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University of Sunderland

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The University of Sunderland is a public research university located in Sunderland in the North East of England. Its predecessor, Sunderland Technical College, was established as a municipal training college in 1901. It gained university status in 1992. It now has campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong,[4] and has about 21,000 students as of 2022.[2]

University of Sunderland
Coat of Arms
Former names
Sunderland Technical College (1901–1969), Sunderland Polytechnic (1969–1992)
MottoLatin: Scientiam Dulce Hauriens
Motto in English
Sweetly absorbing knowledge
TypePublic
Established1901 - Sunderland Technical College
1969 - Sunderland Polytechnic
1992 - University of Sunderland (gained university status)
ChancellorEmeli Sandé
Vice-ChancellorDavid Bell
Academic staff
1,380[1]
Total staff
2,390[1]
Students21,350[2]
Undergraduates13,845[2]
Postgraduates7,505[2]
Location
Sunderland
,
Tyne and Wear
,
United Kingdom
CampusSunderland, London and Hong Kong
ColoursNasturtium & dark blue
   [3]
AffiliationsAssociation of Commonwealth Universities, EQUIS, Universities UK, Coalition of Modern Universities, Million+
Websitesunderland.ac.uk

History

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St Peter's Campus

Sunderland has been an important centre for education since 674 AD, when Benedict Biscop built St Peter's Church and monastery. St Peter's Church was the site of the greatest scriptorium north of the Alps. The oldest existing Latin version of the Bible – the Codex Amiatinus – was written at St Peter's Church. This area has been developed as the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's of the University of Sunderland. The university's £9m state-of-the-art Media Centre, launched in 2004, is near St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth.

Sunderland Technical College

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The original Technical College was topped by an observatory used for navigational studies.

The university's modern roots can be traced back to 1901, when Sunderland Technical College was established as a municipal training college. It was the first to offer sandwich courses. It began with four departments: Chemistry, Mechanical & Civil Engineering, Physics & Electrical Engineering and Commerce & Languages. Part-time lecturers taught other subjects, ranging from Latin to navigation.[5] 671 students enrolled in the first year; it was more than three times the number expected.

The college's longest-serving principal, the physicist VA Mundella was appointed in 1908 and served until his retirement in 1932.

Pharmacy and naval architecture departments were established in 1921 and 1922 respectively. The Pharmacy Department began as a single bench in the Chemistry Department under the leadership of Hope Winch,[6] but soon grew to become the largest in the country.[citation needed] From 1930, some students in the Faculty of Applied Science read for degrees of the University of Durham. In 1930, a Mining Department was established and pharmacy students could read for the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree of the University of London.[7] Sunderland was also recognised by London University as a centre for its BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) degree in 1934.

During the Second World War, Sunderland ran special courses for the armed forces and the Ministry of Labour.

In the 1960s, a PDP-8 hybrid computer was installed at the Chester Road site. There was also an Elliot Brothers 803B digital computer.

A new complex of buildings, including a new Students' union and Hall of Residence facilities, on nearby Chester Road was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1964.

Sunderland Polytechnic

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Sunderland Polytechnic was established on 26 January 1969, incorporating the Technical College, the School of Art (which was also established in 1901) and the Sunderland Teacher Training College (established in 1908). Sunderland was among the first of 30 Polytechnics, like polytechnics or technological universities in other countries their aim was to teach both purely academic and professional vocational subjects. Their focus was applied education for work and their roots concentrated on engineering and applied science, they also created departments concerned with the humanities.

As a polytechnic, Sunderland created the first part-time, in-service BEd (Bachelor of Education) programme in the country.

University status

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Steve Cram at Freshers Week, 2018

After the passage of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, the polytechnic gained university status.[8]

Lord Puttnam became the university's first Chancellor in 1998. The Sunderland Empire Theatre was the regular venue for the graduation ceremonies, although they have been hosted at the Stadium of Light since 2004. In July 2007, he stepped down to become the Chancellor of the Open University.[9][10]

On 23 May 2008 the university announced that former Olympic athlete Steve Cram had been appointed as Chancellor and would be officially installed at a ceremony on 27 June 2008.[11] Singer and songwriter, Emeli Sandé was officially installed as the University of Sunderland's new Chancellor on 10 July 2019 during the university's summer Academic Awards.[12]

In 2018, it was announced that Sunderland was to host one of five new medical schools established under a UK government initiative to increase the number of training places for doctors. The medical school opened in September 2019.[13]

On 24 September 2018, Sir David Bell became Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland.[14]

Current Operations

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As Sir David Bell began his new role as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland on 24 September 2018, he announced the closure of history, politics, modern languages and public health courses, and of research in those fields, on 13 January 2020.[15]

Childcare Centre

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It was announced in an email from Sir David Bell on 18 September 2024 that St Mary's Childcare Centre based at City Campus will close permanently on 23 July 2025.[16] "The Childcare Centre is currently running at a substantial loss. This means that it is subsidised by the University, with the subsidy for 2023/24 projected to be in excess of £250,000.[16]" said Bell. It is of note that Sir David Bell's salary is in excess of the subsidised cost of the childcare centre each year, his salary being £301,334 plus £2024.35 in expenses for the year of 2021 and £307,008 plus £6167.61 for the year of 2022.[17] "Last academic year, the service was used by 45 families, including 17 members of staff and 11 students. Currently, there are 34 children registered in the Centre." said Sir David Bell.[16]

National Glass Centre

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Sir David Bell announced on 12 January 2023 that the National Glass Centre building would be closed (and probably demolished) within 3 years.[18] Bell says that due to the cost of the relocation estimated at £9.4million, it has instead decided to close the course in summer 2026, with recruitment stopping from September [2024].[19] This is despite a £250million capital development budget for the University[20] and will shutter the centre, which is a heritage and history of glassmaking at Sunderland since the 7th century.[21] As a consequence, the University announced on 22 March 2024 that its glass and ceramics academic programme will close in summer 2026.[22]

Restructuring, Voluntary Severances, and Layoffs

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Under the leadership of David Bell, staff at the University of Sunderland have faced departmental restructuring and combining of faculties[23] and voluntary severance offers with caveats that if not enough voluntary severance offers are taken, targeted layoffs and redundancies will be undertaken.[24][25] On 30 September 2024, the University and Colleges Union (UCU) warned the institution is considering 76 redundancies, including 60 out of 549, more than one in ten, of its academic staff.[26][27] The union added: "This is the second formal notification of redundancies in under six months. In neither this, nor the previous notification, were any management jobs put at risk."[28] It is of note that during this period of layoffs and restructuring, a new executive member of staff was appointed, for the position of Pro Vice Chancellor of Learning and Teaching.[29]

Parking Increase Controversy

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16th May 2024, it was announced that parking at the University of Sunderland will see a rise from £1.30 to £6 per day - or 462% - and from 35p to £1.60 per hour.[30] This has seen considerable calls for the price to return to the previous rate from the student and staff unions.[30][31] It is of note that while students, staff, and visitors' rates will increase to these amounts, the executive staff do not face the same rise in parking charges, with the previous rate of £56.10 per month increasing to £144.00 per month, a 156.7% increase compared to the 462% increase for staff, students, and other visitors.[32]

Campuses

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Graduations at the Stadium of Light

There are two campuses in Sunderland, one in Hong Kong and one in London. The Sunderland campuses are City Campus and the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's.

Sunderland

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St Peter's

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St Peter's opened during the 1990s on the north bank of the River Wear, the site of St Peter's Church and monastery built by Benedict Biscop in 674 AD.

In September 2002, the campus was renamed ‘The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St. Peter's’, after the local businessman who was one of the university's primary supporters. The Sunderland Business School is similarly named ’The Reg Vardy Centre’, and another building, primarily used by the School of Computing and Technology, is ’The David Goldman Informatics Centre’.

St Peter's Campus includes the following: North Shore (formerly Campus and Manor Quay), Wearbank House, Reg Vardy Centre, St Peter's Library, David Goldman Informatics Centre, Prospect Building (including Sir Tom Cowie Lecture Theatre), David Puttnam Media Centre, North Sands Business Centre and National Glass Centre (which houses the Glass and Ceramics department and the Institute for International Research in Glass). In January 2023 it was announced that the National Glass Centre building would be closed (and probably demolished) within 3 years.[33] As a consequence, the University announced on 22 March 2024 that its glass and ceramics academic programme will close in summer 2026.[34] The David Puttnam Media Centre houses television and radio production facilities for the School of Arts, Design and Media, student led community radio station (Spark Sunderland), and Made in Tyne & Wear, and opened in 2003. The campus was officially opened in March 2004 by Estelle Morris, former Education Secretary and Pro Vice-Chancellor from 2005 to 2009.

City

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City Campus drone footage
 
Murray Library, City Campus

In 2006, the Chester Road Campus was renamed City Campus, and work started on refurbishment of the Edinburgh Building administrative centre, the creation of the Gateway one-stop-shop for student support, and the redevelopment of Murray Library, and the Design Centre. The £12M CitySpace gym and leisure development opened in 2009, and in February 2011 the £8.5M Sciences Complex opened.[35]

Halls of residence

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The University of Sunderland has four halls of residence: Scotia Quay, Panns Bank, Clanny House, and The Forge U-Student Village.[36]

Clanny House is the largest halls of residence and is located on Hylton Road across the road from the Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Scotia Quay and Panns Bank are based across the River Wear from St Peter's Campus, across the road from The Bonded Warehouse. The location of these halls used to be one of the many locations on the river that were used by the former ship building industry.

Previous halls of residence include Ashbrooke, All Saints, Clifton, Westfield, Park and Williamson Halls.

London

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On 26 April 2012, the University of Sunderland announced the opening of a new campus at Canary Wharf in London.[37][38] In 2012/13 the student population of the University of Sunderland London Campus was 2,277.

Courses are offered in nursing, business, tourism and hospitality, as well as accounting and financial management.

Hong Kong

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On 2 March 2017, the University of Sunderland announced the opening of a new campus in Hong Kong. [39][38]

Organisation

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Living Lab at the University of Sunderland, City Campus

The university has five academic departments, responsible for teaching and learning, academic development and research, and working with partners in business and industry.

The faculties are supported by a number of service departments responsible for a wide range of activity such as student welfare and accommodation and includes teams with responsibility for managing the university estate, financial matters, and human resources.

  • Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing: Nursing, Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Psychology
  • Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries: Creative and Performing Arts, Design, Dance, Drama, Music, Journalism, PR, Film, Media, Cultural Studies, Fine Art, Glass, Ceramics, Photography, Radio, TV, Video, New Media
  • Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism: Accounting, Business, Management, Law, Tourism
  • Faculty of Education and Society: Education, English, Health Studies, History, Social Sciences, Combined Subjects
  • Faculty of Technology: Computing, Engineering

The North East England Mining Archive and Resource Centre (NEEMARC) is a major archive for mining related data and includes health and safety information, legal records, technical reports and trade union records. NEEMARC is situated within the Special Collections Room of the Murray Library.[40][41]

Academic profile

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Rankings
National rankings
Complete (2025)[42]75=
Guardian (2025)[43]33
Times / Sunday Times (2025)[44]105=
Global rankings
THE (2025)[45]1201–1500

According to The Complete University Guide League Tables 2019, the University of Sunderland was ranked 99th out of 131, an improvement on the previous year in which the university was ranked 102nd out of 129.[46]

The university was recognised by The Guardian as England's best new university in 2001. In 2005 it was named by The Times Higher Education Supplement as the top university in England for providing the best student experience. It was one of six universities to be short-listed for 'University of the Year' in the Times Higher Education Supplement Awards 2012.[47]

Research

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The University of Sunderland entered 13 "units of assessment" (subject areas) into the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014). In 10 of these, some of the research was classified as "world leading" (4*). All 13 areas had research graded "internationally excellent" (3*). The subjects, and the fraction of research graded 4* and 3* were: Pharmacy (7%, 44%); Computer Science (0%, 14%); Engineering (2%, 22%); Business (2%, 2%); Law (0%, 5%); Social Work (3%, 27%); Education (5%, 11%); Sports and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism (3%, 16%); English (7%, 25%); History (6%, 28%); Art and Design (5%, 36%); Music, Dance, and Performing Arts (0%, 32%); and Media (25%, 38%).[48]

Overall, 6% of research was classified as "world leading" and 26% as "internationally excellent", with the university having an overall GPA of 2.12. Sunderland ranked 115th in the Times Higher Education REF 2014 table (down from 104th in 2008), ranked by GPA.[49] The university ranked 103rd in The Guardian/Research Fortnight REF 2014 power table (down from 84th in 2008).[50]

Student life

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Sunderland Students' Union

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Clubs and Societies Fayre

The University of Sunderland Students' Union is an independent education charity, led by three sabbatical officers who run the Union and are elected into the roles by their peers for a period of one year. The sabbatical officer positions are made up of: President: Education, President: Wellbeing and President: Activities. They are joined by five lay Trustees to make up the Trustee Board.

The Students' Union is responsible for offering support and advice to students, leading campaigns and being the voice of the student body. The Students' Union's mission is to make all its members' University experience valuable for life. All students enrolled on a course at Sunderland University are automatically members of the Students' Union.

Sport

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The university's Institute of Sport organises training events, courses and other sporting activities for students, staff and the local community.

There are over 50 clubs and societies in 2018/19. Users have access to the £12m CitySpace building on the City Campus, which features a climbing wall, fitness suite, physiotherapy and injury centre, sports hall, multi-purpose suite and spectator seating.[51]

Rowing

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The University of Sunderland Boat Club is affiliated to British Rowing (boat code USN)[52] and won the women's double sculls title at the 2004 British Rowing Championships.[53]

SportsByte

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Launched in September 2011, SportsByte is a journalism, news, and multimedia publication dedicated to covering a wide range of sports at all levels of competition across the City of Sunderland, the North East, and Globally. With a press team of over 150 student and community reporters, SportsByte is the largest sports-dedicated news and media publication in the North East of England, and is among the biggest in the UK. Within six months the website had spread its coverage to over thirty different sports and activities, and published three digital magazines. In spring 2012 SportsByte was shortlisted for the National Union of Students National Student Journalism Awards Best Student Media award.

Spark Sunderland

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Spark Sunderland is a student-led community radio station. The station was awarded a full Community Radio licence in 2008 from Ofcom. The station launched in October 2009 and broadcasts 24/7 from its base, The David Puttnam Media Centre, located at the St. Peter's University campus. It has a long heritage, through student programming on Wear FM and then temporary licences under the Utopia FM name between 1997 and 2008. The station is operated by a team of student and community volunteers.

Spark has been successful in regional, national and international radio awards. The station itself has now won 3 awards as Best Student Radio Station in the New York Radio Awards where students have also gained awards for Radio Drama, Radio Documentary and Entertainment. Former volunteers are now working for BBC Radio 1, Capital FM and other BBC and commercial Broadcasters.

Notable alumni

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For a complete list, see Category:Alumni of the University of Sunderland.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Who's working in HE?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  3. ^ Academic Colours Sunderland University Academic Dress
  4. ^ "Our Campuses". University of Sunderland. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  5. ^ Johnson, Michael; Potts, Graham (2013). The Architecture of Sunderland 1700-1914. Stroud, Gloucs.: The History Press.
  6. ^ Hudson, Briony; Boylan, Maureen (2013). The School of Pharmacy, University of London : medicines, science and society, 1842-2012. London: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-407665-5. OCLC 862423985.
  7. ^ Sunderland Technical College Education Prospectus for 1967–1968
  8. ^ "Our History". University of Sunderland. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  9. ^ Hale, Dean (2 November 2006). "Lord Puttnam to step down as Chancellor". AblogUS – University of Sunderland blog. University of Sunderland. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008. Lord Puttnam has been appointed to the post of Chancellor at the Open University, and will step down from his role of Chancellor at the University of Sunderland following the July 2007 awards ceremonies. When Lord Puttnam presides over his final degree ceremony in July 2007, it will mark ten years since his appointment as the University of Sunderland's first Chancellor.
  10. ^ "Lord Puttnam is appointed Chancellor of The Open University" (Press release). Open University. 3 October 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2006. Speaking about the appointment, Lord Puttnam said: "Having enjoyed an incredibly fruitful decade as Chancellor of the University of Sunderland, I'm delighted to have been offered the chance to make a similar contribution to the institution that most clearly mirrors my own academic journey."
  11. ^ "Steve Cram named new Chancellor" (Press release). University of Sunderland. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008. Steve has a strong relationship with the university, going back 25 years, so he was an obvious choice for Chancellor. In 1983 Cram received his sports studies degree from Sunderland. Three years later the former 1500m world record holder was back at the university to receive an Honorary Fellowship for his outstanding contribution to sport. In 1994 he became Honorary President of the University of Sunderland Alumni Association.
  12. ^ "Emeli Sandé MBE installed as Chancellor". University of Sunderland. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  13. ^ "Medicine". University of Sunderland. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Our new Vice-Chancellor". University of Sunderland. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Announcing our career-focused curriculum". The University of Sunderland. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  16. ^ a b c Message from VC Childcare Centre Closing.pdf. (n.d.). Google Docs. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://drive.google.com/file/d/147olOdZmHm1jsrUZatgNTW5djr0oy2Fa/view?usp=sharing&usp=embed_facebook
  17. ^ FOI23240914 VC Salary and Expenses.pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/vice_chancellor_salary_and_expen_155/response/2445307/attach/html/2/FOI23240914%20VC%20Salary%20and%20Expenses.pdf.html
  18. ^ "New City Centre home being explored for reimagined National Glass Centre".
  19. ^ I hoped to become a glass artist, but the university’s decision has left me shattered. (2024, April 11). Sunderland Echo. https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/people/artists-letter-to-university-of-sunderland-over-course-closure-thats-further-nail-in-glassmaking-coffin-4584954
  20. ^ Game-changing £250 million investment for University of Sunderland. (2023, February 6). University of Sunderland. https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/more/news/story/game-changing-250-million-investment-for-university-of-sunderland-2043
  21. ^ I hoped to become a glass artist, but the university’s decision has left me shattered. (2024, April 11). Sunderland Echo. https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/people/artists-letter-to-university-of-sunderland-over-course-closure-thats-further-nail-in-glassmaking-coffin-4584954
  22. ^ "Changes to glass and ceramics programming".
  23. ^ Message from VC Restructuring.pdf. (n.d.). Google Docs. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FQOKlq-3KBPKloDpof-2X8v4QShFdSE0/view?usp=sharing&usp=embed_facebook
  24. ^ Joint Statement. (n.d.). University of Sunderland. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/more/news/university-news/2024/sunderland-ucu-unison-joint-statement/
  25. ^ University working with unions to “avoid compulsory redundancies” after jobs shock. (2024, October 8). Sunderland Echo. https://www.sunderlandecho.com/education/university-of-sunderland-working-with-unions-to-avoid-compulsory-redundancies-after-jobs-bombshell-4815276
  26. ^ Union warns University of Sunderland considering 76 redundancies. (2024, September 30). Sunderland Echo. https://www.sunderlandecho.com/education/union-warns-university-of-sunderland-considering-76-redundancies-with-jobs-going-by-christmas-4803297
  27. ^ University of Sunderland threatens to make more than 1 in 10 academics redundant. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/13740/University-of-Sunderland-threatens-to-make-more-than-1-in-10-academics-redundant
  28. ^ Foster, A. (2024, September 30). Dozens of Sunderland university staff facing redundancy. Chronicle Live. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/sunderland-university-staff-redundancies-students-30040213
  29. ^ Pro Vice-Chancellor. (n.d.). University of Sunderland. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/more/news/university-news/2024/pro-vice-chancellor/
  30. ^ a b Increase of parking fees at Sunderland Campus @ University of Sunderland Students’ Union. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/thestudentvoice/increase-of-parking-fees-at-sunderland-campus
  31. ^ Calls to stop Sunderland University parking charge rise. (2024, May 23). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd1108q9ee9o
  32. ^ FOI24250901 Reserved Parking.pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/cost_of_reserved_parking_spaces/response/2765556/attach/html/2/FOI24250901%20Reserved%20Parking.pdf.html
  33. ^ "New City Centre home being explored for reimagined National Glass Centre". 12 January 2023.
  34. ^ "Changes to glass and ceramics programming". 22 March 2024.
  35. ^ "Sunderland University's new £8.5m science complex opens". BBC News. 16 February 2011.
  36. ^ "Accommodation". Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  37. ^ "Canary Wharf campus for Sunderland University". journallive. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  38. ^ a b http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/londoncampus/ Archived 21 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine University of Sunderland London Campus
  39. ^ "University of Sunderland in Hong Kong". University of Sunderland in Hong Kong.
  40. ^ "The NEEMARC Collection – University Library Services". Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  41. ^ "Mining for Family History and NEEMARC University Library Services". Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  42. ^ "Complete University Guide 2025". The Complete University Guide. 14 May 2024.
  43. ^ "Guardian University Guide 2025". The Guardian. 7 September 2024.
  44. ^ "Good University Guide 2025". The Times. 20 September 2024.
  45. ^ "THE World University Rankings 2025". Times Higher Education. 9 October 2024.
  46. ^ "Top UK University League Table and Rankings". Complete University Guide.
  47. ^ "Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019". Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  48. ^ "REF 2014 results". REF 2014. 31 August 2018.
  49. ^ "REF 2014 results: table of excellence" (PDF). 18 December 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  50. ^ "University Research Excellence Framework 2014 – the full rankings". The Guardian. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  51. ^ "Clubs & Teams". University of Sunderland. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  52. ^ "Club details". British Rowing.
  53. ^ ""The Results Service." Times, 19 July 2004, p. 28". The Times. 19 July 2004. p. 28.
  54. ^ "Andy Ogle UFC Profile". Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  55. ^ "Personal Information". www.parliament.scot. 30 June 2016.
  56. ^ "Robin Storey". discogs.
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