University of Sunderland

https://www.sunderland.ac.uk

The University of Sunderland is recognised as one of the great, modern, civic universities. We are respected for the transformative impact we have on our students, the relevance of our academic programmes, and for our global ambition.

Our modern roots lie with Sunderland Technical College, which opened in 1901 to deliver high-quality vocational programmes to support the regional skills needs for the 20th Century.

Pharmacy, a flagship area for the University, was introduced in 1921, and in 1934 Sunderland Technical College was recognised for its exemplary Bachelor of Engineering programme, the first in the country to offer placements with employers as an integral part of the curriculum.

In 1969 The Technical College, The School of Art, and Sunderland Teacher Training College were brought together and became Sunderland Polytechnic.  In 1992 the Polytechnic was awarded university status and became The University of Sunderland.

We now have close to 20,000 students based in our University of Sunderland campuses on the north east coast of England, in London, Hong Kong, and with our international partners in 14 countries around the world.

In London we have significant numbers of students from the UK and further afield, and in Hong Kong we deliver relevant work- based and employer-linked programmes to address the demand for vocational study in the region.

We have expanded the number of distance learners significantly over the past three years and have plans to add new subject disciplines to our online portfolio, to capitalise on the demand for more flexible learning both at home and abroad.

We are acknowledged as one of the UK’s top providers of transnational education with over 5,000 students studying for University of Sunderland academic awards with 21 partners across the world.

Our excellent teaching is informed by research and engagement with employers, ensuring our graduates are equipped with the skills required to succeed in their chosen career or path to further vocational study.

We received a Silver Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) rating in 2017. The assessors identified our “institutional culture that facilitates excellent teaching”. We were also recognised for our students’ exposure to professional practice, which enhances their personal development and overall experience.

Research inspires and drives our academic community; it delivers outstanding outcomes for the student experience and plays an influential supporting role in developing economies and societies regionally, nationally and globally. We have 10 research areas with world leading recognition. 

Our focus is on applied research that responds to the needs of real-life issues in the economy, in culture and society. Our research stands out because it is relevant and responsive, as well as inclusive and collaborative.

Our commitment to equipping the workforce of the future includes working with companies across a range of sectors including software development, pharmacy, media, engineering and technology. 

Our new School of Medicine will open in Sunderland in September 2019. This new development is in addition to our extensive portfolio of health science related disciplines and will drive better integrated working practices in health and wellbeing.