North East England not convinced you it's the ideal place to study yet? Let us fix that.
Updated: 15 Jul 2026
North East England has three cities (Newcastle, Durham, and Sunderland) and five unis, including the elite Russell Group institutions Durham and Newcastle. The region is famous for amazing nature, much-loved food and landmark bridges, as well as some of the most friendly and welcoming people in the UK. There’s a buzzing student scene here too, and Newcastle is infamous for epic nights out. Keep reading for our top 14 reasons to study here.
The region has heritage dating right back to the Bronze Age, so if you’re a history buff you won’t be stuck for places to explore. There are plenty of castles, museums and two World Heritage Sites: Durham Cathedral and Hadrian's Wall.
A North East classic, the stottie is a chewy flatbread that’s become an icon of the region. It’s rare to come across a bakery that doesn’t sell it, or you can bake a loaf yourself. The key is to cook it as low down in the oven as you can – traditionally this should be right on the oven floor. And it should bounce when cooked!
From the towering Angel of the North in Gateshead, to the Biscuit Factory and BALTIC in Newcastle quayside, there’s loads of art to discover. The region is becoming more and more well known for its cultural offerings, so if you’re studying a creative subject you won’t be short on inspiration.
Forget flying out to Spain this summer – Sandhaven Beach in South Shields was named 2022 UK Beach of the Year. It’s got long stretches of golden sand and the sea is perfect for trying out some water sports. Sounds like the perfect escape for in between summer exams.
Apparently the Geordie accent is the UK’s favourite. Think Jade Thirwall from Little Mix, Cheryl and Love Island’s Amber Gill. The accent is known to be trustworthy and friendly, and if you’re studying in North East England you’ll hear it a lot. You might find it tricky to understand at first, but after a while you’ll love its bouncy rhythm. Wey aye man!
Students from far and wide travel to Newcastle for a legendary night out in one of the UK’s greatest party cities. Whether you’re looking for chilled pubs, classy cocktail bars or buzzing clubs, you’ll definitely find it here. There are loads of weekly student nights too, with drinks deals that won’t make your hangover worse when you check your bank balance in the morning.
Geordies are known as some of the most welcoming people with great banter and loads of chat. They’ll befriend anyone and everyone, so as a student here you’ll never be short of new pals to meet. They work hard and play hard, but also love to relax, so if you enjoy lounging about you’ll be right at home.
Almost 100 years ago, John Gregg and his bike started delivering fresh eggs and flour around Newcastle. Today the bakery can be found all over the UK – there’s basically one on every corner in the North East – and it’s home to some of our favourite savoury snacks. Steak pies, sausage rolls, pizza slices… Yum!
There are five universities in North Eastern England, all included in the Complete University Guide’s 2027 League Table top 100 unis. Durham University has a global reputation for its outstanding teaching and research, and both Durham and Newcastle universities are part of the prestigious Russell Group.
With 43 National Television Awards under their belt, it’s safe to say presenting duo Ant & Dec are two of the nation’s favourite Geordies. They were both born and raised in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. With humble beginnings in children’s drama Byker Grove, the pair have hosted staple weekend TV shows like Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain’s Got Talent and I'm A Celebrity…
If you like exploring, North East England is an ideal place to live. You can get anywhere in the region in less than two hours, and if you’re studying in the city it’s less than 30 minutes to the countryside or coast. The Lake District, Scotland and Yorkshire are also on your doorstep, so there’s no excuse for not getting out and enjoying that beautiful British countryside.
One of the world’s biggest and best half marathons is held right here in North East England. If you’re up for the challenge, join 60,000 other runners on the route from Newcastle to South Shields. You’ll run from the centre of the city, past the iconic International Stadium and along some stunning coastline. Whether you’re fundraising for charity, trying to beat a personal best or just running towards that well-deserved pint at the end, you’ll enjoy an unbeatable atmosphere.
There are seven bridges along the Tyne, all important landmarks in the region. The famous Tyne Bridge is probably the most recognisable as a symbol of the area. Along the river is the High Level Bridge, an impressive feat of engineering, as it was the first bridge in the world to combine rail and road. Plenty of motivation for civil engineering students!
North East England remains one of the most affordable places to live in the UK, making it an ideal place for students who don’t want to blow their budgets. Your money will stretch further here, especially on nights out. You could get a whole round of drinks for the same price as one or two pints in London.
If you decide to study in North East England you’ll enjoy a warm Geordie welcome to this diverse and historical area. With an affordable cost of living, top institutions to pick from and epic nightlife, it’s a popular region for students.
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