University of Sunderland

Frequent Asked Questions

Studying Abroad is an exciting but also daunting prospect and we understand that you have lots of questions to ask! We have tried to answer some of the most frequently asked questions below.

I am coming to the University on an Erasmus exchange for Business. Can I also choose English modules?

Unfortunately because our Erasmus agreements are set for specific faculties, you can only choose modules within the faculty that you are studying in. For example, if you are coming to Sunderland as a Business exchange student you can choose Business, Tourism and some Law modules. You would not be able to choose modules from any other faculty such as English or Media.

Will there be an Induction/Orientation when I arrive?

Yes, the Study Abroad and Exchange Office run an induction programme for all incoming students in September and January. This includes getting you acquainted with the University of Sunderland and our services and gives you the opportunity to meet all of the other students. We also run an optional shopping trip to the North East's biggest shopping centre, the Metro Centre and an optional trip to the historic city of York. Whilst the induction programme is free, there will be a cost for the optional trips.

If I am coming to Sunderland for one semester, can I study full year modules?

If you are studying at Sunderland for one semester, then you can only choose the modules that run in the semester that you will be at Sunderland. This is because the assessments for full year modules will not all be done before you would leave at the end of semester one or you would have missed the first semester's content if you arrive in semester two.

Do I have to book my accommodation before I arrive?

Yes, you will need to apply for accommodation before you arrive in Sunderland. The Accommodation page of our website gives you more information on what to do once you have received an offer from Sunderland.

I am coming from the USA to study in Sunderland but I would like to leave to be home before Christmas. Is this possible?

If your home university requires that you are back before our official end of term date, then we would discuss this prior to your arrival. You would however need to provide proof that you need to be back at your home university. We understand that students would like to be home for Christmas and other festivities and holidays and we do try to accommodate this if possible but our exam period for semester one begins in January. If you are gaining credit for your modules, you will need to sit these exams and in most cases this requires you to be here in Sunderland.

We hope that these questions will help you but please feel free to get in touch via study.abroad@sunderland.ac.uk