Hi ,

I’m Yvonne Chase, Director of Student Success. Welcome to Newcastle University!

Our newsletters are designed to support you throughout your student journey, from your first day on campus to life after graduation. 

The aim is to make your university experience enriching, inclusive and full of opportunities to help you thrive.

Make sure you check your University mailbox regularly and look for future PGR newsletters. They are full of updates, tips and ways to get involved.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus soon!

All the best,

Yvonne

Director of Student Success

In this edition:

• Welcome and induction

• Five tips to prioritise your wellbeing

• The Big Welcome

• Our Sport and Fitness Centre

• What is Varsity?

• Other news

| Welcome and induction

Visit our Student Welcome webpages for everything you need to know before you arrive, when you arrive and during your first few weeks.

Your School will contact you with details of your induction programme.

Please complete the 2026 Student Induction on Canvas during your first few weeks to access essential information and support for getting started.

| Five tips to prioritise your wellbeing

Here are five simple ways to look after your wellbeing from day one:

1. Attend our Student Health Fair (15 to 25 September)

2. Take part in a wellbeing session (23 to 25 September)
3. Explore the five steps to mental wellbeing
4. Learn about the risks of drug and alcohol use
5. Get to know our Wellbeing services and support

We hope you settle in smoothly, but if you ever need support, you can contact Student Wellbeing.

| The Big Welcome

Kicking off the year, hosted by your Students' Union (SU), we welcome you with The BIG Welcome.

Three weeks full of freebies, fairs, activities and social events. We want to help you find your feet, meet new people and settle into life in Newcastle, your new home.

There's hundreds of things to get stuck into across campus, the city and beyond. Some you can turn up to, others you will need to book tickets for. 

But the good news? Tickets are on sale NOW so have a look at our website, explore the full programme and get ready!

| Our Sport and Fitness Centre

Get more from your time at Newcastle with our new flexible memberships from just £10 per month, designed to give you more choice in how you use our Sport & Fitness Centre.

Whether you want to hit the gym, join an intramural league, get involved with a sports club or simply book and play with friends, there’s a membership to suit you.

Before you commit, try it all for FREE! 

From 21 September to 4 October, you can enjoy a two week free trial to try our gym, fitness classes, sports hall activities and more.

After 4 October, you’ll need a membership to keep using our facilities but with monthly, annual and combination options available, you can choose what works best for you.

Don’t miss out, find your membership and join today!

| What is Varsity?

New to Newcastle? Varsity is the ultimate sporting rivalry, as Newcastle and Northumbria go head-to-head in a city-wide battle for bragging rights.

This year’s first clash is Men’s Rugby Union at Kingston Park on Friday 25 September – and after last year’s event sold out, it’s one to get in your Welcome Week calendar now.

| Other news

Register with a GP: Once you arrive at Newcastle University, don’t forget to register with a local doctor (or GP) so you can access healthcare when you need it. 

Boost your studies and research: See how your Library can support your success!

Play an orchestral instrument? Newcastle University Symphony Orchestra (NUSO) welcomes students to join for the new academic year. Visit the Student Noticeboard to find out how to audition.

Any questions? Visit our Student Homepage for everything you need for your studies, support and student life — all in one place. Can't find the answer? Get in touch with our Student Services helpdesk.