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Annual leave and entitlements

You receive a generous annual leave package at Newcastle University, as well as the option to buy additional leave.

Standard annual leave

Our holiday year is 1st October–30th September inclusive, and grades A-E employees get an annual leave entitlement increase after 5 years' service.

All regular colleagues receive eight public holidays and four university discretionary closure days (pro rata for part-time colleagues) in addition to our standard annual leave entitlement:

  •     Grade A - E under 5 years' service = 25 days per annum
  •     Grade A - E over 5 years' service = 27 days per annum
  •     Grade F and above = 30 days per annum
Happy family at Newcastle Quayside

Christmas shutdown

As well as these annual leave entitlements, most employees will benefit from our Christmas shutdown. We usually close the university between Christmas and New Year, giving colleagues the freedom to spend the festive season with their loved ones.

Additional leave

Any colleague, regardless of length of service, can apply to buy up to and including two weeks’ additional leave in any one leave year.

Colleagues will have an opportunity to apply for additional leave at two points in the year – before the leave year starts and at halfway through the leave year.

  • Apply by 1 August for the next leave year – your salary deduction can be taken in one lump sum from your October salary, or in ten monthly instalments starting from October.
  • Apply by 1 February the current leave year – your salary deduction can be taken in one lump sum from your April salary or in four monthly instalments starting from April.

Part-time colleagues’ annual leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis.

 Family on a hill looking into sunset

Other leave