Commuting students

Want to stay at home whilst studying? Whether you want to save some cash or just love your home comforts, don't worry we can support you when commuting to university. Sunderland has great public transport links, with a free campus shuttle bus to get around and lots of opportunities to meet new people.

Jake standing on the riverside leaning on the railing smiling in front of the bridge

Jake commutes from Newcastle

To save money, Jake lives at home with his parents and drives to the nearest Metro station, where he gets off at St Peter's and takes the short walk to the Uni.

"I was worried I might miss out on socialising as a commuting student, but this has not been the case. I frequently participate in the weekly CineClub events at the Media Centre cinema with my friends, and we run an extra-curricular podcast together".

Read more about Jake's commuting journey.

Commuting top tips from our students!

Figure out the most efficient/cheapest way to travel. Find out early on what works best for you, you can even do a practice run. Read our article on cheap and sustainable travel around the north-east.
Make the most out of freshers week. This is peak social time for students and you will meet lots of new people who are in a similar position to yourself!
Join a society or sports team. Joining a club is a great way to create that sense of community whilst at uni and you'll be amazed at the friends you will make.
Attend your lectures! It can seem daunting but go to your lectures, even if you're alone, as you never know who you could get chatting to and you'll start seeing the same faces each week.
Spend time on campus. It can be really tempting to go straight home after uni, why not head to the SU or check out our weekly campus events.

The University encourages sustainable travel

Ever considered commuting to uni sustainably? We encourage our students to reduce carbon emissions by travelling by public transport, walking, cycling or even car sharing. We know this isn't possible for all commuters, but it's a great practice to carry into everyday life too!

Loan a bike. If you live close by you could always loan a bike from the The Cycle Hub at the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. Sometimes, if you're lucky they have second-hand bikes available to donate free of charge.
Get rewarded. By downloading the BetterPoints app, you can win rewards by walking, cycling or using public transport. These points can be spent on campus, locally or redeemed as vouchers.

Explore

Cheap and sustainable ways to travel around Sunderland and the north-east

Sunderland and the north-east offer a perfect blend of coast, countryside, and vibrant city life. Find out how you can get around using efficient modes of transport while considering your carbon footprint and how much you spend.

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