Newcastle University is a leading Russell Group research university founded in 1834, ranked QS #137 globally. It is particularly renowned for Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, ranked in the top 95 universities worldwide for Medicine (QS Subject Rankings 2025). Newcastle was founded as a School of Medicine and Surgery and has maintained a world-class medical school at its core ever since. The university's MBBS programme is among the most highly regarded in the UK, combining early patient exposure with rigorous scientific training.

Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) opened in 2011 by invitation of the Malaysian government, making it the first UK medical school to establish a branch campus in Malaysia. The purpose-built 5.5-hectare campus in EduCity, Iskandar Puteri features 15,000m² of academic space designed to replicate the look and feel of Newcastle's UK campus. The campus was officially opened by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York. NUMed holds a uniquely important distinction: its MBBS is the only medical programme in Malaysia recognised by both the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and the UK's General Medical Council (GMC), meaning graduates can practice medicine in both Malaysia and the UK. Clinical training takes place at Hospital Sultan Ismail, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, and other major Johor hospitals.