Why study in the UK?

1. We're a culturally diverse country

Representing a wide variety of cultures and religions, it’s no secret that we’re a culturally diverse country, which is one of the greatest reasons to consider coming to study in the UK. You’ll always receive a warm welcome here and will start to feel at home quickly, no matter where you’ve come from. At the same time as immersing yourself in British culture, you’ll learn from other cultures too, mixing with people from all around the world. If English isn’t your first language, moving to the UK is also the perfect opportunity to improve your skills.

Sunderland – both as a city and university – is very multicultural, with over 40% of our students coming from outside the UK. We’re 10th in Europe and 2nd in the UK for International Student Diversity (QS World University Rankings Europe, 2025). If you’re studying with us at Sunderland and want to stay connected to your own culture, why not join one of the many cultural societies(opens in new tab) we have to offer?

2. You'll receive a world-class education

The UK is renowned for providing world-class education, with many of our higher education providers ranking highly in international league tables. The University of Sunderland is ranked amongst the world’s best universities according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2024.

Universities in the UK – including Sunderland – offer a more diverse range of subject areas and courses, many of which focus on obtaining the essential skills and knowledge required to go into a successful career. Our degrees are taught by highly experienced, and often research-active, academics, some of whom come from a professional background, making them experts within their field. Many UK qualifications are also recognised around the world, so studying here will make you stand out to any future employers.

3. There are excellent work opportunities

Another reason to study in the UK is that it offers excellent work opportunities. If you decide to work part-time alongside your studying, international students can work up to 20 hours a week during term time. This gives you the opportunity to earn some money, meet new people, and gain valuable experience. Depending on your course, you may also be able to complete a placement or internship as part of your degree. We have strong links with a wide range of industries and organisations, which can help you make professional connections and build on your CV.

As well as this, the UK Government has introduced a post-study Graduate Route Visa, which means international graduates will be able to stay in the UK after they’ve completed their degree and work for up to two years.

4. It could be a lower-cost option

Studying in the UK could mean you spend less on tuition fees, which tend to be lower compared to overseas. You can earn your degree in less time than in other parts of the world too – full-time undergraduate courses usually only take three years to complete, and postgraduate courses just one year.

You may also be eligible for financial help, like a scholarship or bursary. At Sunderland, we offer an international scholarship which means benefitting from a reduction of your tuition fee.

The cost of living in the UK – at least outside of London – is generally quite reasonable compared to a lot of other countries. This particularly applies to areas in the north-east of England, like Sunderland, where the cost of things like rent, course materials, and food, are more affordable.

5. You'll get lots of support

No matter which UK university you choose to study at, there'll be plenty of support available to you as an international student. Our International Student Support team is always on hand to help you with all sorts of issues, including your visa application, your arrival in the UK, accommodation, and more. We also provide a range of other university support services, including wellbeing and financial support, which you’ll be able to take advantage of if you come to study with us.

"The support I received as an international student was important to me – the admissions team were always quick to help me with any queries I had, and I received a scholarship which made studying here more affordable compared to other universities. All of this gave me confidence that studying at the University of Sunderland was the right choice for me." Kevin Mali, PGCE Secondary Education in Science with Physics with QTS graduate.

6. Explore the UK and beyond

One of the greatest benefits of studying in the UK has got to be having the opportunity to travel, visiting some new places you’ve never been to before, both within our own country and beyond. The UK is a unique place to live and study, boasting varied landscapes and a fascinating history – and being a small country makes it easy to explore destinations outside your university city.

If you’re living in Sunderland, not only will you benefit from all that our fantastic seaside city has to offer, but you’ll also have plenty of other amazing locations to experience, right on your doorstep. Discover the nearby cities of Newcastle, Durham, and York, or venture into the perfect blend of coast and countryside in our neighbouring county of Northumberland. Even London and Scotland are just a train journey away. You’ll find so much to get involved in, including food and drink, shopping, nightlife, museums and galleries, outdoor spaces, sporting venues, and more.

You may be joining us from much further afield, and studying in the UK also means you’ve got the whole of Europe to travel to, with many countries being just a short flight away. You can hop on a Metro in Sunderland, which will take you directly to Newcastle International Airport, offering flights to a number of great locations.

Want to find out more? Explore all you need to know about international study at Sunderland.