Thinking about going to uni in Newcastle? Got questions about what it's like to study here? Read on to find out.
Updated: 16 Mar 2025
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city in the north east of England. It’s got a low cost of living, friendly people and great night life, making it a popular choice for students. There’s some great coastline to explore nearby, as well as easy transport connections to the rest of the UK. If you’re thinking about studying here, keep reading to find out more about things to do in the city, the average cost of living and the two universities here, Newcastle and Northumbria.
As a student in Newcastle there’s loads to do, so you won’t be bored during your studies. The Quayside is a good place to start, as it’s full of bars, restaurants, markets and contemporary art gallery the Baltic.
Northumberland Street is really close to the Northumbria University campus, and has lots of cafes ideal for grabbing a coffee and snack in between lectures. If you’re into sports, you can join the state-of-the-art complex Sport Central to keep fit, or catch a football match at the iconic St James' Park stadium.
NEXT: Read our list of the top 10 student things to do in Newcastle.
With over 40,000 students in and around the city, nights out in Newcastle are some of the best in the UK with loads of student-friendly deals and club nights on offer. You’ll find a huge variety of student events every night of the week.
Digital is a popular club for students with low priced drinks and multiple rooms, each blasting a different style of music. Skint at the Points is Thursday’s biggest club night and has £1 drinks all night, and Soho Rooms is another club popular with students.
If you’re into live music there’s a big choice of venues, including the cool, hipster vibes of The Cluny and the massive Glasshouse International Centre for Music. It has two main stages, plus four bars and a cafe.
Both Northumbria University and the University of Newcastle provide accommodation for students. You can expect to pay between £100 and £220 a week, with studio flats being the most expensive option. It’s also possible to rent privately in Newcastle, and a room in a shared house will cost around £450 per month.
On top of rental costs, you’ll also have to budget for utility bills and wifi. In many student halls these are included in your rent, but if you’re renting privately you should budget about £60 each month to cover everything.
Newcastle is a compact city and getting about is simple. Many students choose to walk or cycle, and there’s a good bus network too. Download the Go North East app to check out all the bus routes and timetables. There’s also a Metro system which has been rated one of the most efficient modes of transport in England, and a single ticket costs up to £4.30, though if you're under 22 you can get a free Pop Pay As You Go card which offers cheaper rates. Electric scooters are another great way to explore the city. Hire one from £1.00 +18p per minute through the Neuron app, or pre-buy credit and get a monthly pass.
Getting around the rest of the UK is also easy, as Newcastle is well connected by train. There are direct connections to cities including London, Liverpool and Edinburgh. It’s a good idea to buy a 16-25 railcard as you’ll get 1/3 off rail fares, and book in advance to get the lowest prices. If you’re planning a trip further afield, Newcastle International Airport flies to over 80 destinations, and many more worldwide through its hub network.
Newcastle is known as one of the most affordable cities to live in the UK. Not including course fees, you can expect to spend about £900 each month as a student in Newcastle. This all depends on your lifestyle and choice of accommodation, as there are cheaper and more expensive options to choose from.
For groceries, you can expect to pay around £1.20 for a loaf of bread, £1.60 for a kilogram of rice, £2.80 for a dozen eggs and £1.40 for a kilogram of potatoes.
You’ll need to budget for other living costs outside of your rent. Depending on where in the city you live, you might spend between £30 to £60 a month for local transport. You should also budget about £20 per month for course costs, £30 a month for clothes, accessories and toiletries and about £27 each month for a gym membership.
NatWest’s Student Living Index found that students in Newcastle spent on average £38 on alcohol per month and £36 on going out. However, a night out here can be done cheaply, especially if you make the most of student club nights and drinks deals. There are plenty of budget-friendly options for eating out, too. An average inexpensive meal costs £15, but there are cheaper takeaways and restaurants available.
NEXT: Read our detailed breakdown on the cost of living in Newcastle.
The Geordie people are known as some of the most friendly and welcoming in the UK, so if you study here you’re sure to make some great new pals. The Geordie accent is often voted the UK’s favourite! There are lots of famous faces from Newcastle too – Ant and Dec, Jade Thirwall from Little Mix and Cheryl.
There are two universities in Newcastle. Newcastle University is a founding member of the esteemed Russell Group, and boasts outstanding teaching by top experts and academics. It’s in the centre of the city, with state-of-the-art facilities for a comprehensive portfolio of subjects.
Northumbria University is also based in the city. There are over 150 undergraduate courses on offer, each created in consultation with students, employers and professional bodies. Northumbria has international links, and you could study part of your course abroad or at the uni’s Amsterdam campus.
If you’re thinking about studying in Newcastle, take a look at the undergraduate courses available. It’s also a good idea to book an open day and visit the unis in person.