Let the lion roar!
Newcastle University at 60
Celebrating 60 years of an independent Newcastle University. This online exhibition tells the University's story from 1963 to the present day, showcasing items and photographs from the University Archive.
All images included are taken from the University Archive, unless otherwise stated.
2023 marked 60 years since the formal separation of King’s College from Durham University and the creation of Newcastle University.
However, our story began in 1834, when a group of doctors started teaching medicine at the Barber Surgeon’s Hall in Newcastle. This became the Durham University College of Medicine in 1880.
In 1871, the College of Physical Science in Newcastle was founded as a college of Durham University. The College was named after Sir William Armstrong, the local engineer and industrialist, in 1904.
In 1936, Armstrong College and the College of Medicine were brought together as King’s College, a division of Durham University. King’s College continued to expand and by 1960, student numbers had reached 3,600. This surpassed the combined numbers studying at Durham University’s other colleges.
For many years, dissatisfaction with the arrangement had grown. This led to a proposal in 1960 to establish a separate Newcastle University in place of King’s College. This was accepted and led to the official separation into Durham University and Newcastle University on ‘The Appointed Day’ of 1st August 1963.
In early summer 1963, the Universities of Durham and
Newcastle upon Tyne Act 1963 received Royal Ascent and
came into force. This was needed to formalise the separation
of the Durham and Newcastle parts of the University and
instruct the new bodies which would oversee the work of the
two institutions.
As King’s College had operated largely independently, daily work was unhindered by the separation. Even King’s College’s crest, featuring the famous lion, remained. Since 1963, Newcastle University has continued to grow and develop its research, teaching and reputation.
The 1960s
The early 1960s see major developments on campus. Space for teaching and research rapidly expands thanks to several new buildings. Developments are started early in the decade and continue uninterrupted after independence from Durham University.
Growing student numbers later in the 1960s lead to plans for new and improved accommodation to house first year students.
1960s - Campus expansion
Both before and after King’s College became Newcastle University, the campus had seen rapid expansion. Earlier in the 1960s, the Agriculture, Herschel and Merz Court Buildings had opened.
In 1968, what is now known as the Daysh Building, opened. The building was named after Professor Henry Daysh, who was head of Geography (now School of Geography, Politics and Sociology) from 1930 to 1966. He became the University’s first Vice-Chancellor in 1965. The Daysh Building was the University’s largest building when it was built.
Claremont Tower and Merz Court brochures produced for official building openings, 1960–1967. NUA/16/7/1
Claremont Tower and Merz Court brochures produced for official building openings, 1960–1967. NUA/16/7/1
1964 - Newcastle University's first Chancellor installed
His Grace, Hugh Percy, the 10th Duke of Northumberland, was installed as the first Chancellor of Newcastle University. This took place in a formal ceremony in King’s Hall.
Until the University’s separation in 1963, this ceremonial role had been fulfilled by a series of members of nobility, including Percy’s ancestors. The appointment of Percy was a continuation of the previous tradition of the role of Chancellor being a member of nobility.
After his appointment, Percy remained in the role until his death in October 1988. He was succeeded as Chancellor by Matthew Wright Ridley, 4th Viscount Ridley. Ridley was officially installed in a formal ceremony on the 7th December 1989.
Programme for installation of Hugh Percy, Duke of Northumberland, as Chancellor, 1964. NUA/16/10.
Programme for installation of Hugh Percy, Duke of Northumberland, as Chancellor, 1964. NUA/16/10.
1964 - Opening of the extension of the Students' Union
As student numbers increased, it was recognised that the original 1926 Students’ Union Building, completed when the College only had 800 students, was no longer sufficient. The Students' Union was expanded in 1964 to accommodate more students.
In 1959, the Council of King’s College agreed to pay for the building of a new refectory. Also included were spaces for social activities, such as a new dance hall and a debating chamber (since demolished). The new building was officially opened by Christopher Chataway, the famed middle-distance runner who was at the time an MP and junior education minister.
1967 - Dr Martin Luther King received an Honorary degree in Civil Law
Dr Martin Luther King was welcomed to Newcastle where he received an Honorary degree in Civil Law from the University. This was the only place in the UK he visited outside London, and the last public address he gave outside the United States before he was assassinated six months later.
Photograph of Martin Luther King signing the University's visitors' book, 1967. NUA/052589/04.
Photograph of Martin Luther King signing the University's visitors' book, 1967. NUA/052589/04.
King gave a passionate speech discussing his Beliefs, struggles in America and those faced by Black people in the UK. He highlighted the “three urgent and grave problems” facing the world: war, poverty and racism. The significance of his visit to Newcastle and the values he stood for are reflected in a statue of him, located in the courtyard of the Armstrong Building. This is near to King’s Hall, where he gave his speech in 1967.
Transcript of honorary degree acceptance speech given by Martin Luther King Jr, 1967. NUA/19/3.
Transcript of honorary degree acceptance speech given by Martin Luther King Jr, 1967. NUA/19/3.
Professor Henry Daysh attending the first matriculation ceremony for students at Newcastle University, 1963. NUA/K/030284
Professor Henry Daysh attending the first matriculation ceremony for students at Newcastle University, 1963. NUA/K/030284
Students’ Union Debating Chamber, 1964. NUA/K/037098/01
Students’ Union Debating Chamber, 1964. NUA/K/037098/01
Moorbank Botanic Gardens, opens 1966. NUA/K/043192/004
Moorbank Botanic Gardens, opens 1966. NUA/K/043192/004
Close House, opens 1961. NUA/K/040279/003
Close House, opens 1961. NUA/K/040279/003
Sports meeting at Cochrane Park, 1964. NUA/K/032968/05
Sports meeting at Cochrane Park, 1964. NUA/K/032968/05
NUMAC opens (Northumbrian Universities Multiple Access Computer). NUA/K/040279/007
NUMAC opens (Northumbrian Universities Multiple Access Computer). NUA/K/040279/007
Student in Ethel Williams Hall student accommodation, 1966. NUA/K/043915/06
Student in Ethel Williams Hall student accommodation, 1966. NUA/K/043915/06
The 1970s
The 1970s see a period of steady growth with tightened budgets following the rapid expansion of the 1960s. The major advance is the long-hoped-for construction of the new Dental School building. This is co-located with the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and the proposed new Medical School.
1970s - Funding
Until 1989, the proportion of the funding given to universities by central government was based on a submission to the University Grants Commission. Ahead of each five year period, the University submitted its financial plans to the government in the form of Quinquennial Estimates.
The Estimate displayed below sets out an overview of the current position and plans for teaching, staffing, and general developments for the period covering the mid 1970s.
Quinquennial Estimates, 1972–1977. NUA/OS/543.
Quinquennial Estimates, 1972–1977. NUA/OS/543.
1970 - University Theatre opens
In November 1970, the University Theatre opened on a site
which formerly included the Methodist Chapel, known as Grey’s Hall.
This new building was the culmination of Newcastle University’s ambition to have a theatre of its own. With funding from an anonymous donor and the Gulbenkian Theatre Trust, the theatre was rapidly designed, built and opened with two stages. One stage was intended for the larger performances of the Tyneside Theatre Trust, and the second stage was to be for university use.
University Theatre, 1970. NUA/K/075420/03.
University Theatre, 1970. NUA/K/075420/03.
1971 - 100th anniversary of the College of Physical Science
In 1971, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the
College of Physical Science was celebrated. Events included
departmental open days, exhibitions, a special honorary
degree ceremony and the illumination of buildings on campus.
There was also a series of events for staff and the local
community, sculpture and school essay competitions, and a
series of public lectures.
Material produced in support of events to celebrate the centenary of the College of Physical Science, 1971. NUA/OS/687.
Material produced in support of events to celebrate the centenary of the College of Physical Science, 1971. NUA/OS/687.
Material produced in support of events to celebrate the centenary of the College of Physical Science, 1971. NUA/OS/687.
Material produced in support of events to celebrate the centenary of the College of Physical Science, 1971. NUA/OS/687.
1978 - Dental School and Hospital opens
After the many new buildings of the 1960s, the 1970s saw
less expansion and renewal of facilities on campus due to
tighter financial circumstances and reduced growth in student numbers.
One exception was in medicine and dentistry. The need for new space led to land being secured on the RVI site where a large new teaching hospital and medical school were also planned alongside dentistry. This development was a collaboration between the University and the Northern Regional Health Authority. The Dental School and Hospital was officially opened in 1978, with construction of the new Medical School beginning soon after in early 1979.
Opening brochure for the new Dental School building, 1979. NUA/16/7/1.
Opening brochure for the new Dental School building, 1979. NUA/16/7/1.
