and Wales 2021). At Newcastle University, we welcome students from all faiths into our community.
Find out about how we support you in your faith.
British culture and customs
The importance of queuing
British people are well known for queuing, whether it’s to get on the bus or pay for something in a shop. Skipping the queue is seen as impolite, so try your best to get in line.
British humour
British humour can be confusing at first – it can be silly and satirical but also includes sarcasm and irony. We love to laugh at everyday life, which you’ll see if you watch many UK sitcoms on TV.
Sport
From rugby to tennis to cricket, sport is a key part of British culture. Football is really popular in Newcastle, and many of our students come together to watch games on a big screen as a social activity. Our local team is Newcastle United FC. You’ll hear them called ‘The Magpies’ because their kit is black and white like the bird. They play at St James’ Park, a 52 seater stadium opposite our Business School.
Addressing your lecturers
Many of our lecturers are happy for you to address them by their first name which can be different to other countries and cultures. Of course, it’s still important to respect them and their position.
Greeting other students
When you first meet people, some people may shake your hand. However, we won’t generally hug someone we have only just met. Normally we just say hello and ask how they’ve been.
Food and drink
Cups of tea
Drinking tea is a big part of British culture. The UK Tea & Infusions Association (UKTIA) says 84% of the UK population drinks tea every day. Don’t worry if you don’t like tea though – there are plenty of other options – from herbal tea to hot chocolate and coffee.
If you’re looking to enjoy a hot drink on our campus as a break from studies, you’ll be spoilt for choice – we have 12 different University cafes and catering choices within easy reach.
The UKTIA says around 100 million cups of tea are consumed daily, and roughly 98% of those brews are served with milk.
What’s on the menu?
You’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to what to eat in the UK. It’s easy to find places serving authentic dishes from across the world, as well as international supermarkets where you’ll find many of your favourites from home.
Like any country, the UK has some traditional dishes. Some meals are loved by people across the country including roast dinners (meat, roast potatoes and a variety of vegetables), which many people eat together on a Sunday or at Christmas time.
Different regions of the UK also have their own favourites and specialities. For example, the ‘stottie’ is a type of bread which you may enjoy in Newcastle – head to our Greggs, a famous national bakery chain which was founded locally, to pick up stotties as well as other baked treats.
Discover our students’ favourite places for fish and chip spots on the coastline near campus:
You’ll know you’re a true Newcastle student and an honorary Geordie when:
- you visit the coast and enjoy one of Britain’s most loved dishes – fish and chips
- the weather has become a go-to topic of conversation, and your umbrella is always in your bag for unexpected rain showers
- you always offer to make guests in your accommodation a ‘brew’ (a cup of tea)
- you’ve seen snow on campus for the first time and ventured outside to take photos to send to family and friends back home
- you’ve eaten a traditional roast dinner with your housemates
- Greggs is your bakery of choice for a lunchtime sandwich, pasty, or baked treat
Interested in finding out what life is really like as a Newcastle University student? Check out Student Life to find out about the North East region, societies, student wellbeing, and more.
