Uni life

There is always lots going on on campus including lunchtime performances, markets, open air cinema, pool competitions and parties and events.

If you just want to catch up and have a drink with friends we have two bars you to choose from. Located on the Callaghan campus, you can visit the Bar on the Hill or Local Connections.

The Bar on the Hill is a renowned live music venue hosting a regular line up of big name gigs and emerging local bands. Acts in the past have included Powderfinger, Ball Park Music, Boy & Bear, the Beautiful Girls, Art vs. Science and Hilltop Hoods.

Active travel is an excellent way to get to campus and our bike hubs are great for freshening up after your journey.

There are two bike hubs on Callaghan campus offering:

• secure bike storage
• secure lockers for cycling equipment
• shower facilities
• mechanic shop/workspace.

At our City campus there is secure undercover storage for bikes at University House and Q Building as well as modern end of trip facilities.

Our main campuses are located in Newcastle and on the Central Coast. We also have a key presence in Singapore, Sydney and in regional centres in Australia. We have worked hard to create environments that strive to meet the needs of the staff and students in each distinct location.

Select a campus to find out more:

• Newcastle campus at Callaghan
• Newcastle City campus
• Central Coast campus at Ourimbah
• Central Coast Clinical School
• Port Macquarie campus
• Sydney
• Singapore

NUspace shuttle

If you are studying at Newcastle City campus, then you can take advantage of our free shuttle service from Callaghan campus. The shuttle makes six stops on Callaghan campus where you can hop-on or hop-off before continuing non-stop to NUspace and then onto Q Building. Find out more.

Security shuttle

The Security shuttle operates Monday – Friday from 8.00am to 4.00pm and runs a continuous loop around Callaghan campus (including Warabrook train station) before switching to an on-call service from 6.30pm to 1.00am to get you to and from class safely. The shuttle will also drop you to your car or to surrounding suburbs within a 3km radius.

At Ourimbah, the Security shuttle operates Monday – Friday from 5.00pm to 10.00pm as an on-call service. The shuttle will also pick up and drop off from Ourimbah train station upon request. Find out more.

Clubs and societies are a great way to get involved in university life and make friends while putting some extra-curricular activities on your resume. As a member you will get to attend events, volunteer or perhaps join the committee.

The University of Newcastle boasts over 150 clubs and societies so there is bound to be one that will appeal to you with categories of academia, sport, charity, culture and much more.

We offer opportunities for all capable students irrespective of family situations. If you are a studying parent we have a range of services to make student life easier for you:

Childcare

We have three childcare centres at Newcastle campus and one at Central Coast. All are run by KU Children's Services and are community-based centres open to the general public as well as staff and students. However the Kooinda centre at Newcastle campus is restricted to children of staff and students only.

Parenting rooms

We have several parenting rooms with facilities such as a change table, nappy disposal unit, microwave, fridge, sink and comfortable chair.

Flexible approaches

We understand that occasionally you may need to bring children to class or that the needs of children may impact your ability to study. Our Equity and Diversity unit can help you come up with possible solutions.

When you become a University of Newcastle Student you will receive free or discounted access to key IT tools and services you need to complete your studies and make uni life easier.

• Wifi
• Microsoft 365 - including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, OneNote, Teams, Sway and more
• NUmail - your university email
• Sophos antivirus software
• On campus computers
• Zoom
• Support
• Other free and discounted software

Learn more about IT Support

More than just buildings full of books ­(although we have those too) the University’s libraries are vast, interconnected sources of knowledge, with extensive online databases, spaces for individual or group study, and knowledgeable staff who are ready to assist you. Take one of our virtual tours below and view some of our Library highlights and spaces.

Take one of our virtual tours showcased below and view some of our Library highlights and spaces.

Explore with our virtual Library tours:
• Auchmuty
• Ourimbah
• welcome to the Library Online
• choose one of our Libraries for a 3D Virtual tour
Learn about our library spaces:
• 24 hour spaces
• family friendly spaces
• library study zones
• online tutorials

View some of our library highlights:

Living Histories

View our state-of-the-art online platform for thousands of photos, audio and more.

Special Collections

Housing our historical and University cultural memory, the Special Collections incorporates the University Archives and Rare Books and Special Collections.

MakerSpace

The Ourimbah Library MakerSpace is a unique space that encourages people to experiment, innovate, create and find peer support.

If you are unwell or need health advice we have a bulk-billing medical centre on both our Newcastle and Central Coast campuses.

With at least nine doctors and several nurses covering both facilities you generally don't have to wait long to get an appointment.

Callaghan Campus Pharmacy offers fast dispensing of PBS prescriptions and affordable generic medicines. They also have a wide range of vitamins, cosmetics and gifts.

Our campuses at Callaghan and Ourimbah are situated in beautiful bushland environments. These provide an enriched natural learning setting and a great backdrop for outdoor study spaces.

Students taking a break from study can meet up with friends in a sunny, tree-lined space or can take advantage of the wireless access to move their study outside.

We have a wide range of restaurants, cafes and coffee outlets at our Newcastle, City precinct and Central Coast campuses to keep you fed and watered when you’re on campus!

There are a diverse range of food and beverage options including Bar on the Hill, Local Connections, Sprout, Subway and Gloria Jeans just to name a few. At Ourimbah campus Ganda Burung and Yara Ngura will provide you with a coffee fix as well as plenty of hot and cold meals. At the City precinct, you can grab a snack or a coffee at Bumble B cafe at NUspace and Darks Coffee at Q building.

We have various sporting facilities at both our Newcastle and Central Coast campus.

Fitness facilities

Our gym, The Forum is a leader in providing quality health, fitness, sport and recreation services to University of Newcastle students. The state of the art facilities offer fully equipped cardio, cycle and strength training zones, group fitness, personal training, plus a range of group sports including badminton, volleyball and basketball with several indoor courts.

The Forums two locations, University (Callaghan campus) and Harbourside (City campus precinct) give students flexibility and variety for where they want to train 7 days a week. Explore our facilities and programs including personal training and group fitness timetable with our range of classes (including Les Mills) and specialty fitness zones available at The Forum.

Aquatic centre

The Forum (University) located at Callaghan offers students on-site access to the region’s only 50m indoor heated swimming pool. With a recent refurbishment, the aquatic centre is highly regarded as the premier aquatic facility in the Hunter.

This facility provides learn to swim, swim academy for competition and performance training, casual swimming and a range of aquatic fitness programs. For more information see The Forum.

Squash courts

Four squash courts are available in the Squash Pavilion at the University (Callaghan) campus.

Sport

Social sport competitions are offered 6 nights per week for students, staff and members of the community. Register with a team or if you do not have a team, register as an individual and we will try our best to match you with a team. Social sport is a brilliant way to regularly catch up with your friends or meet new ones!

ResChallenge Sport Program

Instilling a proud tradition of competition and friendly rivalry, the Res Challenge Sports Program exists to encourage positive interaction between on-campus residents of The University of Newcastle.

The sporting program commences in early March, with 10 sports played either weekly, or as gala or knock out competitions, formally concluding with the Student Living Awards Dinner in October.

UniSport Nationals events facilitate representative opportunities for student athletes of The University of Newcastle to compete against the best University student Athletes in Australia.

NUsport Affiliated Sport and Active Recreation Clubs play a vital role in enhancing the student experience at the University of Newcastle. Our clubs boast a diverse range of activities providing members with opportunities to participate, compete, coach, lead and learn.

The University of Newcastle offers an active, diverse community of students from a huge variety of social, educational and cultural backgrounds. With over 39,000 students from more than 121 counties, campus life is an enriching experience where you will meet loads of interesting people not only in your studies but in the range of other social activities and spaces available at the university.

We have six sporting ovals at our Callaghan campus. They provide a great open space to play social sport, catch up with friends, hold study groups and most can be booked for larger gatherings and events.

Park on the Hill is another outdoor study, social and leisure space located on Callaghan campus with a basketball court, seating and shade. Plenty of events are held throughout the year in this space including live music and free BBQs for students.

Save time and take advantage of our other retail outlets on campus.

Newcastle University Post Office

Location
Shortland Building, Callaghan.

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm.

The Newcastle University Post Office is located in the Shortland Building. The Post Office can look after all of your mailing needs as well as PO Box hire and passport applications.

For any enquiries, please contact (02) 4985 4135.

The Shop

Location
Shortland Building, Callaghan.

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Check out The Shop online

The Shop, stocking official University of Newcastle merchandise, is co-located with Australia Post in the Shortland Building.

At The Shop you can get:

• T-shirts and hoodies in a range of colours and a choice of classic and varsity designs
• Canvas tote bags
• Eco-pens and eco-notebooks
• Recycled leather notebooks
• Sports drink bottles
• Chino caps
• Glass tea infusers
• Graduation teddy bears
• Rock candy

The School Locker

Location
Shortland Building, Callaghan.

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Located on Level 2 of the Shortland Building, The School Locker offers a range of products and services, including notebooks, stethoscopes, lab coats, keyboards, headphones and heaps more!

The School Locker is also an Apple Authorised Service Provider so students and staff can visit the store to get the best care for their Apple products, including same-day iPhone screen repair.

University of Newcastle Print Centre

Location
Shortland Building, Callaghan.

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm including semester breaks.

For all of your printing needs, make sure you check out the Print Centre on campus. The super friendly team are located in the Shortland Building and are happy to help you out with all types of printing, binding, invitations, posters and your course notes material.

You can contact them on (02) 4985 4474, email: uon@uni-print.com.au or Facebook

Retail and stationery store

Location
Student Amenities Building, Ourimbah.

Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 3:00pm

The Ourimbah Retail Hub is fully stocked with everything you need while studying. Inside you can find a range of notebooks, pens, USBs, technology, course materials and more.

This store is also home to The Shop, the University’s official merchandise store.