Collaborative Newcastle Universities Agreement (CNUA)

Making a difference to society

Northumbria and Newcastle Universities play important roles in the city. Together we educate over 65,000 students and employing more than 10,000 members of staff. As civic universities, we're committed to using our expertise to make a difference to society.

In 2021, we formed the Collaborative Newcastle Universities Agreement (CNUA). Through partnership with Newcastle University, we work together on projects to make positive change to the city. By collaborating with the City Council and other stakeholders, we focus on shared goals that support our missions and address the city’s needs.

Our work centres on the following key areas.

Social mobility 

We are committed to improving social mobility and widening access to higher education. Through the CNUA, we have worked together to support these goals. Notably, we opened the joint INTO University Centre in Walker in 2021 and a second centre in Gateshead in 2025. The centres provide educational support for local young people and connects them with two leading universities. It helps students who may not have considered university as an option explore new opportunities for learning and growth.

We're working to collaborate further to tackle social mobility issues in our city.

Skills agenda

The universities are working with local FE colleges to support regional skills development. Together, we've mapped out the available education and training in health and social care from Level 3 to Level 7. This helps us identify clear learning pathways, create a more coordinated approach, and address gaps in the system.

We are now using this to work with other key partners to help shape the future direction of the skills offer in our city. 

Students as Partners 

Our two universities are deeply connected to Newcastle, and we value a strong, supportive relationship between students, universities, and the City Council. This partnership benefits everyone. Students and staff contribute to the city’s cultural, economic, and social life, while the city, in turn, enriches their experiences.

We have a long history of working to make Newcastle the best possible place for both students and residents. Our collaboration focuses on three key areas of student life - Community, Housing and Support for Student Mental Health.

This work aims to: 

• further develop a community that understands, respects and supports each other
• ensure students can access appropriate and affordable housing during their studies
• develop strategies in partnership that improve and support student mental health

We jointly run the Students as Partners Forum in collaboration with both Students Unions and Newcastle City Council.

International 

Both universities collaborate with partners such as Newcastle Gateshead Initiative and Newcastle United Football Club, aiming to highlight Newcastle as an open, inclusive, and globally connected city, attracting international investment and supporting economic growth.

Health 

Both universities are developing major projects to advance health research and innovation. Northumbria leads on the Centre for Health and Social Equity and Newcastle hosts the Health Innovation Neighbourhood. The projects will drive collaboration, reduce health inequalities, and improve life expectancy. We're helping to position Newcastle as a leading city in health innovation.

As part of the CNUA, both universities have appointed Directors of Interprofessional Education (IPE) within their faculties. These leaders are working together to integrate interprofessional education. This helps students gain hands-on experience in realistic clinical scenarios, preparing them for real-world healthcare settings.

Net zero 

We are working closely with the Climate Change leaders at Newcastle City Council to support the city’s goal of reaching net zero. Together, we’ve identified key areas where our help will have the greatest impact, and we're using these areas to guide our collaboration.

Our role as anchor institutions 

As anchor institutions, our universities play a vital role in the city. We contribute through the diversity brought by thousands of students, through our world-class research and as major employers. We're committed to helping Newcastle become a Real Living Wage City, with both universities accredited by the Living Wage Foundation as Real Living Wage employers.

We also work closely with city partners to manage risks, build resilience, and ensure business continuity, especially during major incidents.

The CNUA is a sector-leading example of civic engagement. We aim to strengthen our partnership even further, making an even greater impact on the city in the future. Through our ongoing collaboration, we're dedicated to tackling the city’s biggest challenges and creating positive change for our communities.

Find out more

Contact Stevie Smith, CNUA Programme Lead, to find out more about the Collaborative Newcastle Universities Agreement and how you can get involved.