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30th Anniversary

In 2022, the University of Sunderland is proud to celebrate its 30-year anniversary. 

HM The Queen and Dr Anne Wright, overlooking the building site for St Peter's campus

Changing lives for 30 years

In 1992, HM The Queen granted Sunderland city status to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne, and Sunderland Polytechnic became the University of Sunderland. Dr Anne Wright, who had been the Rector of the Polytechnic, became the first Vice-Chancellor of the University – and one of the very first female VCs.

Thirty years on, the University is proud to be changing the lives of students – many of whom are from Sunderland and the surrounding area – and to be working with businesses and organisations to play a positive part in supporting the social and economic ambitions of the city.

Professor Scott Wilkes speaking to three medicine students in the School of Medicine

Celebrating you

The anniversary celebrations will be taking place throughout September with an opportunity for both past and current staff and students to get involved. We will also be linking up with the wider community as part of events celebrating 30 years of Sunderland receiving city status. 

The University will also be highlighting many of the memories of students who were studying in 1992 when official university-status was granted.

View an accessible version of this timeline.

Why I chose Sunderland

1992-1995 Alumni reunion

Come together and celebrate everything we have achieved so far with your former classmates. Reconnect with old friends and rewind back to your university days at the class of 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 reunion!

Register for the Alumni Reunion on Friday 16th September 2022.

Don’t forget to keep us up to date with the best way to contact you – update your details or get back in touch with your Alumni Association.