University of Sunderland

What is the University of Sunderland known for?

The University of Sunderland is a top 30 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2026).

With over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, placement opportunities and the option to study full or part-time, there’s something for everyone.

Amongst its achievements, the University of Sunderland is University of the Year for Student Support (Daily Mail University Guide 2025) and is in the top 10 UK universities for social inclusion (The Times Good University Guide 2025).

There are a wide range of courses available across its three faculties: Education, Society and Creative Industries; Business and Technology; Health Sciences and Wellbeing. Browse the university’s subject areas to discover more.

Over 70% of published research carried out at the University of Sunderland has been rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. Plus, the University was awarded silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023, which recognised it’s ‘very high quality’ of teaching and learning.

You’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their fields, have access to excellent facilities and the opportunity to participate in the creation of knowledge through collaborative approach to reason. By embarking on your postgraduate journey at Sunderland, you’re making a fundamental investment in your future.

Where is the University of Sunderland and what’s the setting like?

Sunderland offers students the best of both worlds: the city is a perfect blend of urban and coastal living and a friendly, diverse, and affordable place to live.

Not only does Sunderland offer miles of sandy beaches, but it also has a bustling city centre with plenty of culture and heritage. Whether you prefer to unwind with a walk in the breathtaking landscape or let loose by taking up one of the many water sports on offer, there’s lots to do and explore in Sunderland.

There are also plenty of shops and high street favourites to keep you stocked up with all your essentials, and lots of independent bars and restaurants.

Sunderland is in the heart of the north-east and has excellent transport links to other northern cities such as Newcastle, Durham and York, so students can easily explore everything that the North of England has to offer while they complete their studies.

What are the standout course offerings at the University of Sunderland?

Courses are career-focused and professions-facing, ensuring you have a head start in the workplace when you graduate. Many courses are co-designed by employers, affiliated with professional bodies and lecturers are closely linked to their sectors. Every single course has a placement option too which means you can get first-hand experience in the workplace during your studies.

The University of Sunderland offers a wide range of health-related courses, as well as education and teacher training, creative arts and technology and social sciences, all of which prepare students for a thriving career on graduation.

Our Medicine course is 5th in the UK for teaching quality (The Times Good University Guide 2025) and our Pharmacy course is 1st in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2026).

Our Journalism courses are 2nd in the UK and our Film Production and Photography courses are 3rd the UK (Guardian University Guide 2026).

Plus, 90% of Sunderland students graduating with qualified teacher status are working in north-east schools, inspiring the next generation.

What are the entry requirements and fees?

Tuition fees depend on the course and whether you study full or part-time. More information can be found on the fees webpage.

The University of Sunderland also offers a range of scholarships and bursaries for postgraduate study.

If you are a University of Sunderland graduate (alumni) you will be awarded a 20% tuition fee discount if you return to study a postgraduate course at Sunderland.

The North-East Postgraduate Discount offers a 20% fee discount to postgraduate students who have a local connection to the north-east region and have experienced financial hardship due to cost-of-living challenges.

All international students studying a taught, postgraduate course will benefit from a £900 scholarship in the form of a tuition fee discount which is automatically deducted.

You can find out more about the university’s scholarships and bursaries on their website:

Terms and conditions apply.

What is student life like at the University of Sunderland?

Sunderland is a friendly and inclusive university, welcoming students from all over the world.

They want their students to thrive and enjoy their time studying with them, therefore, they provide lots of support and encourage their students to make the most of their time at university by getting involved in the many sporting events and social clubs on offer through the Students’ Union.

On campus, Sunderland continue to invest heavily in their facilities; from the industry-standard science labs to their very own radio station and media centre, you can expect everything you need to excel in your studies and beyond.

What facilities does the University of Sunderland offer?

You can be assured of high-quality teaching across our postgraduate courses, as well as access to excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces such as the Living Lab and the professionally supervised Law Clinic and Marketing Hub.

Their on-campus student radio station Spark, as well as film and editing studios, a cinema and photography studios provide excellent facilities for creative arts students.

Plus, there is a choice of three student accommodation sites, several libraries across the two campuses and a state of the art sports complex at CitySpace.

How does the University of Sunderland support your career?

Courses are careers-focused with placement opportunities embedded into every one. As well as this, the university’s Graduate Prospects team offers practical support with entrepreneurial ideas, setting up your own business or finding employability on graduation.

What do students say about the University of Sunderland?

The support I’ve received from the staff at the University has been outstanding and I can honestly say it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made to come and study here.

Lynn Ord – BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing Practice graduate.

I chose to study at the University of Sunderland because of the excellent academic staff on the PGCE Further Education and Skills (FES) course. I received brilliant career guidance from my tutor throughout the course and gained a lecturing role in engineering when I graduated. I would highly encourage anybody interested to contact the University to discuss their plans

Cate Jones – PGCE Further Education and Skills (FES) graduate.

How do you apply to the University of Sunderland?

You can apply to the University of Sunderland directly on the website: sunderland.ac.uk

What else should you know about the University of Sunderland?

Register for an Open Day and see what Sunderland really has to offer. See excellent facilities, meet staff and current students and discover what postgraduate study at the University of Sunderland could mean for you.

If you can’t make it on campus, you can still look around the facilities through the University’s Virtual Experience. Explore the campuses, course facilities, cafés and restaurants, the city of Sunderland itself and its attractions.

If you need any support you can contact their friendly helpline on:

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

0191 515 3000