Northumbria University, formally the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, is a public university based in Newcastle upon Tyne in Tyne and Wear. It describes itself as a research-rich, business-focused and professional university with a global reputation for academic quality. The institution grew out of earlier colleges in the city, including a polytechnic, and became a university in the early 1990s. It now teaches a large student body drawn from the United Kingdom and many other countries, offering undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research degrees alongside continuing professional development. The university's character combines a strong vocational and professional orientation with a growing research profile, and it places emphasis on links with employers and on preparing graduates for work.

The university's estate in Newcastle is built around two campuses. The City Campus sits in the centre of Newcastle, close to the main shopping area and the civic centre, and it is divided into two parts, City Campus East and City Campus West, which are separated by the city's central motorway and joined by a footbridge that opened in 2008. The second campus, at Coach Lane, lies about three miles from the city centre and is home to subjects in health, education and community studies. This two-site arrangement means that most academic life is concentrated in the city, while Coach Lane provides specialist facilities for nursing, midwifery, social work and teacher training. The university publishes campus maps and travel guidance to help students and visitors move between the sites.

The buildings on the City Campus reflect the university's mix of heritage and modern architecture. City Campus East, designed to a striking contemporary plan, houses the School of Law, the School of Design and Newcastle Business School. City Campus West contains schools covering the arts and social sciences, the built and natural environment, computing, engineering and information sciences, and life sciences, together with the main University Library and the Students' Union building. Also on the City Campus West is Sport Central, a large sports facility that opened in 2010 and which is used by students, staff and members of the local community. Some of the older buildings, including those around Ellison Place, are listed for their heritage, and the university has refurbished and extended several of them, such as the Ellison building used for computing and information sciences, to bring historic structures into modern academic use.

Academically, Northumbria covers a wide spread of subjects organised into schools. Newcastle Business School is one of the larger and better-known parts of the university and holds international accreditation in business education. The university also has notable provision in subjects such as design, law, computing and engineering, nursing and health, and the social sciences. It has invested in research over recent years and performed strongly in national research assessment, ranking among the higher-placed universities in the country for research power in the most recent national exercise. This combination of professional teaching and rising research activity is something the university highlights, and for those using a regional business directory to find expertise in fields such as business, design or technology, Northumbria is one of the organisations that appears for the North East.

The Northumbria website is the central resource for the university's various audiences. Prospective students use it to browse courses, check entry requirements, learn about fees and funding and apply for places. The site sets out the accommodation options available in Newcastle, both university-managed and private, and it provides information for international students about visas, English language requirements and support services. Current students reach learning resources, timetables and support through the site, and staff and researchers use it to publish academic profiles and research outputs. There are also pages for employers and partners who want to work with the university on recruitment, placements, consultancy or research. A contact section provides routes to the relevant departments, and a public-interest business directory will normally direct enquiries to this official site.

Newcastle is regularly rated as one of the better student cities in the United Kingdom, and Northumbria's central location places its students close to the city's shops, cultural venues, nightlife and sport. The compactness of the City Campus, and its position within the city rather than on its edge, mean that students are part of the daily life of Newcastle. The Students' Union runs clubs, societies and events, and Sport Central offers facilities for a wide range of activities. The university's professional focus shows in the way it organises placements, work-based learning and links with local and national employers, so that many courses include practical experience as well as classroom study. This emphasis on employability is one of the features the university uses to distinguish itself.

Transport to the campuses is convenient, particularly for the City Campus. The Tyne and Wear Metro serves central Newcastle, with stations close to the campus, and Newcastle Central railway station provides national connections a short distance away. Newcastle International Airport is linked to the city by the Metro. The Coach Lane campus is reached by bus and by university transport links, and the university provides guidance on travelling between the two sites. Because the City Campus is central, students and staff are encouraged to use public transport, walk or cycle, as parking in the city centre is limited. The website carries detailed directions and accessibility information for visitors attending open days, conferences and events.

Prospective students and partners should weigh some practical points. As a large university with many applicants, Northumbria has competitive entry to certain popular courses, and requirements vary by subject. The split between the City Campus and the Coach Lane campus means that students on health and education programmes spend much of their time away from the city centre, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing accommodation. Tuition fees and living costs are important considerations, although Newcastle is generally seen as more affordable than many larger cities. As with any institution, the quality of the experience can depend on the particular school or programme, so it is sensible for applicants to research the specific course and to visit if possible, using the detailed information set out on the university website. The professional orientation of the university is worth weighing alongside academic interests. Many programmes are designed with input from industry and professional bodies, and some lead toward recognised qualifications or include placements, which appeals to students who want a clear route into employment but means course content can be structured around practice as well as theory. The university runs open days through the year where applicants can see the City Campus and Coach Lane facilities, speak to staff and current students, and ask about placements and support, and the website publishes the dates and booking details so visitors can arrange a trip. Visitors travelling from outside the region should allow time to reach Newcastle, which is served by the East Coast Main Line and by Newcastle International Airport, both connected to the city centre by the Metro, and the website provides directions, accessibility information and guidance on getting between the two campuses so that a visit can be planned without difficulty.

The City Campus address centres on the Ellison Building, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, and the university can be contacted by telephone on 0191 232 6002. Enquiries about specific courses, research or business partnerships are best routed through the contact pages of the website, which list dedicated teams for admissions, student support and external engagement. For residents, students and employers across Tyne and Wear and the wider North East, Northumbria University is an established public institution that combines professional education with research, and a public-interest business directory will list it among the principal universities serving the region.

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