University in United Kingdom
Sunderland, England, United Kingdom
University profile
The University of Sunderland is a public university in the city of Sunderland in north-east England. Its roots go back to the School of Science and Art of 1860 and to Sunderland Technical College, which opened in 1901; it gained university status in 1992. It is a Higher Education Corporation registered with the Office for Students (provider number 10007159). Its 2025–2030 Strategy describes a mission to be life-changing, with ambitions to be student-focused, professions-facing and society-shaping.
In 2025/26 the University had 29,414 students across Sunderland, London and Hong Kong and through partner institutions in 16 countries, drawn from 154 nationalities. In Sunderland teaching is split between City Campus, close to the city centre, and the riverside Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's on the banks of the Wear. The University of Sunderland in London is at Harbour Exchange next to Canary Wharf, and the University of Sunderland in Hong Kong is on Gloucester Road in Wan Chai.
Academic work is organised in three faculties: the Faculty of Business and Technology (School of Business, Management and Tourism; School of Computer Science and Engineering), the Faculty of Education, Society and Creative Industries (School of Education; School of Media and Creative Industries; School of Social Sciences and Law) and the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing (Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; School of Medicine; School of Nursing and Health Sciences; School of Psychology). The School of Medicine runs the MBChB, and the University was named Medical School of the Year at the Educate North Awards 2026.
Specialist facilities include the David Puttnam Media Centre with a cinema, TV and radio studios and the community radio station Spark, the Northern Centre of Photography, the David Goldman Technology Centre with its CyberZone and Games Lab, an Anatomy Centre, health simulation suites and mock wards, a mock dispensary, a Mock Law Court and Student Law Clinic, and performing arts studios. Research is concentrated in four research institutes covering nursing and care, drug discovery, ophthalmic research and economic and social inclusion.
Students can live in three University-managed, self-catered residences (Panns Bank, Scotia Quay and The Precinct), all under a mile from both Sunderland campuses, with a free campus bus linking campuses and residences. The Students' Union supports more than 50 student-led societies, and Team Sunderland runs over 30 sports clubs, with more than 20 teams competing in BUCS leagues. International students make up around 40% of the student body, and an International Foundation Programme is delivered on campus with OnCampus Sunderland.
Home (UK) full-time undergraduate fees are £9,790 for 2026/27 and £10,050 for 2027/28; international full-time undergraduate fees are £17,500 for 2026/27 and £18,500 for 2027/28. MPharm Pharmacy for international students is £21,000 in 2027/28. For 2026/27, postgraduate taught fees range from £8,500 to £9,500 for home students and £16,500 to £19,000 for international students. Full-time PhD fees range from £4,841 to £11,536 (Home) and £15,500 to £21,000 (International). Tuition fees | Undergraduate fees | Postgraduate fees
A tuition fee reduction for new international students from eligible countries starting on-campus undergraduate, MPharm or postgraduate taught courses in 2027/28, including EU nationals who need a CAS (Irish students pay Home fees). Reductions are £6,000 on full-time undergraduate courses (fee £18,500, pay £12,500), £4,000 on MPharm, £5,500 on most postgraduate taught courses (fee £19,000, pay £13,500) and £1,000 on MBA and applied courses. It is applied automatically once an offer is made and is not available for foundation, EAP, pre-master's or Study Abroad courses.
For Home or overseas island students on eligible full-time courses in priority groups: Tier one (household income £30,000 or less in a POLAR4 quintile 1 area, or from a UK island) £500 a year; Tier two (carers, GTRSB community members, refugees, former free school meals recipients) £750 a year; Tier three (care-experienced or estranged students under 25) £2,000 a year. MBChB students who qualify receive an extra £1,000 in years one and five. It is awarded automatically after enrolment checks.
The Impact Scholarship gives £1,000 in the first year to applicants whose UCAS personal statement shows the University's values, who apply by 13 January 2027, make Sunderland their firm choice and enrol by 6 October 2027; no separate application is needed. The First Choice Scholarship rewards students who complete the First Choice Progression Scheme and progress to an eligible full-time course in autumn 2027.
The Postgraduate Alumni Discount gives Sunderland graduates (including global partner graduates) 20% off eligible taught and research postgraduate courses starting between 1 August 2027 and 31 July 2028, applied automatically. The North East Postgraduate Discount gives Home students with a north-east connection 20% off if they accept an offer by 1 March 2027 and apply by 17 May 2027, or 10% if accepting later by 31 May 2027. The We Care Postgraduate Bursary supports care-experienced and estranged postgraduates, and the Tuk-Tam Scholarship offers up to £9,000 to Bulgarian master's students.
The Student Support Fund gives non-repayable awards to students facing unforeseen financial hardship, and the Student Financial Guidance team advises on budgeting, loans and grants. Travel reimbursements of up to £100 are available to UK applicants attending open days, offer holder events or interviews. Scholarships and bursaries | Financial support
University of Sunderland Bursary →
We Care Postgraduate Bursary →
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View scholarships for University of Sunderland →Full-time undergraduate degrees are applied for through UCAS (institution code S84); part-time courses use an online application on the course page. Offers usually arrive between November and May for applications made by the deadline. Key dates for 2027 entry: 13 January 2027 equal consideration date for most courses; UCAS Extra from 25 February to 1 July 2027; Clearing opens 2 July 2027. After applying, applicants receive login details for myApplication to track progress and upload documents.
All UK nationally recognised advanced qualifications are accepted, with equal consideration for academic and vocational routes, and work experience may also be taken into account. Three GCSE passes at grade C or above, including Mathematics and English Language, are normally required; course-specific requirements appear on each course page and on UCAS. Some courses require an interview, audition or portfolio, and teacher training, social work and allied health courses require an enhanced DBS check (or a Certificate of Good Conduct for overseas applicants).
Home students applying for a full-time course of at least three years can receive a reduced offer of 8 or 16 UCAS tariff points depending on how many criteria apply, such as living in listed north-east and other postcodes, a POLAR or TUNDRA quintile 1–2 neighbourhood, being first generation, care-experienced or estranged, a refugee or asylum seeker, or a carer. For example, a 120-point (BBB) requirement may become 104 points (BCC). Applicants who miss a contextual offer are offered an Integrated Foundation Year where the course has one.
The UCAS deadline is 15 October each year and late applications are not considered. International fee-paying applicants cannot be accepted. The standard offer is AAA at A level, including Biology or Chemistry plus a second science and a third academic subject, achieved in one sitting; contextual offers of AAB or ABB apply to widening participation and local applicants. Selection runs through an academic screen, UCAT and an interview selection tool, then Multiple Mini Interviews in December and January, with offers in February.
International applicants can apply directly on the course page, through UCAS for undergraduate courses, via overseas offices or in-country representatives, or at partner study centres. Qualifications are assessed individually with guidance from UK-ENIC. Applicants who do not meet direct-entry requirements can take the International Foundation Programme with OnCampus Sunderland: an Undergraduate Foundation Programme (business, engineering or life sciences) into Year 1, International Year One into Year 2 of business degrees, or a Pre-Master's Programme.
Applicants whose first language is not English normally need IELTS 6.0 overall with no element below 5.5, or an approved alternative; requirements can differ by course. Accepted evidence includes IELTS Academic, LanguageCert, Oxford International Online Digital, a UK degree, a Pre-Sessional English certificate or, in some regions, a letter confirming study taught in English. IELTS and Pre-Sessional certificates must be no more than two years old at the course start. Research degrees require IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each part.
Most master's degrees are applied for directly through the online form on the course page, ideally at least six months before the start date; decisions usually follow within eight weeks. Applications may need a personal statement, references, degree certificate and transcripts and a CV, and some courses interview. Teacher training courses have their own processes.
PhD applicants need a UK honours degree (first or 2:1) and a UK master's degree, or equivalent, and submit a research proposal with the application. Applications are made through the PhD, MPhil or PhD by Existing Published or Creative Work course pages.
Before a CAS is issued, international applicants complete checks on travel history and passport, English language evidence, a pre-CAS questionnaire, a credibility interview where required, and financial evidence showing funds held for at least 28 consecutive days. Dependants can only accompany students on a PhD, other doctorate or research-based higher degree.
Both Sunderland campuses have a library, cafes and food outlets, and a free campus bus links them with the residences. The three University-managed residences, Panns Bank and Scotia Quay on the riverside and The Precinct near City Campus, are self-catered with on-site laundry; prices start at £90 a week, with single-gender, single-culture and family or couples' flats available, alongside a Trusted Landlord Scheme. Campus Security is available 24/7.
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