Sunderland
Student accommodation in Sunderland
Sunderland is a city with a fascinating history. It also has its fair share of cultural and artistic attractions, fun activities and convenient shopping, which makes it a solid choice to live and study.
Student.com offers modern, budget-friendly student accommodation near the University of Sunderland that will make living in the city a lot easier.
We also list student accommodation options with bills included. Our listings offer different types of student flats including shared and private.
To learn more about the student accommodation in Sunderland we offer, you can speak to us via live chat or just give us a call. Our booking consultants are always happy to help!
Sunderland at a glance
Sunderland is a metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, North East England.
The port city, which gained city status in 1992, sits at the mouth of the River Wear, approximately 10 miles south-east of Newcastle upon Tyne and about 12 miles north-east of the City of Durham.
The city has a rich heritage and is steeped in history. It is the place of where ‘modern’ skills such as stonemasonry and glass making were brought to the British Isles.
Sunderland is world-renowned for many things including shipbuilding, glass making and coal mining. The city is still proud of its roots of hard-working people from the miners and shipbuilders who kept the wheels of industrial Britain moving, to the monks of the Anglo-Saxon monastery of Monkwearmouth-Jarrow.
But after decades of regeneration, Sunderland has emerged as one of the UK’s newest and most exciting cities. It is a centre of technological innovation, with a strong student community, a rich cultural presence, and a thriving arts scene.
Thanks to its revitalized city centre, country parks where collieries used to be, museums at old industrial sites and cultural amenities, Sunderland is largely unrecognisable compared to 25 years ago.
Sunderland has been misjudged as a city with nothing much to do. But with beautiful beaches and stunning coastal scenery, green spaces and a diversity of experiences, Sunderland has been a destination for students for many years.
The city’s coastal location means you will have access to miles of golden sand - perfect for clearing your head after a long week of lectures or to just hang out with friends. Head to the famous Roker Beach to admire the seaside views and if you are brave enough, dive into the freezing waters of Whitburn Bay for a refreshing swim.
There are beautiful parks and green spaces integrated throughout the city. Continue your outdoor explorations at the Sunderland Museum and Gardens, where you’ll discover the history of this charming British city alongside tropical plants and exotic fish from around the world.
Student life in Sunderland
If you decide to live and study in Sunderland, you can expect a very good student experience from this modern coastal city.
With great shopping, bars, restaurants and efficient public transport throughout the city, you’ll have opportunities to live your life as a student to the fullest. Many of the city’s attractions are free and packed with fun.
Cheap nightlife
The city’s nightlife has improved significantly in recent years with a number of bars, pubs and clubs to suit different tastes and styles. The city’s vibrant underground music scene continues to grow and is worth exploring with several venues playing host to new talent.
With one-pound drinks common throughout the week, and drinks as cheap as “two for a fiver” at The Meeting Place, there is no need to splash the cash.
Having a good time in Sunderland is not just about cheap drinks and dancing to good music though.
Other entertainment
You can take in the latest blockbusters in a big way in a massive 12 screen complex with VIP boxes and premium seating at the Empire Cinema.
Get a taste of Sunderland’s culture and history along with Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and the National Glass Centre.
The Arts Centre Washington is a venue that hosts art events along with productions and music events.
You can enjoy the excellent sports facilities provided by Thompson Park where there is plenty to do from bowling greens to tennis courts and football pitches. If watching sports is your thing, head to the Stadium of Light for a football game featuring Sunderland AFC, the team featured in the Netflix hit documentary Sunderland ‘Til I Die.
Beautiful parks
For most, Sunderland would not come to mind when thinking of the great outdoors. But the city is sprinkled with beautiful parks such as Herrington Country Park and Hetton Lyons Country Park. Make sure you don’t miss the exotic wildlife at the WWT Washington Wetland Centre.
Shopping
Sunderland also has great shopping. The Bridges Shopping Centre, which has close to a hundred high street shops, sits in the middle of the city.
For items you won’t find in the high street stores, the close by Park Lane Shopping Village has a plethora of locally owned shops. The Jacky Whites Market is the place to go if you’re in search of value for your money.
Conveniently, these places are close to each other and are easily accessible by public transport.
Transportation
The rest of Sunderland is also accessible via public transportation, and with two nearby airports, it is relatively easy for international students in Sunderland to visit home during breaks.
However, to get direct trains to major cities, you’ll have to make the short trip to neighbouring Newcastle.
Where to study in Sunderland?
Tracing its origins to the founding of the Sunderland Technical College in 1901, the University of Sunderland is the main institution for higher education and research in Sunderland.
Recognised as one of the great modern civic universities, the University of Sunderland is a highly respected UK university that combines academic excellence with strong student support.
The university was awarded the highest accolade from the prestigious QS Stars rating system earning a full five stars for employability, internationalisation, inclusiveness and outstanding facilities in the 2019 World University Ranking.
The university has five academic departments spread across four campuses that offer programmes in the arts, education, languages, business, media studies, tourism, hospitality, natural sciences, health, pharmacy, psychology, performing arts, sports and social sciences.
Of its four campuses, the Sir Tom Cowie Campus and City Campus are located in Sunderland. The Sir Tom Cowie Campus is home to the faculties of law, tourism, business, technology, arts and creative industries and has a library and a lecture theatre.
The City Campus is also equipped with a library, a student centre, a design centre, a gym and other leisure spaces, as well as an administrative centre.
Over 35 percent of the university’s 15,000-strong student population are international students from over 100 countries. It earned a top 10 ranking (9th) in the 2019 ‘International’ category of the Whatuni Student Choice (WUSC) Awards.
So, if you choose to study at the University of Sunderland, you’ll be joining a global community of students from all over the world.
Frequently asked questions about student housing in Sunderland
How do I apply for a student flat in Sunderland on Student.com?
Applying for a student flat in Sunderland is easy on Student.com.
Our convenient filter and mapping features allow you to easily compare properties by price and location. After you’ve found your ideal student flat in Sunderland, go to the property page by clicking ‘View rooms’.
On the property page, choose the room type you like and click ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book Now’ and leave you contact details. Shortly afterwards, one of our booking consultants will contact you, answer any questions you may have and take you through the next steps.
What are the different room types you offer?
We offer three different room types:
Shared Rooms – in this room type, two or more people share a bedroom with separate beds. Other living facilities are all shared with tenants from other rooms.
Private Rooms - the bedrooms are private, and in some properties, you’ll also get a private bathroom. The kitchen and other facilities are shared with other tenants from other rooms.
Entire Place - the entire property, including living, cooking and bathing areas, all belong to one tenant. This means you’ll have a fully self-contained studio property where you won’t have to share living quarters with anybody else.
Are bills included in the rent?
In most cases, all bills are included in the cost of the rent. However, make sure you check the property page of the property you’re interested in to make sure this is the case.
Do you offer accommodation near Sunderland University?
Yes, several of the properties we list are within walking distance of the University of Sunderland.
Can I see the property before moving in?
Our booking consultants can set up a viewing for you if you’ll be in Sunderland before your move in date. We have a lot of photos of the properties on the property pages though, so you’ll get a good idea of what your new home will look like even if you can’t make it to a viewing before moving in.