About the university
The University of Sunderland began as Sunderland Technical College in 1901 and became a university in 1992. It now teaches almost 29,500 students across Sunderland, London, Hong Kong and partner institutions in 16 countries.
In Sunderland it has two campuses. City Campus hosts health sciences, including the Schools of Medicine and Nursing, as well as art and design. The riverside Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's is home to business, law, tourism and media, including the David Puttnam Media Centre.
Indian students mostly look at its computing, business, project management, pharmacy and public health master's courses. The 2027/28 international fee for most full-time taught master's courses is £19,000, and the Global Leaders Scholarship can cut this by £5,500 for students from eligible countries.
Sunderland is a coastal city in North East England, close to Newcastle. The university describes it as one of the most affordable places to live and study in the UK, and many university rooms cost around £100–£140 a week with bills included.
- Roots
- Sunderland Technical College opened in 1901; Sunderland Polytechnic gained university status in 1992
- Type
- Public university
- Total students
- Almost 29,500 in 2025/26 across Sunderland, London, Hong Kong and partner institutions; 15,960 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 54% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 13.6 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Campuses
- City Campus and the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's in Sunderland, plus campuses in London and Hong Kong
- Intakes
- September or October and January or February for many courses
Rankings
THE World University Rankings 2027
1401–1600 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
=68th of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
MSc Data Science with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Fee / year
- £19,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- January 2027; September 2027
- English
- Most courses need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0; check the course page's international requirements
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time (Applied route with placement also offered)
- Intakes
- January 2027; September 2027
- English
- Most courses need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0; check the course page's international requirements
- Postgraduate
MSc Computing (for non-computing graduates)
- Fee / year
- £19,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time (Applied route with placement also offered)
- Intakes
- January 2027; September 2027
- English
- Most courses need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0; check the course page's international requirements
- Postgraduate
MSc International Business Management
- Fee / year
- £19,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- October 2027; November 2027; February
- English
- Most courses need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0; check the course page's international requirements
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,000
- Duration
- 15 months full time
- Intakes
- January 2027; September 2027
- English
- Most courses need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0; check the course page's international requirements
- Postgraduate
MBA Master of Business Administration
- Fee / year
- £20,500
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- October 2027; February
- English
- Most courses need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0; check the course page's international requirements
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- October 2027; February
- English
- Most courses need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0; check the course page's international requirements
- Postgraduate
MSc Digital Marketing and Analytics
- Fee / year
- £19,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- October 2027; February
- English
- Most courses need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0; check the course page's international requirements
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science with Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 1 year full time | £19,000 | ≈ ₹23.2 lakh |
| MSc Cybersecurity | 1 year full time (Applied route with placement also offered) | £19,000 | ≈ ₹23.2 lakh |
| MSc Computing (for non-computing graduates) | 1 year full time (Applied route with placement also offered) | £19,000 | ≈ ₹23.2 lakh |
| MSc International Business Management | 1 year full time | £19,000 | ≈ ₹23.2 lakh |
| MSc Project Management | 15 months full time | £19,000 | ≈ ₹23.2 lakh |
| MBA Master of Business Administration | 1 year full time | £20,500 | ≈ ₹25 lakh |
| MSc Finance and Management | 1 year full time | £19,000 | ≈ ₹23.2 lakh |
| MSc Digital Marketing and Analytics | 1 year full time | £19,000 | ≈ ₹23.2 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Sunderland with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Full-time on-campus undergraduate, MPharm and taught postgraduate, 2027/28 entry
Global Leaders Scholarship
Value: £5,500 off a £19,000 taught master's (you pay £13,500); £6,000 off undergraduate fees (you pay £12,500); £1,000 off the MBA and Applied courses
Eligibility: New international students from eligible countries who have not yet paid a deposit. Applied automatically with your offer; subject to availability. Not for foundation, EAP or pre-master's courses.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Taught and research postgraduate, starting 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2028
Postgraduate Alumni Discount
Value: 20% off tuition fees
Eligibility: University of Sunderland graduates, including those who studied with a global partner. Applied automatically.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Applicants should hold the equivalent of at least two UK A level passes; the university assesses each international qualification individually.
- Students with qualifications equal to one or two years of a UK degree may be considered for entry into Year 2 or 3.
- Apply directly on the university website, through an agent or through UCAS (institution code S84).
Postgraduate
- Most master's courses ask for a UK 2:2 honours degree or an international equivalent.
- Some courses need a related first degree: computing for MSc Data Science with AI and MSc Cybersecurity, engineering for MSc Engineering Management. MSc Computing is designed for graduates from non-computing subjects.
- International students pay a non-refundable £3,500 deposit before a CAS is issued; the rest of the fee is paid in instalments.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree certificates and transcripts (with English translation if needed)
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- English test score
- Personal statement and two references
- Financial statements for the visa application
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | UKVI and non-UKVI IELTS Academic accepted. Most courses need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0; scores vary by course, so check the course page. |
| Other tests | LanguageCert and Oxford International Online Digital are among the qualifications accepted. |
| Medium of instruction | A letter confirming you were taught in English may be accepted depending on where you apply from; confirm with the immigration compliance team. |
| Pre-sessional English | Six-week pre-sessional course (£1,100) for students with IELTS 5.5, bringing you to the IELTS 6.0 level needed for most courses. |
Accommodation and living costs
University residences in Sunderland include bills (gas, electricity, water, internet and contents insurance) in the rent, with 40-week or 50-week contracts. First-year undergraduates who apply by the deadline are guaranteed a room.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Panns Bank standard room£4,160 for 40 weeks or £5,200 for 50 weeks | £104per week | ≈ ₹12,688 |
| The Precinct standard room40- or 50-week contracts | £107per week | ≈ ₹13,054 |
| Scotia Quay en suite (standard or river view)£6,550 to £6,850 for 50 weeks | £131–137per week | ≈ ₹15,982 – ₹16,714 |
| Money you must show for the Student visaOutside London, for up to 9 months, as shown on GOV.UK in October 2026 | £1,171per month | ≈ ₹1.4 lakh |
Campus and location
Sunderland's two campuses sit in the city: City Campus near the centre and the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's on the banks of the River Wear.
- City Campus hosts health sciences, including the Schools of Medicine and Nursing, plus art and design.
- St Peter's Campus is home to business, law, tourism, education and media, including the David Puttnam Media Centre with TV and radio studios.
- The university is a Cisco Networking Academy, and computing modules use industry-standard equipment.
- Separate campuses in London and Hong Kong have their own courses and fees.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Several master's courses offer an Applied route with a placement, and many projects are sponsored by outside clients. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa: 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates who apply from 1 January 2027.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate visa length for applications from 1 January 2027 | 18 months (bachelor's and master's) | GOV.UK |
| International students as a share of all students | 54% | THE World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in the UK
Photo: Hampshire County Council, OGL 3 PublicUniversity of Southampton (official website, opens in a new tab)
Southampton, United KingdomOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI
Photo: DrPhoenix, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicThe University of Manchester (official website, opens in a new tab)
Manchester, United KingdomOften chosen for Engineering, Business & Management, Life Sciences
Photo: Tim Green from Bradford, CC BY 2.0 PublicUniversity of Leeds (official website, opens in a new tab)
Leeds, United KingdomOften chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: Diliff, CC BY 3.0 PublicUniversity of Glasgow (official website, opens in a new tab)
Glasgow, United KingdomOften chosen for Life Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Law
Photo: Oscar Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicCoventry University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Coventry, United KingdomOften chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: Simonham, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicUniversity of Birmingham (official website, opens in a new tab)
Birmingham, United KingdomOften chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Law
FAQs
How much is a master's at Sunderland for 2027/28?
Most full-time taught master's courses cost £19,000 for international students in 2027/28, and the MBA costs £20,500. The university confirms your exact fee in your offer letter.
Is there a scholarship for international students?
Yes. The Global Leaders Scholarship takes £5,500 off most taught master's fees and £6,000 off undergraduate fees for 2027/28 entry, for students from eligible countries. It is applied automatically; ask the international office to confirm your eligibility.
When can I start?
Computing and engineering master's courses usually start in January and September. Business courses such as the MBA and MSc International Business Management start in October and February.
What IELTS score do I need?
The university says IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) is the level needed for most courses, but requirements vary. Check the international requirements on your course page. A six-week pre-sessional course is available if you have 5.5.
Is accommodation expensive?
No. University rooms in Sunderland start at around £104 a week with bills included, and en suite rooms at Scotia Quay cost £131 to £137 a week.
Sources
- University of Sunderland: MSc Data Science with AI (opens in a new tab)
- University of Sunderland: MSc International Business Management (opens in a new tab)
- University of Sunderland: postgraduate fees (opens in a new tab)
- University of Sunderland: undergraduate fees (opens in a new tab)
- University of Sunderland: scholarships and bursaries (opens in a new tab)
- University of Sunderland: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- University of Sunderland: pre-sessional English (upper intermediate) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Sunderland: Scotia Quay accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- University of Sunderland: about the university (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University of Sunderland (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Student visa – money you need (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Graduate visa (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.sunderland.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details