Newcastle is home to a rich array of educational institutions, ranging from primary and secondary schools to tertiary and vocational education. The city's schools offer a variety of choices for families, including selective schools, independent schools, and Steiner schools, ensuring options for a broad range of educational needs.

Among the primary and secondary schools in the area, Newcastle High School stands out, having formed through the merger of three schools, with roots tracing back to a secondary school section originally housed within the grounds of Newcastle East Public School. For those seeking more specialized education, Newcastle is home to three selective state schools. The Hunter School of the Performing Arts offers a fully selective program for students from Years 3–12, with admission based on auditions. Merewether High School, located in the suburb of Broadmeadow, is another fully selective high school, while Hunter Sports High School, a partially selective institution, focuses on sporting excellence, accepting students based on local proximity and audition results.

Independent education is also well-represented, with Newcastle Grammar School and St Philip's Christian College providing coeducational K–12 schooling options. In addition, the city embraces alternative educational models, including two Steiner schools: the Newcastle Waldorf School in Glendale, Lake Macquarie, and the Linuwel Steiner School in East Maitland, which focus on a unique, holistic approach to learning.

For tertiary education, the University of Newcastle is the region's premier institution. Established in 1951 as a satellite campus of the University of New South Wales, the university gained autonomy in 1965 and now offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs. With a diverse student body of more than 38,000, including 7,000 international students from over 113 countries, the university is a vital educational and research hub in the region. Its main campus is situated in Callaghan, approximately 12 km from the city center, offering a comprehensive range of degrees across multiple disciplines.

In addition to university offerings, Newcastle is home to three campuses of the Hunter Institute of TAFE. The TAFE network includes locations in the Newcastle CBD, Hamilton East, and Tighes Hill. The Tighes Hill campus is the largest and specializes in business, hospitality, and various trades, providing practical, career-oriented education for students seeking to enter the workforce with specialized skills.

With its mix of primary, secondary, and tertiary education institutions, Newcastle continues to be a center of learning, attracting students of all ages from across the region and beyond.