Northumbria Students Reveal Newcastle’s ‘Hidden Gems’ for Future First Years

The University asked current students to give their top tips for prospective students, from favourite restaurants in the region, to where to go at the weekend. They were also asked to offer their best pieces of advice for future students.

Headline findings included:

• More than a third of respondents put a trip to the beach at Tynemouth as their number one thing to do on a weekend. Other popular places, particularly to take visiting family and friends, included the Quayside, Jesmond Dene and the Angel of the North.
• More than half of students surveyed said Facebook was their go-to source for information and events about what was happening in and around Newcastle.
• Half of students surveyed put their favourite hang-out spot on campus as the Students’ Union.
• The most popular North East restaurants were found to be Paradiso on Market Lane, Newcastle, Francesca’s Italian in Jesmond and Arlo in Jesmond. The Fat Hippo, which has restaurants in Newcastle, Jesmond and Durham, was rated as their best burger bar.
• The Free Trade Inn was named best pub, with a number of students citing its amazing views of the Tyne.
• Jalou, on Neville Street in Newcastle, was found to be the most popular spot for cocktails amongst the students surveyed, while Osborne Road was a popular choice for student hang-out.

Current student, Ryan Forshaw, said: “Make the most of your time at university. I’d advise anyone coming to Northumbria to get involved in societies and join a sport team.”

Third year Marketing student, Bethany Stoppard-Wood, who moved to Northumbria from Wakefield, said: “Tynemouth beach is always a good place to take your family and friends. It’s a short car journey away, or you could just hop on the Metro. It’s also worth visiting the Angel of the North as something to tick off your bucket list!

“When my friends come and visit, we like to go for food and drinks by the Quayside. The views are great and it’s a picturesque place to either relax or have a couple of drinks with friends. Another cool place to try is The Great British Cupcakery – they do amazing layered cupcake ‘freakshakes’ that are just incredible!

“I’d advise new students starting at Northumbria to experience as much of Newcastle as you can and get to know the city you’re in. Newcastle has so much to offer and it will become your second home, so make the most of the time you spend here.”

With A Level results day fast approaching, Northumbria University is encouraging students thinking about their choices to contact them for advice and information on what’s available through clearing. A limited number of places are available for high-achieving students at the University across subject areas including Business and Law; Arts, Design and Social Sciences; Engineering and Environment and Health and Life Sciences.

Northumbria has a global reputation for academic excellence and places great emphasis on overall student experience, which is demonstrated in its top 20 ranking in the UK according to the 2016 Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey.

Helen Bower, who is responsible for undergraduate student recruitment at Northumbria University, commented: “As students are starting to think about picking up their A level results and university becomes more of a reality, we wanted to do something fun that shows all of the great things they have to look forward to when they come to Northumbria.

“More and more students are choosing Northumbria and the city of Newcastle as a place to come to university. As well as our top 20 ranking for overall student experience by Times Higher Education, just last month, Which? magazine rated Newcastle as the best place for student nightlife in the country. I think the findings from our survey of our own students reinforce just how great the Northumbria experience is.”

Helen added: “In the build up to A Level results day, we want to remind students about the options available to them. For students who do better than expected, there’s a fantastic opportunity to come and study at this research-rich, business-focused university which puts student experience and giving your career the edge at the forefront. And for those who don’t get what they were hoping for, there are still opportunities available. This could be on an alternative course, or on one of our range of foundation degrees which are available across a range of subject areas. Our advice is to get in touch with one of our specially trained staff who can discuss the options available based on your situation.”

Northumbria University has a limited number of places available for high quality students through Clearing this summer. For more information, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/clearing or call the Clearing Hotline on 0800 085 1085.