Newcastle University's origins can be traced back to 1834, when the School of Medicine and Surgery was established in Newcastle. At that time it provided lectures and practical demonstrations to around 26 students. 

The College of Physical Science in Newcastle was established to meet the needs of mining and industry, during a period of rapid economic and technological change. It's initial emphasis was on science; teaching mathematics, physics, chemistry and geology. Along with the separate College of Medicine, the College of Physical Science later evolved into what is now Newcastle University.

From 1876 until his death in 1918 he was professor of Medicine at Durham University. He was elected the President of the British Medical Association for the year 1893 and was Vice Chancellor of Durham University 1910-1912.

The Dove Marine Laboratory building in Cullercoats was opened by the Duke of Northumberland on the 29th of September, 1908. Soon afterwards, in 1909 the Laboratory became a department of Armstrong College, which later evolved into Newcastle University. The new laboratory replaced an earlier wooden building, constructed by the Northumberland Sea Fisheries Committee in 1897, which had been destroyed by fire in 1904.

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The iconic Arches were completed in 1911, built for Armstrong College. The King Edward VII Building (now housing the Hatton Gallery) was also opened that year. The adjoining building (now part of the Architecture Building) was completed 2 years later.

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During the First World War the King Edward VII Building was requisitioned to house the 1st Northern General Hospital. This was staffed by students and staff associated with the Medical School. Over the course of the war the hospital took in at least 41,896 servicemen. In 1914 the hospital had 420 beds but by 1917 this number had risen to 2,166.
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The Hatton Gallery in Newcastle was founded in 1925. The gallery was named after Professor Richard Hatton, professor of what was at that time the King Edward VII School of Art, Armstrong College, Durham University. When Newcastle University was established he became Head of the Department of Fine Art.

King's College was formed by the amalgamation of the Medical College and Armstrong College in 1937. King's College at Newcastle was part of a federal University of Durham up to 1963.  

The gardens in the Quadrangle were laid out and planted in 1947-1949 by JS. Allen, Professor of Town and Country Planning. They were designed as a memorial garden, with a plaque in the gardens stating: "1914-18. 1939-45. This garden quadrangle was laid out in 1949 in memory of all members of the Newcastle Division of the University of Durham who gave their lives in two wars."
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On the 28th November 1951, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, visited Kings College (now Newcastle University) to open the new Stephenson Building and was made an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law.

The Herschel Building was built in 1962, designed by Sir Basil Spence, for what was then the Department of Physics of Kings College, during the transition to the College becoming an independent University. The building is named in honour of Alexander Stuart Herschel, the first Professor of Physics and grandson of the astronomer and composer Frederick William Herschel (1738–1822). The Curtis Auditorium, within the Herschel Building, is one of the largest lecture theatres in the University, and is used for its 'Insights' public lecture series, as well as teaching.
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An Act of Parliament created the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, from what had been King's College, and formerly the Newcastle Division of a federal University of Durham.

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On the 13th of November 1967 Dr Martin Luther King Jr visited Newcastle to receive an honorary degree from Newcastle University. Dr King was presented with his degree by the Duke of Northumberland (who was at that time the University's Chancellor) to become an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law.
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'University Theatre' in Newcastle opened in 1970, later known as 'Newcastle Playhouse and following a major refit, now called Northern Stage.

Newcastle's first major punk gig took place on the 20th of May 1977, when The Clash played at Newcastle University Students' Union. It was a ticket-only gig, mainly attended by students, but punks outside fought with doormen as they tried to get in. It was reported that the band's front man Jo Strummer and drummer Topper Headon, ended up spending 2 nights in police custody in Morpeth. This was after failing to turn up for a court hearing for stealing towels, pillows and a key ring from the hotel they stayed in at Seaton Burn.

Sources: J Bath & RF Stevenson, 2013, and Chronicle live 19th May 2017.

The Philip Robinson Library at Newcastle University was built 1980-1982 by Faulkner Brown Hendy Watkinson Stonor, replacing  the Old Library. The library was named after Philip Robinson (d. 1989), a bookseller and a major benefactor to the library. It is located on Jesmond Road West and connected with the rest of the campus via Hadrian Bridge, a footbridge over Newcastle's internal motorway.

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The International Centre for Life (ICFL) opened by the Queen on the 27th May 2000. It is both a science village and visitor attraction, located near Newcastle Central Station. The Life Science Centre, within the ICFL, provides visitors with a changing programme of events. ICFL also houses scientists, clinicians, educationalists and business people working together to promote the advancement of the life sciences. Partners include Newcastle University, with the University's Institute of Genetic Medicine based at ICFL; the NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre; the NHS Northern Genetics Service and several biotechnology companies.
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In 2006 The University changed it's trading name to "Newcastle University". The original name of "University of Newcastle upon Tyne" is still used in some official of contexts, including on degree parchments.

Newcastle University began operating in Singapore in 2007, initially focusing on courses to meet the needs of the marine sector. In 2009 the University began a partnership with Singapore Institute of Technology to provide courses, primarily in Engineering and Science. 

Newcastle University's international branch campus in Malaysia, "NUMed", opened in November 2011. It is located in EduCity, Johor. This made Newcastle University the first UK university to offer medical degrees overseas, with the first Medical students from NUMed graduating in June 2014. The campus now teaches Biomedical Sciences as well as Medicine.

Recognise those Arches? They are modelled on The Arches at Newcastle.

INTO University Partnerships Ltd is an organisation which works with several university partners to provide specialist degrees and pathway programmes designed for international students. The main building of INTO Newcastle University, on Percy Street, opened in September 2012. INTO are also partners with Newcastle University for the Newcastle University London campus which opened in 2015.
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"The Core" opened in November 2014. It was the first building completed as part of Science Central - a new quarter of Newcastle’s city centre. The building, dedicated to 'Future City Challenges', hosts companies and part of Newcasle University.

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Science Central is Newcastle's £350 million flagship project bringing together a partnership of academia, the public sector, communities, business and industry. Science Central is being developed on a 24-acre site, previously the location of Newcastle Breweries. Science Central was officially opened on the 25th of February, 2015, by Greg Clark MP, the Minister for Universities, Science & Cities. The first buildings completed at Science Central were The Core and The Key.
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The 'Spiral Nebula' sculpture outside the Hershel Building at Newcastle University was Grade II listed by Historic England in 2016, as a leading example of post-war public art. The sculpture was created in 1962 by Geoffrey Clarke. It was restored in 2012 by the sculptor's son, Jonathan Clarke, and Andrew Pawsey, son of Clarke’s assistant back in 1962.
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The Urban Sciences Building of Newcastle University, located in Science Central, was completed in September, 2017. It is the new location of the School of Computing and Institute for Sustainability. It is aimed for the £58m building to become "a living laboratory underpinning research to make urban centres more sustainable for future generations." 

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A statue of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was unveiled on on the 50th anniversary of his visit to Newcastle University to accept an honorary degree. The statue is located in King's Quad, which is a new courtyard area, within the Armstrong Building. The courtyard was opened with the unveiling of the statue. It was developed as part of a major refurbishment programme at the University in 2017.
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"Clasp" by Anthony Gormley, the designer of the Angel of the North, installed on King's Walk at Newcastle University in late July 2018.

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The Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix was officially opened by  Kenneth B Morris Jr., the great-great-great grandson of anti-slavery campaigner, Frederick Douglass. The opening ceremony was held on the 13th of November 2019 - exactly 52 years after Newcastle University awarded Dr Martin Luther King Jr an honorary degree.

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25th November 2020: A statement regarding the closure of the Newcastle University London Campus.

"We have been running our London operation as a joint venture with INTO University Partnerships since 2014. Over the past eighteen months, we have been reviewing Newcastle University London in light of our strategic priorities for education, research, global and engagement and place.

Following this review we have made the very difficult decision to close our Newcastle University London operation from 30th September 2021. INTO University Partnerships agreed terms to withdraw from the Joint Venture as of the 30th November 2020....

Our priorities over the next ten months will be to support all our Newcastle University London students and colleagues, and to do everything possible to ensure no student is disadvantaged by this decision. This includes ensuring an excellent academic experience at Newcastle University London for our students and supporting them and colleagues through this transition over the next year...."

The Farrell Centre, which combines a public gallery and exhibitions, research hub, and community space was opened to the public on the 22nd April 2023. The centre, in Newcastle, is the vision of Sir Terry Farrell (who grew up in Newcastle and studied at Newcastle University) and aims to increase public engagement in the future of architecture and planning.

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