University of Sunderland

University Coat of Arms

The University of Sunderland Coat of Arms features on every degree parchment awarded to graduating students.

Understanding the coat of arms

"Scientiam dulce hauriens" translates from latin as "sweetly absorbing knowledge". The motto is taken from the closing prayer to the Venerable Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People.

The ship is a Lymphad with the Arms on the sail. The ship reflects the connection with the sea and coal.

The Mitres refer to Bishopwearmouth and Monkwearmouth, with St Peter's keys.

The Sun in Splendour symbolises the light of learning and is a pun on the word Sunderland.

The gyronny field demonstrates how the University is made from numerous parts and alludes to the multiplicity of educational courses on offer.

The Lion on the right is a reference to the lions in the Durham Coat of Arms. The Griffin on the left 'looks wisely into all aspects of future development.'