Institution Details

The University of Sunderland was founded in 1901 as Sunderland Technical College and was awarded university status in 1992. It has four campuses: two in Sunderland on the northeast coast of England, one in London, which is used for teaching business, tourism and nursing degrees, and a new development in Hong Kong. In 2018, the University was named as one of only five new medical schools in the UK, established to address the regional imbalance of medical education places across England and to widen access to the medical profession. The first cohort of students will join the School of Medicine in September 2019.

The University of Sunderland has close links with business and industry and a close working relationship with many leading blue-chip companies. Many take work placements with such companies as part of a degree, with links particularly strong in engineering and media.

In their feedback from the Teaching Excellence Framework, assessors highlighted the University’s embedded professional practice and the tangible contribution made by business and industrial partners to programme content.

Links with industry are a key part of the University’s approach, with each faculty having its collaborative business partners to influence programme content, collaborate on research or degree apprenticeships, give guest lectures or provide work placement opportunities to students and graduates. There have been recent developments with organisations including Accenture, Sage, North East Automotive Alliance, Caterpillar, Northumbria Police, Sunderland and South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, Army Medical Squadron, Dance City, BBC and Arts Council England, to name a few.

The University of Sunderland has three campuses: two in Sunderland and one in London, where business, tourism, and nursing degrees are taught. Sunderland is a city with a mixture of Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian architecture and is a short walk from miles of sandy beaches.

As one of the largest cities in the northeast, it has many large bars and nightclubs and is a regular stop for touring bands. Sunderland is also home to numerous sports clubs, like Sunderland FC and facilities, including Olympic standard swimming pools, a dry ski centre and one of the largest climbing walls in Britain. Sunderland is about four hours by train from London.   Find on Map 

The University offers English language tuition to students before the start of term and in-sessional courses. The University of Sunderland also runs a free airport pick-up service for students who arrive at Newcastle Airport. The faculty run a one-week induction programme for new students, while the University also organises several welcome parties for new arrivals.

Sunderland has five halls of residence, and all first-year students are guaranteed a place in University accommodation. Over 2,000 rooms are available, with various options, including en suite and shared, and sizes ranging from medium to extra large. Rooms are arranged in flats with a shared kitchen.

All halls are self-catered, with fully equipped kitchens and on-site laundry facilities. Personal possessions insurance and Wi-Fi are included in the rent, and a free campus bus service links all halls to both campuses.

Pharmacy, Education, Business

(1) Scholarship Name Helen McArdle Nursing Scholarship
Scholarship amount - Up to £1,200
Nationality International
This scholarship is funded by philanthropic donors via the University’s Development and Alumni team.

The scholarship offers £1,200 cash per year for students studying a three-year Nursing course at the University of Sunderland.

Two awards will be available for those starting in autumn 2024 and three awards will be available for those starting in spring 2025.

Who can apply?
You must be a ‘home’, ‘refugee’, ‘asylum seeker’ or ‘overseas island’ student on an eligible, full-time Nursing course.

EU students with UK Settled Status at the time of application are eligible.

Priority awarding will be given to scholarship applicants who have previously been employed, or their family member has been employed, by Helen McArdle Care. See the terms and conditions for more information.

How much will I get?
The scholarship awards £1,200 cash to eligible students for each year of full-time study, based on academic progression.

When can I apply?
If you are starting your course in April 2024, you can apply from January 2024 – 30 April 2024.

If you are starting your course in September 2024, you can apply from February 2024 – 31 August 2024.

(2) Scholarship Name International Scholarship
Scholarship amount - Up to £1,400
Nationality International
£1,400 tuition fee reduction?(undergraduates) or £900 tuition fee reduction (postgraduates).

Who can apply?
All international students studying on-campus undergraduate and postgraduate courses excluding preparation courses such as foundation courses, EAP or pre-master’s.

It applies to students starting in September, October and November 2024 as well as January, February, April and June 2025.

How much will I get?
£1,400 tuition fee reduction?(undergraduates) or £900 tuition fee reduction (postgraduates).

(3) Scholarship Name Robson Art & Design Scholarship
Scholarship amount - £1,000
The Robson Art & Design Scholarship 2024/25 offers a cash award of £1,000 for undergraduate students.

Who can apply?
You must be a ‘home’, ‘refugee’, 'asylum seeker', or ‘overseas island’?student applying for an eligible course.

EU students with UK Settled Status at the time of application are eligible.

Or you must be entering year 1 in academic year 2024/25 having completed an eligible Integrated Foundation Year course.

You must meet at least one of the widening participation awarding criteria.

How much will I get?
The scholarship awards £1,000 cash to eligible students.

When can I apply?
You can apply for this bursary from March 2024. The deadline for applications is 12 noon Saturday 31 August 2024.

(4) Scholarship Name Sir Bob Murray Health Scholarship
Scholarship amount - £1,000
The Sir Bob Murray Health Scholarship 2024/25 offers a cash award of £1,000 for undergraduate Psychology students. This scholarship is kindly funded by Sir Bob Murray CBE, businessman and former chairman of Sunderland AFC. This scholarship is funded by philanthropic donors via the University’s Development and Alumni team.

Who can apply?
You must be a 'home', 'refugee', 'asylum seeker', or 'overseas island' student applying for an eligible psychology course.

You must be a first-year student applying to start your studies in autumn 2024.

Students who meet at least one of the widening participation priority awarding criteria outlined in the guidance notes.

How much will I get?
The scholarship awards £1,000 cash in your first year of study.

When can I apply?
If you are starting an eligible psychology course in autumn 2024, you can apply for this scholarship from March 2024. The deadline for applications is Saturday 31 August 2024.

(5) Scholarship Name University of Sunderland Bursaries
Scholarship amount - Up to £3,000
These bursaries prioritise students from groups under-represented in higher education including: Gypsies, Travellers, Roma, Showmen and Boaters; asylum seekers and refugees; carers; students from lower income households; and mature students.

Who can apply?
You must be a ‘home’, ‘refugee’, ‘asylum seeker’ or ‘overseas island’ student applying for an eligible course.

EU students with UK Settled Status at the time of application are eligible for these bursaries.

You must be a first-year or a year 3 top-up student applying to start your studies in autumn 2024.

How much will I get?
Awards vary between £500 – £3,000 depending on which underrepresented group you belong to. Bursaries are awarded in the form of credit to spend on essential study materials and resources through the StudyPlus online store. Some bursaries also offer an element of cash, to help with other living costs associated with student life.

When can I apply?
You can apply for this bursary from March 2024. The deadline for applications is 12 noon Wednesday 31 July 2024.

(6) Scholarship Name University of Sunderland Scholarship
Scholarship amount - £3,000
Nationality International
To acknowledge the academic achievements of undergraduate applicants, we will be awarding up to 130 scholarships of £3,000. This is to reward students who may not have achieved the grades they expected in their GCSEs but are back on track with their level 3 qualifications. For example, A Levels, T Levels or BTECs.

Who can apply?
You must be a ‘home’, ‘refugee’, ‘asylum seeker’ or ‘overseas island’ student on an eligible course.

EU students with UK Settled Status at the time of application are eligible for these bursaries.

You must be a first-year student applying to start your studies in autumn 2024.

You must demonstrate an increase in academic achievement.

Your GCSE qualifications must have been awarded in the last three years; 2021/22, 2022/23 or 2023/24.

How much will I get?
The total value of the award is £3,000; £2,400 StudyPlus credit and £600 cash.

When can I apply?
You can apply for this scholarship from March 2024. The deadline for applications is 12 noon Wednesday 31 July 2024.

(7) Scholarship Name We Care Bursary
Scholarship amount - Up to £12,500
Our We Care bursary offers support for students who are either care experienced or estranged from both parents/carers. The support includes a bursary award worth £2,500 for each year of full-time study.

Who can apply?
You must be a ‘home’, ‘refugee’, ‘asylum seeker’ or ‘overseas island’ student on an eligible course.

You must be studying a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course.

You must meet our definition of being care experienced or an estranged student.

How much will I get?
The We Care Bursary awards £2,500 cash to eligible students for each year of full-time study, based on academic progression. Over a three-year course this bursary would be worth £7,500, over a four-year course, worth £10,000 and over a five-year course, it would be worth £12,500.