We offer a wide range of generous scholarships and bursaries to support you throughout your studies.
Some are automatically awarded, which means you don't need to make an application and will receive them automatically if you're eligible. Others require an application that will assess your eligibility.
2026/27 scholarships and bursaries
What is it?
Our bursary is designed to support students who are underrepresented in higher education and who may face additional financial challenges. The bursary supports eligible students with essential costs, enabling them to focus on their studies and university experience.
Who is this for?
To be eligible for the bursary, you must be a ‘home’ or ‘overseas island’ student on an eligible full-time course and meet the criteria for one of the following priority groups:
Tier one:
Students with an annual household income of £30,000 or less who live in a low participation neighbourhood (POLAR4 quantile 1 –Check your eligibility by postcode)
From a UK island (Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, Channel Islands, and Islands of Scotland)
Tier two:
Students with caring responsibilities
Members of the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen or Boater community (GTRSB)
Refugees
Students eligible for free school meals in secondary school (Years 7–11)
Tier three:
Care-experienced students
Students estranged from both parents or carers and aged under 25 at the start of the course
How much will I get?
Tier one students – £500
Tier two students – £750
Tier three students – £2,000
Students enrolled on MBChB Medicine and eligible for the University of Sunderland Bursary will also receive:
A welcome package worth £1,000 in year one
An additional cash award of £1,000 in year five
How do I apply?
The bursary is automatically awarded to students who meet the eligibility criteria following a checking and verification process after enrolment.
Through our Impact Scholarship, we want to recognise students who embody our core values: innovation, excellence, collaboration, inclusivity and inspiration. This award celebrates those who stand out and strive to make a positive impact, both in their studies and the wider university community.
Who is this for?
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a ‘home’, or ‘overseas island’ student on an eligible full-time course.
Our Impact Scholarship is for anyone who demonstrates our institutional values within their UCAS personal statement: innovation, excellence, collaboration, inclusivity and inspiration.
To be considered for the scholarship, you must also:
Apply to the University by Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Make the University of Sunderland your firm choice by Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Enrol on your course by Monday, 6 October 2026
How much will I get?
The scholarship awards £1,000 in the first year of study. Students will receive payment in two instalments:
£500 on Friday, 6 November 2026
£500 on Friday, 5 February 2027
How do I apply?
No application is required; eligibility is assessed automatically. The scholarship is awarded to eligible students following a checking and verification process after enrolment. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award. Personal statements will be reviewed to see how well they reflect our values.
Designed to reward dedication and support progression into higher education, our First Choice Scholarship recognises those who fully engage with the First Choice Progression scheme. The scholarship is designed to support dedicated students to take the next step in their academic journey.
Who is this for?
Our First Choice Scholarship is for students who successfully complete our First Choice Progression Scheme and progress onto an eligible full-time course.
To be considered for the scholarship, you must also:
Apply to the University by Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Make the University of Sunderland your firm choice by Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Enrol on your course by Monday, 6 October 2026
How much will I get?
There are ten scholarships available. Each scholarship awards £1,000 in the first year of study.
Students will receive payment in two instalments:
£500 on Friday, 6 November 2026
£500 on Friday, 5 February 2027
How do I apply?
No application is required; the scholarship will be automatically awarded. Due to the limited number of scholarships available, recipients will be chosen using a computerised generator. This process will select ten students at random to be provisionally awarded the scholarship.
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award.
Our First Choice Travel Award is designed to help with travel costs and associated expenses, ensuring you can focus on making the most of your university experience in your first year of study.
Who is this for?
Our First Choice Travel Award is for students who successfully complete our First Choice Progression Scheme and progress onto an eligible full-time course starting in autumn 2026.
To be considered for the travel award, you must also:
Apply to the University by Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Make the University of Sunderland your firm choice by Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Enrol on your course by Monday, 6 October 2026
How much will I get?
This award provides £500 cash in your first year of study to assist with transport expenses, helping students access higher education with greater ease.
How do I apply?
No application is required; eligibility is assessed automatically. Our First Choice Travel Award is awarded to eligible students following a checking and verification process after enrolment. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award.
We understand that travel costs can be an additional expense when starting university. The Tees Valley Travel Award has been established to support eligible students with the cost of travel to and from university.
Who is this for?
Our Tees Valley Travel Award is for students who progress from one of the following schools or colleges in the Tees Valley area:
Hartlepool College of Further Education
Hartlepool Sixth Form College
Middlesbrough College
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
To be considered for the travel award, you must also:
Apply to the University by Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Make the University of Sunderland your firm choice by Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Enrol on your course by Monday, 6 October 2026
How much will I get?
This award provides a £1,500 cash award in each year of study to assist with transport expenses, helping you access higher education with greater ease.
Students will receive payment in two instalments in each year of study:
£750 on the fifth working day in November
£750 on the fifth working day in February
How do I apply?
No application is required; eligibility is assessed automatically. Our Tees Valley Travel Award is awarded to eligible students following a checking and verification process after enrolment. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award.
The Robson Art and Design Scholarship, generously funded through a philanthropic donation to our Development and Alumni Office, supports talented undergraduate students who show passion and potential in their artistic field. This scholarship provides meaningful financial support to help you continue developing your creative practice.
Who is it for?
To be considered for the Robson Art and Design Scholarship, you must be applying to study an eligible full-time course.
You must also be from at least one of the following underrepresented groups:
Care-experienced student
Students estranged from both parents or carers and aged under 25 at the start of the course
Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman or Boater
Refugee
Student with caring responsibilities
Students with a household income of £30,000 or less and live in a low-participation neighbourhood (POLAR4 Quintile 1)
Students eligible for free school meals in secondary school (Years 7–11)
From a UK island (Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, Channel Islands, and Islands of Scotland)
How much will I get?
There are five scholarships available. Each scholarship awards £1,000 in your first year of study.
How do I apply?
You can apply from February 2026 via the e:Vision portal. Your username is your student number, which can be found on all correspondence you have received from the University. If you are unsure of your student number, please contact Student Administration at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.
Once logged in, click on the e:Vision homepage and select ‘Search the scholarships and funding catalogue’.
The deadline for applications is Monday, 31 August 2026. Once the deadline has passed, we are not permitted to accept any further applications.
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award.
The Helen McArdle Scholarship, generously funded through a philanthropic donation to our Development and Alumni Office, aims to support undergraduate nursing students throughout their studies by providing a cash award of £1,200 for each year of study.
Who is this for?
To be considered for the Helen McArdle Scholarship, you must be applying to study an eligible nursing course. You must also meet at least one of the following:
Have previously been employed by Helen McArdle Care, or a family member has
Be the first in your immediate family to enter higher education (first-generation)
Be a mature student with family commitments
Be from at least one of the following underrepresented groups as outlined in section five of the guidance notes.
How much will I get?
There are five scholarships available. Each scholarship awards £1,200 in each year of study.
How do I apply?
You can apply via the e:Vision portal from February 2026. Your username is your student number, which can be found on all correspondence you have received from the University. If you are unsure of your student number, please contact Student Administration at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.
Once logged in, click on the e:Vision homepage and select ‘Search the scholarships and funding catalogue’.
The deadline for applications is Monday, 31 August 2026. Once the deadline has passed, we are not permitted to accept any further applications.
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award.
The Sir Bob Murray Health Scholarship, generously funded through a philanthropic donation to our Development and Alumni Office, is designed to support up to five eligible undergraduate psychology students.
This scholarship offers valuable financial support to help ease the pressures of student life, giving recipients the freedom to focus on their studies and fully embrace the opportunities of university life.
Who is this for?
To be considered for the Sir Bob Murray Health Scholarship, you must be applying to study an eligible psychology course.
You must also be from at least one of the following underrepresented groups:
Students with a household income of £30,000 or less and who live in a low-participation neighbourhood (POLAR4 Quintile 1)
First person in your family to enter higher education (first-generation)
How much will I get?
There are five scholarships available. Each scholarship awards £1,000 in your first year of study.
How do I apply?
You can apply via the e:Vision portal from February 2026. Your username is your student number, which can be found on all correspondence you have received from the University. If you are unsure of your student number, please contact Student Administration at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.
Once logged in, click on the e:Vision homepage and select ‘Search the scholarships and funding catalogue’.
The deadline for applications is Monday, 31 August 2026. Once the deadline has passed, we are not permitted to accept any further applications.
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award.
The Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship, generously funded through a philanthropic donation via our Development and Alumni Office, supports an eligible undergraduate student to fulfil their athletic potential while studying at university.
Who is it for?
To be considered for the Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship, you must:
Participate in a sport recognised by BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport)
Have been selected within the last 18 months to compete at regional, national, or international level
Become a member of Team Sunderland as an Elite Athlete
How much will I get?
There is one scholarship available.
The scholarship will award the following in each year of study (based on academic progression):
£2,000 cash payment
A tuition fee discount of 20%
A 20% discount on university-managed accommodation
Specialist support, including mentoring, sports massage and physiotherapy, gym access, strength and conditioning, nutritional advice, and lifestyle management
How do I apply?
You can apply via the e:Vision portal from February 2026. Your username is your student number, which can be found on all correspondence you have received from the University. If you are unsure of your student number, please contact Student Administration at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.
Once logged in, click on the e:Vision homepage and select ‘Search the scholarships and funding catalogue’.
The deadline for applications is Monday, 31 August 2026. Once the deadline has passed, we are not permitted to accept any further applications.
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award.
This eligibility assessment tool is for new Home UK students starting a full-time undergraduate course in academic year 2026/27.
This tool is intended to provide an indicative guide to the scholarships and bursaries you may be eligible for,
based on the information you provide. It should not be considered a confirmation of funding.
Eligibility outcome
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Further information
If you have any questions about your eligibility for any of our scholarships or bursaries, or need support with your application, please get in touch with the team on 0191 515 2865 or scholarships@sunderland.ac.uk and they'll be happy to help!
Student Financial Guidance
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