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Armed Forces – service leavers, veterans and their families

The University of Sunderland aims to provide you with a programme of support to ensure your transition back to civvy street is a successful one. Transfer those skills you developed in the Armed Forces to achieve a qualification that will kickstart your career.

Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award

We are extremely proud to be holders of the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. This demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that service personnel and their families are supported as they transition into life at university.

Gold Award holders proactively advocate and support Defence, communicating their commitment both internally to employees and externally to the wider community, through established policies and examples of support, so you know you will get all the support you need at Sunderland, and will be working with an organisation that understands you.

The support we provide for students includes:

– Support through the enquiry stage to help students find the right course for them based on experience, qualifications and personal interests
– Support navigating the application process
– Support moving and adjusting to life at university – based on individual needs

Lauren Boffey is the dedicated Armed Forces Contact, here to support those students transitioning out of the Armed Forces into the University of Sunderland. Lauren’s role is to ensure these students receive the best possible service from the University, offering a robust structure of support to ensure the transition back to civvy street is a successful one.

Introducing Armed Forces Contact Danny Homer

“Hello, my name is Danny Homer. If you have an Armed Forces background, or are a veteran, I can support you with the transition to the University of Sunderland. My role is to ensure you receive the best possible service from our university. We pledge to help you find the right course while supporting you through the process of applying to your required final destination.

The University has a robust structure of support for you and our recent Gold Covenant Award shows our commitment to ensure that service personnel and their families are not disadvantaged, particularly during the transition into civvy street. Please complete the enquirer form below and I will contact you within five working days of receipt."

Danny Homer
Armed Forces Contact
Email: armed.forces@sunderland.ac.uk 

I joined the Army when I left school, which had been a dream of mine, but I had to be medically discharged after a serious knee injury. I was devastated. Volunteering for Victim Support helped me refocus and the experience of supporting victims and survivors of crime made me realise that a career helping others would be right up my street.

I decided to move back to the North East a few years ago, and started working as a Family Services Coordinator for a charity but as it was only funded for a fixed time, I made the decision to come to university and train to become a social worker. I felt it was the right time in my life to consolidate my experience and build a career with more long-term, diverse opportunities.

I would highly recommend the University of Sunderland to other students. It’s so supportive, with excellent opportunities for personal growth and development.

Michelle Dias
BA (Hons) Social Work

 

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Sir David Bell KCB DL talks about the support service leavers, veterans and their families can expect at the University of Sunderland.

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Armed Forces Enquiry Form

If you are interested in studying at the University of Sunderland or wish to learn more about our support services please enter your details below and our Armed Forces contact, Lauren will be in touch.

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Popular subjects

Whether you are starting your career after the forces, or just looking to develop your existing qualifications, we have a range of course options for current and former military personnel. We will also consider your previous training and experience in your application, which can help with completing your studies in less time.

These courses are particularly popular with ex-military personal. If you don't see what you're looking for, you can browse our full range of courses.

Business and Management 

Includes courses in Business, Business and Management, Financial Management, Economics, Marketing, Accounting, Human Resources and Applied Investigation, as well as a range of specialist MBAs.

Health and Clinical Sciences

Includes courses in Biomedical and Physiological Sciences.

Education 

Includes a range of courses that lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), including Primary Education, and subject specific teaching qualifications such as Computing Education, Engineering Education, Chemistry, Biology and Physics Education, Physical Education, Design Technology Education and much more. 

Computing 

Includes courses in Web and Mobile Development, Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, Game Development, Networks and Business Technology.

Engineering 

Includes courses in Mechanical, Automotive, Electronic and Electrical, and Manufacturing Engineering.

Law

Includes courses in Law, International Human Rights, Criminal Law and Procedure, and Commercial Law and International Trade. 

Allied Health Professions and Public Health 

Includes courses in Paramedic Science, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, as well as MSc Public Health.

Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Sciences

Includes courses in Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Biopharmaceutical Science, Cosmetic Science, and postgraduate courses in Drug Discovery and Development and Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Formulations.

Social Sciences 

Includes courses in Sociology, Professional Policing, Health and Social Care, Community and Youth Work, Social Work, and postgraduate courses in Leadership and Criminal Justice and Policing, Social Work, and Inequality and Society. 

Sport and Exercise Sciences 

Includes courses in Sport and Rehabilitation Therapy, Nutrition and Exercide and Health, Sports Coaching, Sports and Exercise Sciences, and Physical Education and Youth Sport.

Financial support

If you are 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.

Troops to Teachers

If you are looking to pursue a career in teaching, you may be eligible for a bursary worth up to £40,000 to get into teaching related to STEM.

Service Leavers Scheme

This scheme pays the tuition fees for ex-service people who have not previously studied at higher education level.

Armed Forces Bereavement Scheme

This scheme provides university scholarships for children of those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme

This University of Sunderland is a registered learning provider with the Ministry of Defence's ELCAS scheme. The scheme provides financial support to British Armed Forces personnel to support their studies at University.

To apply for the ELCAS scheme, visit the ELCAS website to find out if you match the criteria for funding. The website has everything you need to submit your funding application. You will need to apply at least 5 weeks before the start of your course.

After your application for funding, once you make your application for your course, you will need to mention our Learning Provider Reference number: 1290.

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