Strategic Plan 2020–2025

As a sector leader in widening participation, we recruit talented students from all socio-economic backgrounds. Our Student Success Plan sets out how we will create a learning environment that builds confidence, inspires, challenges and supports the needs and expectations of our students. Our programmes are designed to ensure graduates are engaged, adaptable and with professional capabilities and behaviours.

Our People Plan sets out the University’s people agenda across all our campuses in the UK and overseas, recognising the diversity of our workforce, and variations in our staffing structures, policies and terms and conditions. The plan focuses on five key ‘people-focused’ deliverables: inspiring through leadership; creating a proud, inclusive and valued workforce; developing an agile and innovative culture; achieving a sustainable workforce; and attracting and developing talent.

Find out more by reading the People Plan.

Our Digital Plan supports our aim to become a truly digital first University across all our campuses, transforming the culture and capabilities of our members by embedding industry standard and sector leading digital engagement to improve outcomes for our students and work/life balance for all.

Our Environmental Sustainability Plan outlines the University’s intent to reduce its direct and indirect environmental impacts and contribute to sustainable development for the local community and wider society. Activity is focused around six key themes: energy, water and carbon reduction in buildings; waste management, pollution prevention and environmental compliance; sustainable procurement; biodiversity; sustainable travel; and sustainability education.

Find out more by reading the Environmental Sustainability Plan.

Our Internationalisation Plan outlines the University’s ambitions for extending our international activity both within the UK and overseas. This will be achieved through the internationalisation of our curriculum; the impact of international students on academic and civic life; our international partnerships; and through establishing our campus in Hong Kong as the University’s Asian hub.

Our Financial Sustainability Plan outlines the University of Sunderland’s approach to the management of its financial position, so it delivers financial sustainability and has sufficient resources to invest in and deliver educational sustainability.

Our Estates plan sets out our ambition to deliver an optimal estate that creates the best possible environment for learning, teaching and the enhancement of the student experience, and which provides flexible, agile, sustainable and efficient space to support staff and students.

Research, innovation and knowledge exchange are defining aspects of the University’s mission. The Research and Knowledge Exchange Plan sets out our ambition to achieve an excellent reputation in these, to benefit the communities we serve.