Newcastle University is a public university located in Newcastle upon Tyne, England in the Newcastle metropolitan area. It is a large university with 28,000 students. Admissions are selective because Newcastle University has an acceptance rate of around 87%. Majors offered are Engineering, Medicine, Business, Social Sciences, and Humanities. The six-year graduation rate is high, and Newcastle graduates have a median starting salary of around INR 41,50,000 (within ten years of graduation, converted from the $50,100 median earnings).
Northumbria University is a public research university in Newcastle upon Tyne, England in the Newcastle metropolitan area. It is a large institution with 37,000 students. Admissions is fairly selective since the acceptance rate at Northumbria is approximately 65%. Popular majors include Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, and Social Sciences. Six-year graduation rate is strong, and Northumbria graduates still command a median starting salary of around INR 35,80,000 (converted from $43,200 median earnings ten years after graduation).
| Newcastle University | Northumbria University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.5 Out of 10 | 4.3 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 81 The Guardian 2026 # 137 QS World University 2026 # 144 Times Higher Education 2026 | # 47 The Guardian 2026 # 401 Times Higher Education 2026 # 550 QS World University 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 145 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 95 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 66 for Law by The Guardian 2026 | # 251 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 651 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 44 for Law by The Guardian 2026 |
| Programs | UG Programs -87 PG Programs -133 Doctorate Programs -75 | UG Programs -102 PG Programs -112 |
| Acceptance Rate | 87.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-125 IELTS-6.5 PTE-70 TOEFL-90 | IELTS-7 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 28700 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 24300 [For PG Program] | Average Tuition Fees 21920 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 25345 [For PG Program] |
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| Average Salaries based on Degree
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| application requirements | Minimum 55% in previous degree; Recommendation letter; Personal Statement; Portfolio | Submit official transcripts Submit English language proficiency Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.5/10 Read 19 reviews | 7.4/10 Read 17 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 41 for Computer Science by The Guardian 2026 # 167 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 # 201 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 77 for Computer Science by The Guardian 2026 # 301 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 # 551 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 6/9PTE - 65/90TOEFL - 79/120 | IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 54/90SAT - 1280/1600TOEFL - 88/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -28700 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -21920 |
| application dates | Jan 29, 2025 (UCAS Application Deadline For 2024 Intake) | Jan 14, 2026 (UCAS Application Deadline For 2026 Intakes) Aug 6, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Newcastle University | Northumbria University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1834 | 1969 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 11:1:1 | :1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 0% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | Campus is situated close to Haymarket located between Leazes Park and Town Moor; Oldest building is the Armstron building; 2-minutes away from the main city’s centre shopping area; School of Computing and Business School is located in Newcastle Helix, 15 minutes away from main campus |
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| Library | University has 5 libraries: Philip Robinson (main), Marjorie Robinson, Walton, Law, Research Reserve; Philip Robinson: over 1680 study spaces, two research spaces, media room with audio and microfilm collection; Marjorie Robinson: over 760 study spaces, academic skills room with 40 computers; Walton: Over 590 study spaces, for medical students; Law: Over 160 study spaces; Research Reserve: over 400,000 books and journals | The digital services, including Library Search, provide access to our comprehensive and multidisciplinary print and online Library Collection including around 450,000 print books, over 936,000 ebooks, more than 82,000 print and ejournals, including major publications such as Nature and Science, 170 subscribed scholarly resources including databases and primary digital archives and wider resources available on demand through cooperative international library sharing. |
| Campus Life | Ranked 18th in the Best Global Universities in Australia by US News; 122nd in the QS World University Rankings 2023; Over 65 sports clubs and 160 societies; Hatton Gallery to display work of fine arts students and has Kurt Schwitters Merz Barn Wall; Weekly accoustic sessions and lunctime concert series held for music lovers; University provides childcare support, health and wellbeing support, chaplaincy for people of different faith, etc. |
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| Famous Alumni | Rowan Atkinson (known for playing Mr Bean); Richard Adams (founder of Tearcarft and Tradecarft); Julian Bennett (archaeologist); Steve Chapman (Vice-chancellor of Edith Cowan University); katie Doherty (singer, songwriter); Robert Goodwill (politician); Tom May (former rugby union player); Rachel Mackley (broadcaster) | Northumbria University has over 222,000 alumni spread across 170 countries. Some notable Northumbria University Alumni are Steve Cram – Athlete; Bibiana Aído - Former minister of Spain; Amanda Sonia Berry - CEO of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts; Neil Marshall - Film Director, Julie Elliott - Member of U.K. parliament and Micky Young - Rugby player. |
| City Life | Newcastle is situated in North East England, 166 km south of Edinburgh and 446 km north of London; 8th largest urban city of UK in terms of population; City has one of the largest city center malls of UK: Eldon Square; Unemployment rate in 2019 was 6.1%; Industries employing maximum number of people are healthcare and social assistance, education and training, retail trade, etc | Newcastle is the 'Best UK Student City' 2022 according to the Student Crowd, as voted by students. The fast growing culture of Newcastle is one to witness. Newcastle upon Tyne is regularly hailed as one of the best cities for student life. It’s partly due to the city’s compactness, which makes it large enough to be vibrant and exciting while small enough to feel like home. It’s also due to the sheer number of students: one in every six people in the city is a student. |
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Newcastle University vs Northumbria University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Newcastle University, as a member of the Russell Group, ranks #137 in QS and 157th in Times Higher Education internationally, with strong strengths in Medicine, Engineering, Business, Architecture, and Social Sciences. Northumbria University is ranked i#550 in QS and 401-500th in Times Higher Education internationally and is recognized nationally for Art & Design, Business, Nursing, Law, and Architecture. Newcastle's global standing and research intensity distinguish it, with Northumbria also commended for its industry connections and applied subject strengths.
General Information
Newcastle University, founded in 1834, is a public research university with approximately 29,000 students. Its city centre campus features old and new buildings, and it has satellite campuses in London, Malaysia, and Singapore. Northumbria University, with its origins in 1880 and achieved university status in 1992, is a modern public university with approximately 37,000 students. It also has a significant urban presence in Newcastle and increasing international presence with campuses in London and Amsterdam.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Newcastle University has an acceptance rate of around 87% and acceptance rate at Northumbria is approximately 65%. Newcastle is more demanding, with usual entry requirements of AAB–BBB at A-level (or relevant international qualifications). Very competitive subjects are Medicine, Law, and Engineering. Northumbria takes a more inclusive intake, with entry requirements in the region of BCC–CCC at A-level (or equivalent) for most courses, although high-standard programs such as Art & Design or Law might demand more. Newcastle markets itself as a research-intensive university with exacting entry, while Northumbria focuses on accessibility and employability.
Research Impact & Facilities
Newcastle is ranked as a high-level research-led university (REF 2021 positioning the majority of subjects in the top quartile), having first-class facilities in clinical research, engineering laboratories, and data sciences. Northumbria has quickly developed its research profile and is also assessed as an Rising research university, strong in social sciences, creative industries, and applied sciences but still smaller in size than Newcastle. Both universities have invested in contemporary student facilities, libraries, and innovation centers, with Newcastle's emphasis being on academic research and Northumbria's on industry partnership.
Cost & Financial Aid
For overseas students, Newcastle's fees average at £24,000–£38,000 per year (course-dependent, though more for Medicine). Fees are lower at Northumbria, averaging at £17,000–£24,000 per year. Both have merit-based international student scholarships, but Newcastle has a greater array of highly competitive awards to their name and Northumbria offers sensible fee reductions and regional scholarships.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
There is a high profile of Newcastle graduates in medicine, law, engineering, academia, and international business, taking advantage of the Russell Group standing and global recognition. Northumbria students enjoy a good reputation in design, media, nursing, business, and applied disciplines, with high employability in the UK and especially within the North East region. Newcastle excels in international academic prestige and global career mobility, whereas Northumbria excels in experiential career training and professional industry streams.
