Sunderland
92 Reviews by Students #60 out of 172 University locations
Not too crowded like a main city like Newcastle but only a short metro away from it, good place for nights out and cost of living is good value even in the city centre
By member965571 On 21st January 2022
Study in Sunderland
The University of Sunderland is located right in the heart of Sunderland. Known for its golden coastline, its history as a port and, of course, football; the Stadium of Light is practically a temple for the sport!
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University of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland is home to 20,000 students that represent 156 nationalities. 93.4% of graduates are in employment or further study six months after graduating. The university’s facilities have benefited from over £130 million investment in the last 20 years. This includes the Living Lab, Law Facilities, Science Complex and much more.
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Sunderland Student Life
It is a northern bustling city with lots to offer students. It’s located within a countryside environment with award-winning coastal scenery. It's hard to beat that combination!
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Cost of Living
Accommodation
Student accommodation costs in Sunderland range from £75 - £155 per week; the average is £108 per week.
Compare the average elsewhere: Newcastle: £149/week, Carlisle: £91/week, Preston: £105/week.
(prices are for all purpose-built student accommodation (both private and university-owned) over the last 12 months, as listed on StudentCrowd)
The average price for:
A cheap meal at a restaurant: £12
A pint of beer: £3.50
A regular takeout coffee: £2.45
1L of milk: £0.89
A loaf of white bread: £1
(Source: Numbeo)
Nights Out
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The main areas for nightlife spots are between the High Street and Park Lane. Traditionally, Sunderland was more of a pubbing town than a clubbing one, but the clubs that are there often stay open a lot later than the ones in nearby Newcastle.
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Newcastle is often rated as the best student night out in the country and it is only half an hour away by Metro. There are so many different bars, pubs and clubs on offer, you’ll definitely find something that is right up your street.
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Theatre
For something a little more cultured, The Sunderland Empire is the only theatre for miles that is big enough to host West End productions, so a lot of the major shows stop off here. Make sure to keep an eye on their website for upcoming shows.
Public Transport
The Metro is a light rail network that’s a useful way of getting to places like Newcastle, and if you’re going to use it regularly, it’s worth getting a Metro Student Card. Otherwise, getting around Sunderland itself is easy by foot with the university campus in the city centre.
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Eating Out
Along the seafront, you’ll find the lighthouse and harbour area. It’s an excellent place to take a refreshing walk and then hunt down some food in one of their many cafes. In the city centre, you’ll never be short of options to try which include your high street favourites such as Nando’s as well as some great independent options.
Shopping
In the city centre, you’ll find The Bridges shopping centre, all your usual high street shops and an indoor market for those who like to get their groceries on the cheap. Every winter, an ice rink appears in the city centre, as well as a German Christmas market.
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Cultural Guide
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Galleries
Sunderland is establishing itself as a national centre for the arts and was shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2021. There are some fantastic galleries to check out such as the Northern Gallery of Contemporary Art and The National Glass Centre.
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Museums
Sunderland Museum and Winter Garden first opened its doors in 1846. Here you can find the famous Wallace the lion amongst displays of Sunderland’s rich industrial past. Don’t miss the Winter Garden where over 2,000 plants thrive in a glasshouse all year round.
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North East Land, Sea and Air Museum
The NELSEAM showcases various military flights and vehicles. If you’re interested in a Cold War Avro Vulcan B2 Bomber, this is the place to be! Or if you’re on the lookout for ‘Ghost Watch’, keep an eye out on their website.
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Sunderland’s Music, Art and Culture Quarter
Sunderland is set to get a major new venue for music, dance and drama which will be located at the heart of the city’s Music, Arts and Cultural Quarter in central Sunderland. It’s funded by the Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund and a really exciting new development for Sunderland!
Top 10 Sunderland Accommodation
Read Sunderland Reviews
i hate it here th...
i hate it here there's nothing here read more
Love the town, li...
Love the town, lits of access to shopping stores, close to the uni too read more
Compared to canad...
Compared to canada its very cheap. However here i feel like sometimes food is costly and some grocery stores are a lot more expensive than others. Public transport by buses for under 22s is very convient but by metro is quite expensive unless you get a pop card read more
Living in Sunderl...
Living in Sunderland is cheap so there's nothing to explore in the town except for the beach and the shopping center. Transportation is good as I only have to show my student card without paying any money. There's not much places to eat asian food at a restaurant. read more
It's a small town...
It's a small town so it's easy to get anywhere u want and the public transportation is great read more
Perfect place to...
Perfect place to be for an international student and the citizens are wonderful read more
Sunderland is a v...
Sunderland is a vibrant city and it offers everything a student needs to achieve academic success. Its a quite and safe place to be there is no need to worry and walking is the best way to get around the city center. read more
Sunderland is qui...
Sunderland is quite cheap and that’s great. It’s not busy and for me is great. Sometimes is annoying because shops close early read more
The public transp...
The public transport is good but most drivers will drive and pass the bus stop if they are late. A few places to ear out. This getting expensive. read more
Sunderland is str...
Sunderland is struggling due to the cost of living. The shops aren't great, going further afield is necessary now. read more
Sunderland is a c...
Sunderland is a city with huge potential. There's a grand investment going into Sunderland atm and new buildings and places are popping up every day. In terms of what is there now, it is a bit sparse compared to Newcastle but it is definitely all coming together. Sunderland does feel like an American city in the sense that even though there are pathways everywhere - Sunderland just feels easier to traverse through town by driving unlike in Newcastle where it's much better to be walking in town instead. With the metro and good city links to London and Newcastle; there's always a day for a day out!!! read more
Good city for cal...
Good city for calme people not much things to see read more
Sunderland is a b...
Sunderland is a beautiful place to live and studying. The Cost of living is not too high but is affordable. Sunderland have diverse eating establishments such as branded restaurant and Cafes. They also have night events which you can go to have a little bit of Fun. The Night life is also fun and safe here in Sunderland. Sunderland also boost of many shopping centers where you can buy all your needs from house hold needs to personal needs. Sunderland transportation is very affordable even to travel to other nearby cities. The school bus in always free and move around major places in Sunderland. So spending on transportation is free when using the school bus. Sunderland is definitely a place you would want to visit which also have historical buildings and places to visit. read more
public transport...
public transport is great!! bit of a struggle if you're vegan/vegetarian but there are more vegan places opening up now!! not the best in terms of night life but it's only 20 mins away from Newcastle so can't complain read more
Sunderland is a g...
Sunderland is a great place to stay at. It's a student and family town so not a lot of trouble and overall a safe and friendly place. read more
University has fr...
University has free busses going around campus and city centre and also living cost is cheaper compared to other places in the UK. read more
Public transport...
Public transport is pretty reliable, metro can be dependant on weather, shopping options are pretty poor in town and close super early compared to surrounding cities. Nights out have pretty good value for money with a lot of drinks and entry fees pretty cheap read more
Public transport...
Public transport easy to navigate Nights out are the same every week, with minimal places to go Bridges has a good variety of shops If shopping at Aldi, the cost of living is low read more
Even though, it’s...
Even though, it’s a small city but has a lot to offer to local and international students. You will experience from beautiful Roker beach to an amazing back house park for morning walk and from English breakfast to Asian food in city center. read more
The city itself i...
The city itself is lovely but i feel like i am judged alot by stangers as i am nonbinary, i dress somewhat alternative, plus sized and in a LGBTQIA+ relationship. Myself and my partner have had many horrid things said to us on the street and people have spat at us before but that happens about once a month for myseld but multiple times a week for my girlfriend. read more
Sunderland is an...
Sunderland is an ok town. No complaints! read more
I personally don'...
I personally don't do nights out or use public transport but from what I've seen It is good. Lots of food places depending on what you like read more
It's fab. Good fo...
It's fab. Good food n times. Especially at churchys read more
Serene ,beautiful...
Serene ,beautiful & safe town with everything in walkable distance read more
Lots of bars, res...
Lots of bars, restaurants and pubs! A good mix of shops in the centre - lots of food shops to choose from within 30 minutes walking distance too! Buses are easy to configure and are cheap at the moment! read more
Easy to get aroun...
Easy to get around and decent shops read more
Town center is cl...
Town center is close to the city campus and a short journey to the St Peters campus. read more
Good living stand...
Good living standards but it is getting more expensive. read more
Small quiet town...
Small quiet town with not much going on, cost of living lower than other places. Reasonable number of options in regards to eating out and shopping. Metro keeps breaking down almost every other week. read more
Everything is a b...
Everything is a bus/metro away which is super convenient! Doing groceries is just fantastic however the cost of living is a little high nowadays read more
Sunderland is an...
Sunderland is an experience sometimes good sometimes bad, the town clearly has been forgotten about and this means there’s nothing really to do their read more
Decent city under...
Decent city under development right now to make it better. read more
Not the best. New...
Not the best. Newcastle is a 20 min metro tho so not bad read more
Not the best. Ver...
Not the best. Very rough at times. Its a very deprived area read more
Eating out is not...
Eating out is not that cheap but it's okay. Can't expect everything to be smooth. Nights out are great but Little bit scary sometimes as people approach you as international students. read more
sunderland is a r...
sunderland is a really good cheap city for students read more
Some issues but c...
Some issues but can easily be worked around read more
It’s okay, cost o...
It’s okay, cost of living is too high for students eating out really isn’t an option when you have little money read more
I'm relatively ne...
I'm relatively new and I think Sunderland is much better than what people deem it to be - ignore the negative reviews! read more
It's very nice pl...
It's very nice place for students as it very calm and quiet and you would have time for studying on your own. You would also be able to meet new people even though its a small city read more
Really good envir...
Really good environment and people read more
Small and quiet c...
Small and quiet city. Offices close at 5pm and shops close at 7pm. One must ensure hey do everything within that time. read more
Easy to get aroun...
Easy to get around and great shops read more
Sunderland is a g...
Sunderland is a great city that everyone should aim to be there , either for vacations or study or work . I love Sunderland read more
A great city to l...
A great city to live. The life here is cheap. read more
Deadest city ever...
Deadest city ever do not go here unless you literally have no will to live. Antisocial and rough. No good shops or restaurants and takeaways are overpriced. read more
The worst thing a...
The worst thing about Sunderland is the rude, hostile and self-entitled people. I have just seen people throw their rubbish to the ground as if it’s not their job to put it in the bin, and then watched the same people complain about the state of the city. It is so much better here than I expected it to be, shops are good, lots of nice parks; the people are just awful. A very high amount of racism so please, please be careful if you’re considering moving here. City centre has clearly had so much money pumped into it, h it other areas (Hylton road) remain almost abandoned and a total mess read more
Great city to stu...
Great city to study in and the university is nice there. read more
for an introverte...
for an introverted person that doesnt like go go out so much, Sunderland is a perfect town to be in. it’s safe and quiet most days and you can find the essentials around you. also very close to newcastle which you can find a lot of activities and shopping to do there. read more
Overall good plac...
Overall good place to live, centre of Sunderland has pretty much everything your going to need. Can be abit expensive unless living on a budget but other than that it’s brill. read more
Very nice and coz...
Very nice and cozy city to live in, meny good places around to visit. Plesure people. read more
Not too crowded l...
Not too crowded like a main city like Newcastle but only a short metro away from it, good place for nights out and cost of living is good value even in the city centre read more
I'm an online stu...
I'm an online student so this doesn't apply read more
Can't really comp...
Can't really complain much, I mean I get some buses for free if they see I'm student read more
I like Sunderland...
I like Sunderland. It's affordable to live here and there's quite a bit to do. There's good transport connections even if the metro and number 20 bus are unreliable. read more
really cheap to l...
really cheap to live here, cheap rent and petrol! i have only eaten out a handful of times but its always been great! the nights out aren’t fantastic, there are two organised nights out a week, PLAY wednesday and indepop friday. i went to play on a wednesday and it was terrible, gatsby is so small, i didnt bother with the rest. the palm is a good place for a fun night out. as for shopping, plenty of variety. public transport isnt great for leaving sunderland and going home, trains only seem to go to middlesbro, you have to get a metro to newcastle to get anywhere else. the metro is convenient but slow, as a student you get some buses for free but they don’t go anywhere interesting. its a good place if you’re a driver. read more
The city has a lo...
The city has a lot of nice people and joyful read more
The town is fine...
The town is fine but literally no night life which also equates to nothing is available after 7pm. So, better get your things done before that time or wait till the next (working) day read more
Sunderland is a b...
Sunderland is a bit rough and ready from someone who isn’t from the area, but it definitely has its charm, the people are super friendly and although it has rough areas the people in them don’t reflect their surroundings in the slightest. (For the most part!) read more
Metro is a god se...
Metro is a god send. It's accessible and easy to use to get in and out of Sunderland. Also useful for getting to and from the hospital of you have loads of medical appointments like me... Take aways are decent, especially if you use unidays for offers. Shopping is alright, the Bridges is useful and big tesco usually has everything you need. read more
Newcastle is a gr...
Newcastle is a great place to be for all of the above, the metro gets me from here to Sunderland for university at a handy price and the shopping and nightlife is very vibrant. read more
The cost is alrig...
The cost is alright here you can get by comfortably. The night life is a little lacking but you can easily start the night at wetherspoons just over the road and go to one of several nightclubs afterwards, or nip up to newcastle on the metro for a night out there. Some shops here, your usual asda, tesco, wilko etc. Again if you want some of the wider variety shops nip up to newcastle on the metro or head to the metro centre. Plenty of public transport and there is a free university bus for students too. read more
University is nea...
University is near the city centre so it is easy to get around the city. read more
Easy to get aroun...
Easy to get around and a night out is fun and cheap read more
Sunderland City i...
Sunderland City is a nice place to stay read more
Everything has be...
Everything has been wonderful from the accommodations, to the people of the city, to the campuses and public transport. read more
Cheap city to liv...
Cheap city to live in while you take the metro to Newcastle read more
Sunderland is qui...
Sunderland is quite city suitable for students who need to concentrate on their study read more
Good city but mos...
Good city but most things closed due to covid pandemic read more
I enjoyed the par...
I enjoyed the parts of Sunderland I saw while staying for University and may consider moving back once I have stable income. The Metro is quite handy, after all. read more
please dont join...
please dont join this university read more
Unfortunately, it...
Unfortunately, it is not very convenient; maybe I used to live in states have no transportation issues. The options of the cafe and business hours are minimal. Too chill for students' living if who seek for growth. read more
The university of...
The university offers you some free access in 2 particular bus lines connected with the uni read more
Faeces covered st...
Faeces covered streets, shops mainly closing down. Run down area. Not nice. Litter/fly-tipping issues. read more
Nice little city....
Nice little city. Has it’s ups and downs like anywhere else. read more
It's meh. It coul...
It's meh. It could be worse but could be better also. Its pretty much what you'd expect from sunderland. read more
Transport is terr...
Transport is terrible and the metro is often delayed, it is also expensive. There are very little options in terms of places to eat and most of the highest rated trip advisor restaurants are sub par. The shopping experience could not be worse. Many shops close and nothing takes their place. There is a reason why Sunderland is the anti depressant capital of the world read more
I love the city o...
I love the city of Sunderland. Having never been there before I was pleased to find it busy but not too big. The student nights out during freshers were brilliant, there's loads of little pubs and restaurants that accommodate students' budgets as well as a fairly well stocked shopping centre. The student housing outside of halls of residence can be excellent and very cheap if you know where to look. read more
cheap night out b...
cheap night out but limited, shopping centre is good and the green bus takes you where you need to go for free with your student card. read more
So cheap to live...
So cheap to live in Sunderland, so are the nights out. There's only a small handful of clubs but newcastle is easy to get to if you can afford it. There are high street shops but they're small, but the charity shops are all on one street and they're actually pretty decent. There's loads of discount stores which are good too. Warning though: Sunderland shuts at 5pm.. read more
It's really cheap...
It's really cheap to live in Sunderland and the nights out are really good and cheap too and with it being close to Newcastle and the Metro there are really good shopping opportunities and it's easy to go for a night out elsewhere. read more
Public transport...
Public transport is great. Haven't been for a night out but stories say that it's not amazing. read more
Exceptional place...
Exceptional place to live. It's safe, friendly, the nightlife is cheap and electric on the right nights, easy access to Newcastle, Durham, Carlisle, Teesside, even Scotland if you plan your trip right! But if you wanna go shopping for good stuff at good prices, just hop on the metro to Newcastle. read more
More like a villa...
More like a village, pretty shocking really read more