Your Roadmap to Getting Started
See your essential actions in our interactive visual roadmap (pdf version available here).
Essential Actions
When it is time to get started, you will receive an email from the University to your personal email address explaining your enrolment journey and with instructions on how to log in to your Student Portal to enrol. Enrolling is the essential gateway to becoming part of the Northumbria, giving you full access to University systems and essential student services.
To enrol, simply log on to your Student Portal using the details that have been sent to you by email, select Enrol from the main menu and complete the sections. You will also need a passport-style photograph to upload for your Smartcard.
If you have forgotten your username, please contact IT Chat. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using DUO (UK mobile numbers only) or via IT Chat (all numbers), available 24/7.
International students
If you are a new student who requires immigration permission to study in the UK, you must complete a Right to Study check by providing evidence of your immigration permission and date of entry to the UK before you can enrol. You will be invited to enrol once your visa documentation has been checked and approved. See our Immigration guidance for full details.
You can find detailed guidance, including step-by-step instructional videos on enrolling in your Student Portal.
As well as reading your Welcome Guide, there are lots of things you can do before you arrive at University to help be prepared and get your student journey off to the best start.
Contact your Principal Supervisor
If you haven't already, we recommend making contact with your Supervisor ahead of starting your programme. You can find their details in your official offer letter.
Get to know your Student Portal
Your Student Portal is your essential platform for navigating Northumbria. You can access it using your University username and password.
You will use your Student Portal to:
- Enrol and access key University platforms and systems.
- See the latest Northumbria news.
- Get advice and guidance in Ask4Help Online - which includes a dedicated Postgraduate Research section.
Register for Accessibility Support
Our aim is to ensure all students are supported to reach their full potential and have the best possible experience here at Northumbria. If you have a long-term condition, Specific Learning Difference and/or neurodiversity, we offer accessibility support throughout your journey with us. Registering with our Student Accessibility Team will ensure any relevant support is in place, even before you arrive.
You can find out more about Campus Accessibility in our AccessAble guides, and if you would like to see some of the spaces you will be studying and socialising in before you get here, you can view our Virtual Campus Tours here.
Understand your research fees
Your research tuition fee banding will have been determined at your interview.
Please expand the relevant section below for payment detail:
Self-funding students
You will receive an invoice for your fees shortly after you enrol. Please ensure you have the funds ready to pay - you can do this via online payment platform.
The tuition fee payment policy can be found in section 13 of the Handbook of Student Regulations (Research Programmes).
In receipt of a studentship
When completing your enrolment task, please indicate in the Fees section that you are in receipt of a studentship.
If you have a studentship but still receive an invoice, please contact the Graduate School via your Student Portal.
If you cannot access your Student Portal at this time, please submit an enquiry to us via this contact form.
Sponsored students
If you are a sponsored student, you are required to submit a sponsorship letter at the start of each academic year. Please see the Payment of fees by a sponsor article on your Student Portal for full information.
If you cannot access your Student Portal at this time, please submit an enquiry to us via this contact form.
If have any questions or concerns about your fees and payment instalment(s) please see the articles in the Money and Finance section of your Student Portal, where you can submit an enquiry to arrange an appointment.
If you cannot access your Student Portal at this time, please submit an enquiry to us via this contact form.
Once you have enrolled, please allow up to 2 working days for your University accounts and systems to become active. You can then:
Access e:Vision
You will use your username and password to log in to various systems and platforms, including e:Vision - our student record system which is accessed via the Student Portal. This is where you will record your Supervision meetings and other key tasks.
Get digitally ready
You will also use the same username and password for a number of other systems, platforms and apps during your time at Northumbria, including Office.com for emails and file storage. We also recommend you download the following apps before you arrive:
- DUO Multi-factor authentication - for an extra layer of digital security.
- SafeZone App - which connects you to our security services when you need help.
- NU Connect App - to view your timetable and more on the go.
Collect your Student Smartcard
You will use your Smartcard daily to access buildings and register your attendance at taught sessions. It is also your Student ID, Library card and Students' Union membership card so it's important to keep it with you at all times. You can arrange to collect your Smartcard from campus after you have enrolled - please allow up to 2 working days after receiving your confirmation of enrolment email.
Book and attend your Faculty Induction session
Your Faculty Induction is part of your mandatory training and includes talks from your Postgraduate Research (PGR) Faculty Director, the Graduate School, University Library, Northumbria Students' Union, and Ask4Help. Visit the booking page below and make sure you select the correct induction for your faculty - this will give you the most informative experience.
Please note: Sessions will be added to the booking system in due course. You can only book once you have completed enrolment and have access to your Northumbria email account.
Know how to Ask4Help
Ask4Help is Northumbria's frontline student support service, here to provide advice and guidance on all aspect's of student life. You can contact Ask4Help:
- Online via Ask4Help Online on your Student Portal
- By telephone on +44 (0)191 227 4646
- In person at Student Central locations at City Campus Library and Coach Lane Library
Watch our short video to find out more:
Your Welcome Guide
To help you navigate Northumbria, we have brought together a range of information about our campus, services and support available to you in a handy Welcome Guide (PDF version available here):
If you need help and support...
Ask4Help is the name of our frontline support service, and it is available on campus, online and 24/7 during term-time via telephone.
Ask4Help can answer any questions you have or signpost you to more specialist support should you need it. Ask4Help Online in your Student Portal contains a range of useful articles providing self-help information on a range of topics. You can submit any queries you have or access specialist support from staff via the enquiry box at the end of each article.
Having trouble accessing your Student Portal?
Please contact Applicant Services if you have not received your login details.
If you have forgotten your username, please contact IT Chat (available 24/7).
If you have forgotten your password, contact IT Chat (available 24/7) or reset via DUO (UK mobile numbers only).
Page last updated 10/08/26
