How we can help you
Whether you're transitioning from the Armed Forces or looking to build on your existing qualifications while still serving, we offer a range of course options tailored to current and former military personnel.
We value the skills and experience gained through service, and we’ll take your previous training into account to help you find the most suitable entry point into Higher Education.
Our commitment to supporting service personnel includes:
- Guidance through the enquiry stage – helping you choose the right course based on your experience, qualifications, and interests
- Application support – navigating you through every step of the application process
- Transition support – offering help with relocating and adjusting to university life, tailored to your individual needs.
This support is available to full-time, home, international, undergraduate, and taught postgraduate students.
Financial support
If you're currently serving, or have recently served, in the British Armed Forces and are looking to enhance your education, you could be eligible to receive help with funding your studies. This may include:
- Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCAS)
- Armed Forces Bereavement Scholarship Scheme
- Troops to Teachers bursary
- Student Maintenance Loan
- NHS Learning Support Fund(opens in new tab)
- Army Reserves Annual Bonus*
- Veterans with a full Armed Forces pension, can apply to study and still be eligible for other funding streams.
*Based on set minimum time commitment, you could receive an annual bonus of up to £2,209. Find out more information about the Army Reserves Annual Bonus.
You can find out more information about funding for Armed Forces by visiting our financial support page.
Supporting you after graduation
Our support doesn’t stop at graduation. We're here to help you take your next steps – whether that’s preparing for interviews, exploring graduate opportunities, or considering further study. Just reach out, and we’ll support you every step of the way.
Our dedicated team offers expert advice tailored to your goals. Whether you're seeking a graduate role or a part-time job over the summer, we can connect you with one-to-one support to help you plan your future with confidence.
Find out more about working after university.
Certificate of Higher Education - Health
Our course has been designed with serving military personnel and veterans in mind and offers the opportunity to build on your existing skills and experience. This course is delivered 100% online and can be accessed from anywhere in the UK and around the world. We aim to provide you with the additional knowledge and qualifications required to progress onto a health-related honours degree of your choice.
Find out more about Certificate of Higher Education – HealthArmed Forces Covenant Gold Award
We're proud to hold the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award – a mark of our deep commitment to supporting service personnel.
As a Gold Award holder, the University of Sunderland actively champions the Armed Forces community. We demonstrate this commitment both internally – through staff training and policies –and externally, by engaging with the wider community and advocating for Defence.
With well-established support structures in place, you can be confident that you’ll be joining a university that understands your unique needs and is dedicated to helping you succeed.
Contact us
Nicola Hopper is our Armed Forces contact, dedicated to providing you with the highest level of support and ensuring a smooth and successful transition to university.
You can contact Nicola on 0191 515 2216 or by email at armed.forces@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).