NSWPublicEst. 1965

The University of Newcastle

A research university in the Hunter region with campuses at Callaghan, Newcastle CBD, Central Coast and Sydney. Strong in engineering, medicine and architecture.

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University Drive, Callaghan NSW 2308

ABN: 15 736 576 735

QS World Top 200

What student life looks like

The main Callaghan campus sits in 140 hectares of bushland on Awabakal and Worimi Country, 13 kilometres north-west of the Newcastle CBD. Most undergraduate teaching happens there, with the Hunter Building, the Auchmuty Library and a large mix of bush trails and lecture theatres. Newcastle City Campus, opened in 2017, hosts business, law and the NUSpace teaching building in the Newcastle CBD. Further teaching sites at Ourimbah serve the Central Coast and at Sydney CBD serve the postgraduate cohort. A joint medical programme operates with the University of New England. Accommodation runs through Edwards Hall, Evatt House and International House at Callaghan, plus a Newcastle CBD student residence; the university has a strong residential cohort for a non-Group of Eight uni. The Newcastle University Students Association and the UoN Students' Union run more than 90 clubs. The Newcastle light rail connects the CBD to the beach precinct, and Stockton Beach is a popular weekend escape. The Callaghan campus is served by the Warabrook station on the Hunter Line and a dense bus network.

Known for

QS World Top 200
College of Engineering, Science and Environment with strong industry partnerships
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (joint medical with UNE)
College of Human and Social Futures with architecture
Australian Institute of Higher Education partnerships in Singapore
Strong research culture in coal, energy, ports and resources
Multi-campus across Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney

Research strengths

Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER)
Hunter Medical Research Institute partnership
Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health
ARC Research Hub for Microwave Manufacturing
Centre for Bioactive Discovery in Health and Ageing
Wollotuka Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research
Centre for 21st Century Humanities

Cost of living (student estimate)

$22,000 - $30,000 per year

Newcastle is more affordable than Sydney. Includes shared rental in Mayfield, Waratah or near the CBD, groceries, transport and utilities. Excludes tuition.

Source: https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-studies/living-costs. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.

Student support

Wollotuka Institute for Indigenous students
AccessAbility services
Counselling and Mental Health
askUON student services hub
English Language and Foundation Studies
Financial Assistance and emergency loans
Safe Community team

Is this the right uni for you?

You probably thrive here if

You want a bushland regional campus with strong residential life
You are aiming at engineering, medicine or architecture
You want a research-active uni in a smaller coastal city
You enjoy beach and coastal surroundings
You want a multi-campus pathway across Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney

It is probably not for you if

You want a Sydney CBD campus and lifestyle
You want a sandstone Go8 prestige brand
You need a large international airport at the door
You want a single inner-city walkable campus only

The year at a glance

Semester one runs late February to early June with a mid-semester break in mid-April and exams in early to mid-June. Semester two runs late July to early November with a mid-semester break in late September and exams in early to mid-November. Results release follows in early July and mid-December. The university also runs a summer term in November to February and a winter term in June to July. Orientation week sits in the week before each main semester.