Postgraduate study
Take your next step with a postgraduate course. Learn more about our first-class facilities, study options, support networks, and answer those important questions you might have about postgraduate study.
Postgraduate courses
Our postgraduate courses are career-focused and professions-facing, ensuring you have a head start in the workplace when you graduate. Many of our courses are co-designed by employers, affiliated with professional bodies and our lecturers are closely linked to their sectors. We also offer conversion courses that enable you to embark on a new career. Most of our courses start in September and October, but we also have early starts from January to April.
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Why Sunderland?
If you’re looking to further your skills and knowledge in your field, progress more quickly in your chosen career, earn a higher salary or choose a new career path, postgraduate study at Sunderland could be for you.
You may need a postgraduate qualification to work in a particular role, or to embark on a whole new career. Or maybe you're coming to the end of your undergraduate studies and want to enhance your knowledge.
You can be assured of high-quality teaching across our postgraduate courses, as well as access to excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces in the likes of the Northern Centre of Photography, Murray Health, the Living Lab, and Wearside View. We are ranked as a Top 40 university in the Guardian University Guide 2025. Over 70% of our published research has been rated as either world-leading or internationally excellent in the latest Research Excellence Framework. (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
Whether you choose to study a taught course or focus on one of our research degrees, you'll improve your critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as deepen your understanding of your chosen subject.
Current students
If you're a current undergraduate student at the University of Sunderland, we'd love you to stay with us.
As a University of Sunderland graduate (alumni), you could be awarded a generous tuition fee discount if you return to study a postgraduate course with us. For most courses, graduates who enrol onto a full or part-time postgraduate course will receive 20% off tuition fees.
To make things easier for you to apply, you can complete a shorter version of our postgraduate application form for most of our postgraduate courses – head to your chosen course page, hit 'Apply now' and select the button for current undergraduate students.
Fees and funding
A postgraduate degree increases your earning power and enhances your career prospects, but postgraduate study can be a significant investment, particularly as the cost of living is increasing. Here's what you need to know about fees and funding:
Course costs
Course tuition fees vary, depending on the course you are studying and whether you are a home or international student. To find out how much your course costs, visit your chosen course page – the tuition fee is shown on the top information bar.
Student loans
If you’re starting a master’s or PhD course, you may be entitled to a government-backed postgraduate loan from the Student Loans Company. If you’ve lived in England for at least three years prior to starting your course, and are under 60 years of age, you could benefit from the postgraduate loan of up to £12,167 for a Master’s course, and up to £28,673 from August 2023 for a PhD. There’s no need to start making repayments until you’re earning £21,000 or more. For more information see the government’s website.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer financial support in the form of scholarships and bursaries, from tuition fee discounts to subject-specific cash scholarships to support your learning.
Student Financial Guidance
If you want to talk to someone confidentially about how to finance your postgraduate study, you can contact our Student Financial Guidance team. They offer services such as guidance on available loans, grants, bursaries and scholarships; help with applying for funding support; and offer information on the student support system.
Support
We provide a range of services that you may need while you study. From the Disability Support team to our childcare service, we want to ensure you feel supported to reach your potential during your postgraduate journey. Learn more about our student support services.
Open Days
Join us at our next Postgraduate Open Day to see our excellent facilities, meet staff and current students and discover what postgraduate study at Sunderland could mean for you.
We also offer you to chance to book one of our regular campus tours, delivered by our Student Ambassadors or a member of our friendly student recruitment team.
If you can’t make it on campus, personalise your own Virtual Experience and explore the University from the comfort of your own home.