LOCATION

A “Core City” in north east England not far from the Scottish border, Newcastle (or Newcastle-Upon-Tyne as it’s also called) sprawls along the north western bank of the River Tyne. Follow the water and it’s just a short drive from here to the coast of the North Sea.

STUDYING ABROAD IN NEWCASTLE

Newcastle is consistently voted one of the UK’s favorite student cities with about 42,000 students, both local and international, living here during the school year. Studying abroad with ASA, you’ll join the student body of about 23,000 at Newcastle University, one of England’s highest-ranked universities and a member of the Russell Group (which is the UK equivalent of the Ivy League).

Alongside competitive academics, Newcastle University ranks in the UK’s top 10 for achievement in sports and have about 65 active sports clubs you can join, plus new, state-of-the-art sports facilities. Not into sports? You’re sure to find a different extracurricular activity of interest in one of their other 160 societies, including baking, beekeeping, salsa, veganism and video gaming.

You’ll live in the halls of residence in a single room with common areas that you’ll share access to with five to eight “flatmates”. Everything you need will be within walking distance!

WHAT’S NEWCASTLE LIKE?

About 300,000 people call Newcastle home. It’s a medium-sized, riverside city with a compact, walkable center easy to explore on foot. Locals are notably friendly. Newcastle is a lively place, famed for having some of the best nightlife in the UK, and it has a much lower cost of living than London. With the city’s industrial heritage as a wealthy coal port (among other vital roles in the past), environmental awareness is now at the forefront here. Newcastle is currently planning to become the first carbon-neutral town in the UK.

Head outward beyond the urban streets and you’ll find yourself in one of the most beautiful parts of England. There are relaxing seaside towns and sandy beaches, green villages, ancient ruins and castles, walking paths laid by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago and a castle where Harry Potter was filmed.

HOW CAN I SPEND MY FREE TIME?

Newcastle is rich in history and culture and you’ll find plenty to do here with a packed calendar of events both on and off campus, places to appreciate the best new contemporary art, parks and trails where you can spend time outdoors, and other ways to enjoy the local lifestyle.

HIKING. Newcastle has several green spaces, but one of the best for a hike is the tranquil ancient woodland of Jesmond Dene Park. The network of paths is excellent. Pack a picnic, find the waterfall, and see if you can spot an otter on the River Ouseburn. Venture further out of the city limits and you’ll find many great hiking trails.

MARKETS. Markets help stretch a student budget and they’re full of treasures. We recommend the indoor 180-year-old Grainger Market (with a special shoutout to the Make & Mend Market hosted here on the first Saturday of each month).

QUAYSIDE. On Sundays, Quayside Market is also worth a visit, and Quayside itself is a popular place for students to hang out with its restaurants and cafes and great views.

GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS. Be sure to check out an art exhibition at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art which is a huge gallery built in a renovated flour mill. (Head to the rooftop restaurant for great views over the city!) In Ouseburn, visit The Biscuit Factory, which is housed in an old Victorian warehouse, for more arts and culture, from craft to design to poetry. Newcastle has a lot of other smaller art galleries to explore too, and we also recommend the science museum – The Discovery Museum – for some interactive fun!

HISTORY. You’ll find some stunning architecture (both new and old) to explore in the city center, including Newcastle Castle (clearly where the city got its name!). Newcastle has a rich historical background and it’s well worth taking a tour or two to listen to some of the stories of the city’s past. One location to consider is the 19th-century Victoria Tunnel which was originally a wagonway for coal transportation and later a WWII air-raid shelter. Another famous place to explore is the UNESCO site Hadrian’s Wall.

SPORTS. Newcastle United soccer (football!) team are in England’s top Premier League and play their home games at St. James’ Park. Their fans, the “Toon Army” are strong supporters of the club and make attending a match a fun experience!

LIVE MUSIC. Newcastle has become a popular location for music festivals and has many live music venues throughout the city, including large venues like Sage Gateshead and the O2 Academy as well as smaller spots like The Cluny and Riverside to intimate spaces like Little Buildings.

TYNEMOUTH. A short metro ride from Newcastle is Tynemouth on the coast. It’s been voted one of the best seaside towns in the UK with its award-winning Tynemouth Longsands beach and a castle.

WHAT (AND WHERE) SHOULD I EAT?

There are more than 250 bars and restaurants within walking distance of campus so there’s some brilliant scran (local Geordie speak for “food”) to be had. For a feast of local foodie faves, try Fenwick Food Hall or Grainger Market, or head out on a tour like “A Taste of Newcastle”.

CAFES. Sip coffee or have a light lunch at a communal table or on a fireside couch in a working kiln with a café called Kiln or strip back the frills at the cheap and cheerful Queens Café which is super popular with students (and a good place for a full English breakfast). Stack your pancakes high at The Dispensary. Try a breakfast muffin (“Muff”) at Burds in Jesmond. Instagram your way through pretty Flore in Central Arcade. Or get your morning brew from Flat Caps Coffee in Carliol Square which made a list of the top 50 independent coffee shops in England.

FOOD. Soak in the atmosphere of the UK’s oldest dining room in Blackfriar’s where you can find the local favorite bacon floddies. Try some tapas at Kaltur or dine in Parisian style at The French Quarter. Enjoy a full vegan menu, pub-style, at The Ship Inn or The Bridge Tavern. For a carb fix, head to Zucchini Pasta Bar. If it’s burgers you’re craving, you need Fat Hippo Underground. For sushi, can’t beat shipping-container-set Sushi Me Rollin’. For pizza, I Scream for Pizza and Gingerino’s won’t disappoint.

MUST TRY. Seafood is a good bet in Newcastle, but specifically, try to find Craster kippers (smoked herring soaked in brine and hung in a century-old smokehouse) with buttered toast. Pease pudding is a traditional food from this part of England. Chevington cheese is made locally. There’s also a famous regional dish called pan haggerty (similar to potato gratin). Try a singing hinny (like a scone) from Hinnies and a stottie cake (filled bread) from Pink Lane Bakery.

ANY OTHER TIPS?

 A few other things to keep in mind to make the most of a study abroad experience in Newcastle…

1.    GETTING AROUND. There are six main ways to get around in Newcastle: bus (for the city center; some run 24/7), metro (from the city to surrounding boroughs), train (to other parts of the region and beyond), cycle (great way to explore locally), walk (save money, get some exercise) or book a taxi (more expensive, but an option when needed!). Always check for student discount options on public transportation.

2.    GET INVOLVED. Joining one of the many clubs at Newcastle University is a great way to get to know people with similar interests quickly!

3.    RESEARCH. Take time to explore this amazing city. We love https://newcastlegateshead.com/ as a reference to find the best of Newcastle.

4.    STUDENT DISCOUNTS. From the transport discounts mentioned above to cinemas, shops, restaurants, cafes, gyms and events, Newcastle is full of student discounts just waiting to be found. Ask around!