A city on the rise
The University is proud to be located in the heart of Sunderland, a city undergoing a bold and transformative regeneration.
Once defined by its shipbuilding heritage and spirit of innovation, Sunderland is now embracing a new era of growth, creativity, and opportunity. From the University’s cutting-edge facilities and buildings to Riverside Sunderland – which is reshaping the city centre with new homes, cultural spaces, and infrastructure – Sunderland is evolving into a vibrant, future-facing urban environment.
History
A predecessor body to the current Sunderland City Council approved the plans for a technical college in Sunderland in 1894, and, in 1896, a site was purchased on Green Terrace.
Sunderland Technical College opened in 1901 with a Principal and four full-time lecturers overseeing four departments: Chemistry, Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Physics; along with departments for Commerce and Languages, supported by part-time lecturers in other subjects, including Navigation and Naval Architecture.
In 1992, Sunderland Polytechnic gained university status and became the University of Sunderland — an integral part of the city and region. Today, the institution offers life-changing opportunities to students worldwide on its main campuses in Sunderland, London, and Hong Kong, as well as through partner universities and colleges across the globe
John Dawson Sciences Complex
City Space
Cafe at The Gateway
The Gateway
Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's
Murray HealthOur campuses
University Strategy
The 2025–2030 Strategy reinforces the University’s mission to be life-changing, with the underpinning ambitions to be a student-focused, professions-facing and society-shaping institution.
The Strategy has five supporting plans covering the areas of student success, research and innovation, student recruitment, infrastructure, and people.