University of Newcastle — Attraction in Newcastle-Maitland

The quality of courses varied significantly. In the beginning of the degree, 1st & 2nd year, the courses were decently high quality, some were fantastic. However, as I progressed through the course, some of the major mandatory courses throughout the end of degree were so poorly delivered that made me regret even going to university at all. There were occasions where a course coordinator did not even know their own due dates or assessments that they had set. They disseminated conflicting information across different communication mediums and failed to rectify them throughout the courses. It felt like the courses were just a side-gig more than the primary focus for some coordinators.

The quality became so low that I considered discontinuing the degree I had worked really hard to get into, sustain high grades, and had a lot of interest in the content of. I tried seeking other universities to complete the remainder of the degree with, but the university system discourages student choice in this regard by mismatching course codes which means you must redo half of your degree if you want to swap universities in search of higher quality.

If I could go back to before enrolling knowing how low-quality the latter half of my degree would be, I would not have enrolled at the University of Newcastle. The complaints process is also pretty much pointless, you'd probably be better off writing your complaint and including all of your evidence on a piece of paper and then burning it.

In hindsight, I would not recommend the University of Newcastle if you care about your education. It might be worthwhile if you just want to get a degree for employment purposes and live locally. A good example of this is when I was told by my lecturer after informing them that the course was delivered very poorly, "Oh well, you just have to get a pass anyway". Sadly, the latter half of this degree has left me feeling more robbed than educated.

The campuses are nice, most staff are friendly and approachable. Unfortunately, the course quality leaves a lot...

Look elsewhere at other universities for most programs! Uni and vice chancellor only interested in running the University like a business and cutting subjects (Ancient History, Philosophy etc) because they don't deem 'worthwhile' and will lead to a career, make money and are planning to downgrade more programs. One of my friends in the Student Union went to the conference on this matter and was told by the Uni that, "they don't really care what the students think" and that shocked all of them upon hearing it. All the vice chancellor finds important is making the uni look 'cool' (check out article in the Telegraph(?)) and making new developments in the city to appeal to foreign students as they pay large sums up front to fund these developments. The changes to more 'career based' courses is reflective of this too, appealing to foreign students who mostly do business, medicine etc. I wish she would focus on improving student wellbeing and experience other than aesthetics. Also as long as you are making them money, they don't really care about you. I have requested support for setting up my degree and lodged an appeal for unfair grading for something that wasn't my fault and haven't heard back from either four months later. They also don't answer a lot of enquiries either unless you ring them. All in all the student services team couldn't run a chook raffle. The lecturers I had were very good, supportive and knowledgeable but are up against it with the new format of Uni and funding cuts. For that, I feel really sorry for them.

UoN is straying far away from what Universities were originally created and the beliefs they were founded on- a place to gain more knowledge and expand your mind through study. Not a place for vocational training, it's really sad but after several years here, I am glad to be transferring from a place that is fuelled by greed and 'peacocking' to somewhere that cares about its students, staff...

The University of Newcastle is a vibrant academic institution with a diverse and inclusive campus community that warmly welcomes international students.

Located in the picturesque city of Newcastle, known for its stunning beaches and rich cultural scene, the campus itself is a hub of learning and innovation. The modern facilities, cutting-edge research centers, and state-of-the-art libraries provide an inspiring environment for students to excel in their studies.

What truly sets the University of Newcastle apart is its commitment to fostering a global community. International students from around the world come here to pursue their education, creating a rich tapestry of cultures and perspectives. The university's international programs and support services ensure that these students feel at home and have the resources they need to succeed.

From language assistance to cultural exchange events, the university goes above and beyond to make international students feel welcome. This global perspective enhances the overall learning experience, encouraging students to broaden their horizons and develop a global outlook.

As an international student at the University of Newcastle, you not only receive a world-class education but also gain exposure to a diverse and inclusive community. It's a place where you can pursue your academic dreams while forming lifelong friendships and connections from all corners...