Belong Blog | Newcastle University

What Newcastle University does to help new students settle in

Written by Judith Charlton | Jul 8, 2020 10:59:22 AM

Going to university can be nerve-wracking; it might be the first time you've lived independently, cooked your own meals, or travelled far from home.

We know our students sometimes have a lot to learn when they join us, but we're here to help you find your place with us and thrive.

Wondering what Newcastle University does to help new students settle in? Read on to find out…

 

Contents:

  1. An Induction and Welcome Programme

  2. A safe campus in a friendly city

  3. Settling into accommodation

  4. Making friends

  5. Dedicated to student wellbeing

 

An Induction and Welcome Programme

We know that when you join us, you might be a little anxious about your learning experience and what life will be like at Newcastle University - that's why we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Our Induction Programme will help you get to grips with navigating campus and all the world-class facilities we have on offer, and introduce you to your subject and teaching staff.

Our Students’ Union also organises an exciting range of activities during Freshers' Week, to welcome you to Newcastle and get your university experience off to a great start.

And if you’re joining us from overseas, our International Welcome Programme will help you settle into life in the UK. You’ll learn more about us and our special city and meet other students at social events and through a wide range of activities.

 

A welcoming campus in a friendly city

1 in 6 people in Newcastle is a student, so you’ll be joining a city-wide community of like-minded people and potential new friends.

Our city-centre campus is a welcoming space, with cross-campus CCTV, security staff on duty across campus at all times, and a SafeZone app – which sets students up with emergency ‘tap’ alerts to first aiders, security, and support staff - to help you feel safe and secure.

 

 

Settling into accommodation

Going to university is likely to be the first time you’ve lived independently, away from home. Our Accommodation teams will be on hand to support you and our ResLife programme will make sure your time here sets you up with skills and memories to last forever.

Information about how to apply for accommodation is regularly updated on our website, according to the year of study. There you'll find information about each of our residences, and can use our handy search filter to discover the accommodation options that suit you. To find out more about how to apply, keep an eye on our website.

You can sign up for a range of ResLife social events and skills sessions, from cooking lessons and quiz nights to gaming events and book clubs. The ResLife team also works with our Students’ Union, Sport, and Wellbeing teams to make sure you get the support you need.

 

Making friends

There'll be plenty of opportunities to make friends and memories - we’re committed to helping our new students get the authentic 'Newcastle Experience’ we’re loved for.

Our Students’ Union is at the heart of campus and the hub of student life. With over 180 societies and more than 60 sports clubs to join, no matter what you’re into, you’ll find like-minded people to be friends with.

Our Give It A Go taster sessions mean you can try out a fun range of workshops, events and classes. You can catch the latest live gigs and club nights at Venue in the Students’ Union Building, and make a difference with our Go Volunteer programme.

 

Dedicated to student wellbeing

Students are at the forefront of everything we do, and we’ve invested millions in our support services.

We do everything we can to give students the best experience possible while they're studying with us. As soon as you register with us you’ll be able to access all our Student Services, including wellbeing, finance and our Careers Service. From one-to-one counselling appointments to CV support and finance sessions, you can get the help you need when it’s convenient for you.

You'll be assigned a personal tutor, who is normally a member of the academic staff and will be responsible for supporting you throughout your studies. You’ll also be allocated a peer mentor before you start your course to help you make the transition from school or college to higher education.

 

We care about helping new students settle into university life with us, find their feet and start to thrive. Find out more about life at Newcastle HERE.