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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Will my daughter like Newcastle if she doesn't like Glasgow?

106 replies

feedmefudge · 04/02/2025 01:14

My daughter is keen to go to Newcastle Uni. We're in Scotland. She's an anxious girl and sensitive to her environment.
I was brought up near Glasgow and went to uni in the city. I'm very fond of the place. 18 year old doesn't like it at all and finds it rough. Sorry, I know that sounds so bad, but I'm unsure how else to express it.
I've never been to Newcastle but I get the impression it's a fun and lively 'party' city, similar to Glasgow. I just don't know if it's going to be for her and think she may feel more at home in a calmer place, eg York.
I know she sounds like a total snob, but it's just her anxiety.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts. And if anyone has ever lived in Newcastle or went to uni there, I'd love to hear from you Smile

OP posts:
KimberleyClark · 04/02/2025 08:27

She might find Aberystwyth or Bangor to her taste, and not as far south as Exeter. Or possibly Swansea.

SpringBunnyHopHop · 04/02/2025 08:30

I live in Newcastle. I honestly don’t think it has the party vibe that it’s known for anymore.

While there is some amazing bars and restaurants it’s not a wild city plus if she wants quiet you can jump on the metro and head to multiple beaches. It’s a quick journey to Durham etc.

MyFlightWasAwfulThanksForAsking · 04/02/2025 08:31

I go to both cities often and yep I don't think you'd be a Newcastle fan if you don't like Glasgow.
I'm pretty streetwise but Newcastle city centre is the only place I've felt unsafe in recent years, due to drunk football fans. But it's not like it's the only city to have that problem and I guess if you lived there you would know where and when to avoid.

NeedToChangeName · 04/02/2025 08:34

Stirling could be a good fit, perhaps. They seem pretty hot on student welfare, campus has plenty facilities and green space. And amazing sports facilities. And close to Edinburgh

BusMumsHoliday · 04/02/2025 08:45

Second all the advice about Lancaster. I think it would probably be the vibe she's looking for.

Is Keele too far South? It's a reasonable train connection to Glasgow via Crewe. Stoke is not the prettiest of towns but the "6-towns" structure means that none of the centres are massive. The people there are the warmest you'll find anywhere. There's lots of lovely countryside around campus and it attracts students who like to make their own fun away from big city centres, but still had great nightlife at the union when I taught there about eight years ago.

Nottingham, Warwick also worth looking at if the Midlands is not too far.

Bayonetlightbulb · 04/02/2025 08:47

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 04/02/2025 06:44

I know you’ve said it’s not the point of the post but honestly why would you choose to pay £30,000 in tuition fees when you don’t have to!

Ultimately your Uni experience is affected by first year halls, course content and the friends you meet. I would encourage her to focus on the campus itself and accommodation provision. It is easy to avoid the parts of a City you don’t feel comfortable in.

I obviously don't know the OP's circumstances but if a student is having to take out a maintenance loan anyway having to take out a tuition fees loan too isn't a very big deal as repayments are based on % of earnings not on how much you have borrowed and the compound interest is such that most people will never manage to close off their loan anyway.

Sadcafe · 04/02/2025 08:52

Only ever passed through Glasgow but visited Newcastle often, it is lively but generally friendly too, Durham isn’t much further and definitely quieter than Newcastle, a big town really though obviously a city, but is a university city with a lot for the students to do

TimmyTurtle · 04/02/2025 09:02

feedmefudge · 04/02/2025 01:37

She visited Durham but was underwhelmed by the uni, especially the accommodation.

She's not a Dundee fan.

Sorry, she's not easy Blush

What is it she doesn't like about Dundee? It sounds like it would be a good city for her as it's small, friendly, but still with loads to do and everything is in walking distance! The student area has a different feel to the rest of the city and the uni campus is lovely. It's gorgeous down by the river too and easy to get out of the city into the countryside so you have the best of both worlds.

Bjorkdidit · 04/02/2025 09:08

Bayonetlightbulb · 04/02/2025 08:47

I obviously don't know the OP's circumstances but if a student is having to take out a maintenance loan anyway having to take out a tuition fees loan too isn't a very big deal as repayments are based on % of earnings not on how much you have borrowed and the compound interest is such that most people will never manage to close off their loan anyway.

The system has changed and repayments are significantly higher. It's now estimated that well over half will repay in full and they've effectively near doubled the cost of repayments yet almost no-one has noticed.

Stepfordian · 04/02/2025 09:09

Newcastle is a much smaller city than Glasgow and is completely different vibe in my opinion. Newcastle is only a party city if you want to party. I’d recommend going for a weekend and seeing what she thinks.

RampantIvy · 04/02/2025 09:14

MyFlightWasAwfulThanksForAsking · 04/02/2025 08:31

I go to both cities often and yep I don't think you'd be a Newcastle fan if you don't like Glasgow.
I'm pretty streetwise but Newcastle city centre is the only place I've felt unsafe in recent years, due to drunk football fans. But it's not like it's the only city to have that problem and I guess if you lived there you would know where and when to avoid.

I have never felt unsafe in Newcastle, but I would think that being in a city centre in any city after a home game would be rather more "lively"

Glitterybee · 04/02/2025 09:16

Belfast might be a good option. Small city, surrounded by water and countryside.

Queens University or Ulster

horseymum · 04/02/2025 09:20

You need a really compelling reason to study outwith Scotland as you are taking on £29k more debt though.

HotPotatoesies · 04/02/2025 09:23

Admittedly this was now coming up to 20 years ago, but I never felt unsafe at Newcastle Uni. And while it is a bit of a party city, I had plenty of friends who didn't go in for the whole partying thing and still enjoyed their time there. I think it all comes down to who you end up living with to be honest. That goes for any uni though. Your room mates can really make or break your time at uni, more so than your course mates

BigDahliaFan · 04/02/2025 09:25

I really wouldn't recommend Lancaster, the city itself is so run down now. I know a lot of people who go to Lancaster.

I'd have said Stirling or Durham. York is so touristy. Newcastle around the Jesmond area is fabulous. But while I'm very fond of it ... I'd say it was similar to Glasgow in feel.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 04/02/2025 09:31

A dd went to Newcastle and enjoyed it. Certainly a lively night life! On visiting in the depths of winter, we were initially amazed to see the local youth out in skimpy little dresses/boys in short sleeved shirts, no coats or jackets. Too much trouble apparently to bother with cloakrooms at the clubs.

As dd said, on any cold night you can always tell who’s local! Presumably it’s down to the hardy Viking genes, crossing the North Sea in longships….

noctilucentcloud · 04/02/2025 09:35

Choice of university and a place to live is such a personal choice, I've disliked cities that most people loved and loved ones a lot of people dislike. I also think, kindly, that this is her decision to make and maybe get wrong, maybe not. Has she visited Newcastle? If not, it's definitely worth going down and spending a couple of days there and walking around. Even if she has visited, maybe she could go down again for another visit or if the university has an additional applicant day.

PenguinLover24 · 04/02/2025 09:55

What about Stirling? It's a city but not too busy, the grounds are gorgeous! I went to Stirling! Only one night club though 🤣

Whoarethoseguys · 04/02/2025 09:58

Why don't you visit and visit.Perhaps have. A weekend away.
Newcastle like every city including York and Glasgow has 'nice' areas and those that are not so nice.

unmemorableusername · 04/02/2025 10:01

Why pay the fees in England unless there are exceptional circumstances?

Cakeandusername · 04/02/2025 10:03

If she’s anxious is it worth a gap year to get some treatment and mature a bit - job/volunteering.
Mine is at Glasgow and is mainly in west end. If they go out in city centre they uber back. She wanted to go to uni in a big city.

Bayonetlightbulb · 04/02/2025 10:03

Bjorkdidit · 04/02/2025 09:08

The system has changed and repayments are significantly higher. It's now estimated that well over half will repay in full and they've effectively near doubled the cost of repayments yet almost no-one has noticed.

But the compound interest is so great that you pay a fortune and keep paying and never manage to pay it off

Rewis · 04/02/2025 10:04

I've never been to Glasgow but my American classmate went to travel around Scotland and he Saif he felt Glasgow was a bit rough and didn't enjoy being alone in there. But he absolutely loved Inverness.

I personally enjoyed Newcastle as a city. But I guess it depends what she wants. Does she want a city or something smaller? I know it isn't a factor but I would defo encourage to stay in Scotland just for the fees. But I would definitely visit the cities she's considering just to get the feel since that seems to be important for her.

Cakeandusername · 04/02/2025 10:06

A few of my dc’s uni flatmates in Glasgow are from Edinburgh. They get free bus home some weekends to do their washing/sunday roast. Seems very convenient.

Scunnered03 · 04/02/2025 10:08

I have two daughters at Uni; one in Glasgow which very much suits her personality and one ( who sounds a lot like your daughter) in her last year at Aberdeen.

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