Famous people who studied at a university in Newcastle

Newcastle is home to two top universities, Newcastle University and Northumbria University, with many students choosing to study various degrees at them year after year. You may also be surprised to learn that a few famous faces have also sat in the lecture halls of these universities. Check out our list below!

Rowan Atkinson CBE

Rowan Atkinson, who was known for his character Mr Bean as well as his other credits in the entertainment industry, studied at Newcastle University in 1975. Surprisingly, he studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering before moving on to the world of acting.

Kate Adie CBE

Journalist Kate Adie, who at the height of her career would report for the BBC from war zones around the world, studied at Newcastle University. She studied Scandinavian Studies in 1967. She received an Honorary MA from Newcastle University in 1990.

Princess Eugenie

An actual member of the Royal family has studied at a university in Newcastle. Princess Eugenie studied at Newcastle University in 2009, obtaining a degree in English Literature and History of Art.

Gordon Sumner CBE

Gordon Sumner, better known as his stage name, Sting, studied Teaching Studies at Northumbria University in 1973. He actually taught in Cramlington for two years before moving to London and forming The Police and reaching dizzying heights of international fame. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music in 1992 from Northumbria.

Tunde Baiyewu and Paul Tucker

The 90s easy listening duo both studied in Newcastle. Baiyewu studied Accounting and Finance at Northumbria, while Tucker studied French and German at Newcastle. This led to the pair meeting and forming the Lighthouse Family.

Vera Baird DBE KC

Former Police and Crime Commissioner, Former Victims’ Commissioner, british barrister and politician Vera Baird studied Law at Northumbria University in 1974. Baird was awarded a DBE in 2017 for her services to women and equality.

There are even more incredible people who have studied at both Newcastle and Northumbria university.