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Newcastle University

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For the Australian university, see University of Newcastle, Australia.
Newcastle University
File:University of newcastle upon tyne2.gif
TypePublic
Established1963 (became independent from the University of Durham)
ChancellorLord Patten of Barnes
Vice-ChancellorProf. Chris Brink
Students19,150 [1]
Undergraduates13,735 [1]
Postgraduates5,410 [1]
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
,
Tyne and Wear
,
UK
CampusUrban
AffiliationsRussell Group
EUA
N8 Group
Websitehttp://www.ncl.ac.uk/

Newcastle University is a British university located in Newcastle upon Tyne in the north-east of England. It was established as a School of Medicine and Surgery in 1834 and is now one of the UK’s leading international universities, gaining the title University of Newcastle upon Tyne (which remains its official name) by an Act of Parliament in August 1963.

History

The University has its origins in the School of Medicine and Surgery which was established in Newcastle in October 1834, providing basic lectures and practical demonstrations to around 26 students. In June 1851, following a dispute amongst the teaching staff, the School was split into two rival institutions: the majority forming the Newcastle College of Medicine, with the others establishing themselves as the Newcastle upon Tyne College of Medicine and Practical Science. By 1852 the majority college was formally linked to the University of Durham and its teaching certificates were recognized by the University of London for graduation in medicine. The two colleges amalgamated in 1857 and renamed the University of Durham College of Medicine in 1870.

Attempts to realise a place for the teaching of sciences in the city were finally met with the foundation of the College of Physical Science in 1871. The college offered instruction in mathematics, physics, chemistry and geology to meet the growing needs of the mining industry, becoming the Durham College of Physical Science in 1883 and then renamed Armstrong College in 1904.

Throughout the early 20th century, the medical and science colleges vastly outpaced the growth of their Durham counterparts and a Royal Commission in 1934 recommended the merger of the two colleges to form King's College, Durham.

Growth of the Newcastle Division of the federal Durham University led to tensions within the structure and in 1963 an Act of Parliament separated the two, creating the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and leaving Durham as an 'Oxbridge'-style collegiate university.

Today

The university occupies a campus site close to central Newcastle upon Tyne. It is located to the northwest of the city centre between the open spaces of Leazes Park and the Town Moor.

The University has a core population of 17,784 students (2005-2006), including more than 2,000 overseas students from over 100 countries.

King's Walk, giving access to the Union Building (left) and the arches of the Fine Art building, leading into the Quadrangle

The current Chancellor is Chris Patten, former Chairman of the Conservative Party and European Commissioner for External Affairs (1999-2004). He is also Chancellor of the University of Oxford.

Newcastle was the only UK university to formally back the Jubilee Debt Campaign for the cancellation of debt in poor countries, and it has a strong ongoing commitment to the Make Poverty History campaign. At a recent high-profile honorary degree ceremony in January 2007, the University awarded honorary degrees to Bob Geldof, Gordon Brown MP, and Benjamin Mkapa (former president of Tanzania) among others, at an event which promoted debate on current debt-relief issues.

The university enjoys a friendly sporting rivalry with local universities: the Stan Calvert Cup is contested by major sports teams from Newcastle and Northumbria University, and the Northumbrian Water University Boat Race takes place each year between the rowing clubs of Newcastle and Durham University.

In 2006, the University was granted Fair trade status, and from January 2007, it became a smoke-free campus.

Faculties and Schools

Teaching schools within the University are based within three faculties. Each faculty is lead by a Provost/Pro-vice chancellor and a team of Deans with specific responsibilities.

Research Institutes

  • Informatics Research Institute (IRI)
  • Institute for Ageing and Health (IAH)
  • Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences (ICAMB)
  • Institute of Cellular Medicine (ICM)
  • Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (INSAT)
  • Institute for Policy and Practice (IPP)
  • Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability (IRES)
  • Institute of Health and Society (IHS)
  • Institute of Human Genetics (IHG)
  • Institute of Neuroscience (IoN)
  • Newcastle Institute for the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (NIASSH)
  • Northern Institute for Cancer Research (NICR)
  • North-east England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI)
  • Sir Joseph Swan Institute for Energy Research (SWAN)

Reputation

The university won the Sunday Times University of the Year award in 2000 and is ranked in the top 25 by The Times.[2] The majority of undergraduate subjects were also ranked in the top 10 or top 20 in the Times Good University Guide 2007 and all of its subjects are awarded at least 20 points out of 24 by the Quality Assurance Agency. It was also been named the second friendliest university by the Friends Reunited website in 2006[3]. The University Library is the only one in the UK to have been awarded the government's Charter Mark for excellent customer services four times in a row [4]. The university has one of the best track records for graduate employment in the country, and the Careers Service has won seven prestigious national careers awards in recent years by the Institute of Career Guidance[5].

The Medical School gained 143 out of a possible 144 points in its six subject areas in the Teaching Quality Assessment and was also the first institution in Europe, second in the world, to be given permission to pursue stem-cell research in human embryos.

The Hatton Gallery is one of the most important university galleries in the country. It houses the Merzbarn - the only surviving Merz construction by Kurt Schwitters - as well as works by Francis Bacon, Victor Pasmore, William Roberts and Paolo di Giovanni. In 1997 the University authorities voted to close down the gallery, but a widespread public comapaign against the closure, leading to a £250,000 donation by Dame Catherine Cookson, ensured the survival of the gallery [6].

Student organisations

The Newcastle University Union Society building.

Halls of Residence

Newcastle has many catered and non-catered halls of residence available to first-year students.[7]

Castle Leazes
The largest of the catered halls, having 1,050 single study bedrooms. Castle Leazes is within walking distance of the main campus. Facilities include; a number of bars, snooker rooms and TV rooms. Social events such as Christmas dinner, summer ball, quiz and comedy nights and inter-hall sports also take place.
Leazes Parade
Leazes Parade is self-catering and is now exclusive to postgraduate students. Flats here have fewer rooms than would be found in other halls of residence. Leazes Parade is just off Barrack Road (A189) and is less than one mile west of the main University campus. It is close to Castle Leazes Halls.
Leazes Terrace
Leazes Terrace is also self-catering postgraduate accommodation. It is situated next to Newcastle United Football Club, within walking distance of the University campus and the city centre.
A classical fronted nineteenth century terrace. Designed by architect Thomas Oliver and built c1830 by Richard Grainger.
Bowsden Court
Bowsden Court is made up of self-catering university flats, designed for students and families, though both are housed separately. It is located in South Gosforth.
Henderson Hall
A catered hall of residence. Music practice rooms, games rooms and snooker rooms are found here. Activities in Henderson Hall include; film nights, quizzes, and pool leagues. The Christmas party is a major social event.
Richardson Road
Richardson Road consists of self-catered student flats. It is a few minutes walk from the majority of academic schools, the city centre and local shops. The main university gym lies adjacent to the flats. Richardson Road has become known for its 'party lifestyle' by students.
Windsor Terrace
These self catering flats are divided into three sub-blocks: Gurney House, Hodgkin House and Fife House. They are located close to the Robinson Library.
St Mary's College
Located on Fenham Hall Drive about two miles away from the central campus, there are approximately 70 self catering flats each with up to six individual bedrooms inside.
Magnet Court
Magnet Court consists of self-catered flats located close to the city centre. Although run by a company separate from the university accommodation service, Magnet Court is available alongside the other halls for first-years.

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2005/06". Higher Education Statistics Agency online statistics. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  2. ^ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPopup/0,,102571,00.html
  3. ^ http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/friendsreunited.asp?wci=frstatic&type=unileague
  4. ^ http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/chartermark.php
  5. ^ http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/newslink/index.html?ref=1095248805
  6. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=/archive/1997/06/11/ngal11.html
  7. ^ "List of Accommodation Sites". Newcastle University. 2007-03-13. Retrieved 2007-05-17.
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