Newcastle and Northumbria University Student Guide
So, you are going to be a university student in Newcastle, and wondering how best to get around the region?
Public Transport is safe, affordable and easy way to get to where you want to go.
If you have never been to the region before here is a few of our top spots, that over your course you will either may need to get to, or you must visit!
Ticket information
Metro
Pop Blue – If you are 21 or under Pop Blue is the easy way to pay for your Metro travel. A single is £1 or all day is £2.20.
Student Metro season ticket – This ticket is available to students with a valid student ID card and gives you at least 31% discount off an adult season ticket. An annual Inner Newcastle ticket is £398 or 4 weeks is £35.70.
Bus
If you are 21 or under, you can travel on buses in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham for £1 single.
For season tickets, look at individual operator websites.
Multi-modal
If you are aged 21 or under, you can get a day ticket for £3 that gives you access to Metro, bus (in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham), the Shields Ferry and Northern train services between Blaydon and Sunderland.
Find your best ticket options here.
1. To get to University
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University of Newcastle
There is one main campus for University of Newcastle which is easy to get to by public transport.
The main city campus is a short walk from Haymarket Metro station or Haymarket bus station.
If you have lectures up at the School of computing or Newcastle Business School, you can hop off the Metro at St James or walk 10-minutes from Central station.
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Northumbria University
There are two campuses for Northumbria University which are easy to get to by public transport.
The main city campus is a short walk from Monument Metro station.
The Coach Lane campus can also be reached by public transport. Regular buses go right to the university. The number 1 bus goes from the centre of Newcastle to the Coach Lane Campus. Or you can get the Metro to Four Lane Ends and walk 15-minutes to get there.
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Newcastle College University Centre
The University Centre is located on the main Rye Hill Newcastle college campus. The closest Metro station is Central which is about a 10-minute walk. There are also plenty of bus stops near campus.
2. Studying
Looking for some ideal study spots, there are several libraries across Newcastle.
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University of Newcastle
There are two main University of Newcastle libraries located in Newcastle, both a short walk from Haymarket bus and Metro station, these include:
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Northumbria University
The main university libraries are located at the Coach Lane and City campus, both short walks from Metro stations.
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Newcastle College University Centre
The main college library is located in the centre of the Rye Hill Campus, it is a 2-minute walk from the University Centre.
If you are looking for a different study spot, there is the Lit and Phil Library, a 2-minute walk from Central station, or Newcastle City Library, a short walk from Monument Metro station.
3. Beaches and seaside
Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and Cullercoats are the perfect places for walking, cold water swimming, and water sports.
You can get to the coast easily by Metro, there are stops all along the coast, just hop on the Yellow Line.
The 306 bus also takes you directly to Tynemouth.
You could also take the Tide Tour by bus, read more about it in our blog: Explore the coast with the Tide Tour
4. Parks and Countryside
Newcastle is full of green spaces for you to enjoy close to campus. These include:
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Leazes Park (5-minute walk from St James Metro station) (Or take the bus to Haymarket bus station and take a 10-minute walk up to the park)
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Jesmond Dene (15-minute walk from Jesmond Metro station) (Or take the bus to Jesmond Dene road)
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Exhibition Park and the Town Moor (5-minute walk from Jesmond Metro station) (Or take the bus to Haymarket bus station and walk 15-minutes to Exhibition Park)
5. History and culture
Newcastle is rich in culture and history. There are a range of galleries, museums and historical attractions for you to discover.
If you are a fan of art, you can have a look around the BALTIC Centre of contemporary art (Closest Metro and bus station is Gateshead Interchange) or the Laing Art Gallery (Closest Metro station is Monument).
For history lovers, take a tour around Newcastle Castle (Closest Metro station is Central) or some of our local museums like the Great North Museum: Hancock. (Closest Metro station is Haymarket) (Or head to Haymarket bus station).
Newcastle also has its own China Town, a short-walk from St James Metro station you will find a range of authentic restaurants.
6. Shopping and entertainment
Head to Monument Metro station or Eldon Square bus station and you will be in the heart of Newcastle shops, with Eldon Square shopping centre directly outside the station.
Ouseburn is an area of Newcastle, home to a variety of local independent shops and food vendors, a short walk from Manors Metro station and after you can walk down to the quayside to enjoy a stunning view of the River Tyne.
For theatre goers there is Newcastle Theatre Royal and other smaller theatres like Alphabetti Theatre who have a whole range of amazing productions.
7. Sports and Fitness
If you are a fan of football or just an exhilarating atmosphere, take a trip to St James and watch a premier-league football game, easily accessible from St James Metro station or from Haymarket/ Eldon Square bus station.
Opposite St James stadium is the STACK, a venue that often hosts live music and has street-food vendors.
For general gym goers- Newcastle has all the main chains as well as all universities having their own on-site gym facilities.
8. Future years accommodation
If you like to plan ahead, some of the main areas which students move to after they have spent a year in student accommodation or move out, are Jesmond, Sandyford or Heaton. All these areas have a range of shops, restaurants and bars, making them perfect for students. They are also ideal locations to get to campus by Public Transport with regular buses and Metro stations nearby.
Jesmond – Closest Metro station is Jesmond or West Jesmond
Sandyford- Closest Metro station is Jesmond
Heaton- Closest Metro station is Chillingham Road
Read our other blog about how to spend a day in Heaton.
