30th Anniversary
In 2022, the University of Sunderland is proud to celebrate its 30-year anniversary.
Changing lives for 30 years
In 1992, HM The Queen granted Sunderland city status to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne, and Sunderland Polytechnic became the University of Sunderland. Dr Anne Wright, who had been the Rector of the Polytechnic, became the first Vice-Chancellor of the University – and one of the very first female VCs.
Thirty years on, the University is proud to be changing the lives of students – many of whom are from Sunderland and the surrounding area – and to be working with businesses and organisations to play a positive part in supporting the social and economic ambitions of the city.
Celebrating you
The anniversary celebrations will be taking place throughout September with an opportunity for both past and current staff and students to get involved. We will also be linking up with the wider community as part of events celebrating 30 years of Sunderland receiving city status.
The University will also be highlighting many of the memories of students who were studying in 1992 when official university-status was granted.
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"The University was building St Peter’s campus – there were a lot of big leaps forward."
Simon Keogh
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“I loved my time at the University and living in the city. I remember it really fondly."
Michelle Alderson
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"I had fun, made friends for life and went on to a successful career."
Gavin Ames
View an accessible version of this timeline.
Why I chose Sunderland
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Why I chose Sunderland to study BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science
When Rebecca Ivinson was looking for a University her priority was that it was in the North. When she came for her interview in December 2019 she loved the University and the city, as well as how welcoming the staff and other students are.
Read more about why Rebecca chose Sunderland.
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Being a Mature Student at Sunderland
Dawn Spearman chose the University of Sunderland after noticing friends on social media discussing our nursing programmes. She now feels very supported and has developed a close circle of friends on her course.
Read more about why Dawn chose Sunderland.
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Five reasons to study Pharmacy at Sunderland
Yan Ying Khoo chose to study Pharmacy at the University of Sunderland for many reasons, including our 100 years of history in the subject, the well-designed course structures, and the overall 5-star experience.
Read more about why Ying chose Sunderland.
1992-1995 Alumni reunion
Come together and celebrate everything we have achieved so far with your former classmates. Reconnect with old friends and rewind back to your university days at the class of 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 reunion!
Register for the Alumni Reunion on Friday 16th September 2022.
Don’t forget to keep us up to date with the best way to contact you – update your details or get back in touch with your Alumni Association.