Situated on the north bank of the River Tyne, Newcastle is a spectacular University city with top class facilities and unrivalled access to education, culture, the arts and entertainment. With a proud industrial heritage, Newcastle has evolved into a thriving, multicultural, modern centre, with some of the best in theatre, cinema, live music venues, bars and clubs. The compact pedestrianised city centre is easily accessible with excellent transport links. The iconic quayside, lined with bars, restaurants and pavement cafes has a distinctly continental feel and is dedicated to fun and relaxation, set against the magnificent backdrop of the river and its seven iconic bridges.
Student culture
Newcastle has a fantastic reputation for live entertainment and attracts some of the biggest names in the music business to its venues including the Arena, City Hall, Sage Gateshead and the O2 Academy. Many of the pubs and bars around the city host live music during the week, and there is a lively comedy scene at the Stand and Hyena Comedy clubs. For live performances the Theatre Royal and the Tyne Theatre have a regular programme of local and national productions, including many West End shows.
The North East is a shoppers paradise with two major shopping centre, as well as regular markets and fairs. The city centre is home to Eldon Square, a modern shopping mall with discount clothing stores, exclusive boutiques and everything in between. A short bus, metro or car journey away on the opposite side of the river is the mighty Metro Centre with well known high street names, restaurants, bars, cinema and entertainment. The Grainger Market in Newcastle is a historic covered market selling food, clothing, house wares and all sorts of student essentials. The Quayside market every Sunday sells local produce and a range of art, craft and gift items.
Eating out on a budget doesn’t need to be dull, and Newcastle has some great choices for students. Many pubs serve reasonably priced, hearty comfort food, and Wetherspoons and the Bridge Tavern on the Quayside are particular student favourites. For the best Chinese food in the North East, head for an all you can eat buffet at Newcastle’s very own Chinatown, an area packed with amazing restaurants, shops and entertainment.
Getting around
With a station on the East Coast mainline, access to and from the city couldn't be easier. By car, Newcastle is well served by the A1, which also provides easy access to locations north and south of the city, including the famous Metro Centre. The city centre and main student housing areas have excellent public transport links with regular buses and metro trains, with discounted travel cards and schemes for students. Taxis to and from the town centre are plentiful and reasonably cheap, and there are an increasing numbers of cycle lanes into and out of the city centre.
Nightlife
Newcastle is a student friendly city which encourages students to get out and about and take advantage of everything it has to offer. From students Union to the bars and pubs on the Quayside, students are made welcome, with many offering discount cards and promotions. There are pubs and bars to suit every mood and occasion from a quiet pint and a game of pool to glitzy cocktails and clubbing until the early hours.
Learn more about student life in Newcastle here:
5 Things to See and Do in Newcastle
5 best nights out Newcastle
5 Must Visit Bars in Newcastle
Top 5 Places to Eat in Newcastle