International student support

We want everyone to feel welcome at Sunderland and our International Student Support team (ISS) is here to help you.

A new environment is exciting, but it can also be challenging. We have support in place so that you feel comfortable every step of the way in your university journey.

Meet our Student Immigration Advisor

Meet Joe, one of our Student Immigration Advisors who talks about how he has supported and continues to support students when they come to university.

We also chat with Anass, an international student from Morocco and student ambassador. Anass chats about his experience at Sunderland and how it has benefitted him.

Ways we can help

The International Student Support team have specialist welfare and immigration advisors who can help you with a range of issues including:

Visa application
UK arrival
Accommodation
Managing finances
Accessing healthcare in the UK
Education and children

Before you arrive

Our team want to ensure you have everything in place before you arrive to Sunderland.

Our pre-arrival guide will give you all the information you need, including guidance on how to transition into life in the UK and guidance around bringing your family to live at University accommodation with you.

Read your pre-arrival guide here.

Join our community

We're 2nd in the UK for International Student Diversity (QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024). There is an amazing sense of community here at Sunderland. We celebrate diversity and we have lots of cool events and societies bringing together people of different cultures, faiths, and backgrounds. Some of these include:

African Caribbean Society
Chinese Society
Friendship evenings (every Wednesday)
Nigerian Society
Indian Society

Find out more about our different international societies here.

Three students sitting at a table in a cafe chatting and laughing

Getting settled in Sunderland

We're also in the top 10 universities in Europe for International Student Diversity (QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024). So you'll not be alone! Getting settled and feeling comfortable in your surroundings is important to us. We can help you with things like registering with a GP and how to vote.

We can also help you with your safety around campus like public transport, parking and we even have a Student's Union mini bus where you can travel for free between both campuses and halls of residence.

Two students in a classroom smiling and looking at something off camera

Wellbeing support

We have teams in place to help you if you are struggling with your mental health. Our team of wellbeing professionals are here to support you with any problems you may be facing. We also have 24/7 support.

Our chaplaincy team also offer a listening ear and support for anyone who needs it. They also offer great prayer and faith facilities on campus and a great source of information for local places of worship and faith communities.

You can find out more about our wellbeing services here.

A student sitting at a table in a cafe with their friends

Financial support

Our Student Financial Guidance Team can help you with any financial issues or guidance you may need, like budgeting, money management and scholarships.

If you find yourself in financial hardship when you arrive at Sunderland, the Student Support Fund Team can help you.

For information regarding Student Finance and anything related to tuition fees and how to pay them, you can find all the information you need here.

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