International Exchange at Newcastle University

What is the Exchange programme?

The Exchange programme welcomes students from our partner universities across the globe. You do not pay tuition fees to study with us.

If you're not from a partner institution but would still like to study abroad with us, please consider the Study Abroad programme instead.

Studying with us

As an exchange student, you will choose modules from the subject area(s) listed in the exchange agreement between Newcastle University and your home institution. You should clarify any restrictions with them before you apply to make sure we can offer you the courses you need.

Please state in your application which modules you're interested in. However, your programme of study at Newcastle is finalised after you arrive on campus. We cannot guarantee the modules you state in your application will be available to you when you arrive. There may be clashes in the teaching timetable, or you may need approval from the module leader. If you are accepted to study at Newcastle, our acceptance only provides an ‘in principle’ approval of your module choices.

To make the module selection process easier, we have divided the modules we offer into different ‘pathways’ to help you find what you are looking for. Typically, students take between three to five modules in one semester.

• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Psychology and Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences
• Science, Agriculture and Engineering

We recommend reading our Module Guidance before you start the selection process. The guide explains terminology and indicates any exclusions. This will ensure you choose modules of the right level and credit value.

Key terms

Here are explanations for some of the key terms we use.

Exchange: Spending a semester or full academic year at Newcastle University as part of a degree programme in your home country. You do not pay tuition fees to study with us.

Terra Dotta: This is our application portal, where you can complete and submit your application to study on exchange at Newcastle University. We will send you a link to access Terra Dotta when we are ready for you to start your application.

Academic transcript: This is an official university document that lists the classes, modules and courses you have taken. We will ask to see a transcript from your home university as part of the application process. You will need to provide a certified English translation if your transcript is provided in another language. We will also issue you a transcript on completion of your experience here at Newcastle University to document the modules that you have completed during your time with us.

Module: At Newcastle University, the term ‘module’ is what you may know of as a course or class. Exchange students must study 60 Newcastle credits (30 ECTS) per semester. Please see our Module Catalogue for more information.

Visa: A UK visa is the authorising document that gives worldwide citizens the right to enter, stay temporarily or live in the UK. This can be a passport stamp or a document issued by a UK consulate/embassy in your country of origin.

English language requirements

If English is not your native language, you’ll need to provide evidence of your level of English.

How to apply

To apply to join us as an exchange student, we must have an exchange partnership with your home university. First, they will 'nominate' you to us. Once we've reviewed their nomination, we will send you an email inviting you to apply.

Please follow the instructions we send you and be sure to submit before the relevant deadline. The application form will ask you to provide some general information, contact details and a personal statement. You will also be asked to choose the modules you would like to study at Newcastle. You may need to submit an English language test certificate.

You will also need to upload a variety of documents, such as a valid passport and transcript. Unfortunately, we cannot accept a national ID card as an alternative to a passport. We recommend you prepare these well in advance of the application deadline.

You will receive an automated email when your online application has been submitted successfully. We aim to process applications on a rolling basis. There may be delays during our peak periods.

You can start an application by clicking the link in your invitation email.

Our application deadlines for 2025/26

Full-year application deadline – 30 April 2025

Semester 1 application deadline – 30 April 2025

Semester 2 application deadline - 31 October 2025

What happens next

We aim to review applications on a rolling basis. You can usually expect to hear from us within three weeks - however, there may be delays during peak periods.

A member of our team will review your application to make sure you have provided all the information we need. We will be in touch with you if there are any issues.

Next, the School Exchange Coordinator for your subject area will review and assess your application. Our coordinators will consider your academic background, personal statement and choice of modules. For some subject areas, you may be asked to submit additional materials, such as a portfolio. We will be in touch with you if this is the case.

Most applications we receive are successful, however, we sometimes issue ‘conditional’ offers. This may happen when a School Exchange Coordinator would be happy to receive you as an exchange student, but would prefer you to change your module choices. If you receive a conditional offer, we will work with you to make sure that you understand what to do next.

Any additional documents needed for immigration purposes will be sent to you later.

Applying for a visa

It is your responsibility to check if you need to apply for a visa before you travel.

If you are coming to Newcastle to study for one semester only, you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK. Most international students coming to Newcastle to study for one academic year will require a Student visa.

You can check if you need a visa on the UK government website. You should carefully check what you need and research the cost, requirements and timescales.

You can get advice and guidance on your UK student visa, as well as information on what you need to do when you arrive, from the University's Visa Support Team.

If your application to study with us is successful, we will send you an acceptance letter that you can use to apply for a visa.

Timelines