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The future at Sunderland

Why choose Sunderland? Well, we're incredibly proud to be home to both a university and a city on the rise, committed to providing academic excellence and an outstanding student experience. 

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Why Sunderland?

We're proud to be based in a thriving, welcoming city centre. With a storied history of shipbuilding, the city has always been a place for makers and doers but now we're looking towards the future with several large-scale investments, which will enhance our student and community experience. 

There are so many exciting things happening in the city and our university is one of them, we work with you to make sure you have everything you need during your time with us, and all the skills for life after. You'll receive a high-quality education and being shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2024 is a recognition of our successes, and one we're particularly proud of amongst our other fantastic achievements. Alongside this, for the first time, we’re a rising top 40 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2025).

Sunderland is the place to start your future. Home to an affordable, modern city with a beautiful coastline and a university dedicated to helping you get where you want to be. 

Artist's impression of Crown Works Studios

On the rise

There's a lot to get excited about.

The recent announcement of the £450m development of the Crown Works Studios will provide ample opportunities for the north-east region.

The project will create over 8,000 jobs, and is a great opportunity for students interested in our Film and Media Production courses. There will also be supporting roles in HR, Accountancy, Project Management and Nursing that will be vital. 

A view of the Fire Station bar and restaurant at night. The building is lit up with trees and benches outside.

As an institution in the heart of the city centre, we're proud to be directly contributing to the growth and wellbeing of the region. Sunderland has a long and impressive history as a location playing a crucial role in many global industries, with more being developed.

As the city embarks on a modern transformation, we're looking forward to an exciting future at the University with the expansion of our Medical School, and our first cohort of students having graduated this year, 55% of who will stay on in the north-east to fill critical roles in the NHS.

Sunderland will also become home to a world-class specialist Eye Hospital, with plans already underway. The centre will be one of only a few in the country and will help treat patients locally and nationally.

We're fortunate at the University to have access to state-of-the-art facilities to support our staff and students with life-changing research being carried out all the time. 

Once again, we're thrilled to say that we've been shortlisted as University of the Year in this year's Times Higher Education (THE) annual awards. Known as the ‘Oscars of Higher Education' these awards recognise the innovation, talent, teaching and commitment of universities across the country.

Hear more about it in our video centred around the nomination.

Shortlisted for University of the Year

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