There are a number of tasks and actions you should take before you arrive to help get your journey with us off to the best start, starting with Enrol Now.
If you are a Student Route visa holder, you MUST create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and ensure you can access your eVisa share code before you travel to the UK as this will be required for entry.
Please DO NOT travel to the UK before the 'valid from' date on your eVisa.
If you need visa or immigration permission to study in the UK, you must complete a two-step enrolment process before beginning your studies.
For a step-by step guide to the enrolment process, please watch the video below:
Complete this step as soon as you receive your enrolment email and before you travel to the UK.
As soon as possible after you arrive in the UK, you must upload your visa documents and your eVisa share code for verification via the Student Portal. It can take up to 5 working days to complete the verification process, and a further 2 working days before you can access your timetable, University systems and collect your Smartcard.
For further information and guidance on the enrolment process please visit Understanding the enrolment process in Ask4Help Online on your Student Portal.
Our aim is to ensure students are supported to reach their full potential and have the best possible experience here at Northumbria. If you have an accessibility need - including Specific Learning Differences and neurodiversity - we offer support throughout your journey with us, even before you arrive.
Visit Your Support at Northumbria for more information and to register with the Student Accessibility Team, who can ensure any relevant support is in place before you get here.
And look out for quiet times at the start of our welcome and induction events.
We are also committed to ensuring our campuses are accessible, and have partnered with AccessAble to create detailed guides to the physical access features of all our buildings and services. This include information on colour contrast and lighting, signage, background noise, and much more. See AccessAble - Campus Access Guides for more information.
If you would like to see some of the spaces you will be studying and socialising in before you get here, you can view our Virtual Campus Tours.
Wherever you are travelling from, plan your travel arrangements to Newcastle carefully and remember, it can take up to five days to have your visa information verified, so it is a good idea arrive ahead of your start date.
Your Welcome Guide below contains lots of useful information about travelling to campus, what to bring with you and how to ensure a smooth arrival.
To help you find your way to campus when you first arrive, we offer a Meet and Greet airport transfer service for international students arriving into Newcastle Airport - read more and book your place now.
Please remember to confirm your accommodation arrival date—whether you are staying in University accommodation or private rental.
Using your Student Portal to Navigate Northumbria from Northumbria University on Vimeo.
We know that there is a lot of information to take in during your time at university – so to help you navigate Northumbria, your Student Portal brings all of the knowledge, advice and support you need together in one place.
As well as links to essential Northumbria information such as your timetable, your virtual learning environment (Blackboard) and Library Online, you can also use the Portal to read the latest Northumbria news stories, keep your personal details updated and check your finance and accommodation status.
If you have any questions during your time at Northumbria, you can search Ask4Help Online in your Student Portal for the answer, or submit an enquiry via the text box at the end of each article and a member of our team will get back to you.
Having trouble accessing your Student Portal?
Your Welcome Guide can also be found below and contains lots more information and practical guidance for getting started at Northumbria.
During induction week, you will have the opportunity to settle into your new surroundings, meet teaching staff and make friends. You will also be required to consider practical information and complete key tasks.
As soon as you arrive in the UK you must complete Step 2 of the enrolment process.
As soon as you arrive in the UK, you must upload your visa documents and your eVisa share code via the Student Portal. Please ensure you do this as soon as possible. Verification can take up to 5 working days, and it can take a further 2 working days to access your timetable, University systems and collect your Smartcard.
Once your enrolment is complete you will receive a confirmation email to your University email address and personal email address.
For further information and guidance on the enrolment process please visit Understanding the enrolment process in Ask4Help Online on your Student Portal.
For a step-by step walkthrough of the enrolment process, please watch the video below:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to your Northumbria account and its connected files and devices. After completing your enrolment, you will receive an email from DUO (no-reply@duosecurity.com) with instructions to register for this service.
DUO protects your account at login by sending a verification prompt to your mobile phone, which you must approve. For detailed steps, please refer to our Guide to Enrolling with Duo (pdf) and watch the short video below.
Please note: If you get a UK SIM card or change your mobile phone number, you will need to update your DUO account. To do this, please contact IT Chat.
As an i2i student, we understand that you will be balancing your academic studies with developing your soccer skills and managing other sporting commitments.
To help you settle in smoothly, the i2i Orientation Programme will begin a couple of weeks before the University’s official Welcome Week. We encourage you to plan your arrival from Tuesday 2 September.
During this time, you will take part in a range of orientation activities designed to help you meet your teammates, get to know the i2i staff, and adjust to student life in the UK.
We are excited to welcome you and support you on this exciting journey - both on and off the pitch!
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Your Student Smartcard is an essential part of getting started at Northumbria. As an i2i student, you will collect your Smartcard during the i2i Orientation Programme.
Your Smartcard is your student identification which you should keep with you at all times. It will also be used for essential everyday tasks like accessing University buildings, registering your attendance, using the University Library and traveling for free on the number 1 bus between City Campus and Coach Lane Campus.
See Collecting your Smartcard from Campus on your Student Portal for further details.
One of the key tasks you will use your Smartcard for is to register your attendance at taught sessions - this vital activity is something that all students need to do. Attendance and being engaged with your studies are both key to succeeding at University. Please read our article on the Student Portal about Registering your attendance and notifying us of absence for more information.
Your timetable includes both your Programme Induction sessions and your teaching sessions. It is essential to attend all scheduled sessions to get the most out of your University experience.
Programme Induction sessions are your opportunity to:
Teaching timetables will be published from 28th August. Please note, it may take up to two working days after you have received your enrolment confirmation for your timetable to appear.
You can view your timetable through:
Please see the Accessing your teaching timetable article on your Student Portal for more information and full guidance.
Important Note: If you cannot view your timetable by Monday 22 September, please contact Ask4Help either via your Student Portal or on campus.
Top Tip: The NU Connect App has a GPS function that allows you to find your timetabled building based on your location - this is especially helpful for new students navigating campus for the first time.
As part of the University's commitment to a safe and respectful environment, you must complete the following mandatory training as part of your induction:
Understanding consent means we are all able to have more safe, healthy and enjoyable sexual experiences. This training will help you:
This training will help you:
Once you are fully enrolled onto your programme, we will contact you via email with details of how to complete the training via BlackBoard.
There are lots of events and activities taking place across campus to help you get started at University:
In addition to the i2i Orientation Programme, from Monday 15 September we have a range of smaller-scale events for you to take part in:
Daily Students' Union activities: Enjoy a range of events including petting farms, wellbeing drop-ins and movie nights.
Welcome Week officially begins on Friday 19 September for international students. During Welcome Week there will be a range of both mandatory and extra-curricular activities:
Come along to the International Welcome Event and Tea Party to hear from key University services, meet other new students, and enjoy tea, coffee and cake.
This event will be repeated Wednesday 29 October, 3pm – 5pm, Domain, Students’ Union, City Campus.
Your mandatory programme induction sessions are where you will meet your Personal Tutor, academics and fellow students. Sessions will be timetabled - please see the Accessing Your Timetable article in your Student Portal for guidance.
At Northumbria, your success is our priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Come along to your timetabled slot or drop in at a time that suits you to discover the wide range of support available:
Come along, ask questions, and discover how we can help you thrive!
Your two-day Freshers Fair is all about helping you connect with the Students’ Union, community organisations and local support networks. You will find helpful resources, guidance, and plenty of opportunities to discover what is happening outside of academic life. See more about Freshers Week on the NSU Website.
Your one-stop-shop for everything sport and fitness - join us to find our about our gym, sports clubs, facilities, free Just Play programme, Intramural Sport Leagues, volunteering opportunities and much, much more.
Discover over 100 societies - from arts and culture, music, dancing and film to gaming, climbing, ice skating and everything in between. Meet like-minded students, sign up or find out how to set up a society of your own! There will also be the chance to find out about a wide range of volunteering opportunities.
A chance for our students studying at Coach Lane Campus to discover over 100 societies and find out more about Northumbria Students' Union and everything it has to offer.
Come along to the Part-time Jobs Fair to meet local employers and find out about careers and employment support at University.
Important: International students can undertake some work while in the UK, subject to visa conditions. The hours permitted depend on your level of study and whether you are in a specified period of ‘term-time’ or vacation. For more details, please see Working on a Student visa in Ask4Help Online on your Student Portal.
You can travel between campuses for free on the Number 1 bus - simply show your Smartcard to the driver. If you have not collected it yet, you can show your enrolment or offer email too.
Your safety is our priority. We have a dedicated 24-hour security team and strongly recommend that all students download the free SafeZone App which connects you directly to Security should you need it. You can find out more about our Security services and staying safe in the video below and in your Welcome Guide.
Taking care of your health and wellbeing is crucial while at University. One of the first steps to take after you arrive in Newcastle is to register with a local doctor's surgery, also known as a General Practitioner or GP. This ensures you can access medical care when needed. Please register as soon as possible - do not wait until you are unwell.
If you didn’t pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and obtain an IHS number as part of your visa application (for example, if you are in the UK on a visitor visa), you are strongly advised to take out private health insurance as visitors to the UK are required to pay for NHS medical treatment.
For more information and advice on how to do this, see the Registering with a doctor/GP article in your Student Portal.
It is also important to take care of your money and finances while at University. As an international student it's important to think about opening a UK bank account. Having a UK bank account can make it easier for you to make and receive payments.
Specific eligibility criteria may apply depending on the type of visa you hold and the individual bank’s policies - please check with your preferred bank for details.
Please see the Opening a bank account article on your Student Portal for more information.
Your Welcome Guide can also be found below and contains lots more information and practical guidance for getting started at Northumbria.
Hopefully by now you have accessed your programme Blackboard site, attended your induction sessions and explored our Preparing to Study guide to gain a good understanding of the academic skills you will need to succeed.
You can access a wide range of information, guidance and support from your University Library throughout the year, including online content, workshops and one-to-one sessions. See Developing your learning skills for more information on topics including:
If you have dyslexia or another Specific Learning Difference, you can access support from our Student Accessibility Team, which can include a personalised plan of reasonable adjustments. See the Accessing general and specific study skills and resources article on your Student Portal for more information or to access support.
Northumbria Students' Union (NSU) is here to make your student experience the best it can be! NSU offers advice, support, representation, a huge range of societies, events and lots more.
As well as organising Freshers' Fairs and lots of activities during Welcome Week, NSU is also home to over 100 societies for you to explore and join - from sports and outdoor activities, conservation, arts and culture, faith and spirituality and everything in between. NSU can also support you to find volunteering opportunities, represent your course and get involved in the local community.
Northumbria Sport offers students access to top-class facilities, fitness memberships and over 35 sports clubs. Whether you want to train, compete or just play, there is something for everyone - from gym and swim access to Intramural leagues and social sport sessions. You can also gain experience through volunteering and internships in sport-related roles.
What's happening in Semester 1 of 2025:
Big Week of Sport / Squad selections - 27th September - 5th October
Just Play begins - 6th October, free sports activities
Intramural Leagues begin: 15th October, student-only leagues
By joining Northumbria, you are now part of an inclusive community in a vibrant city! Explore Newcastle and all that it - and Northumbria - has to offer. Get involved, make new friends and Be Part Of It!
Be Part Of It: Our programme of heavily-discounted events and activities exclusive to Northumbria students - from chocolate-making workshops to paddle boarding, and everything in between. Check out our amazing range of activities and book your place now!
Life in Newcastle: Explore our online guide to the city and see what fellow students are saying in The Student Hub - including lots of advice and tips for new students.
Part-time jobs: We know that many students balance their studies with part-time work. Our Careers and Employment service is called Graduate Futures and can help you find suitable jobs and provide advice, support and resources to improve your employability skills. Our next part-time jobs fair takes place on Tuesday 30 September in Doman, Students' Union, City Campus - visit the Careers and Employment section of your Student Portal for more information.
We know it can be daunting starting out at University but we are here to help and support you every step of the way.
Ask4Help is the name of our frontline service and it is available 24/7 during term-time on campus, online and via telephone. Ask4Help can answer any questions you have or signpost you to more specialist support should you need it. Ask4Help Online in your Student Portal contains a range of useful articles providing self-help information on topics including:
Accommodation
Careers and Employment
International issues
IT
You can submit any queries you have or access specialist support from staff via the enquiry box at the end of each article.
Your Blackboard site is also an invaluable source of information about your programme. Your Programme Leader and Personal Tutor (who you will have met during induction), will also be essential contacts if you have any programme-related questions throughout your studies.
Your Welcome Guide can also be found below and contains lots more information and practical guidance for getting started at Northumbria.
We welcome all new students joining us from overseas! This guide is full of useful information and advice - from before you arrive to getting here and settling in. You can access a pdf version of the guide here.
For support with enrolment and getting started, please contact Ask4Help via your Student Portal (or this contact form if you do not have access).
For support with accessing your Student Portal:
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