Explore our undergraduate scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of generous scholarships and bursaries to support you while you study.
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 – please note applying doesn't guarantee you'll receive it.
What is it?
To acknowledge the academic achievements of undergraduate applicants, we will be awarding up to 130 scholarships of £3,000. This is to reward students who may not have achieved the grades they expected in their GCSEs but are back on track with their level 3 qualifications. For example, A Levels, T Levels or BTECs.
Who can apply?
You must be a ‘home’, ‘refugee’, ‘asylum seeker’ or ‘overseas island’ student on an eligible course.
EU students with UK Settled Status at the time of application are eligible for these bursaries.
You must be a first-year student applying to start your studies in autumn 2024.
You must demonstrate an increase in academic achievement.
Your GCSE qualifications must have been awarded in the last three years; 2021/22, 2022/23 or 2023/24.
How much will I get?
The total value of the award is £3,000; £2,400 StudyPlus credit and £600 cash.
You can apply for this scholarship from March 2024. The deadline for applications is 12 noon Wednesday 31 July 2024.
How will I be paid?
All cash payments will be made into a UK bank account of your choice. It is your responsibility to enter your bank details onto your myApplication account to enable these payments to be made. All StudyPlus credit will be credited to your online StudyPlus account.
When will I receive my award?
Scholarships will be paid each term over a period of three academic years. You'll receive payment on the fifth working days of November, February and April each academic year.
These bursaries prioritise students from groups under-represented in higher education including: Gypsies, Travellers, Roma, Showmen and Boaters; asylum seekers and refugees; carers; students from lower income households; and mature students.
Who can apply?
You must be a ‘home’, ‘refugee’, ‘asylum seeker’ or ‘overseas island’ student applying for an eligible course.
EU students with UK Settled Status at the time of application are eligible for these bursaries.
You must be a first-year or a year 3 top-up student applying to start your studies in autumn 2024.
How much will I get?
Awards vary between £500 – £3,000 depending on which underrepresented group you belong to. Bursaries are awarded in the form of credit to spend on essential study materials and resources through the StudyPlus online store. Some bursaries also offer an element of cash, to help with other living costs associated with student life.
How do I apply?
To apply for this bursary, please follow our step-by-step guide on our Scholarships and bursaries explained which asks you to log into your myApplication account and complete our short application form.
When can I apply?
You can apply for this bursary from March 2024. The deadline for applications is 12 noon Wednesday 31 July 2024.
How will I be paid?
All cash payments will be made into a UK bank account of your choice. It is your responsibility to enter your bank details onto your myApplication account to enable these payments to be made. All StudyPlus credit will be credited to your online StudyPlus account.
When will I receive my award?
Bursaries will be paid each term over a period of three academic years. Top-up students awarded a bursary will receive a one-year award. You’ll receive payment on the fifth working days of November, February and April each academic year.
Our We Care bursary offers support for students who are either care experienced or estranged from both parents/carers. The support includes a bursary award worth £2,500 for each year of full-time study.
Who can apply?
You must be a ‘home’, ‘refugee’, ‘asylum seeker’ or ‘overseas island’ student on an eligible course.
You must be studying a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course.
You must meet our definition of being care experienced or an estranged student.
How much will I get?
The We Care Bursary awards £2,500 cash to eligible students for each year of full-time study, based on academic progression. Over a three-year course this bursary would be worth £7,500, over a four-year course, worth £10,000 and over a five-year course, it would be worth £12,500.
You can apply for the We Care Bursary from March 2024 via your myApplication account once you have applied to study with us.
How will I be paid?
All cash payments will be made into a UK bank account of your choice. It is your responsibility to enter your bank details onto your myApplication account to enable these payments to be made.
When will I receive my award?
If you are starting your course in autumn 2024, payments are made on the fifth working day of November, January, April, and July each year. The £2,500 bursary will be paid in four instalments of £625 throughout each year you progress in your studies.
Full-time, undergraduate, home students studying a University of Sunderland franchised course at our designated Partner College – East Durham College, Peterlee campus.
How much will I get?
A £1,200 fee reduction for each year of your course.
How do I apply?
You do not need to apply. This fee waiver is awarded automatically to all eligible students.
When can I apply?
There is no application to complete as this fee waiver is awarded automatically to all eligible students.
How will I be paid?
We will contact the Student Loans Company to arrange the reduction of fees. If you are not using the Student Loans Company to pay for your course, the cost of your course will be reduced.
When will I receive my award?
The fee waiver will be applied prior to you commencing each year of your course.
The Just Add You Bursary recognises the additional costs incurred for students who do not live on the mainland and travel by air or ferry to study here.
Who can apply?
There is no need to apply for this bursary as it will be automatically awarded to eligible students. The eligibility criteria is as follows:
You must be a ‘home’, ‘refugee’, ‘asylum seeker’ or ‘overseas island’ student on an eligible course.
You must be a first-year student applying to start a three or four-year full time undergraduate course in autumn 2024.
You must have a home address within Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, Channel Islands and Islands of Scotland.
How much will I get?
The total value of the award is £4,050; £1,600 accommodation discount, £250 Study Plus credit, £1,500 cash to support with transport and summer storage and £700 graduation support package.
How do I apply?
This bursary will be automatically awarded to you if you are identified as having a home address within Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, Channel Islands and Islands of Scotland following a checking and verification process after enrolment.
When can I apply?
You do not need to apply. This bursary will be automatically awarded to you if you are eligible to receive it. You must register on your course within three weeks of the course start date to receive the bursary.
How will I be paid?
All cash payments will be made into a UK bank account of your choice. It is your responsibility to enter your bank details onto your myApplication account to enable these payments to be made. All StudyPlus credit will be credited to your online StudyPlus account.
When will I receive my award?
Bursaries will be paid over a period of three academic years.
Year 1:
A cash award of £200 in November 2024 and £200 in February 2025, paid to you via bank transfer on the fifth working day of November 2024 and February 2025.
£250 StudyPlus credit for the purchase of a kitchen and bedding pack following enrolment.
£1,600 University managed accommodation discount applied across the academic year.
£150 cash awarded in May 2025 for summer storage costs.
Year 2:
A cash award of £200 in November 2025 and £200 in February 2026, paid to you via bank transfer on the fifth working day of November 2025 and February 2026.
£150 cash awarded in May 2026 for summer storage costs.
Year 3:
A cash award of £200 in November 2026 and £200 in February 2027 will be paid to you via bank transfer on the fifth working day of November 2026 and February 2027.
A cash payment of £700 on confirmation of graduation.
This scholarship is funded by philanthropic donors via the University’s Development and Alumni team.
The scholarship offers £1,200 cash per year for students studying a three-year Nursing course at the University of Sunderland.
There are five scholarships available for autumn 2024 intake students.
Who can apply?
You must be a ‘home’, ‘refugee’, ‘asylum seeker’ or ‘overseas island’ student on an eligible, full-time Nursing course.
EU students with UK Settled Status at the time of application are eligible.
Priority awarding will be given to scholarship applicants who have previously been employed, or their family member has been employed, by Helen McArdle Care. See the terms and conditions for more information.
How much will I get?
The scholarship awards £1,200 cash to eligible students for each year of full-time study, based on academic progression.
If you are starting your course in April 2024 (2023/24 intake), you can apply from January 2024 – 30 April 2024.
If you are starting your course in September 2024 (2024/25 intake), you can apply from March 2024 – 31 August 2024.
How will I be paid?
Funding is paid via the University’s Development Trust and payment will be agreed at point of award.
When will I receive my award?
If you are starting in April 2024 (2023/24 intake), you'll receive payment on the fifth working day of October 2024, October 2025, and October 2026.
If you are starting in September 2024 (2024/25 intake), you'll receive payment on the fifth working day of February 2025, February 2026, and February 2027.
The Sir Bob Murray Health Scholarship 2024/25 offers a cash award of £1,000 for undergraduate Psychology students. This scholarship is kindly funded by Sir Bob Murray CBE, businessman and former chairman of Sunderland AFC. This scholarship is funded by philanthropic donors via the University’s Development and Alumni team.
Who can apply?
You must be a 'home', 'refugee', 'asylum seeker', or 'overseas island' student applying for an eligible psychology course.
You must be a first-year student applying to start your studies in autumn 2024.
Students who meet at least one of the widening participation priority awarding criteria outlined in the guidance notes.
How much will I get?
The scholarship awards £1,000 cash in your first year of study.
If you are starting an eligible psychology course in autumn 2024, you can apply for this scholarship from March 2024. The deadline for applications is Saturday 31 August 2024.
How will I be paid?
Funding is paid via the University’s Development Trust and payment will be agreed at point of award.
When will I receive my award?
Successful applicants will receive payment on the fifth working day of February 2025.
Esports has become one of the world’s fastest growing industries with millions being invested in competitive gaming. As a result, we have created the University of Sunderland Esports Scholarship which provides a generous support package for eligible students with a passion for esports. This scholarship aims to support eligible undergraduate students to fulfil their potential while studying an eligible Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism course.
Who can apply?
You must be a 'home', or 'overseas island' student on an eligible course
You must be starting in year one of your studies in autumn 2024
You must have a passion for esports
How much will I get?
This scholarship offers the following generous support package for each year of continuous study:
£1,000 cash payment for each year (up to a maximum of three years)
Up to £750 to attend an esports related event, including tournaments and competitions (limited to UK only)
Specialist support, including mentoring, sport massage and physiotherapy, gym access, strength and conditioning, nutritional advice, and lifestyle management
As part of the application process you must submit a statement of up to 2,000 characters demonstrating your passion and commitment to esports as a competitive industry, and your aspirations for the future. Please also detail any recent esport-related achievements.
When can I apply?
You can apply for this scholarship from March 2024. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 July 2024.
How will I be paid?
All cash payments will be made into your UK bank account. It is your responsibility to enter your bank details onto your myApplication account to enable these payments to be made.
The scholarship offers eligible students up to £750 to attend an esports-related event, including tournaments and competitions (limited to UK only). This can cover travel, hotel, or entry costs. The University will reimburse you, up to the value of £750 upon receipt of evidence of payment.
When will I receive my award?
The faculty panel will assess all scholarship applications and selection for interview will be based upon the following criteria:
Demonstrates passion, commitment, and an enthusiasm to learn.
Evidence of creative skills.
Interviews will take place in September 2024. The faculty panel will make awards following a checking and verification process.
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!
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