University of Sunderland: What it's really like
Learn all about the University of Sunderland
Looking for a university with a campus located between the city and the beach? Sunderland could be your place!
Sunderland at a glance:
| Founded | 1901 |
| Locations | Sunderland and London, UK; and Wyndham Street, Hong Kong |
| Undergraduate course length | Three years |
| Courses | The university has five faculties: Arts and Creative Industries; Business, Law and Tourism; Education and Society; Health Sciences and Wellbeing; and Technology. |
| Students | 20,000 across all four campuses |
| Great for | Students looking for a smaller university campus with a low cost of living. |
| Not for | Students who want to study subjects in animal care or animal management. |
Jack, who was a student at the university and now works there as a student recruitment assistant, shares what student life at Sunderland is like.
What is the University of Sunderland?
The University of Sunderland is based in the north east of England, beside some of the most well-loved beaches in the country. However, the university actually has four campuses, with 20,000 students based across them. There are two in Sunderland – the City Campus, and the Sir Tom Cowie Campus in St Peter’s – one in Canary Wharf in London, and one in Hong Kong.
Why apply to Sunderland?
One great reason to apply to Sunderland is that we’ve recently been ranked as a Top 50 university in the Guardian’s 2023 league table. This is a testament to our commitment to our students and their learning. I like to think that the reason for this high ranking is the positive impact we have on our students, both while they study here, but also after they graduate.
An example is Sunderland Futures, our team that supports students with securing work. Once you graduate, you can get support from them for three more years, which includes CV writing, interview support, and helping you find roles within your industry.
Another reason to apply is the comparatively low cost of living in Sunderland. Sunderland is in the north east, a famously affordable part of England. This is particularly good news for international students, as the low living costs will relieve some of the financial burden of international study.
Who isn’t the right fit for Sunderland?
Unfortunately, we don’t currently offer any courses in animal care or animal management at Sunderland. So if you’re a budding zoologist, Sunderland may not be the place for you.
Any application tips?
My top tip for applying to the University of Sunderland might be a bit of an obvious one; make your Personal Statement personal! Get the admissions team to see who you really are, what you’re about, and why you want to study the course you are applying for.
What’s the location like?
Sunderland, whilst being based next to some brilliant beaches, is also a very vibrant city. Students enjoy visiting the cultural quarter, with a vast range of bars and restaurants, and there are parks in the city for students to explore.
For students who want to make trips on the weekend or commute into the university, there are good connections to the local area via rail. There are metro stations on the campus itself, and there’s a train station just five minutes away.
What facilities does Sunderland have to offer?
The university is constantly expanding and improving on its facilities. At the moment, they include four mock hospital wards, an ambulance, and biomechanics labs on the City Campus. Our new Students’ Union building can also be found here, with a gym, climbing wall, and social spaces.
On our campus at St Peter’s, facilities include a law clinic for law students to get real-world law experience; a highly advanced TV studio for creative students; a 207-seat cinema; and the Northern Centre for Photography, as well as the National Glass Centre.
What is the accommodation like?
At the university’s Sunderland campuses, there are three accommodation options available to students. Both Scotia Quay and Panns Bank are located between the two campuses, residing in the heart of the city. Scotia Quay provides all en suite facilities.
Clanny House, the third option, is closest to the City Campus, beside Sunderland City Hospital and lots of local shopping options. All accommodation, the city, and the campus can be reached by the free university shuttle bus. Whichever option you choose, access to both the campus and the city itself is easy.
How does Sunderland meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?
All of our campuses and buildings at Sunderland are wheelchair accessible and have lifts inside. We also have a fantastic student support and wellbeing service, where you can go with any worries you may have during your studies. Our student journey team can help you get the most out of your time as a student, whether that’s needing additional academic support or reasonable adjustments if you have a disability or learning difference; or counselling if you need mental health support.
If you’re struggling financially, we also have a range of grants and bursaries which could help you out. Our student financial guidance team will be happy to help with any questions you have.
Want to explore more UK universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.