September in Newcastle carries a special kind of magic. As the city shifts into autumn, with its warm hues of crimson and gold, our campus comes alive again with the return of students - and the arrival of our new postgraduate and MBA cohorts for 2025–26. 

For many, it’s the first time they’ve called Newcastle home. For others, it marks a return to the classroom after a short, or sometimes long, break from education. Excitement and nerves sit side by side in those first few weeks of Semester One. 

To help ease that transition, our Welcome Week offers a full programme of events designed to connect students with classmates, deepen their understanding of their courses, and equip them for success. Among the most valued sessions are our alumni panels, where graduates return to campus to share their insights, advice, and encouragement. Hearing directly from someone who once sat in the same lecture theatres often resonates far more than hearing it from staff alone. 

For the MBA session, alumni joined us from around the world, including graduates in China logging in at 23:00 – showing their kindness to support the next generation. Their industry insights and international perspectives provided invaluable guidance, preparing our students for the busy and rewarding year ahead.

Midhat Khalil, one of our current MBA students, noted: “The Alumni Careers Afternoon was both inspiring and energising. It was great connecting with accomplished alumni and hearing their journeys. Their stories gave me a fresh spark of motivation and practical guidance, especially in how I think about entrepreneurship and my own career path.”

We are deeply grateful to all our alumni who gave their time during Welcome Week. Your contributions made a real difference, helping students feel supported and confident as they begin their journeys.