Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's

University Student and Graduate Membership

Q: What different levels of membership do you offer Students?

A: Students There is a choice of 2 different levels of memberships:

Silver membership (£62.00) – This entitles you to use:-
The University Sports Centre & booking activities e.g. squash, badminton, football, basketball etc.
Take part in the Intra Mural/Campus Sport Programme.
Take part in exercise classes (an additional charge of £2.00 per class).
Gold membership (£170.00)
All the benefits of Silver membership plus
Unlimited use of the Health and Fitness Suites
FREE entry to exercise classes (Gold members who book a class and fail to show up or withdraw from a class without giving at least 3 hours notice of cancellation, will be charged a £2 no show or late cancellation fee).
All Gold members will be required to complete an induction course before you can use the Health and Fitness Suites. The initial induction is FREE and can either be done in person at the Sports Centre with one of our qualified instructors or you can access the e-induction online at www.ncl.ac.uk/sport/campus/indoor/e-induction for you to complete prior to visiting the gym. All inductions can be booked in person at the Sports Centre or by telephone on 0191 208 7225 (£6.00 charge is applicable if no prior notice of cancellation is given).

To apply for membership please visit the Sports Centre reception.  You will need your University SMART Card and your method of payment. This can either be cash, cheque or debit/credit card including American Express.

A: Exchange/Study Abroad Students (students studying for 1 semester only on a Socrates Erasmus, Non-EU Exchange Programme or Study Abroad Programme) have the option of: Silver membership (£36) and Gold membership (£99). Please collect an application form from the International Office, Level 2, King's Gate. Return the completed form, with payment, to the Sports Centre reception.
A: Student Semester membership: You may be eligible for a Semester membership if your course entails a placement away from Newcastle for a period of 12 weeks or more. Please come to the Sports Centre to obtain a Semester request form – your course tutor or nominee will need to authorise the form to verify that you are eligible. There are two levels of membership available Silver (£36) and Gold (£99). Return the completed forms, with payment, to the Sports Centre reception.

A: INTO Students - Collect an INTO Application form from the INTO reception, Percy Street. Complete the form and submit it to the INTO reception for authorisation. Return the completed form to the Sports Centre reception where we will process your membership. INTO students are entitled to Silver membership FREE of charge, but you can upgrade your membership to Gold (£108) which includes the use of the Health and Fitness Suites and FREE exercise classes.

A: Graduates (from 2012-2013 Academic Year) also have differential membership, but this consists of Silver (£62) and Gold (£170) Please come to the Sports Centre reception. Bring either your original graduation certificate (which we will copy) or a copy; obtain a Statement of Qualifications from King’s Gate or an original letter from your graduating school to confirm graduation in the previous academic year. Alternatively you can ask your school to e-mail us at sport@ncl.ac.uk confirming your graduation in the previous academic year.

Q: When will my 1 year Silver/Gold membership expire?

(Students and Graduates only)

A: All memberships expire at the end of the academic year (21 September 2014).

Q: Can I cancel my membership?

A: Yes, there is a 14 day cooling off period. Refunds less a £20 administration fee will only be given up to 14 days after taking out membership. Refunds can only be given once within the membership year.

Cancellation forms are available online at www.ncl.ac.uk/sport/membership/cancellation

Q: Does my membership of an Athletic Union (AU) Club allow me to use the facilities at the Sports Centre?

A: No, to use the Sports Centre you need to have a valid Sports Centre membership.

Q: Do I need membership if I only use the outdoor pitches/facilities?

A: Yes, the membership fees are used to maintain the indoor and outdoor facilities and ‘hire in’ external facilities that the University does not provide. It is a University regulation that all users of sports facilities whether owned or hired by the University must be current members of the Sports Centre.

Q: Why is there not a reduction in the price of membership if you join half way through the year?

A: Simply, there is one set price for each student category of membership that remains unaltered throughout the academic year. This makes it easy for each individual to understand prior to purchase.

Q: Can I pay monthly for my membership?

A: No, the University Sports Centre does not operate a monthly payment system.

Q: Do you have any exercise classes and if so do I need to take out membership to attend them?

A: Yes, to both questions! Every term we run a comprehensive exercise class programme which includes a wide range of classes for all tastes and abilities. To attend these classes you would need to have at least the Silver membership which costs £62.00 for both students and graduates (from 2012-2013 academic year). These classes can be booked at an additional cost of a £2.00 but are FREE to those who have Gold membership. Classes are bookable up to 14 days in advance.
Booking: In person at Sports Centre reception with your SMART Card, telephone 0191 208 7225 our via our online booking system http://sportsbookings.ncl.ac.uk  To obtain your Login ID and Password which will allow you access to the online booking system you will need to e-mail sport@ncl.ac.uk with your full name and SMART Card number and a member of staff will e-mail you your details.

Q: If I forget my SMART Card will I still be allowed entry?

A: You have the following options:

Pay £2.00 entry fee once your membership details are verified (non refundable).

Go and collect your SMART Card.
NB We will not verify your membership and then allow access FREE of charge as all members are required to carry their SMART Card. This is their means of access to other parts of the Centre.

Q: How do I make a booking to use the courts, multi-purpose rooms, studio and outdoor pitches?

A: Indoor usage: In person at Sports Centre reception with your SMART Card, via the telephone 0191 208 7225 or via our online booking system http://sportsbookings.ncl.ac.uk (PLEASE NOTE: Volleyball, Multi Purpose Rooms, Studio and Special bookings are not available to book online). To obtain your Login ID and Password which will allow you access to the online booking system you will need to e-mail sport@ncl.ac.uk with your full name and SMART Card number and a member of staff will e-mail you your details.

A: Outdoor Usage: Please contact either Nick Beall, Facilities Service Manager by e-mail nick.beall@ncl.ac.uk or by telephone 0191 208 5159 or Denis Murphy, Participation and Events Manager by e-mail denis.murphy@ncl.ac.uk or by telephone 0191 208 5349.

Updated August 2013