Get ready for exam season with academic and wellbeing support, explore virtual internships, win £1,000, and check out what’s happening this May.
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Your Student Life newsletter - 30 April 2025

Hi ,

Welcome back! We hope you had a restful break. Congratulations to our brilliant athletes who represented Team Newcastle at Varsity 2025 last term and secured our fourth consecutive victory! 

 

As the summer term starts, we look ahead to the upcoming assessment period and share the academic and wellbeing support available to you during this busy time.

Students on campus

We understand some students have questions about the potential impact of industrial action on assessments and examinations. We have measures in place to minimise the impact on your studies and you should submit work and sit examinations as usual. Visit our Industrial Action FAQs for more information.

 

Following the Supreme Court ruling earlier this month, we reaffirm our support for our trans, non-binary, and intersex community and provide details of the support available for students who may have been affected by this. 

 

In this edition, we also share details of Student Services’ return to King’s Gate and how you can develop your CV by completing a virtual internship! Plus, check out how you can win £1,000 with Santander’s Brighter Futures Grants and upcoming events in May. 

Dr Yvonne Chase 

Head of Student Life 

 

Industrial Action

Newcastle Central campus

The University and College Union (UCU), representing academics, lecturers, researchers and administrators at Newcastle University, has announced a further 21 days of strike action. For more information, including the strike dates and support available, please visit the Industrial Action webpage.   

 

The strikes are in response to cost-saving measures the University is implementing to secure our long-term financial stability in the face of challenges affecting all universities in the UK at the moment. For further information about the University’s finances please see our Student Noticeboard post.

 

As mentioned in the introduction, we understand some students have questions about potential impact of industrial action on assessments and examinations. We have measures in place to minimise the impact on your studies and you should submit work and sit examinations as usual. Visit our Industrial Action FAQs for more information.

View the FAQs

📚 Preparing for the assessment period

Student working in the Library

We understand the assessment period can be a challenging time for students. Here is a reminder of the resources and support available to help you succeed! 

 

Academic support 

  • Check out the collection of resources from the Library to help you prepare for your exams. You’ll find lots of practical tips on important skills, including: revision, flashcards, tackling exam questions and managing your time and motivation. 

  • Drop by for a chat across campus with the Academic Skills Team over the coming weeks. Ask questions about your studies and how you can develop your skills further. 
  • Book an in person or online appointment with an expert from the Academic Skills Team to help you prepare for your exams. They can help you develop strategies for revising more effectively and improving your exam technique. 

  • If you’re working on your dissertation, check out Student Content Creator, Brigita Diva’s top tips to help you stay calm and get it done! 

Wellbeing support 

It's always important to look after your wellbeing, especially during these busy periods. 

  • Read 5 easy ways to de-stress during exam season from Angelina, our Student Content Creator. 
  • Visit the Wellbeing webpage about Stress to discover 10 stress busters and self-help resources. 
  • Make the most of our wellbeing workshops to help you maintain or improve your wellbeing, including Get Creative sessions. 
  • Explore the Be Well@NCL collection of tried and tested books to help understand and manage your mental health and wellbeing. 
  • Download our 24/7 pastoral support apps: Talk Campus (mental health and peer support) and iNCLude app (ideas and support to maintain good wellbeing). 
  • Need some extra support? Contact the Student Health and Wellbeing team. 

🏳️‍⚧️ Supporting our community following the Supreme Court ruling 

Newcastle central campus

We understand that the Supreme Court ruling on 16 April has prompted pain and anxiety for many within our community. 

 

At Newcastle University, we remain committed to fostering an environment where all individuals, regardless of sex or gender identity, can live authentically and without fear of discrimination.  

 

We want to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the trans, non-binary and intersex community, and the ruling does not change our work to advocate for policies and processes that protect their rights and ensure they have access to the same opportunities and protections as everyone else.

 

Please do not hesitate to reach out for support for yourself or signpost any students who may need assistance to our Student Noticeboard post. 

Learn more

🛎️ Student Services returns to King's Gate

King's Gate exterior

Student Services has now returned King’s Gate Levels 1 and 2. Key features include:  

  • A central helpdesk on Level 1  
  • Wellbeing consultation rooms and student-centred spaces with enhanced accessibility features  

  • START UP space and Pop-Up Shop for students working on their own business, freelance careers or social enterprise  

The Student Services desk at Great North House is now permanently closed. Please visit King’s Gate Level 1 for all enquiries.  

Learn more

🎓 You're on the home stretch! 

Students graduating under the Arches

Did you know your graduation isn't the end of your Newcastle University journey? Our Alumni team is here to support your next steps and keep you connected to the campus and city you called home. 

 

When you graduate, you’ll join a global network of over 270,000 Newcastle alumni in 187 countries, including business leaders, sustainability scientists, politicians and Oscar winners! 

 

We can help you: 

  • Connect with your 270,000-strong global alumni community and grow your professional network.  
  • Develop your career with our award-winning Careers Service and your fellow alumni.
  • Discover new ideas from the Newcastle University community to inspire you. 

Start growing your network by joining our dedicated Newcastle University Alumni LinkedIn group. 

Join the LinkedIn group

💻 Complete a virtual internship

Student using laptop

Internships don’t just have to be contained to the workplace! Forage offers you virtual internships in a number of areas, built and supported by top companies such as KPMG, Deloitte and PwC.  

 

Each programme contains resources and tasks, designed to give you a taste of what it’s like to start your career. They’re also great things to list on your CV as achievements and to put on your LinkedIn!  

 

If you’ve already completed a virtual internship through Forage, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Fill out this quick feedback form and let us know what you think!  

Check out Forage

💬 You may be interested in...

Student with camera

START UP Community Social: Freelancing 

 

📅 Thursday 1 May  

🕔 17:00 – 19:00  

📍 Business School  

 

Dive into the pros and cons of being your own boss and get expert tips on thriving as a freelancer.

 

Join the START UP team for an inspiring session with self-employed pros from the creative and cultural sectors.   

Sign up now

Graphic that says Bike Week 2025

Bike Week is back! 

 

Join us at the Boiler House and Student Forum from Monday 12 May to Wednesday 14 May for three days of bike-friendly events - free to all students, no booking required!  

 

  • 10:00 – 15:00 – Dr Bike: Free bike check-ups 
  • 10:00 – 15:00 – Second-hand Bike Sale: Affordable, pre-loved bikes 
  • 10:00 – 14:00 – Maintenance Advice: Chat with experts and pick up practical tips
Learn more

Students on the metro

Top May Events

 

The days are longer, the city is buzzing, and there's loads happening this May to help you make the most of it!

Whether you're in the mood for a day out, a night at the theatre, trying something new, these are the events you won't want to miss this month!
Top May Events

🔗 Quick links

  • Pick-Up Pasta is back! Our free pasta and noodle scheme with the Students’ Union has returned for the study and assessment periods. Don't forget to bring your mug or bowl and cutlery!

  • Sign up to the Santander Open Academy, a free online learning platform, and apply for the Brighter Futures Grant opportunity by 23:00 on Thursday 15 May 2025 for your chance to win £1,000! T&Cs apply. 

  • Clear your space and help others! Donate unwanted items like kitchenware, stationery, and home essentials to the ResLife ReHome project. 

  • Ready for a global experience that challenges how you think, build, and lead? This July, join students from ASEAN, China, India and the UK in Singapore for the Global Impact Startup Challenge 2025. Dive into the Care Economy and tackle real-world problems with age-inclusive innovation. 

  • Check out the free Spring Season 2025 events programme from Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts (NCLA), bringing the best contemporary writers to Newcastle University! 

  • If you are an international student, join the latest Student Circus webinar on Wednesday 7 May, focusing on job hunting in the UK. 
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