A state-of-the-art learning and collaboration space has been unveiled at Newcastle College University Centre (NCUC), as part of a £6 million investment into higher education facilities.

Building on NCUC’s commitment to creating work-ready graduates for the jobs of tomorrow, the HE Hub offers degree students a dedicated workspace designed to support their studies, with access to academic support alongside the latest technology.

The new space is the first phase of a three-year investment into higher education facilities at NCUC, which has been awarded a share of £6 million of funding from the Office for Students (OfS) to invest in developing its facilities for degree students.

Students across NCUC are now benefitting from the space which includes:

  • collaborative work and social spaces
  • dedicated academic support
  • state-of-the-art computers to support independent and classroom learning
  • private and soundproof meeting and workspaces

Level 6 Health and Social Care student Hannah Ajasa said: “I absolutely love this space. We work hard on our courses, so it’s great to have somewhere to come and relax and refresh. It’s so beautiful and bright as well."

Jon Ridley, Deputy Principal (HE) at Newcastle College said: "We are incredibly pleased to make this investment in the student experience. It’s our commitment to nurture the talent that will go on to work and innovate in the areas of strategic importance to the region.

“We are committed to giving individuals access to a high-quality learning experience in which they can develop their skills to succeed and thrive in our region, and this includes having spaces to relax, recharge and work independently.”

Further investment has also been made into NCUC’s digital technologies learning facilities, with bespoke digital laboratories dedicated to cyber security and immersive technology opening to students this term. This will complete the first phase of the three-year investment, before the focus turns to completing a brand new HE Hub for Construction, Engineering and Energy, including three high-spec CAD/BIM suites. Building work is now underway and is expected to complete in in early 2025.

Read more about our plans, and everything that's been implemented so far, here: Newcastle College Investing in You £8million Funding (ncl-coll.ac.uk)