Cost of living in Sunderland
The North East is one of the best value places in the UK, and living comfortably on a budget is much easier at Sunderland than other universities.
Sunderland house prices are lower than in other parts of the country, which means lower-cost private renting and university accommodation.
Travel costs are low too - the two campuses are within walking distance from each other and the centre of town.
There is also a free campus bus which travels between both campuses and the halls of residence, and students have special discounts on Metro travel in the local area.
Typical monthly living costs
Below are some typical monthly costs for a student at Sunderland in 2013/14, to help you work out your own budget.
How much you spend is up to you and your budget - for this reason we've provided three versions: a budget option, an average option and an expensive option.
| Item | Budget | Average | Expensive |
|---|
| Accommodation |
£272 |
£300
|
£508 |
| Travel |
£0 |
£8.20 |
£17 |
| Food |
£100 |
£150 |
£200 |
| Course materials |
£15 |
£32.50 |
£50 |
| Clothes, toiletries, grooming |
£15 |
£45
|
£75 |
| Social life |
£40 |
£95
|
£150 |
| Miscellaneous expenses |
£15 |
£35
|
£52 |
|
Total Monthly Cost
|
£457 |
£665.70 |
£1052 |
Living costs in detail
Click on each heading below to see more information about some of the typical monthly living costs you will face as a student at Sunderland.
Accommodation: £272 - £508 per month
Rents vary depending on whether you choose university or private accommodation, the facilities available and the size of living area. University accommodation tends to include some utility bills with the rent, making them even better value for money.
The cost of our university accommodation in 2013/14 ranges from approximately £68 (£272 per month) for a single room in Precinct, to £127 (£508 per month) for a self-contained one-bedroom studio flat in The Forge - U-Student Village.
More information about accommodation can be found on the Accommodation section of this website.
Everyday travel: £0 - £17 per month
Sunderland is a compact city, and the two campuses and all university accommodation are within walking distance of each other. If you don't want to walk, the University also provides a free campus bus.
For trips further afield, a student Metro pass for the Sunderland area is just £42.50 a year. A return train ticket to Newcastle is £4.40, to Durham is £9.50 and to Middlesbrough is £10.80 (and with a Young Person's Railcard you can get an additional 33% discount).
For more information, see the student travel information section of this website.
Food: £100 - £200 per month
How much you spend on food is up to you. Cooking is the cheapest option, but there are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Sunderland with great student deals - look out for happy hours and 2 for 1 offers!
Course materials: £15 - £50 per month
Depending on your course you may need to pay for field trips, specialist clothing or books. Remember that the University has several 24-hour libraries, so you may be able to borrow all the books you need during your course.
Clothes, toiletries and grooming: £15 - £75 per month
How much you spend on clothes, shoes and haircuts is, of course, a matter of personal choice. Just remember that your student card entitles you to an additional 10% discount from many shops in the city of Sunderland.
Social life: £40 - £150 per month
There are a huge number of social activities available in the University and the city. Here are just a few examples:
- Empire Cinema ticket: £5.25
- Pint of beer in North Shore (Students' Union bar): £2
- Cappuccino in Murray Library: £1.75
- Gym membership: £10.33 per month (£130*per year)
*Terms and conditions apply
Other miscellaneous costs: £15 - £52 per month
- Mobile phone: £5 - £30 per month
- TV licence: £12 per month
- Laundry and household items: £5 - £10 per month
- Internet access: free around campus and in university accommodation
