When one thinks of Newcastle, one probably visualises its fabled football team that dominated the theatre of English football during the late 1990s, attributed chiefly to their chivalrous talisman, captain and striker Alan Shearer. Sadly, that dream team now finds itself relegated to the lower rungs of the English Premier League, but the city still has something to cherish — its 184-year-old university. Designated as a public research university with an annual endowment of about 80 million pounds and over 25,000 students, Newcastle University holds several formidable achievements and accolades. Naomi Oosman-Watts, Assistant Director (Career Management) at the university, was recently in Bengaluru on an academic undertaking to meet and greet Indian students who might be keen on pursuing their higher studies in the UK. During her brief visit to the city, Naomi interacted with a plethora of intellectuals, from faculties and staffs to eager scholars. “One of the differences I could see between the education delivery modules in the UK and here in India stems from the students themselves. While Indian students rely on their coursework and their professors for completing chapters, students in the UK are largely independent and carry out their own research,” says Naomi. She appears to be impressed by the dedication and effort exerted by students from India and points out that an increasing number of them are contemplating opportunities abroad in the process. “At Newcastle University, we teach our students along multiple fronts. We do not just educate them in their fields of interests, but also mould them into employable professionals for the future.”
There is little wonder as to why a rising number of Indian university students turn their attention towards the UK for higher studies. World-class education, top-notch facilities and infrastructure, reputed professors and an internationally recognised academic degree are just some of the merits of pursuing a British degree, so to speak. “We have student exchange programmes, a series of competitive scholarships, workshops and other academic services that we offer to prospective students. Furthermore, Newcastle University is also highly ranked in the UK when it comes to the employability of its students,” says Naomi.
Securing a lucrative job offer upon completion of a degree is certainly a priority for most foreign students from India and those graduating from Newcastle are not an exception. Naomi explains how the university has a dedicated team that guides students to potential openings within the UK and also offers constant support. As with many established institutions, Newcastle University offers a range of career options for its students. Given the expenditure involved in completing advanced degrees at acclaimed universities, this is something of a lifeline for many Indian students. “Our system is designed to benefit students of all nationalities. We equip them with skills to secure viable employment within the university, further empower them to become highly qualified professionals by the time they complete their degree, train them in various methods to enhance their career prospects both in the UK as well as back in India and the fact that we are one of the largest career services team in the UK is a standing testament to all of this,” concludes Naomi.
