Meet and Greet

The Meet and Greet service is next available at Newcastle International Airport from August 2026 for i2i and St George's University (SGU) students and from September 2026 for all other programmes.

IMPORTANT: Due to baggage reclaim and immigration control following touchdown, there can be a significant delay in reaching landside. As such, we cannot offer Meet and Greet for flight arrivals after 21:00.

To book onto our Meet and Greet Service simply fill out the form below.

If you arrive into a UK airport other than Newcastle International Airport then please look to book an internal flight to Newcastle or research the train and bus options available (though please remember, the Meet and Greet service is only available from the airport).

Once you have booked an Internal flight, please book the Meet and Greet Service for when you arrive into Newcastle International Airport. 

Please label each piece of your luggage with a luggage tag using coloured sheets.

• Download luggage labels here, and print in colour enough for each piece of luggage.
• Insert it in a luggage tag
• Attach a tag to each piece of luggage that you have.

Following these instructions will help to speed up the process when you arrive at Newcastle International Airport.

Prior to travelling to the UK please familiarise yourself with information provided by the UK Government at https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

The Northumbria University Meet and Greet Team will be waiting outside the ‘International Arrivals’ area of Newcastle International Airport after you have collected your luggage.

At busy times we may have a desk with branded Northumbria banners. Meet and Greet staff will be wearing NU branded clothing (see our video above) and monitoring your flight arrival.

Domestic Arrivals

If you arrive on a flight from one of the UK airports (e.g. London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Dublin) then we will have a member of staff waiting in front of the Domestic Arrivals area wearing a black and white 'Meet and Greet' t-shirt to help you recognise them.

The Domestic Arrivals area is located beside the exit for the Metro Train stop.

If you do not see anyone waiting then they may have just met a student before you, therefore if you turn right and walk to the far end of the airport to the International Arrivals area then you will see our Meet and Greet table, banners and staff.

This is a 2 minute walk and you will pass the departure gates on your right.

Newcastle Airport is a fairly small area, therefore you will find us easily and if unsure then ask someone to point you in the direction of the International Arrivals area and you will find us!

View a map of the Newcastle International Airport floorplan here. 

We will be based at the far left on this plan, in front of International Arrivals and Greggs.

Who to look out for

The Meet and Greet Team will be wearing black t-shirts, and will have black and white Meet and Greet signs to help you recognise them.

Please liaise via email with the Meet and Greet staff member who has contacted you.

The 'Meet and Greet' Team

The team is made up of current Northumbria University Undergraduate and Postgraduate students, many of whom used the service when they first arrived here.

We will contact you by email initially but if you are comfortable sharing your details you can communicate with the Meet and Greet team by text or WhatsApp during your journey.

Your Meet and Greet contact will be able answer any questions you have, put your mind at rest by helping you to solve any issues you may have when landing and make you feel part of Northumbria University from the moment you step off the plane!

Can my family and friends use the service?

• We can transport you and members of your family accompanying you to your accommodation.
• Please notify us on the booking form of the number of family you intend to arrive with and the total of your luggage.

What happens if my flight is delayed?

• We will monitor the arrival times at Newcastle International Airport and will be aware if your flight is delayed.
• We will remain at the airport to collect you on arrival if the delay is short. Unfortunately, in the instance of a long delay, we cannot guarantee that Meet and Greet staff will be available to meet you. In the case of a long delay, you may be required to make your own onward travel arrangements to your accommodation.

What if I arrive without booking accommodation?

• We require you to have made accommodation arrangements before booking travel to the UK. Meet and Greet staff cannot find accommodation for you.
• If you intend to be joined by your dependants (spouse/partner/children) for the duration of your programme, we strongly advise that you do not travel with your dependants until you have secured long-term accommodation. It can take several weeks for newly-arrived students to find suitable family housing. It will be easier for you to initially come to the UK alone, and stay in temporary, single housing while you look for a family home. Once you have found longer-term housing for yourself and your family, your family can travel to the UK.

What happens if I do not book the service, will I still be met at the airport?

• If you arrive at Newcastle without having pre-booked the Meet and Greet service, we cannot arrange transport to your accommodation. If you arrive on a date that Northumbria Meet and Greet staff are present at the airport, please approach them for advice as to your onwards travel into Newcastle.
• If there are no staff, please see the following public transport options: Metro (train) or by bus, though a private taxi would be more practicable.

Is there a charge for the service?

No, this is a free service for Northumbria students and their family and friends arriving.

 

Useful Contacts

• Meet and Greet service
• Northumbria University Accommodation
• Applicant Services Admissions
• Security 

We want to make the transition for new international students coming to Northumbria University from outside the UK as easy as possible. Our Getting Started at Northumbria pages will provide you with essential information on your Welcome Week activities, programme induction and University student support services, as well as how to register with a doctor, how to open a bank account, living and shopping in Newcastle City and other important information.