The City
With over 40,000 students living in the city, Newcastle is a great place to be a student. Voted ‘Best City in the North’ in 2007 by the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Newcastle is famous for its vibrant nightlife, the welcoming and fun-loving character of the city, and its loyal football fans. With the regeneration of the city, Newcastle has re-invented itself as an exciting international centre for the arts and science, and has become one of the UK’s ‘must-visit’ destinations.
Iconic structures
The city of Newcastle upon Tyne offers a real mix of old and new. The castle keep, the medieval cathedral, and the elegant Georgian buildings leading down from Earl Grey’s Monument to the River Tyne, are all reminders of the city’s rich history. Modern, innovative landmarks have now come to represent the city’s energetic rejuvenation. One of the most striking is the awe-inspiring 20-metre-high ‘Angel of the North’ sculpture, welcoming visitors to the North East. The famous Tyne Bridge and award-winning Gateshead Millennium Bridge crossing the River Tyne connect the city of Newcastle to the Gateshead Quays, which in recent years have been revived with the development of iconic buildings, such as the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Sage Gateshead international music venue.
Centre of science
Designated as one of the six UK Science Cities by the government, Newcastle is set to become an internationally renowned centre for science. With the Centre for Life and the planned creation of Science Central – a major complex for world-class scientific research, teaching and business facilities in the city centre – Newcastle is developing a technology-based knowledge economy that will continue to attract top international companies to the North East.
City of culture
Runner-up in the 2008 City of Culture competition, Newcastle has emerged as an important international centre for the arts, with millions of pounds being invested in the region’s cultural facilities. At the heart of the city’s on-going cultural renaissance is the Culture 10 project, which aims to deliver a decade of world-class culture to the region. The development of the new Cultural Quarter on the University’s campus will provide a further major cultural focus for the city. So whether you decide to visit one of the many free art galleries and museums, or make the most of the public art dotted around the city, there’s plenty to see and do.
Cost of living
Students living and studying in Newcastle can generally expect a lower cost of living than in many other parts of the UK. As your money goes further in the North of England, students can make the most of being a student here. Rents for private accommodation are relatively cheap and many restaurants and bars have special deals for students. In addition, Newcastle is a compact and inexpensive city to travel around. As a guide, the University recommends that students need to allow around £5,500 – £6,000 for the nine-month period (September to June) to cover their living costs.
