Student guide to North East England

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Nestled between the top of Yorkshire and the border of Scotland, North East England is a place of rugged beauty and authentic charm. 2.5 million people live here, and there are six major universities which serve the region, offering a wide range of programmes and qualifications, as well as a diversity of student experiences. If you’re interested in knowing more, then our guide has a wealth of information about life in the North East, which could help to inform your uni decision.

CONTENTS

Student activities in North East England
Nightlife in North East England
Student accommodation in North East England
Student costs in North East England
What North East England is known for
Universities in North East England

Student activities in North East England

There are many adventurous activities to be experienced in North East England, however your first excursion may possibly begin at the SU bar. Your university students’ union is a hub of events and social activity, and it is often the first port of call during Freshers’ Week.

You’ll be able to meet people from outside your course and get acquainted with the many student clubs and societies which are organised by the university. These cover a huge variety of areas from sport to film, language, culture politics and many more. They are often free or charge only a small fee to join, and open the door to many new possibilities to try something interesting, visit somewhere new and make friends.

Wherever you study, the surrounding area will have a mixture of attractions, with traditional pubs, classic and contemporary restaurants and late-night entertainment. You can visit the cathedrals of Durham and Newcastle, go for a walk in the Pennines national park, or hang out at the many beaches which are dotted along the coast. North East England is a hotbed of sporting talent, and hosts regular top-flight fixtures in cricket, football and athletics.

Check out our guide to the top things to do in North East England

Nightlife in North East England

North East England has a lot of variety when it comes to going out on the town. Larger cities like Newcastle, Middlesborough and Sunderland have many options for food, drink and dancing, with student-friendly prices throughout. In Sunderland or Middlesborough, a dinner date at a mid-range restaurant can cost as little as £45, and pint of beer will set you back between £3.50 - £4.50 on average. Newcastle is a little pricier, but offers more in the way of choice.

Durham is a small town with a big uni, and therefore has a proportionally huge student population. This means you’ll find plenty of student activities, mid-week parties, quiz nights and theme events to get involved with. Even better, the venues for these events are all within short walking distance of the uni, so it’s an easy and convenient place to navigate as a student.

That said, if you do need to call a cab, then you’re in luck. Taxis in North East England are less expensive than most other places in the UK, and cheaper than London by as much as 40%.

Student accommodation in North East England

University-owned halls of residence are typically offered to undergraduate students for the duration of their first-year studies. It's a popular option due to its convenience, as they’ll usually include all utilities, insurance and internet bills. Halls of residence are often within walking distance of campus, and rent contracts last the same length as term dates, which makes it easy to spend the summer elsewhere.

Pricing for halls will vary between unis. The University of Sunderland has some of the best rates for a single, self-catered room starting at just £81 per week. This is the typical setup, with rooms arranged into shared apartments of between 3 to 8 students with communal kitchen facilities. In many locations studio apartments are available too, at a slightly higher price.

Durham University is unusual for the region, in that it uses a college system where you stay in college accommodation for the duration of your course, instead of renting from the private market. In this case, catered options are available and it’s worth giving this some consideration. Despite the extra expense, if you estimate the cost of buying ingredients and the time spent shopping, cooking and cleaning up after your meals, you may decide that it’s a worthwhile choice.

Fortunately for most other students, renting in North East England tends to be a bit more affordable than in the rest of the UK. The best value in the region is found in Middlesborough, where renting a studio flat in the city centre only costs £475 per month.

Student costs in North East England

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may find that there are some additional university related costs which are not covered by your tuitions fee loan. These can include subject specific equipment, digital subscriptions, art materials, extra books, stationery, printing and photocopying credits and more. Keep a small fund available for these things, and you’ll never need to worry about being short on cash when you have to print out that essay!

Similarly, the clubs and societies at your uni may require extra cash for annual subscription fees, or perhaps the purchasing of sports clothing, movie screenings, special equipment or field trips. Include this in your monthly budget and you’ll always be ready to get involved.

Find out more about the cost of living as a student in North East England

What North East England is known for

North East England has a long history of mining, and one of the most popular attractions in the region is the Angel of The North – a 54m wide and 20m tall sculpture by Anthony Gormley to commemorate the miners who had worked under the ground it stands upon for over two hundred years, and to represent the transition from an industrial to an information age. The sculpture is visited by more than 400,000 people every year.

Universities in North East England

There are six major universities in North East England.

If any of these institutions are on your interest list but you aren’t completely convinced, then you might benefit from booking an open day and taking a look around the campus yourself. It’s a great way to get a feel for the place, and you can check out accommodation options, speak to staff and current students and get the low-down on university living.