Student life in Sunderland

Student life in Sunderland can certainly be memorable. As an affordable seaside city in the North East of England, Sunderland offers a different kind of uni experience. Spend sunny afternoons getting fish and chips or hitting STACK Seaburn right by the beach, soak up some culture at the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, or catch a live gig at one of the city's many music venues.

The city is home to the University of Sunderland and around 20,000 students. This makes it unsurprising that there are plenty of affordable spots to call home here, from the thriving city centre to Millfield and Pallion.

• 1

  Affordability

  One of the biggest perks of student life in Sunderland is its affordability. Your money typically stretches further here than in major hubs like London or Manchester, giving you far more bang for your buck on everything from accommodation to nights out and cheap eats.

• 2

  Foodie options

  Foodies can enjoy Sunderland on a budget. The Mad Hatter does a good brunch, and you’ll want Port of Call for some proper pub grub. Alternatively, Asiana Fusion offers a great mix of Thai, Malaysian, and Chinese dishes at a reasonable price, and there are always cheap campus deals at The Studio.

• 3

  Coastal vibes

  Another highlight of student life in Sunderland is its access to the seaside. There are a handful of different beaches here, the main ones being Seaburn and Roker. If it isn’t warm enough to get your tan on, you can enjoy live entertainment and sensational street food at STACK Seaburn, right by the beach! Ryhope is also worth a visit, providing Instagram photo opportunities with its impressive, rugged cliffs.

• 4

  Live music and nightlife scene

  If you’re a bit of a party animal, you won’t be disappointed in Sunderland. There’s a nice mix of bars, pubs, and clubs ready to be explored, with the Park Lane strip proving a popular location just around the corner from the uni campus. You can often find students in The Cooper Rose, a trusty Wetherspoon favourite, or Independent, the city’s longest-running independent club, often featuring drink deals and indie tunes.

• 5

  Transport links

  Thankfully for students here, Sunderland is fairly walkable, and there are buses aplenty. For those travelling home for Christmas, this city is highly connected, with the train station directly connecting with major cities like Durham, London, York, Edinburgh, and more. Plus, you’ll only be around 20 minutes from Newcastle if you fancy a different night out or day trip!

• 6

  Cultural weekends

  There’s plenty of culture to embrace in Sunderland. Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is an obvious choice, featuring a stunning green space as well as years of history. Additionally, the National Glass Centre will have you discovering local glass art, and Sunderland Empire puts on some great theatrical shows, perfect for weekend adventures.

University of Sunderland

Gaining full university status in 1992, the University of Sunderland has since become recognised for its world-class research and career-focused courses, from nursing to education.