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About the University

Named as one of the UK’s Top 40 universities in the Guardian University Guide 2025, the life-changing University of Sunderland has 25,600 students based in campuses on the north-east coast, in London, Hong Kong, and at its global partnerships with learning institutions in 15 countries.

We have been rooted in the city of Sunderland since the establishment of Sunderland Technical College in 1901.

Shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2024

We're known for our long-established commitment to widening participation, our world-leading research, and public and private sector collaborations. We also have a track-record for providing quality student experiences that result in graduates who are the tomorrow-makers of our societies and economies. The University is focused on ensuring our graduates leave equipped with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and connections to make a positive difference in the wider world.

Total number of students at the University: 18,326

Student enrolments

Home

Undergraduate courses 9,020
Postgraduate taught courses 2,070
Grand total 11,090

International

Undergraduate courses 2,716
Postgraduate taught courses 4,520
Grand total 7,236

Grand total

Undergraduate courses 11,736
Postgraduate taught courses 6,590
Grand total 18,329

 

The percentage of our undergraduate students are:

Fee status Undergraduate
Home 76.9%
International 23.1%

The percentage of our postgraduate students are:

Fee status Postgraduate
Home 31.4%
International 68.6%

The total percentage of our students are:

Fee status Grand total
Home 60.5%
International 39.5%

 

Total number of nationalities: 123

Nationality Enrolments
UK National 8,697
Nigerian 3,229
Romanian 1,103
Chinese 967
Indian 617
Bulgarian 530
Pakistani 323
Ghanaian 201
Nepalese 192
Greek 182
Bangladeshi 158
Irish 121
Malaysian 118
Canadian 116
Kuwaiti 116
Egyptian 112
Moroccan 85
Italian 83
Portuguese 83
Polish 81
Sri Lankan 74
Vietnamese 64
Spanish 63
Cypriot (European Union) 59
Burmese 45
Jordanian 45
Philippine 43
Saudi Arabian 43
Slovak 35
French 32
Turkish 32
Kenyan 29
Zimbabwean 29
Lithuanian 28
German 27
Hungarian 27
Congolese (DRC) 25
Indonesian 25
Iraqi 23
United States Citizen 23
Dutch 22
Iranian 22
Lebanese 20
Syrian 20
South Korean 19
Moldovan 16
Albanian 15
Sudanese 15
Thai 14
Cameroonian 12
Czech 12
Hong Kong 11
Libyan 11
Austrian 10
Swedish 10
Taiwanese 10
South African 9
Yemeni 9
Algerian 8
Singaporean 8
Ukrainian 8
Eriterean 7
Norwegian 6
Omani 6
Palestinian 6
Sierra Leone 6
Uzbek 6
Angolen 5
Belgian 5
Brazilian 5
Croatian 5
Japanese 5
Latvian 5
Afghan 4
Somali 4
Ugandan 4
Zambian 4
Bahraini 3
Botswanan 3
Colombian 3
Finnish 3
Gambian 3
Ivorian 3
Rwandan 3
Not known 3
Bruneian 2
Cambodian 2
Congolese (PR) 2
Gabonese 2
Honduran 2
Macedonian 2
Malawian 2
Manx 2
Peruvian 2
Russian 2
Stateless 2
Tanzanian 2
Virgin Islander (British) 2
Antigua and Barbuda 1
Argentine 1
Australian 1
Azerbaijani 1
Barbadian 1
Belarusian 1
Belizean 1
Bolivian 1
British Antarctic Territory 1
British Indian Ocean Territory 1
Cape Verdean 1
Cuban 1
Danish 1
Ethiopian 1
Gibraltar 1
Guinean 1
Icelander 1
Israeli 1
Jamaican 1
Lao 1
Macanese 1
Mauritian 1
New Zealander 1
Nicaraguan 1
Seychelles 1
Slovenian 1
St Lucia 1

 

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A life-changing university

The University of Sunderland is integral to the city and our region. Our Strategic Plan 2020-25 sets out our “Life-Changing” mission, through transformative experiences for our students, career-focused and professions-facing teaching, and the positive difference we aim to make to society. All of these have a distinct local and regional impact.

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Our achievements

Among our achievements, Sunderland is recognised internationally as a leading university, receiving five stars for teaching, inclusiveness, employability and facilities in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Our We Care Team also won the prestigious Social Mobility Project Award at the 2022 Inclusive Awards.