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Do you want to study in the UK? We know that this is a significant financial decision and you’ll be looking into the best UK universities for Indian students. Sunderland is one of the cheapest cities to live in the UK and has a growing community of international students.
We’re proud to say that Sunderland is a fantastic city to live and study in the UK. We’ve recently been ranked in the top 40 universities in the UK and are receiving over £400m investment into the city over the next few years. The Crown Works Studios will be one of the largest film studios in Europe, creating thousands of jobs across the city.
Sunderland strongly focuses on employability and career development. We have strong links with industry leaders and encourage students to gain work experience while studying. Voted smart city of the year in 2020, Sunderland is home to some exciting innovative industries and is known for its global presence in manufacturing, with one of the biggest car factories in Europe, Nissan. We offer career support with our excellent Employability and Enterprise Hub, helping you with interview prep, CV support, and more.
We also offer a strong and reputable School of Medicine and a wide range of other healthcare courses, which are well-regarded for their high-quality teaching and research. With close ties with NHS Trusts, local hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers, you'll be provided with access to clinical placements, practical training, and real-world healthcare experience.
Sunderland is a multicultural city that warmly welcomes international students. The University itself is home to students from over 100 countries, creating a rich and diverse community. As an Indian student, you'll be part of a global network, enabling you to build connections that can last a lifetime, like at our weekly friendship evening. Our International Support Team provides extensive support to help you with everything from visa guidance to cultural integration, making the transition to study in the UK for Indian students smoother and more enjoyable. You can look at our Virtual Experience platform to better understand life in Sunderland.
You'll feel at home in Sunderland, as the city hosts a significant Indian student population, with cultural festivals, Indian restaurants, and places of worship that cater to the needs of the community. You can find clubs and societies to connect you with others with similar interests. Sunderland recently celebrated Ram Navami, where people of all cultures were invited to celebrate and learn about Hinduism, indulging in local feasts.
You can listen to how Anas was supported by us an international student.
We offer a £5,000 tuition fee reduction for undergraduate courses or £4,500 for postgraduate courses. You can read more about our UK scholarships for Indian students.
The north-east of England is one of the most affordable areas to live in the UK, particularly Sunderland! The north-east's student living costs are around £954 a month, compared to the national average of £1,078 (Save the Student, 2024).
House prices in the north-east are a great deal lower than in other parts of the UK. So, renting, whether privately or in our accommodation, will be a lot cheaper. The University of Sunderland is the 7th cheapest city for student accommodation in the UK (Student Crowd, 2024). You can stay in our accommodation for as little as £85 per week with a dormer height room at Panns Bank. This cost increases if you choose to upgrade to one of our refurbished or ensuite rooms.
Whether you choose university accommodation or rent privately will affect the cost of your rent. Our accommodation includes utility bills, Wi-Fi, and contents insurance, making this option even better value for money.
You can read more by visiting our accommodation pages.
There are several Indian food shops and restaurants in Sunderland offering Indian groceries, spices and more! This includes New India Food Store, Hardeep's Indian Grocers and Spiceway. You can see more international stores on our Virtual Experience platform.
We also have big supermarkets around our campuses, including Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and more. Cooking at home will be your cheapest option and you can expect to spend around £30-£35 a week on your food shop. Lots of supermarkets offer discount cards so you can save money when shopping in store or online.
Eating out is also cheap in Sunderland with a variety of different restaurants and cafes! Lots of places offer students discounts or happy hours where you can get food cheaper. There are lots of Indian restaurants like My Delhi, My Bombay Bistro, and Goa, offering Indian street food and cuisines.
With the University being in the heart of the city centre, you'll save money on transport costs as our accommodation and campuses are all within walking distance of one another. If you don’t want to walk, you could hop on one of our regular free buses that go between campuses, and we have a bus that goes directly to student accommodation too.
The north-east and Sunderland have excellent public transport systems, and they are very affordable, especially for students. You can travel by bus, Metro, train or taxi. For more information you can read our guide on cheap and sustainable travel.
There are lots of fun things to do in the city, even on a student budget. We've recently opened a new cinema where you can go and see the latest movies for just £6.95. A gym membership at our CitySpace gym is just £15 a month.
You can find out more information about this on our cost of living hub.
The city is also known for its safety. Sunderland has a low crime rate and a strong sense of community, ensuring that you can focus on your studies and enjoy a stress-free living experience. There is security presence on campus and our buildings are operated by smart card entries with lots of friendly and communal spaces.
We're dedicated to ensuring that our international students have the best experience during their studies. From pre-arrival advice to post-graduation support, we offer a comprehensive range of services to assist students throughout their academic journey. The University’s dedicated team for International Student Support are always on hand to help with any issues related to visas, accommodation, scholarships and bursaries, or personal challenges.
We provide counselling services, academic tutoring, and health services to ensure the overall wellbeing of our students. Whether it’s adjusting to life in the UK as an Indian student or seeking academic assistance, Sunderland provides robust support to help students thrive.
There's so much to do and see in Sunderland! It offers a balance of vibrant city life, along with a beautiful coastline and countryside. Our Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's Campus is next to the beach, where you can find gorgeous views and enjoy lots of nice cafes, pubs, restaurants, and more! Perfect for a day out to enjoy some fish and chips at the beach.
Our City Campus is surrounded by local attractions like the Sunderland Empire. This is one of the largest and most well-known theatres in the region and has a rich history of hosting a variety of performances, including musicals, concerts, drama, comedy, and pantomimes. The city also has a range of shops and restaurants, and you can have a trip to the new cinema too.
If you like to watch sports, there are lots of spectator sports you can watch in the north-east. Sunderland is home to some of the most passionate football fans in the world and you can watch the men’s and women’s teams in action at the iconic Stadium of Light.
The Stadium of Light is one the leading concert venues in the UK, hosting some big names like Beyonce, Take That, Rihanna, Oasis, and Coldplay. It also plays host to many sports like England Men’s and Women’s Euro qualifier games, Rugby World Cup, and more. We also have Premier League team Newcastle United and the famous St James' Park stadium just 30 minutes away.
Newcastle is another vibrant city with many attractions to explore! You also have Durham and Northumberland nearby if you’d like to get a taste of castles and culture and some of the beautiful scenery they have to offer.
Sunderland is a great option if you want to study in the UK. We're a very multicultural city that offers some of the country's cheapest living costs, award-winning student support, making us one of the top universities in the UK for international students.