Welcome

The teaching record across all disciplines is outstanding, and we were chosen by The Sunday Times newspaper as its University of the Year 2000-01. The newspaper commented 'Backed by superb all-round strength, Newcastle is the choice because of its outstanding teaching record.

• no subject taught at Newcastle has been awarded fewer than 20 out of the maximum 24 points by the Quality Assurance Agency

• the Medical School has gained 143 out of a possible 144 points in its six subject areas - Medicine, Dentistry, Physiology, Psychology, Pharmacology and Molecular Biosciences

• we host the Learning and Teaching Support network for Medicine and Dentistry, a national initiative which enables centres of excellence to promote good practice

We currently have a core student population of 16,339 in 2002-03, 4,187 staff and an annual income of more than £210m. More than 2,000 overseas students choose to study here, from over 100 countries, and the graduates are much sought-after by employers.

However, we are aware that there is always room for improvement and so, during 2002, the University undertook a major restructuring exercise with the aims of

• building on the existing strengths and allowing new ones to emerge

• creating a leaner, fitter institution

• commanding a position within the top ten universities in the UK in terms of teaching and research within five years

At the heart of the plan was the formation of fewer, bigger academic units. Three new faculties were created, each headed by a Provost

• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

• Faculty of Medical Sciences

• Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering

and 27 new schools were formed from the 75 departments which previously existed.

The aim is to create a £6 million-per-year fund for investment. This fund will provide the 'headroom' to build on current and emerging strengths and to invest in new staff, initiatives and infrastructure