Not only is Newcastle known for being one of the best cities in the world for students, but it’s also the sixth-cheapest place to live in the UK. The city boasts great nightlife, restaurants and plenty of open spaces, so it’s no surprise that thousands of people choose to call Newcastle home during their studies. With two universities and a college offering undergraduate courses, the city is a haven for students.
With this many students, it’s inevitable that the uni facilities won’t always be to your taste – or maybe your favourite desk in the library is taken – so we’ve put together a list of our favourite alternative study spots in Newcastle.
Pink Lane Coffee
Pink Lane Coffee (situated on Pink Lane if you hadn’t already guessed) is the alternative study spot for the caffeine junkie. If you need a coffee or three to get yourself in the right mindset for your revision, you’ll be spoiled for choice here. All their coffee comes from their own roastery and their helpful staff will talk you through the selection – you’ll be amazed by their unique extraction process.
Here you’ll find comfortable seating; tables with enough space to spread your work out, or a couch if you prefer a more relaxing study space. This is a popular spot for studying and can get really busy at lunchtime, so get down early to make sure you get a seat.
Leazes Park
We understand that if the weather is nice, you probably don’t want to spend the day sitting indoors. That doesn’t mean you have to stop studying altogether, because Newcastle has plenty of outdoor spaces that are ideal for revision. Some psychologists recommend revising outside as well as inside because it can help with retaining information – what other excuse do you need to get outdoors?
The city’s oldest park has plenty of spots where you can base yourself for the day. You can sit by its tranquil lake, spread your work out on one of the many benches or find some shade under a tree – did someone say “picnic”? If that doesn’t take your fancy, you can pop into The Tower Cafe for lunch, where you can pick yourself up a snack for a reasonable price.
Olive & Bean
If you find that you spend a solid 10 minutes revising only to spend the next 20 minutes on social media, this is the perfect study spot for you. Olive & Bean has no Wi-Fi, meaning you can sit down with a textbook and get some work done (the old-fashioned way).
Just a 10-minute walk from Newcastle University, this is an ideal space for doing a bit of revision in-between lectures. We recommend getting there early, that way you can spread your work out over one of their larger tables and start the day with a healthy breakfast – remember, avocado is brain food.
Pedalling Squares
If you’re a keen cyclist, it might be an idea to head down to Pedalling Squares in Swalwell. This retro-feel coffee shop is a cycle-friendly spot. Its old furniture and cheap eats give it a real down-to-earth feel.
Get away from the distractions of the city with a 30-minute cycle down the banks of the River Tyne. Research suggests that doing exercise for roughly 20 minutes before studying can boost memory and brainpower – this study spot gives you both a physical and mental workout.
Dwell Student Living: Giving You Everything You Need to Study in Newcastle
Newcastle has something for every type of student; whether your revision is a caffeine-fuelled information binge, an internet-free textbook session, or you like to work on your fitness while you work on your degree. At our central accommodation you will be within walking (or cycling) distance of everything you need.