Funding for International Students
Northumbria offers a range of scholarships and discounts for international students. For more information, please visit our International Scholarships page.
As an international student, you are not eligible for UK student loans, so it’s essential to plan how you will fund your studies and living costs before you arrive.
If you're an EU or EEA national planning to study in the UK, your access to student funding will depend on your immigration status.
- If you arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020, you are generally not eligible for Student Finance England funding unless you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
- If you do have settled or pre-settled status, you may be eligible for tuition fee loans, and in some cases, full support including maintenance funding - especially if you are classed as a migrant worker or are the family member of one.
- If you do not have settled status, you will need to apply for a Student visa to study in the UK.
Irish citizens continue to benefit from free movement and may qualify for student funding depending on residency and work history.
Useful links:
If you will be bringing dependants, especially dependant children, with you whilst you study in the UK, you will need to consider additional requirements, including the availability of childcare or schools in the area you plan to live. Northumbria University does not offer student accommodation for families so you will need to rent privately.
It is advisable to book short term accommodation so that you can come to the UK and make the necessary arrangements for them, prior to bringing your children here. You can find short-term accommodation on Spare Room. Alternatively, you can book into a local hotel or hostel. Hostels tend to be cheaper but may not be suitable for families.
There are a variety of different types of childcare in the UK, including pre-school nurseries for children from 0 to 5 years old, childminders and after school clubs for school age children. Northumbria University Nursery is based at the at the City Campus in Newcastle and students can use this facility if there are places available. For childcare facilities in your local area please visit GOV.UK where you can carry out a search based on your postcode.
If your children are aged between 5 and 16, they can attend government primary and secondary schools in the UK, as long as they are here as your dependants. You will not have to pay for this. However, schools may sometimes refuse places to children if they consider their stay in the UK will be too short, or if the schools have no free places. Find out more on the GOV.UK website.
Creating a realistic budget early on is key to avoiding financial difficulties. Do not rely on part-time work, as income can be unpredictable.
To understand typical student expenses, visit the British Council's cost of living guide.
Northumbria has also partnered with Blackbullion to help you build financial skills and plan your budget. You can register with a personal email before arriving, then switch to your university email for full access once enrolled.
It is important to set yourself a realistic budget as early as possible so that you can plan your money for the year.
Make sure your budget covers:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation and utilities
- Groceries
- Transport (look for student travel discounts)
- Internet and mobile phone
- TV licence (required if you watch or stream live TV)
- Insurance (contents or gadget insurance)
- Healthcare costs (prescriptions, dental, eye care).
- Childcare (Children aged 3-4 may be entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week. Learn more via GOV.UK Childcare Support).
- Don’t forget to factor in leisure and hobbies, and look out for student discounts using your TOTUM student card.
You should open a UK bank account shortly after arriving to help manage your finances and avoid currency fluctuations. Transfer the funds you used to demonstrate visa maintenance into your UK account as soon as possible. You can find more guidance on the UKCISA website.
Planning where you are going to live during your time at University is important. Consider your budget, transport links, and lifestyle preferences. Explore our Accommodation web pages for further information.
For Newcastle Campus students, towns within a 45-minute commute include:
- Chester-le-Street
- Cramlington
- Durham
- Morpeth
- North Shields
- Prudhoe
- Sunderland
View the area map and transport options at Nexus Travel.
For London Campus students, public transport is widely accessible. Liverpool Street Station is a short walk from campus. Explore travel options via Transport for London.
Your can also access accommodation advice by visiting the UKCISA website.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
- Track your bank account and report any suspicious activity to your bank and the police
- Never share your bank account or accept money from people you don’t know – this may be linked to money laundering, which is illegal
- Keep bank statements safe – they may be required for visa extensions
- Seek advice if you are struggling financially – don’t ignore bills or official letters
Our specialist teams are here to support you every step of the way.
- Prospective students can submit a question via our Enquiry Form.
- Current students can log an enquiry via the Student Portal.
