bluestar - Newcastle University - Frequently Asked Questions

Home - Photography - Newcastle University - About Me - Links

FAQ

Updated 12tth March 2008

There are a number of Frequently Asked Questions I constantly answer.

1. How do I meet students from or who are going to Newcastle University?

There are many groups and messageboards that will have students on. You are advised to view this page here

2. How do I meet people when I come to Newcastle University?

If you have stumbled across this site before going to Newcastle University, you will have probably met a few people off your course through the facebook groups and the forums. When you get to Newcastle University, you will be part of freshers week.

Don't feel afraid during freshers week to start a random conversation with people either side of you. Standing in queues during freshers week can be really fun. Everyone else is in the same boat and dying for someone to say something to them. Ask a few questions, name, where they are from, where they are living, what course...

... conversation will soon flow.

In your flat you will have neighbours. Keep your door open and introduce yourself. Don't be scared to go round to other flats and knock on their doors.

Another way to meet people is to go to freshers club and societies fayre. Everyone who runs a club, society and something where you can meet people (like the Courier, NSR and WAC committee), will be there. If there is something you have always wanted to do, sign up. There will be loads of freshers events going on.

Afterwards, we don't all shut up shop. If you are interested in something, go into the Union Building and ask at reception. They will try to find the contact you are looking for.

3. Will I see my mates from school?

Unless they are on the same course, on personal experience I found that you hardly met them unless you went out of your way to meet them at a certain time. If they are on the same course, you will see them most of the time.

4. Do I have to attend all of my lectures?

No you do not have to attend all of your lectures but my advice would be to go to as many as you can, aiming to get to all. Missing the odd lecture should not be crucial but if you start to miss a lot, please chat with your personal tutor to put in a plan to catch up. Poor attendance to lectures could be used against you when exam marks are being decided and you are borderline.

5. What is Freshers Week?

Freshers Week is a week to get you orientated with your new life at university. Many home comforts such as the cook and laundry fairy suddenly disappear and you are responsible to yourself. It gives you time to meet people and register for your course. There are lots of activities to do, which are centred around the union. Not all activities are centred around drinking with the opportunity to go paintballing, shopping, go karting, golfing, society activities, etc. There will be a number of activities that are held in the evening, with more of them being drinking orientated. To find out more about Newcastle's Freshers Week, go to their website

6. What happens after results day?

If you have got your place at Newcastle University, congratulations.

The first thing that should come through will be your AS12 letter from UCAS. READ AND KEEP THIS LETTER, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. Read the instructions. It may require you to send part of it back or it may not. This letter will be very important to apply for student bank accounts and register for your course.

Then student finance will send a letter. If you have applied for it, it will detail all the money you are due to get and when. If there are any details on it that are wrong, ring them up or log on to their website

Next will be the accommodation letter. This will detail which accommodation you have been allocated and when you can move in.

You will also get a welcome pack from the university that will detail general bits that you need to know including booking your place for Freshers Week.

What you should be doing is

1) reading every letter you receive
2) acting quickly on every letter you receive
3) preparing to pack what you want to take to university
4) opening a student bank account
5) Ensuring you are part of the facebook groups for the university and freshers week
6) Applying for Freshers Week online

7. I am from a posh area/middle class and have a posh accent. Will I be bullied?

No you will not be bullied for having a posh accent. There is currently quite a bit of humour but there will not be any bullying. There are a large number of students from posh areas and the south at Newcastle University. Do not be worried about this.

8. How do I apply for University Accommodation?

The Accommodation website runs a website and online application system for freshers applying to university accommodation. This usually launches around Easter and for students with firm offers, you should apply by 31st May to be guaranteed a place in university accommodation.

Insurance students should also apply for university accommodation. To find out more about the accommodation, click here

9. What is the best university accommodation?

There is not a best university accommodation. It all depends on what you want, what you need and what you can afford. Some accommodations are more popular than others. Some have en suite, some are catered and some are closer to the university than others.

Read the accomodation page for more information on each accommodation.

10. What is the difference between undergraduate and postgraduate?

An undergraduate is usually (99% of the time) doing their first degree and achieves either a bachelors or masters in their degree subject. They usually run for 3 - 4 years. Someone applying for an undergraduate course will apply through UCAS and be entitled to various amounts of support.

A postgraduate will have achieved a degree at undergraduate level and be studying for a masters or a Phd.

11. How do I apply to study at Newcastle University?

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you need to apply through UCAS. If you are a postgraduate, you need to apply through the university. Visit www.ncl.ac.uk for further information

12. How do I apply to Magnet Court and Victoria Halls?

You apply to Magnet Court and Victoria Halls like every other accommodation. It is run by a private company but the places in it are allocated by the university accommodation system and you pay for it through the university accommodation system.

13. Should I bring a car to university?

There is no reason to bring a car to university. Newcastle has superb public transport links and the university is very close to most of the student accommodation. The city centre is really compact and the current system of one way streets and bus lanes makes it difficult to commute into the university. The university has limited space for car parking.

If you need to bring a car to university, please bear in mind that most of the student accommodations charge for parking.

14. What are exams like at university?

Basically they are the same as exams you sit at school. You can be examined in a variety of ways but most are sit down with a question paper and an answer paper. The biggest difference is the ability to leave the exam early if you so choose.

15. How do I get to Newcastle University?

To get to Newcastle, have a peek at my page on getting to the university.

16. I have read that Haymarket Metro station is closed?

Haymarket Metro station is currently closed Monday - Thursday evenings and some Sundays for building work. This will not affect you if you are visiting the university. If you do come to Newcastle during this time, replacement buses are being provided by Nexus.

17. Your website has not answered the question I was looking for. What should I do?

Please view the official pages produced by the university to see if you can find the answer of the question there. Failing that, use the sites detailed in Question 1 and ask the question there. You can also contact me direct although I would prefer you asked the question on a public messageboard so that you can receive better help. Please state you have used bluenoxid.co.uk and I will try to sort out the lack of information ASAP.

18. You have a mistake or one of your links is not working

Well I am only human. Please send me a message through one of the methods stated on this page here

19. Is it true that Victoria Halls is being shared with Northumbria?

Yes, it is being shared with Northumbria University. I am unsure if universities will share the same flats, but it is unlikely from the looks of it

20. I dont drink. Will that be a problem?

Newcastle is well known as a party city. However, that is not all that university is like. Many students enjoy less alcohol led lifestyles and many societies and clubs centre around an activity and not drinking.

21. How do I become one of those Freshers Crew?

Freshers Crew are picked from around 800-1000 applications. There is a process of interviews and challenges that allows the Freshers organisers to wind down to around 300 crew. Excellent practice for what will be involved can be found by going for crew on RAG week (Raising and Giving).

The process will be publicised well in advance and usually takes place in late February and early March. Read the Courier, which will publicise this process in the weeks leading up to this.

22. What is included in the accomodation?

In most accomodation, you will get a desk, chair, bed (with mattress), cupboard, a small set of drawers, a light and some shelves. Some accomodation vary and you should check the publications page on the accomodation website.

23. How do I connect to the internet at Newcastle

You can connect to the internet by using a university computer and logging in that way. You can also connect to the internet with your own computer via MAGPIE (which is the wireless network), an ethernet cable in your university room or by an ethernet cable in either the Old Library or Robinson Library Level 1.

24. Can I download Torrents to my computer whilst at Newcastle

Currently the official rules say no, however, there are supposed to be ways around it by playing with your Proxy settings. ISS can block you for a number of reasons including illegal activities (pornography), misuse of IT facilties and incredibly heavy usage.

All content is copyright Peter Dixon unless stated otherwise. Terms and conditions apply to users of this website.