Overview
The Postgraduate Alumni Loyalty Discount Scheme is for University of Sunderland alumni (graduates) who:
- Continue or return to study with the University of Sunderland; and
- Enrol on a full-time or part-time postgraduate course on either of our Sunderland campuses. Including Dance City and Northern Academy of Music Education (NAME).
All full-time and part-time students will receive a 20% fee waiver on the cost of their course fees after any other scholarships, bursaries or fee-waiver deductions have been applied (net fee).
Who is eligible?
The discount scheme is available to self-funding graduates (alumni) of the University of Sunderland.
The Government classes all students as ‘Home’ or ‘International’. This status determines which tuition fees you pay, and which scholarships, bursaries and discounts you are eligible to receive.
The discount is available to ‘Home’, ‘Overseas Island’ and ‘International students’.
To be eligible you must have been awarded a relevant undergraduate (Level 6) or postgraduate (Level 7) qualification either:
- On campus from the University of Sunderland
- Through a Transnational Education (TNE) partner of the University of Sunderland
- From Sunderland Polytechnic (full-time or part-time)
- Or have successfully completed a study abroad or exchange course at Level 6 – 8 at the University of Sunderland
For clarification on qualification levels, please see the Government’s website.
Eligible courses
Eligible courses must have a course start date between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026.
Eligible University of Sunderland postgraduate taught courses resulting in the following awards are eligible for the Postgraduate Alumni Loyalty Discount Scheme:
- Master of Art (MA)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Master of Law (LLM)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Medical Education (MMedEd)
Or any postgraduate research course resulting in the following awards:
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Professional Doctorate (DProf)
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Existing Published or Creative Works
Who is not eligible?
Current University of Sunderland employees who have their fees funded by the University are not eligible for this discount.
MA Social Work students in receipt of the Social Work Bursary are not eligible for this discount. The University will identify those students in receipt of the Social Work Bursary in November 2025. Any MA Social Work student not in receipt of the Social Work Bursary will then be eligible to receive the discount.
Independent Learners and Transnational Education (TNE) Independent Learners who study off-campus are not eligible for the discount.
Aziz Foundation scholars are not eligible to receive any other University of Sunderland scholarships, bursaries or discounts.
Ineligible courses
The following University of Sunderland courses are not eligible for the Postgraduate Alumni Loyalty Discount Scheme:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses
- Apprenticeship programmes
- Postgraduate courses supported by the NHS Learning Support Fund
- Courses taught through Higher Education Partners (HEP). These courses are eligible for a 10% discount. Find more information at Sunderland Online
Minimum credits
Courses bearing less than 180 credits are not eligible for the Postgraduate Alumni Loyalty Discount.
Courses with a start date beyond 31 July 2026
This scheme will be reviewed in December 2025 when we seek to publish updated terms and conditions for courses starting after 31 July 2026.
Terms of discount
The discount is applicable for the standard period of the course. Where a student enters into an abeyance or intercalates (i.e. a period of absence or withdrawal), necessitating a delay to the course end date, the Director of Student Journey will review ongoing eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
Please note, alumni are required to meet any specific entry criteria for each course. These can be found on the relevant course pages on the University website.
If a scholarship or bursary payment is made to you in error, the University reserves the right to recover any awards or overpayments from you, the student. This may result in you being asked to repay an award if it was paid to you in error. It is also the responsibility of you, the student, to ensure that all awards and payments received are accurate. Any payment discrepancies will be rectified by the University or the student.
How do I apply?
You do not need to apply for this scheme; if you are eligible, you will automatically receive the discount.
Receiving the discount
The University of Sunderland will verify the alumni status of students continuing or returning to study.
Upon enrolment, eligible students will have the 20% discount applied automatically to their account once any other scholarships, bursaries or fee-waiver deductions have been applied (net fee). Fees due for payment should reflect this discount.
Contact information
For further information, please contact the Student Helpline on 0191 515 3000 or email student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk.
Disclaimer
Every effort is made to ensure that all details included in these guidance notes are correct at the time of writing. They are intended to act as an information source only, and in no way should they be considered legally binding or guarantee an award.
The University will not be deemed to be in breach of any legal or contractual obligations due to changes to eligibility criteria beyond the reasonable control of the University. It should therefore be noted that these guidance notes are regularly reviewed and are naturally subject to change, sometimes without notice. The University’s decision is final.
Published: 27 November 2024