Our Role in the Region
We were founded to address the economic, health and social issues of our industrial city. It’s something we have never forgotten.
Since 1834 our buildings have been standing proud - touching the distinctive Newcastle skyline.
From bridges to railways. Ship building to coal mining. Our region’s history is one of continuously pushing boundaries.
Our city – both its people and place – has offered enormous strategic importance. And, here at Newcastle University we continue this tradition.
A Global Top 125 university (QS World University Rankings 2023), we are dedicated to excellence, creativity and innovation, pioneering solutions that can change our world.
As a Russell Group research-intensive university, we educate for life, nurturing the next generation of creative practitioners, clinicians, scientists, engineers and educationalists.
With strengths in ageing and health, data, one planet, cities, and culture and creative arts, our research impacts lives in every corner of society. We continuously push boundaries in our quest to understand the world around us.
But, we do not forget our foundations. We are locally rooted. Where the past, present and future of our great region is part of who we are and what we do.
From Newcastle. For the world.
Developing new treatments for patients fighting cancer
In recent years, our experts in drug discovery have been responsible for bringing two new cancer treatments to market. These were Rubraca, for the treatment of adults with ovarian cancer, and bladder cancer drug, BalversaTM. In 2021, scientists studying high-risk neuroblastoma – a common childhood cancer – made a major breakthrough. They identified a genetic marker that could lead to a cure for some youngsters who would not otherwise survive the condition.
Safeguarding our heritage – Hadrian’s Wall
Supported by more than 200 volunteers, Newcastle University archaeologists are helping to save parts of Hadrian’s Wall for future generations. In 2022, two sections of the UNESCO World Heritage Site were removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register following conservation work. Looking to the future, we are training people in specialist skills such as digital surveying and terrestrial laser scanning, as well as conservation and geological work.
Our economic impact
We’re committed to working with our local communities, businesses and policymakers to ensure that we have a positive impact on our city, region and beyond. We are proud to drive £1 billion of growth in the British economy each year. We're even more proud that almost £900 million of this figure benefits our region. We directly support 16,000 jobs, almost 15,000 of which are in the region.
Whether it’s by educating tomorrow’s leaders or finding solutions to humankind’s greatest challenges, Newcastle University exists to benefit society.
