.jpg)
Reviewed on Mar 18, 2025(Enrolled 2019)
What Students Say
Likes
- Integrated Learning atmosphere and modules.
- Excellent virtual boardrooms for construction Management and built environment classrooms ( Trinity and Ellison).
- Sports Centre for it's excellent sports facilities and especially, the swimming pools and badminton courts made me a huge fan of the university facility team. Anyone would complement them for the way they maintained the facility.
Dislikes
- The liberal attitude can be toned down a little bit for students to focus more on their studies.
- This is in conjunction with previous point. I stated the previous point because the university has excellent academic and support facilities. The liberal attitude could at times make students lose track of the opportunity in hand and time waits for no one. Therefore, stated
- A proper lunchroom would be helpful instead of just grub food and a small snack shop.
Course Curriculum
10
- It was a mix of both, practical and theoretical. I had an advance practice semester and this was the practical part, as we had to engage with industry professionals and complete the project assigned to us.
- The most positive aspect was the integrated course structure, which enabled us to explore old-school construction project management with the up-and-coming information management segments within our AEC industry, such as BIM.
Admission Experience
- I applied for Queens University, Belfast and Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne. However, I went to Northumbria University. This was because the master's program and AEC industry-related certifications such as RICS and CIOB I were in place only at this university. I did land a master's at the prestigious Queens University, Belfast. However, the program was only for a year and 120 credits worth. Therefore, I opted out of it and joined this program.
- I opted for Northumbria University This was because the master's program and AEC industry-related certifications such as RICS and CIOB I were in place only at this university. The admission process was also relatively simple, as they expected a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 and minimum 60% in undergrad. I superseded both the conditions and had an unconditional offer letter due to satisfaction of self-funding from my end. Following, this, I attended a visa interview and cleared it successfully. On a simple note, I would describe my admission to the university as a hassle free and comfortable onboarding process.
- I applied for the January 2019 intake. The admission process took around 6–8 months. The first few months went into IELTS preparation and preparing undergraduate documentation as requested by the university for assessment. Following this, I was given a conditional offer letter. With this, the visa interview wait time was around 2 months. Following the successful visa interview, I was given an unconditional offer letter and flew to Newcastle in 2021.
Class Schedule
10
- We had classes 5 days a week with 3 classes per day. The classes were one and a half to two hours long. Following this, we had like a half-hour break and we also had a lunch break for 1 hour by noon.
Faculty
10
- It was around 1:20. I found it to be engaging and at times, there was amiss in relation to student- tutor interaction due to the inability of tutors to focus attention on each student seperately. I would say the course content was sufficient for us to land jobs. There was no assistance by university in fining part time jobs. However, for full time we had counselling sessions targeted at our areas of interest and industry. The students will have to pre book a guide for this counselling sessions through university portal.
Campus Life
10
- Our university has two campuses. One is based in Newcastle Upon Tyne and other in Amsterdam. Libraries, sports center, pub and special labs for licensed software usage is also present. University Digital library and Commons library are open 24/7. Christmas and easter holidays are celebrated in a very grand manner.
- There are several student organizations and book clubs. However, the elected student representatives who are part of university student committee are actually responsible for addressal of student concern through highlighting issues to university authorities.
Part Time Jobs
- I would say probably 10 percentile of students with distinction scores would probably land the roles of research assistant. Due to heavy demand for doctorate degrees, the role of research assistant has started demanding a doctorate degree.
- The pay range is good, as they earn around 40000 pounds per year. There are no on-campus jobs allowed for students. As per BRP, 80 hours of work are allowed per week at a minimum pay of 8.5 pounds per hour.
- Students typically earn around 8–10 pounds. There is a warehouse factory, which gives a lot of part-time jobs to Indian and other foreign students. Other than this, normal provision stores and off-license liquor stores are where Indians are usually recruited. Niche part-time jobs such as office assistants and company part-time clerical jobs are usually not offered to Indian students. Indians also work as caretakers for old people in Newcastle. Other than this, most of our Indian students are hired for vessel cleaning in restaurants and if regular, as I have noticed, they tend to become servers.
Placement
6
- 10 percentile would probably secure employment within 6 months of completing their course. It mostly depends upon their stream of study. Graduate students can expect salary around 25000- 30000 pounds per annum in my industry for entry level positions. Networking through Linked in is recommended. There are certain local British job seeking sites such as Adzuna which can also prove to be fruitful for students during their job seeking journey. It is advisable to undertake student membership programs with RICS and CIOB for job aspiring students studying courses within the AEC and built environment stream. Furthermore, attending of RICS events across UK will help them build networks across UK. I have had batchmates who have joined big construction conglomerates such as Mott McDonald and design firms such as MERIT.
Accommodation
Off Campus
10
- Initially, I found my accommodation through the educational consultancy agency which helped me in the admission process. I paid around 450 pounds for my accommodation. It was an Ensuite room with shared kitchen. Our seperate rooms had a study table, shower room attached with bath room. Other than this, the kitchen had oven, microwave oven, dishwasher and TV. The accommodation also had a gym, mini movie room and recreation room with games. For third semester I shifted to a studio room in a building owned by a Pakistani gentleman. It is advisable for Indian students to stay in the city center and stay away from south asian areas in order to focus on their studies. I would state this as the reason for me graduating with a good score. I stayed in Waterloo street for most if the time and I would recommend areas like Waterloo for students to stay.
- Other areas where south asians like Indians, Pakistanis and Sri Lankan tamils (I myself am a tamilian) can turn to be a distraction for students as they could get lost into a world luring with short term benefits such as numerous part time gigs. This happens due to connections we can build easily with them. It is also unsafe as crime prevalence is high in these areas dominated. Gateshead, areas around waterloo street and nearby university is safe as far as I have observed. It is better to stay in a native persons housing as the natives who go by the tag 'geordies' are very friendly and helpful in nature.
- The northerners of UK are very straight forward and most of the women and men I met were helpful and had no trace of slyness. It is recommended to mingle with the locals and integrate with them for better job prospects. I had to return due to covid situation. Otherwise, I would have found a job for myself over them. However, I am in a good position currently and hope to go visit sometime.
Exams
- I undertook the IELTS test. I was asked to submit a LOR from the university, a statement of purpose and a CV outlining my qualifications and work experience, if I had any. Other than this, I was asked to submit my transcripts from my undergraduate degree, provisional certificate and degree certificate. I was also asked to submit an IELTS test report and funding details.
Fees
- 18000 pounds were the fees. It was charged semester-wise. I spent around 600 pounds a month. It included housing, food, transportation and recreation. It is possible to keep your expenses as low as 300-350 pounds. I am saying this if the student is planning to lead a very meagre lifestyle by residing in a house with more than the permitted number of residents, which is not recommended in the current scenario of the UK.
Scholarship
- No scholarship is offered for my course. However, for other courses scholarship might be offered. Especially, doctorate level courses within our construction management and built environment are offered scholarship. Therefore, obtaining of distinction class postgraduate master's study at the university might enable availing of scholarship by the student.
