The Newcastle TL;DR
Legendary uni culture — societies for everything, proper pub life, and cities packed with international students. You'll never run out of gigs, football, or cheap curry nights.
Newcastle is a compact, sociable Geordie city with two big universities, famously good nightlife and Northumberland's castles and beaches a short Metro ride away.
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You get two central universities, some of the UK's best-value nightlife and a genuinely warm local welcome. The coast and Northumberland's castles are minutes away by Metro or train.
Jesmond is the student heartland, and the city-centre Bigg Market and Diamond Strip are the classic nights out. Ouseburn offers a cooler, craft-beer alternative.
Newcastle is one of the cheapest big UK cities, so nights out and rent both go further. A Metro smartcard and the covered market help stretch your budget.
Jesmond and Sandyford are the prime student areas, with cheaper options in Heaton and Fenham. Demand in Jesmond is high, so move early.
The Tyne and Wear Metro is the backbone, linking the city, coast, airport and Sunderland. The centre is walkable and the main line reaches Edinburgh and London.
The two universities sit side by side in the city centre with a big international community. Terms follow the usual UK calendar.
Since Brexit, EU citizens no longer have free movement, so most non-Irish students need permission to study. For an exchange of up to six months you can often come under the Short-term study route or simply as a Standard Visitor, depending on your nationality and course length. For a full year you will need a Student visa sponsored by your host university.
What applies depends entirely on your passport, so confirm with the university and official UK government guidance early. The Student visa needs a CAS reference from your uni, proof of funds and usually the immigration health surcharge, so budget both time and money for it.
North East staples are worth trying, and the covered market is a food highlight with real history. Football is central to the city's identity.
The city runs from leafy Jesmond to the arty Ouseburn valley and the riverside Quayside. Each has a different feel for living and going out.
Beaches and castles are a short Metro or train ride, and Edinburgh is close for a bigger weekend. The Northumberland coast is one of England's finest.
Locals famously go coatless on a night out, though you need not follow. Get a travel card early and use the Metro to reach the coast.
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Your complete guide to Newcastle, plus the #1 WhatsApp community for exchange students there.
Rania
From: northumbria
To: Northumbria
2024 • Full year
Not that much things to do during the day. However the night life is vibrant and clubs are open every day..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
£700
Where was it located?
Winn studios
Would you recommend it?
Close To the university. 15min walking to the city center
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Best night life in England
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Interesting courses and teachers. Lot of free time.
Do you have some tips?
The staff is very helpful. Big campus. I would pick the same uni again.
Best trips to do?
Cheap tickets to go to London. International Airport.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Newcastle?
Not that much things to do during the day. However the night life is vibrant and clubs are open every day
The weather is cold and you a bit far from big cities like London. But it’s a student city with lots of diversity.
Raffaela
From: Kedge Business school - Marseille
To: The University of Newcastle
2024 • Full year
I loved studying at newcastle. The teachers are so kind, and empathetic and they truly want to see you succeed and feel comfortable in their classroom. I think…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
Fist semester was around 650€ and the next one was 700€.
Where was it located?
On Callaghan Campus !
Would you recommend it?
Living on campus was the best choice I could make, because I was living with other people (mostly australians) and it’s great to meet new people. It made things easier. Moreover there is always a lot of activities and parties on campus, so you are always invited to everything and you can enjoy as much as possible. For business students the courses are in another campus called NU space(25/30 min of bus) but you can take a FREE bus from and to Callaghan campus (Accomodation campus). So it is also pretty convenient. The only negative point of callaghan campus is the location: it is not closed to the beach or to the center of the city.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
In the school life there are always events. The Orientation week is very fun to do because you have a themed party every day for a week, and activities during the day. And for the rest of the year, there is usually a bar and a club where the whole school is going to every sunday. Same fro tuesday and Thursday. For people who do not really like clubbing, the school has several clubs when you can go for a run and swim at 6am or you also can do manual activities such as drawing or painting. I didn’t rate 5/5 stars because I think the uni makes the social life cool, but if you don’t study it can be hard to do a lot of things in newcastle, as it is pretty small compared to melbourne or sydney. The student life makes it easier.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I loved studying at newcastle. The teachers are so kind, and empathetic and they truly want to see you succeed and feel comfortable in their classroom. I think I learned so much. First semester: - Negotiation and advocacy -> Amazing, very good for practicing english and to meet people. The teacher is great and class is easy - Accounting and reporting -> classic, you learn a lot. My teacher left uni but she was amazing. - Business finance -> one of my first finance class, I struggled a bit but I learned a lot. The teacher gave us gifts when we were doing exercices :) - Business development -> This class is very challenging because you have many essays to write. the teacher is a CEO of a company so it’s a different approach of what you are used to. You learn a LOT. It always felt like a discussion. You follow a case study of a company all semester and have to “sell” one of their products as the last project. It boosts your negotiation skills and it’s great to improve your english level. 2nd semester: - Bank and derivative securities -> my favorite class, it was very interesting and U got really good grades but you are a lot of students in this class so the teacher doesnt have time to interact a lot. - Portfolio management -> the teacher is GREAT, I learned so much in finance. A lot of excel but it’s always recorded so you have time to practice at home (and improve your skills). The assignments are interesting. There is a group project so ideal if you want to make friends. - Accounting practice -> Very easy - Leadership change management -> I did not really like this class because I felt it was a bit boring (respectfully).
Do you have some tips?
Even though it is the other side of the word. I have the feeling that everything was easy. The registration process was clear and the administration answers quickly to my questions. The campus is big and cool. I would do it again !
Best trips to do?
- From newcastle, it’s 2h of train to go to sydney (and it’s cheap = 6$). - Sadly there is not an international airport at newcastle yet, but sydney is pretty close you its almost the same :) TRAVEL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AUSTRALIA HAS SO MANY PLACES TO DISCOVER :)))
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Newcastle?
Food is okay, it’s not Europe or France but asian restaurants are very very good ! The transports are not the best because every one has a car (except exchange students) so you may need to be a bit more patient. I was surprised because it rains a lot in newcastle, especially during winter. It’s a small city and i you have to be prepared to live a slow and peaceful life. If you come form a big city it can be quite a change.
Go and talk to people, even though you feel lonely. There is not a lot of exchange students so not everyone will know or understand what you’re feeling. But Australians are very nice and they will want you to feel welcomed. Living in a small city can be a bit boring but I think at the end of the day you have a soft spot for the places you’ve been to all year/semester and it makes you feel at home. PS: don’t be afraid of sharks and spiders, I didn’t see one in my entire year. So go surf please. The beach is AMAZING
Imane
From: Newcastle Business School University
To: Newcastle University
2025 • Spring
The pictures are not relevant, but yet the residence is okay..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
750
Where was it located?
Leazes Park, 15 min away from the campus
Would you recommend it?
The pictures are not relevant, but yet the residence is okay
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Canny Lad, Tropicana,
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Business school classes are a bit light
Do you have some tips?
Everything was okay
Best trips to do?
Scotland but everything is pretty much expensive
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Newcastle?
It is very similar to France