Newcastle rated as a safe city for students

Figures published by The Complete University Guide have ranked Newcastle as one of the safest cities to study in England and Wales.

The ranking, compiled from official police data, gives the clearest possible picture of crime rates in the areas immediately surrounding almost 120 universities. Approximately 1.5 crimes were reported per thousand residents in the city during the last year, comparing favourably against a number of other cities reporting up to 2.5 crimes per thousand.

Northumbria University is based in the heart of Newcastle city centre. These new findings demonstrate that students studying in Newcastle enjoy the best of both worlds – a vibrant lifestyle combined with the confidence of being in one of the safest student cities.

Having easy access to an array of shops, bars, restaurants and cultural venues, Newcastle has already been voted the country’s best student city three years in a row.

Professor Paul Croney, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) at Northumbria University said: “One of the key decision-making factors for anyone moving to a university is the confidence that they are moving to a safe and vibrant community.

“Newcastle already has a reputation for being one of the friendliest cities in the UK and has been voted the best student city in the UK for three years in a row. These figures confirm Newcastle’s attractive proposition for students and will help reassure parents that their children are moving to one of the safest university cities in the country.”

Northumbria University will shortly expand across the Tyne with the opening of almost 1,000 new student rooms in Trinity Square in Gateshead next year.

Professor Croney added: “We are expanding our accommodation offer into Gateshead as part of the new Trinity Square development, with shops, restaurants and public transport all available on the doorstep of our new residences. With the addition of student-only outdoor recreational areas also available on site, this will provide students with even greater security and peace of mind when moving away from home for the first time.”

Date posted: July 25, 2013