Despite the present national lockdown, many essential services on campus remain open for all students.
Our dedicated teams have been working around the clock to ensure our campus is prepared and as safe as can be to welcome back our community. Before visiting us, please be responsible and adhere to present covid-19 restrictions where required and importantly, if you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 please stay at home.
Please be aware that this information is subject to change in light of evolving Covid-19 restrictions. Our latest guidance, updates and FAQs can be found here.
Library
Since mid-July, our libraries have embarked on a phased re-opening schedule, beginning with the Philip Robinson Library. At each phase, our teams have remained dedicated to ensuring our library spaces are completely safe for our community whilst adhering to governmental and university-wide restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, the following services are available:
- Pre-bookable Study Spaces: Students can now book a study space during opening hours at the Philip Robinson Library. From study spaces, desks with PCs, individual desks and booths, students can zone out and get productive with slots available from 15 minutes up to 6 hours per day. However, entry to the libraries is by advance booking only, this means please do not enter without pre-booking your seat. Students can book a study space here. Make sure you have your booking confirmation handy as you may be asked for it on entry.
- Click & Collect: Precautionary measures mean that it is currently not possible to browse the shelves in our libraries so if you require some resources but are working from home, books can now also be requested straight from the shelves, without having to browse. From the Philip Robinson Library, Walton Library and Law Library, it's never been easier with our step-by-step guide. Students can also print material via Inter Library Loans. When loans come to an end, students will be emailed a reminder and all books can be returned via the kiosks at Phillip Robinson and Walton libraries.
- Social Distancing Measures: We all have the responsibility to help reduce the spread of covid-19 and this is no different within our libraries. To ensure everyone is safe, social distancing measures, including a one way system, are in place to enable you to study and move around the building freely but safely. Masks also must to be worn (unless you are medically exempt) when moving around the building. To do your bit, we ask students to please use hand sanitisers regularly, remain in your pre-booked seat, scan the QR code and clean your station on arrival and departure using the cleaning materials provided.
Please keep a watchful eye on our Library website for any changes and visit our FAQs for further information.
Study Spaces
We know that people work in different ways and that working from home may not always be the optimum arrangement for some of you. Because of this, we have been working incredibly hard to re-open our study spaces on campus. Made possible by our dedicated teams, over 1800 study spaces are now available. From spaces in our libraries and faculties including our Business School, Culture Lab and Urban Sciences Building , students can now find location, capacity. opening hours and booking information via our Room Finder webpage. Please ensure you visit this webpage before making your journey onto campus. Whilst some study spaces are "open access" and do not require a booking, many are exclusive to faculty members and must be booked in advance.
Similar to our libraries, please adhere to current Covid-19 restrictions when accessing our study spaces. Please use the spaces independently and avoid gathering in groups. Most rooms will contain guidance on entry. Please also ensure that you do not move furniture, and it is vital that you do not exceed the room capacities in any of our spaces.
IT Clusters
Looking for a PC on campus? Our IT Clusters are back open and information can be found via the Find a PC webpage or Newcastle University App, downloadable via the App Store or Google Play. Featuring information on availability, opening times and location, students can gain access to printers and scanners, a wide range of specialist software like Adobe or CAD systems and even 24-hour access to some clusters. Any problems or concerns regarding IT, our dedicated IT support teams remain available to help and can be reached via their webpage.
Sports Services
Unfortunately, in line with government guidelines, all of Newcastle University's sports and fitness activities have been paused from Thursday 5th November. The Sport and Fitness Centre will be closed with the gym, group exercise classes and indoor household sport all paused for now. All outdoor sports facilities will also be closed including AU Club activity, Intramural sport and outdoor household sport.
Please keep an eye on our Sport webpage for any updates and we will continue to follow government guidance and confirm a re-opening date when safely possible. If you're looking to keep fit from home, get involved in virtual HIIT, yoga and Tabata sessions with our Sports Centre or visit our Students' Union's events webpage for more.
If you have any questions about our sports facilities, please get in touch via sport@ncl.ac.uk.
Students' Union (NUSU)
NUSU building is now open with many precautions in place. To adhere to social distancing guidelines, there is a one-way system operating throughout the building which is clearly marked with floor arrows and there are hand sanitizer stations positioned regularly throughout.
Entry to the building for meetings with the Sabb Officers, departments and accessing the Computer Cluster is by appointment only, so please make sure you’ve got this in place before you leave home. For the computer cluster, students can book one of our 48 computers for personal study via the University Computer Cluster booking page, Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm. If you are seeking some help and support, the Student's Advice Centre has now moved online and more info can be found here.
Health and Wellbeing Services
All Student Wellbeing and Health support services are available and are now being delivered remotely using telephone or video call. From mental health support, covid-19 guidance, counselling and beyond, our dedicated wellbeing teams are here to listen, advise and guide our students in such unprecedented times. Any Newcastle University student can access services via our Student Wellbeing webpage and can also access support 24/7 using the free TalkCampus and INCLude apps. If you're self-isolating, discover the virtual support available to you here.
Catering Services
If you're out and about on campus and need to grab something for lunch, a variety of our EAT@Newcastle catering facilities are open, for takeaway services only. A number of these include Bites in the Dental School, The Business School Cafe, The Grand (formerly Campus Coffee), Courtyard in the Old Library Building and Chicken Shack opposite Luther's. With many others hoping to re-open in coming months when Covid-19 restrictions allow, all information on opening times, location and meal deal availability can be found via the catering website. Students can also familiarise themselves with our 16 cafes and restaurants via our virtual map.
The Co-Op
Based in our Students' Union, our campus Co-op remains open and is stocked regularly. Whether you're grabbing a quick meal-deal or doing your weekly shop, students can visit from 8am 'til midnight Monday-Saturday and 9am 'til midnight on Sundays. For those self-isolating, students can learn about the support available to them here. For up to date information on how to access the Students' Union during the Covid-19 pandemic, you can check online here.
Please be aware that the information above is subject to change in light of evolving Covid-19 restrictions. Our latest guidance, updates and FAQs can be found here.
