Newcastle Student City Guide
Newcastle is the perfect city to satisfy all of your needs: not only does it have a great history, it also has plenty of green spaces, and it is a foodie’s paradise full of so many restaurants that it’s hard to choose which to visit first. Of course, the world-class concert halls, sporting scene and art galleries can’t be missed. You might even bump into Newcastle’s most famous footballing legend, Alan Shearer!
Get social
As well as our top pick Ouseburn, the city has plenty of options to hang out with friends, study or have dinner with your besties:
Restaurants
21
This restaurant is situated in the city centre and is all about eating good food in comfortable and stylish surroundings.
The Patricia
The Patricia is a modern English-style bistro which uses the very best ingredients both simply and thoughtfully, and without any pretence.
Cook House
Cook House is must-visit spot. In this restaurant, you’ll find an ever-changing menu of small plates and innovative dishes served in a comfortable and hospitable venue.Cafes
Mog on the Tyne
Mog on the Tyne offers a very unusual experience. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to drink your coffee surrounded by cute and friendly cats!
Flore
Flore is a café and patisserie situated inside the Central Arcade. The food they serve is just as tasty as the beautiful decor!
The Great British Cupcakery
Need we say more? This is the perfect place for the sweet treat lovers as they serve homemade cakes, bakes, great big shakes, and afternoon tea. In addition, the interiors are stunning, with walls filled with flowers. A great selfie spot!Bars
Jalou
Jalou Newcastle is considered the premium late-night bar in Newcastle serving up an impressive selection of cocktails with great music from DJs from all over the UK.
Barluga
Barluga Newcastle is the most popular rooftop bar in the city. Their food menu consists of delicious modern British cuisine, which goes perfectly with their extensive wine list and superb cocktail selection.
The Cumberland Arms
The Cumberland Arms is a must-visit. Overlooking Ouseburn, this is a unique venue where you can enjoy live music performances, as well as comedy shows while drinking fresh, local brews.Be Entertained
In addition to our top pick, the Sage Gateshead, Newcastle has loads of entertainment options. The most popular with students include:
Live Theatre
Live Theatre is a Quayside theatre producing and presenting versatile new plays, acclaimed by The Guardian as “One of the most fertile crucibles of new writing”. In this theatre you’ll find stand up comedy, romance plays, kids shows and more.
O2 City Hall
O2 City Hall is the perfect place for music and comedy lovers. This venue holds concerts and performances from both national and international artists almost every day! It holds 2000 seats and it’s the perfect place to watch a concert at an affordable price.
Greys Club
Greys Club is your go-to for disco and house music on a Friday night, it is a bit smaller compared to other clubs in the city but offers just the right vibe for students!Go Shopping
In a city the size of Newcastle, the shopping-scene can’t be missed, especially if you’re student!
The Grainger Market
The Grainger Market is a popular traditional indoor market offering a huge range of products. It is a busy and vibrant market home to hundreds of local traders and small businesses. Here you can find anything from vintage boutiques, food stalls, jewellers, artisan bakeries and so on.
Eldon Square
Eldon Square is the main shopping mall in the city and has over 100 stores and 20 restaurants, all under one roof!
Northumberland Street
Northumberland Street is the main shopping street in the city. It has a mix of high-street retailers and independent traders, and pedestrians are entertained all year round by a charming array of buskers!Go Exploring
Newcastle, thanks to its rich history, has plenty of attractions to visit, and most of them are free!
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art creates and produces exhibitions, activities and opportunities that explore the world through diverse contemporary art by artists from across the globe.
Great North Museum: Hancock
Great North Museum: Hancock is a museum of natural history and ancient civilisations where you can learn about anything from polar exploration to space travel. The museum is located on the Newcastle Uni campus, and it is also open to visitors for free!
Newcastle Castle
Newcastle Castle is a castle where the story of Newcastle began and the reason it got its name. Here you’ll be able to learn all about the north of England’s turbulent past and the hidden stories of the Castle’s inhabitants.Get outdoors
Newcastle is surrounded by nature and has stunning views to get lost in!
Jesmond Dene
Jesmond Dene is a narrow-wooded valley that follows the river Ouseburn between South Gosforth and Jesmond Vale. Here there is a spectacular mix of native and exotic trees , and the Dene is home to a lot of wildlife. The The Dene stretches for over three kilometres and has several areas of total tranquillity.
Armstrong Park
Armstrong Park is a historic park that was gifted to the people of Newcastle by Lord Armstrong in 1878. This park is popular for walks when you want to disconnect from city life, and there are also tennis and basketball courts available for use.
Exhibition Park
Exhibition Park is host to a range of festivals and sporting events throughout the year. The park has a popular play area, large open spaces for ball games or a relaxing picnic, and even a stunning lake that is home to a family of swans and ducks.Earn money
Even though Exeter is not as expensive as some other major cities in the UK, you might still consider getting a job or having a side hustle. Many students find a job within the university as student ambassadors or university application mentors: apart from gaining some relevant skills such as learning how to handle groups, working under pressure, and managing other students, you’ll gain some extra money that’ll help you to better enjoy your university experience.
Need a side-hustle with maximum flexibility? You could try part-time tutoring or becoming a web writer. Since the pandemic, opportunities to work remotely are now plentiful; the content creation and writing industry are always looking for people for just a few hours per week. According to The Balance (2022), the best platforms to find a job are Indeed (overall) and LinkedIn (best for connecting directly with recruiters). You can also check out StudentJob specifically for jobs suitable for students.
