Durham or Sheffield

Don't know if it really is actually. Newcastle has a reputation for having a reasonable cost of living and, generally speaking, that's true. But in a number of surveys over the past couple of years it has been rated as one of the most expensive in the country in terms of housing costs. Some halls are ridiculously expensive, it's starting to rival Durham's colleges and Birmingham, and this has partly caused the rents in the private sector to inflate.

Newcastle is probably in the top ten to fifteen universities in terms of independent school intake with a significant number of affluent students from the state sector also. They have the money to spend and this can put up rents.

Which isn't to say good deals still can't be had, just need to be mindful of areas like Jesmond or the city centre. Maybe even Heaton these days. I don't know why I said even Heaton. Historically I think it was more affluent than Jesmond. Certainly as affluent.

I did come across one of the Yuppie apartments on the Quayside for about £120 a week though. That was surprising. Considered taking it myself and commute to Durham. Have proper city living...

Don't know if it really is actually. Newcastle has a reputation for having a reasonable cost of living and, generally speaking, that's true. But in a number of surveys over the past couple of years it has been rated as one of the most expensive in the country in terms of housing costs. Some halls are ridiculously expensive, it's starting to rival Durham's colleges and Birmingham, and this has partly caused the rents in the private sector to inflate.

Newcastle is probably in the top ten to fifteen universities in terms of independent school intake with a significant number of affluent students from the state sector also. They have the money to spend and this can put up rents.

Which isn't to say good deals still can't be had, just need to be mindful of areas like Jesmond or the city centre. Maybe even Heaton these days. I don't know why I said even Heaton. Historically I think it was more affluent than Jesmond. Certainly as affluent.

Im not sure I agree.
I have lived in other cities and Newcastle is the cheapest I have found.
I lived in a very nice house in Heaton last year for £50 a week. I now live in a huge house in Jesmond on Osborne road and it costs me £65 a week including all bills. Im not sure where you living but £200-£260 a month is very cheap. All of my friends live in similarly priced houses too.
Student halls is more expensive at all unis, but you dont have to live in halls. I started my first year of uni living in a house full of students.

Just a fleeting thought that's relevant to this thread - why is Durham listed separately to Newcastle in medicine rankings?

As far as I'm aware it still has some independence in research, it still appoints its own staff, its students still have entry standards.

The only thing it's lacking is student satisfaction and grad prospects, of course.

That it doesn't award its own medical degree is neither here nor there, as far as league tables are concerned, students still go there and study.

Perhaps I'm wrong.

Arguably it shouldn't show up in the 'medicine' section because it doesn't actually award a medical degree.

I don't really care. Just being a massive pedant for pedants sake.

Yeah, but I don't think it really matters if they award thir own medical degree or not. Students can still apply there and study pre-clinical years there, so it gets included.

There are also a few universities including in the league tables for subjects they don't offer a single honours degree in.