News

Physiology graduate launches stem cell donation drive to save lives

Newcastle alumnus Peter McCleave (BSc Physiology, 1999) has established the Gob for Good campaign to encourage more people from ethnic minorities to become stem cell donors, providing a lifeline for blood cancer sufferers like himself.

Four new alumni networks launched in Middle East and Asia

We’re excited to announce the creation of four new alumni networks in Iraq, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan - providing Newcastle graduates in the area an opportunity to reconnect with each other and their university!

Meet the alumni who have made an impact in student media over the past 7 decades

To celebrate 75 years of The Courier student newspaper, we’re looking back at just some of the alumni who have made a name for themselves in the world of broadcasting and student media.

75 years of student media at Newcastle University

This year marks 75 years since the first ever King’s Courier student newspaper was circulated on campus. In this blog, we look back at the history of student media on campus, from its beginnings as an off-shoot of Durham University’s Palatinate to an award-winning publication that incorporates print, radio and TV!

Meet the Newcastle graduate uncovering the Black figures erased from art history

Peter Brathwaite (BA Hons Fine Art and Philosophy, 2006) is publishing a photography book which reworks historical depiction of Black subjects in art that have been marginalised in mainstream culture, inspired by a project that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two Newcastle University graduates win at national British Council Study UK Alumni Awards

Huge congratulations to Newcastle alumni Hun-Suk Chung (MSc Drug Chemistry with English, 2003) and Xuan Man Nguyen (BA Architectural Studies, 2013) who have been awarded a Study UK Alumni Award in their home nation.

Meet the students making a difference for future generations of Newcastle alumni

Newcastle University Advancement has recently employed a team of students to support alumni events and fundraising. We caught up with three of them to find out about their student experience at Newcastle and what they’re looking forward to most in their new role.

How Newcastle University helps graduate businesses flourish

Meet some of the alumni businesses that started life at Newcastle, and discover what opportunities are available to recent graduates interested in being their own boss.

English Literature graduate illustrates book for young autistic people to help them lead adventurous lives

Ella Willis (BA Hons English Literature, 2021) has joined forces with author Allie Mason to illustrate The Autistic Guide to Adventure and the pair will be heading to Waterstones in Newcastle city centre on 8 April for a book signing and Q&A event.

Alumni Achievement Awards: Where are our past winners now?

Nominations for the 2023 Alumni Achievement Awards are now open. If you’re unsure about putting yourself forward, maybe you’ll feel inspired after reading about our previous winners…

International Women’s Day: Meet the Newcastle grad amplifying the diverse voices of women and girls around the world

Cassie Lawrence (BA Hons English Literature, 2014) is part of a team of creatives who are harnessing the power of art for storytelling to celebrate women and raise awareness about girls’ education and women’s rights. To mark International Women’s Day, we spoke with Cassie to find out more about the Qissa project.

Newcastle architecture graduate stars in BBC One's Interior Design Masters

Karl Mok, who graduated from Newcastle University in 2018, is one of 10 contestants in the fourth series of Interior Design Masters, which starts on BBC One tonight (7 March).

World Book Day: Meet the amazing authors in your alumni community

To celebrate World Book Day 2023, we’re showcasing the novelists, playwrights and screenwriters who have graduated from Newcastle University. Maybe you could add some of them to your TBR?

The astonishing ageing and health research breakthroughs made by the Newcastle University community

Newcastle University is a global leader in ageing and health research. To celebrate the launch of NCL in Action 2023 this month, which celebrates the might of our multigenerational community and challenges preconceptions about ageing, we’re looking back at some of our biggest research projects over the decades that have aimed to support our ageing society.

PhD student researching LQBTQ+ inclusion in country music

During LGBT+ History Month, we caught up with PhD student James Barker as he approaches the end of his PhD researching LGBTQ+ inclusion in country music, with a focus on Dolly Parton.

Three international graduates announced as finalists in British Council’s Study UK Alumni Awards

Newcastle University graduates in Pakistan, South Korea and Vietnam have made the finals of this year’s Study UK Alumni Awards, celebrating their impact and dedication in their respective fields.

Getting to the heart of the matter: Alumnus publishes book to explain how the human heart works

Did you know that the human heart pumps about 2 billion times in the average lifetime? Or that the human heart first appears on day 18 in the womb? Learn fascinating facts like this and so much more in Newcastle graduate Professor Desmond Sheridan’s latest publication.

Newcastle graduate nominated for ‘outstanding debut’ in 2023 BAFTAs

English Literature graduate Georgia Oakley has been nominated in the 2023 EE BAFTA Film Awards for her first feature film Blue Jean, which was filmed in the North East.

Valentine’s Special: The perfect proposal – it’s not up for debate!

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we met up with Newcastle graduates Nathan and Kimberly who recently got engaged on campus - in the very room they met at Debating Society!

Valentine’s Special: A relationship spanning 7 decades - that began in the Arts Common Room on campus!

We *love* love, don’t you? To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we met up with an alumni couple who first met on campus on a snowy night in January 1966 and are celebrating 55 years of marriage later this year!

Newcastle University receives £5 million legacy donation

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the late Dr Oliver Ord for his generous legacy donation to Newcastle University.

Student nightlife in Newcastle: The ‘places to be’ throughout the decades

Take a trip down memory lane as we share some of the past ‘places to be’ and update you on what your much-loved clubs have become today.

Newcastle graduate from The Futureheads returns to campus to share experience of the music industry with students and recent graduates

Ross Millard (BA Hons English Literature, 2003) has spent the last 20 years as a recording artist with Sunderland-based band The Futureheads, touring around the world to commercial and critical acclaim. In March, we’re excited to welcome him back to campus to hear is tips and tricks for breaking into the music industry.

Newcastle alumna named as top achiever in awards to celebrate 75 years of Indian independence

We are proud to announce that Newcastle University graduate Dr Beena Koshi (MD Clinical Research, 2015) has been honoured as an India UK Achiever as part of India’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

Music graduates band together to launch female-led events company

Contemporary and Popular Music graduates Maria Winter and Sam Harris have launched a music events business in the North East, with regular events scheduled at As You Like It in Jesmond.

Newcastle alumni recognised in King’s New Year’s Honours

15 Newcastle University alumni, staff and students have been named in the King Charles III’s New Year’s Honours list, recognising their dedication and success in their respective fields. Congratulations all!

Top 10 feelgood stories from our alumni community in 2022

We love hearing about the amazing things our alumni go on to achieve after graduating from Newcastle University. In this recap blog, we look back at our top feelgood stories of 2022 – guaranteed to make you feel all warm and fuzzy despite the weather!

Festive traditions in Newcastle

We take a look back at some of the festive traditions you may remember in the build up to the Christmas break in Newcastle.

#NCLalumni Wrapped: Our top artists from the Newcastle alumni community

It’s that time of year when everyone is sharing their most listened to artists of 2022, so we thought we’d share the musicians from your alumni community topping our playlists.

2,900 new graduates join our alumni community this winter

This winter, we have welcomed another 2,859 graduates to our global alumni community, with congregations taking place in Newcastle and Singapore. Congratulations all!

Molecular Biology graduate wins at Great British Entrepreneur Awards

Newcastle graduate Lottie Hawkins was awarded ‘Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year (South West)’ at the tenth annual Great British Entrepreneur Awards in November.

Class of 1968 graduate returns to campus for 80th birthday surprise

Electrical engineering graduate Mike Watson was surprised by his daughter with a visit to Newcastle University campus and tour of his old department earlier this month to celebrate his 80th birthday.

An interview with Clare Talbot-Jones, your new Deputy Chair of Convocation

We caught up with modern languages graduate and North East-based business leader Clare Talbot-Jones to find out more about her ambitions for her term as the new Deputy Chair of Convocation.

An interview with Nick Richardson, your new Chair of Convocation

We caught up with Zoology graduate and former Union Society President Nick Richardson to find out more about his ambitions for his term as the new Chair of Convocation.

A look back over the Newcastle Helix development

In this blog, you can explore the newest addition to our city centre campus: Newcastle Helix. The 24-acre site is situated where the former Scottish and Newcastle Brewery once stood.

Newcastle University Halls past and present

Uni Halls are where memories are made. Whether you had the best time and made friends for life or couldn’t wait to move out, you’re sure to have memories that you’ll never forget.

Newcastle through the decades

Our alumni community have witnessed monumental changes to the University and city of Newcastle upon Tyne over the past six decades. Read on to travel through the decades and reminisce on your time at Newcastle (or discover what’s happened since you left!)

Sector Spotlight: What it’s like working in PR

Abby Parkinson (BA Politics, 2019) shares her experience of working in a PR agency and provides advice for beginning a career in the industry.

Sector Spotlight: My experience in Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO)

Zahid's studies have led to a career in Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO), tracking how people use websites and making improvements to reduce the frustration we all feel when navigating the internet! We caught up with him to find out what it's like working in this sector.

Sector Spotlight: Three lessons for working in Financial Services

Katie Molyneux (BSc Economics, 2015) shares the lessons she wishes she knew at the start of her career in the Financial Services sector.

Sector Spotlight: What it's like working in Marketing

MA Creative Arts Practice graduate Lewis Brown reflects on his career as a marketer and shares his top tips for getting into the sector.

I didn’t want a “proper job” and I am proof that it’s more than okay if you don’t too

Chloe Hall (BA English Literature, 2012) knew that the graduate scheme route wasn't for her when she finished her studies. Instead, she set up her own digital marketing agency Bumble and Bloom Media, which has grown into a multi-award-winning enterprise working with some of the world's biggest brands.

Celebrating 40 years of life-saving cancer research at Newcastle University this World Cancer Day

Researchers, clinicians, technicians and leaders at Newcastle University have worked quietly and tirelessly over the past 40 years, contributing to the national effort of doubling cancer survival rates and giving people living with cancer hope and options.