Hashtag Newcastle Collingwood

The communal spaces at iQ Collingwood make it easy to relax or spend time with other residents, with a common room, gym, cinema room and rooftop terrace. The terrace has pleasant city views, and the gym is well equipped for different routines. The rooms are modern and furnished comfortably, with tidy en-suites and plenty of storage. I’ve found the management professional and friendly, and they’re willing to help when something comes up. They also arrange social events during term breaks, which helps residents feel connected. The location is especially handy: it’s at Kings Manor Business Park (NE1 6PA), an 8-minute walk from Northumbria University and about 13 minutes from Newcastle University. As someone living here now, I’m very happy with the accommodation and would recommend it to students looking for somewhere comfortable and convenient in Newcastle.

I’m already booked in for third year because I’ve enjoyed living at IQ Collingwood so much. The kitchens are lovely, the rooms have plenty of space, and the gym, common room, cinema and roof top terrace are all fabulous. The staff are genuinely kind. They’ll sort out problems as quickly as they can, and they’re just as happy to stop for a chat. Rae, the maintenance man, is a star, with most issues fixed the same day when possible. I honestly can’t recommend this accommodation enough.

The location works especially well for Northumbria University, just a 5-minute walk away, and Manors Metro station, grocery shops and the city centre are all close by. For Newcastle University students it’s less convenient: walking to St. James’ Park, where many of the university’s buildings are, takes 30-40 minutes. I liked the spacious, well-designed Silver rooms and found the beds very comfortable. Staff and security are approachable and helpful, and the frequent giveaways and free things are a nice bonus. The main shared-space problem is that the common room puts study and gaming together. With music and games going on, it’s hard to focus there as a Master’s student. The kitchen hob switches off every 20 minutes, so cooking gets interrupted and food doesn’t have enough time to cook properly. Drains clog about every three days, which is frustrating. Laundry is another serious headache: there are only 4 washers and 4 dryers for 400 residents, and most are often out of order. A load costs around £6. Some parts of living here are pleasant, but the facilities, maintenance and use of space have a real effect on day-to-day life, especially if you need a quiet, functional place to study.

The staff are supportive and cooperative, and they sometimes give out free stuff. The overall stay wasn’t too bad, though it could be better. There’s very little price difference between the silver and bronze en-suites, while the laundry setup is poor: four washers and four dryers for 400 people, with about half needing repairs or out of service. Washing and drying costs £5.70. The common room doubles as the study area, which is distracting during exam time. The gym is tiny, with too little space for floor workouts, and the water cooler was removed from it after a few months.