1992 - University status gained - In 1992 Sunderland Polytechnic gained university status and became the University of Sunderland. Dr Anne Wright, who had been the Rector of Sunderland Polytechnic, became Vice-Chancellor of the University and was one of the very first female Vice-Chancellors of a UK university.
1992 - Sunderland awarded City status -HM The Queen granted Sunderland city status in 1992 to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne
1993 - The Queen visits - In 1993, HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited the City of Sunderland and the University of Sunderland. Her Majesty met University staff and students and saw plans for the flagship St Peter's Campus development, which has since made a significant contribution to the regeneration of the city.
1994 - St Peter's Campus opened - St Peter’s Campus opened, with the School of Business, Law and Psychology situated on the campus.
1996 - David Goldman Informatics Centre opened - The David Goldman Informatics Centre was opened in 1996. The building has since grown into a 'computing cathedral', with over 240 computing workstations.
2002 - St Peter's renamed Sir Tom Cowie Campus - In September 2002, St Peter's Campus was renamed the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. The event marked the 80th birthday of Sir Tom Cowie, esteemed Sunderland businessman and one of the University's most loyal supporters.
2004 - Media Centre opened - In 2004, the David Puttnam Media Centre was opened by Baroness Estelle Morris. Packed full of the latest TV, radio and media equipment, plus a 200-seat High Definition cinema, the Media Centre was specifically designed for media teaching. It is home to the subject areas of journalism, PR, TV, video, radio and new media production, film studies and cultural studies. 107 Spark FM, our student-run community radio station, operates from one of the six radio studios and the David Puttnam Media Centre also boasts the mediaHUB, an innovative digital publishing and broadcasting space.
2008 - Steve Cram MBE named new Chancellor - Steve Cram became the University of Sunderland's Chancellor in 2008.
2009 - CitySpace opened - The CitySpace sports and social facility opens in the heart of City Campus. CitySpace features a vast sports hall, 70-station fitness gym, sports massage and injuries centre, multi-purpose room and indoor climbing wall as well as social, catering, leisure and exhibition spaces. The centre is a strong addition to the University’s support for world-class athletes, and was used by the Grenada Team as a Pre-Games Training Base for the 2012 London Olympics.
2011 - The Sciences Complex opened - 2011 saw the launch of the new Sciences Complex - a development for healthcare sciences. It is home to some of the latest facilities and equipment in areas such as pharmacy, pharmaceutical, biomedical, environmental and sports science.
2012 - University of Sunderland in London opened - The University announced the establishment of a new campus in the capital, called the University of Sunderland in London. As well as professionally focused courses in Business, Finance and Tourism, we also offer health related programmes, including Nursing, Health and Social Care. Our students have the unique opportunity to live, work and study in an internationally diverse city that is steeped in rich culture and history.
2012 - Priestman Building reopened - Priestman Building reopened following a refurbishment as a centre for Fine Arts and Culture.
2013 - National Glass Centre reopened - In 2013, National Glass Centre reopened after a refurbishment by the University. The Glass Centre is home to our Glass and Ceramics department – the largest in Europe.
2015 - Shirley Atkinson appointed Vice-Chancellor - Shirley Atkinson was appointed Vice-Chancellor in 2015.
2017 - University of Sunderland in Hong Kong opened - The University of Sunderland opened its first campus in Asia, providing 1,000 placements for students to attain a globally recognised degree from a UK university, right in the heart of central Hong Kong.
2017 - 25 year anniversary - The start of September marked 25 years since we were formally awarded University status. Take a journey through 25 years of the University of Sunderland.
2018 - Sir David Bell KCB appointed Vice-Chancellor - Sir David Bell became Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland on Monday 24 September 2018.
2018 - Announcing the University of Sunderland School of Medicine - The University is successful in its bid to open a new School of Medicine. The Government's Department of Health and Social Care announced that the first cohort of students will join the University in September 2019.
2019 - Emeli Sandé MBE installed as Chancellor - Emeli Sandé MBE, the multi-platinum selling singer and songwriter, was installed as Chancellor in a ceremony during the University's summer Academic Awards.
2020 - Chancellor Emeli Sandé officially opened the School of Medicine - On 3 March Emeli Sandé officially opened the School of Medicine as well as meeting the next generation of young doctors.
2021 - 100 years of Pharmacy in Sunderland - 2021 marks 100 years since Pharmacy began at the University of Sunderland.