Local life
Nestled between the North East coastlines and the rolling moorlands, Tees Valley is a vibrant, welcoming place to live and study.
A town with real personality, where independent cafes, buzzing live music venues, bars and clubs sit alongside a thriving arts scene of galleries, creative festivals and artisan markets. When you need a change of pace, you'll find wide beaches perfect for surfing, forests waiting to be explored and open countryside stretching in every direction.
Top ten things you can't miss
Catch the waves at Saltburn
Surf the North Sea, stroll the pier, ride the famous cliff lift and browse the town's independent shops for a laid-back day out.
Push your limits at Tees Barrage
Take on white-water rafting, canoeing or the high ropes course - perfect for adrenaline and team challenges. Grab your new housemates for a great ice-breaking activity.
Get inspired by arts and heritage
Explore Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA), the Hopetown heritage attraction or Platform Arts for a dose of creativity.
Conquer Roseberry Topping
Hike to the summit for unforgettable views across Teesside - an essential rite of passage for new students.
Feast at local food festivals
Taste your way through Orange Pip Market, Darlington Food & Drink Festival or Saltburn Food Festival.
Cheer on The Boro
Join the crowd at Riverside Football Stadium to watch Middlesbrough FC then celebrate with a parmo - Middlesbrough's legendary dish.
Paddle at Hartlepool Marina
Try stand-up paddleboarding then climb aboard HMS Trincomalee, the world's oldest warship still afloat.
Escape to Whitby
Take a day trip to this Gothic seaside town, enjoy the coastal views and sample some of the best fish and chips in the country.
Relax in the parks
Unwind with friends at Albert Park or Stewart Park - close to campus and great for a sunny afternoon or study break outdoors.
Dive into student nightlife
Soak up the evening buzz on Southfield Road, the Students' Union or a live music night in Middlesbrough.
What's here for you?
Culture and expression
Lose yourself in creativity, spend an afternoon browsing contemporary exhibitions at an international gallery, catch a comedy show that keeps you laughing or feel the energy of a local theatre performance. Culture here is hands-on, diverse and accessible, and there's always something to spark your imagination.
Temenos
An iconic sculpture by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond, standing almost 50 metres high and 120 metres long.
Nature and outdoors
Adventure is right on your doorstep. Ride the waves at Saltburn, hike up Roseberry Topping for views across Teesside, or wander into the North York Moors National Park for fresh air and freedom. Whether you're into adrenaline, photography or just clearing your head, the landscape gives you space to breathe.
Northallerton and Darlington
Gateways to the Yorkshire Dales: Swaledale, Wensleydale and, beyond them, the Howgills, with their drystone walls, sheep and dairy farming, and empty moorlands.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Close to Middlesbrough with great architecture, top surf, a Victorian pier, stunning beach and there are plenty of independent shops.
The North York Moors
One of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the UK along with its spectacular coast, ancient woodland and historic sites. Its steam railway runs from Pickering to Grosmont and Whitby. Goathland was home to Hogsmeade station in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Aidensfield in TV's Heartbeat.
Whitby
A pretty fishing port set among cliffs and was part of the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. North of Middlesbrough is the historic quay at Hartlepool - see HMS Trincomalee and a restored maritime village.
Seaton Carew
Enjoy a fun seaside experience, take to the sandy beach, tuck into fresh woodfired pizza and snap a selfie in front of the brightly coloured beach huts.
Food and social life
Good food brings people together and Tees Valley has it all - street food markets buzzing with flavour, independent bakeries and delis, restaurants for special occasions, craft breweries, cocktail bars and student hangouts where there's always something happening. Baker and Bedford Street, Southfield Road and the Students' Union are favourites for a night out or quick catch up with friends.
Baker and Bedford Street
Find fabulous micro pubs and listen to live music in a collection of independent bars and eateries including The Twisted Lip and The Nuthatch.
Southfield Road
Partly pedestrianised, Southfield Road runs through the campus and offers plenty of student-focused bars and pubs, and outdoor drinking and dining spaces.
Micro pubs
Middlesbrough is home to a multitude of celebrated micro pubs, serving the finest locally brewed and sourced ales.
Arenas
Large-scale concerts from some of the biggest names in music come to fill the Riverside Stadium and Darlington Arena. Previous acts include Take That, The Killers, Jess Glynne and Olly Murs.
Level X
A lively indoor entertainment venue featuring electric go-karting, bowling, VR, mini-golf and arcade games. It's a popular spot for students to unwind, with something fun to do day or night.
Odeon
Odeon Luxe offers the latest films in comfort, with plush recliner seats and plenty of snacks to choose from. It's the ideal spot for a movie night with friends or an easy midweek treat.
Sports, fitness and movement
Whatever your game, you'll find a way to get involved. Watch Middlesbrough FC at the Riverside Stadium, train at the Sports Village, or run, cycle and paddle your way across local lakes, rivers and trails. Whether you're training at a high level or enjoy staying active outdoors, the choice is yours.
Saltburn surfing
Named in the top 10 places to surf in the UK. Brush up on your surfer skills or learn something new with Flow Surf School or Saltburn Surf School.
Why you'll love studying here
Tees Valley gives you the best of both worlds. Big city energy with small town friendliness, all surrounded by stunning landscapes. You'll find a genuine balance of inspiring culture, buzzing social life and outdoor adventure, so there's always something to do and new experiences to share.
Living costs are lower than in the big cities so your money goes further without missing out on choice, quality or excitement. Most of all, this is a place where community matters. Everything you need is close by so exploring doesn't mean travelling far - and you'll quickly feel at home.
This is more than a place to study. It's a place to belong.