Student Case Studies
University Centre
Our degree students fill us in on what life is really like here at Newcastle College University Centre. Find out about why they chose to study a degree with us, what they love the most and how our dedicated courses are preparing them for future employment.
Read our case studies
Lucy Hall
Level 4 FdSc Networking and Cyber Security"When I first started researching courses at Newcastle College University Centre, I realised the course here was a lot better than the alternatives I could have studied at a different university. Although I did have a look at another university before enrolling at the University Centre, for me, the facilities here are much better, especially for my course. There are also the much smaller class sizes at Newcastle College University Centre to consider, since they allow me to have regular and effective one-to-ones with my tutors, which is obviously a lot better! ."
Athis Sriwiset
Level 5 FdEng Electrical Electronic Engineering"I wanted to do a degree in electrical engineering, so the Electrical Electronic Engineering course here seemed like a clear winner. While the modules taught are fairly similar to other universities, the content is guided by what industry employers need now, which gives the course here a bit more of an edge."
Ted Cairns Fuller
BSc (Hons) Networking and Cyber Security (Top-Up)"I feel like my degree has taught me a good amount of everything. I appreciate that it doesn’t restrict me into a particular pathway within the cybersecurity sector, so I can try everything to feel out areas which I feel gel the most with me."
Tegan Walmsley
BA (Hons) Dance"I chose this degree because it offers a much wider variety of styles of dance, compared to other universities. I'd spoken to a few of my friends who have studied here and they said that as part of the course you do a lot of performances, workshops and work with industry, all things I was looking for!".
Ben Landshoff
BA (Hons) Music Production"I've always been interested in DJing, and I've also been interested in learning about the history of the music industry. I studied Music at GCSE, so after Sixth Form I decided to take it further into a degree. I was looking for courses at UCAS when I found the Music Production degree here at the University Centre."
Ethan Connelly
BA (Hons) Music Production"I was studying Games Design when the COVID lockdown hit. I had an interest in music and had music programming software on my computer so I just gave it a go. I discovered I preferred making music to gaming, so I asked about switching courses to Music Production – and that’s what I’m studying now!"
Bethany Day
BA (Hons) Business Management (Top-Up)"I just think it was that sense of accomplishment... I've also done it with a full-time job and with small kids at home. I am really proud of myself... I think the personal growth you get from studying for a degree is amazing. Also, listen to the tutors because they do give fantastic advice! ."
Richard Cave
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PgCE) for Teaching in Further Education"The great thing about this course that I’m teaching is that it’s a professional course, so by the end of the two years, my students have a professional qualification to go out and be a counsellor and speak to real people with real issues."
Dominic Taylor
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PgCE) for Teaching Special Education Needs in Further Education"My teaching course is amazing to put it bluntly! The teachers were really welcoming, they are really helpful. My assigned mentor is an amazing mentor, I couldn’t have asked for anyone better."
Alessio Pesci
Alessio Pesci | Creative Digital Design Professional Apprentice"The tutors were really supportive and I think the whole class would agree with that. We felt really welcomed and really calm, and I feel that support was always there throughout. I’d 100% recommend an apprenticeship with Newcastle College University Centre.@
Kieron West
FdA Games Technologies"At Newcastle College University Centre, I've been able to use 3D modelling, animation, games design and programming technologies - where else offers all that with personally tailored guidance from industry-experienced tutors from the get-go? It's a real win-win!"
Craig Warnes
FdA Advanced Techniques in Media and Semi-Permanent Make-Up"It's rare to find a course as specialised, but also offering such a range of skills and knowledge, as the one provided at Newcastle College University Centre. We have industry-standard hairdressing salons and make-up studios on-site, and it's great to learn from industry-experienced teachers who help me to build the skills I need to succeed in my career."
Ellie Chambers
FdA Fashion Retail and Enterprise"By studying my degree course, I gained more experience, found projects I enjoyed and realised how many opportunities there were to improve my skills, which really helped me figure out my passions within the fashion sector. Thanks to the course practicality, I've already developed my own brand as a stylist - it's really been quite fun!"
Georgia O'Neill
FdA Business Management"The range of content, experiences and contacts is something I think is unique to my course. I've been able to meet industry experts with impressive careers, and the insights I've gained from their career paths have helped me to develop my own small business. Studying here wasn't just helpful but also inspiring in its own right!"
Gemma Thompson
FdA Children and Young People"My course content is really relevant to a broad range of roles within the childcare industry, but with enough flexibility for me to tailor my studies to my ideal job as a teaching assistant. As a parent, I think I know everything about children until one of the nursery kids I teach does something to take me by surprise - that daily dynamism is something I find really enriching about Childcare, and I'm proud to help them achieve the skills they'll use for the rest of their lives."
Xania Prentice
BSc (Hons) Counselling Skills and Therapeutic Communication (Top-Up)"As an older student, learning as a beginner meant I was able to bring all my life experience onto this course. I've studied modules ranging from trauma to gender to bereavement, and all of it fascinated me. But to me, this course wasn't just about qualifying in psychology - I've found my calling here, by discovering how people work and figuring out how I could help them."
Caitlin Orridge
BA (Hons) Photography"The sheer breadth of knowledge and experienced I've gained from studying at Newcastle College University Centre is phenomenal. Our lecturers and guest speakers bring years of distinct experience in the photography industry, ranging from still life to fashion to more commercial photography - I've used all of that transferable knowledge to enrich my work. The creative freedom this course offers has helped me to explore every area of the photography industry and decide where I'd like to develop my own career in the future."
Grace Lilley
BSc (Hons) Engineering Management (Top-Up)"I've had access to fantastic staff support throughout my degree, and I've learnt and developed so many transferable skills that I know will make me attractive to employers in the Engineering industry. We've also had quite a few guest speakers in to discuss their experiences, which has been really helpful and quite inspiring, really!"
Dawda Sarjo
FdSc Healthcare Practice"My base of specialist knowledge and skills have grown significantly while I've studied at Newcastle College University Centre, so I know that when I enter the nursing field, I'll be able to put what I know straight into practice to help people. Thanks to my tutors, my career destination is within reach."
Phillip Ho
FdA Culinary Arts"Newcastle College University Centre is the only real option in the local area for an industry-standard culinary degree. The course offers lots of culinary freedom, and every day of my degree is different because my tutors push me beyond my comfort zone through working with larders, cooking pastries, or using new gastronomic techniques. It feels good to be studying a course that feels tailored to me and my preferences."
Kian Marshall
FdA Culinary Arts"Studying at Newcastle College University Centre has made me more confident in my vision as a chef. The course is taught in a more practical, hands-on style and the tutors always asked what we wanted to try to cook, so it was a good chance to express ourselves and develop and skills and interests, sometimes using unusual and exotic ingredients or innovative new techniques!"
Joshua Barrass
BA (Hons) Music Performance"My degree course is very practical and can be tailored to whatever individual students want to achieve. The units are all quite broad, so you get more opportunities to specialise and create whatever music you want. For me, the chance to explore and express my own musical interests make the degree course far more enjoyable, since all my assignments are much more open to interpretation."
Ellie Sturrock
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Top-Up)"The facilities for the Musical Theatre course are top of the range! Compared to a lot of other drama schools or conservatoires, where the theatre halls or dance studios aren't up-to-date at all, the ones at Newcastle College University Centre are all fully modernised and larger than usual. It also helps having teachers who are willing to improvise with you and play around with your individual creative process - it's both inspiring and enjoyable to learn from them!"
Tia Jones
BSc (Hons) Engineering Management (Top-Up)"My current degree course gives me skills and experience far more tailored to a future in Rail Engineering than many other courses in the area offered. Even though it's quite specialised, the content itself is actually very versatile, which appeals because it keeps my professional horizons open moving forwards. The practical slant of the course has also meant I've gained really useful skills and experience in preparation for industry, which is far better than what I would have received elsewhere."
Lewis James
MSc (Hons) Sport and Education"My degree programme is fantastic because it's written with external partners, including the NUFC Foundation, Newcastle Eagles and Newcastle Falcons. These connections mean Sport students at Newcastle College university Centre have access to many more personal and professional development opportunities than other universities, especially in the North East. The best bit is the staff are so flexible and open to student input, even though some of them worked on Team GB!"
Paola Cassarino
FdA Events Management and Hospitality"The beauty of a Hospitality and Tourism degree at Newcastle College University Centre is that, by combining the latest industry knowledge with a focus on practical skills, you're being prepared not to be an average employee, but an industry leader. The high standard of teaching here has helped me to develop confidence in my ability, and a clear sense of direction for the next steps in my career and exactly how to attain them."
Niall Kendal
FdEng Subsea and Offshore Engineering"Throughout my apprenticeship and studies, I've developed a great understanding of the industry, a strong knowledge base, and I get to put theory into practice while I'm offshore. I want to challenge myself to enter a management role in the Energy industry eventually, and I know my degree from Newcastle College University Centre will help me achieve that dream."