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Strategic Plan 2020–2025

The Strategic Plan 2020 - 2025 sets out a clear statement of intent that builds on the University of Sunderland's strengths – and is ambitious and relevant for a 21st Century global university.

We are a life-changing university.

Our ambitions guide what we do.

Student focused

We offer transformative experiences to talented students from all backgrounds.

Professions facing

We develop highly-skilled, ready-for-work graduates, through career-focused teaching and learning.

Society shaping

We make a positive difference to industry and society, through our research, innovation and practice.

Our values guide our behaviour

  • Inspiring – we provide a supportive empowering and enriching experience for our staff and students
  • Innovative – we value people for their creativity and update our knowledge and practice to enhance the student experience 
  • Collaborative – we work together as a community with our partners and build lasting relationships to achieve our shared ambitions
  • Inclusive – we celebrate our diverse culture, which welcomes and values everyone's contribution
  • Seeking excellence – we strive for the highest quality in academic delivery, research and service standards
  • As a sector leader in widening participation, we recruit talented students from all socio-economic backgrounds. Our Student Success Plan sets out how we will create a learning environment that builds confidence, inspires, challenges and supports the needs and expectations of our students. Our programmes are designed to ensure graduates are engaged, adaptable and with professional capabilities and behaviours.

    Find out more by reading the Student Success Plan.

    Student Success Plan 2025
  • Our People Plan sets out the University’s people agenda across all our campuses in the UK and overseas, recognising the diversity of our workforce, and variations in our staffing structures, policies and terms and conditions. The plan focuses on five key ‘people-focused’ deliverables: inspiring through leadership; creating a proud, inclusive and valued workforce; developing an agile and innovative culture; achieving a sustainable workforce; and attracting and developing talent.

    Find out more by reading the People Plan.

    People Plan 2025
  • Our Environmental Sustainability Plan outlines the University’s intent to reduce its direct and indirect environmental impacts and contribute to sustainable development for the local community and wider society. Activity is focused around six key themes: energy, water and carbon reduction in buildings; waste management, pollution prevention and environmental compliance; sustainable procurement; biodiversity; sustainable travel; and sustainability education.

    Find out more by reading the Environmental Sustainability Plan.

    Environmental Sustainability Plan 2025
  • Our Internationalisation Plan outlines the University’s ambitions for extending our international activity both within the UK and overseas. This will be achieved through the internationalisation of our curriculum; the impact of international students on academic and civic life; our international partnerships; and through establishing our campus in Hong Kong as the University’s Asian hub.

    Internationalisation Plan 2025
  • Our Financial Sustainability Plan outlines the University of Sunderland’s approach to the management of its financial position, so it delivers financial sustainability and has sufficient resources to invest in and deliver educational sustainability.

    Financial Sustainability Plan 2025
  • Our Estates plan sets out our ambition to deliver an optimal estate that creates the best possible environment for learning, teaching and the enhancement of the student experience, and which provides flexible, agile, sustainable and efficient space to support staff and students.

    Estates Plan 2025
  • Research, innovation and knowledge exchange are defining aspects of the University’s mission. The Research and Knowledge Exchange Plan sets out our ambition to achieve an excellent reputation in these, to benefit the communities we serve.

    Research and Knowledge Exchange Plan 2025

Strategic Plans

The University’s Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025 sets out our purpose to be a life-changing University – student-focused, professions-facing, and society shaping.

Our Strategic Plan is underpinned by several supporting plans that deliver our ambitions.