Student accommodation in Newcastle

Embarking on a new life as a student is an exciting time. Saying farewell to the comforts of home and greeting student life with enthusiasm is made much easier when you know your accommodation is going to be top-notch. Student digs in Newcastle cover a wide range of demand, from those seeking bedsits in halls, to large houses of multiple occupation for bands of sharers; there is plenty of supply to meet the heavy demand, but you have to be quick, get in early and do your research.

Over the last decade there has been a real overhaul of student accommodation in most UK universities and now student halls of residence are a pretty cushy number. For great facilities and convenience, student halls are often a good choice, however, they are not generally the cheapest option. You pay for all those well configured modern rooms with en-suites , well fitted kitchens and state of the art gymnasiums. Whilst many first years still choose to live in halls initially,once they have established a network of friends they frequently move into private rented accommodation in subsequent years.

Newcastle is top choice for university each year for many young people. The academic institutions here are unquestionably good, but there are also plenty of other attractions which draw students in. The famously good night-life, the rich cultural program, art galleries, architecture, Premiership football, friendly locals, low cost of living and good transport infrastructure make it an obvious choice for many young people entering academia.

House sharing is never going to be 100 per cent plain sailing. Putting together a group of young people, all with different personalities and temperaments will result in lots of laughs, some arguments and probably quite a lot of mess. Student living is notorious for its lack of attention to detail in the area of housework, and this issue is frequently the flashpoint for disagreements.

One of the best ways of tackling this problem is moving in to a property that defies our pre-conceptions of what a 'student hovel' should be like, that's to say, a smart, clean and well-maintained des-res. Smart private landlords have twigged that when a well presented property is handed over in pristine condition to a group of students, they are far more likely to keep it looking that way. Companies such as Findspace.co.uk in Newcastle provide a service for student sharers seeking good quality, affordable accommodation, and the large properties they have on their books bear testament to this theory.

Properties that are furnished well, have attractive communal areas, well kitted out kitchens and modern appliances, multiple bathrooms and a robust internet package are increasingly the norm in popular university towns like Newcastle. With a student population of around 40,000, landlords know there is plenty of demand, but expectations are so much higher these days and the best properties get snapped up well over a year in advance. Newcastle has a wealth of larger, old properties ideal for multiple occupation – some houses may offer up to ten bedrooms which enables big groups of friends to enjoy the shared life together.

There are two main universities in the city and the students tend to live in separate areas. For Northumbria Uni,students focus on Sandyford and Quayside locations, whilst University of Newcastle students elect to live in Heaton and Jesmond districts. Heaton is a popular Newcastle suburb, handy for the university with good amenities and a nice mix of student and family homes. Jesmond is more upmarket with some really nice cafés and bars, but you'll pay more rent due to its relative charm and sophistication. It is only a five minute ride on the Metro into town, or a half hour stroll on foot, making it a good choice for those without their own transport.

If you have your heart set on Newcastle for your higher education, it's a good idea to put some ground work in before you arrive permanently. Visit for a few days and explore different areas around the city to get a feel for the places you like. Time how long journey times take by public transport, so you know how convenient certain areas are for uni. Speak to property agencies dealing with student accommodation to get an overview of prices and what's available. You'll never be totally prepared for the big changes that student life brings, but you can certainly take some of the guess work and anxiety out of accommodation issues by checking out the housing choices Newcastle has to offer...