TWO teenagers who allegedly went on a five-hour spree of terrorising Newcastle university students in NSW will face court on attempted robbery charges.

Newcastle police Superintendent Max Mitchell said the two arrests meant eight people had now been arrested in relation to robberies of international students in areas near the University of Newcastle campus.

The two teenagers - a 19-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy - were charged on Tuesday morning with four counts of attempted robbery.

Police say the accused first targeted a 22-year-old Chinese woman who was hauling a trolley of groceries, running up and stealing her handbag about 4.30pm (AEST) on Sunday, August 23.

Less than five hours later, the pair allegedly threatened a Newcastle man with a stick and demanded he hand over all his money, but the intended victim was able to get away.

A short time later, they allegedly approached an international student leaving a nearby mosque and demanded the man's wallet.

They again left empty-handed after being disturbed by passers-by, police said.

Supt Mitchell said police were taking a tough stand against such attacks.

"Police are continuing their investigations into several matters, and we are not ruling out further arrests," he said.

"Police will not tolerate this type of criminal activity, and anyone we catch committing such offences can expect to be dealt with swiftly and to the full extent of the law."

Both teenagers have been granted strict conditional bail, with the 19-year-old man due to face Toronto Local Court on September 30.

The 15-year-old is due in Broadmeadow Children's Court on October 12.