Thinking about going to uni in Sunderland? Our guide breaks down what it's like living in the city for students, with answers to all your burning questions.
Updated: 28 Jan 2026
So you're moving to Sunderland for uni? Very exciting, you’ll be studying in a seaside city in one of the UK's most friendly northern locations. The city has has miles of sandy beaches, centuries of history to uncover, plenty of student entertainment and a top uni amongst it all! It’s hard to know where to start looking, but don’t worry. We’ve written the following guide to living in Sunderland as a student, to introduce the fundamentals of being here, and share with you some of our favourite tips for student living.
There are too many bars and restaurants in Sunderland that we could recommend, so here are a couple of our favourites.
The Mad Hatter is a restaurant with great brunch and dinner options. Gatsby bar and restaurant can be found close to the Sunderland uni campus, and offers drinks deals, and weekly special dishes. They show live football matches and have a room upstairs for dancing.
Speaking of football, the Stadium of Light is the home ground of Sunderland AFC, and hosts regular top-flight matches as well as live music stadium gigs. Keep an eye out for what’s on and soak in the atmosphere of 50,000 people singing along.
NEXT: Read our list of the top 10 student things to do in Sunderland.
Sunderland offers a great night out, with a mix of historic pubs, contemporary bars, and a variety of evening entertainment including film, theatre, live music and performance.
Check out Fitzgeralds, known as Sunderland’s ‘most popular pub’ which is a regular haunt of students and has a large beer garden for those sunny summer months. Another of our top picks is The Point, a three-venue event space with loads of different parties and events to enjoy. From live music to themed parties and performances, there’s always something new and exciting for you to discover here.
In Sunderland, a pint of beer costs an average of just £4, which makes it affordable to have a big night out without the bill to match. Eating out is affordable too, at around £60 for a two-person dinner date and with a huge variety of cuisines to choose from. If you love fish and chips then you’re in luck. Sunderland’s coastal location makes it a hotspot for fresh seafood, so follow your nose and find the best catch of the day.
Accommodation will generally be in university-owned halls of residence which in Sunderland are refreshingly inexpensive, starting at just £88 per week for self-catered housing. They offer a student-friendly environment and the contract includes all utilities bills, Wi-Fi and contents insurance.
Renting privately is also pretty affordable, and a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs £1,000 per month on average, which works out at around £333 per person.
If you live in halls during your first year, then you’ll be easily able to walk to class, and around the local area. For travelling around the city, you can use Sunderland’s local bus network which makes it easy to get around at a convenient and affordable rate. A single ticket costs just £2.30, and a monthly bus is around £57.
The Tyne and Wear Metro service is a rail network which makes it easy to explore the region around Sunderland, in a faster and more streamlined way than by using buses. Newcastle Airport is only 15km away, which means you are well connected to the rest of the UK, and Europe too.
Once you’ve paid your annual tuition fees, the main monthly university expenses you can expect to budget for include accommodation, transport and food.
Let’s take a closer look at food, as we've already covered accommodation and transport. Students spend an average of around £146 a month on grocery shopping. Food costs in Sunderland are generally lower than in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Durham which is good news because you’ll be able to make your food budget go a little further. Sunderland has a wide range of low-cost supermarket options, including chains such as Aldi, Lidl and Costcutter. They are easily accessible to students, so if you plan ahead, you can easily keep grocery costs down to a manageable amount. Pick up a supermarket loyalty card to gain points and extra benefits.
As well as these essentials, remember to keep some budget aside for entertainment and university supplies. After all, you’re in Sunderland to further your education and have new and exciting experiences, so make the most of it while you’re there!
NEXT: Find out more about the cost of living in Sunderland.
There are a few things unique to Sunderland, which as a student there, you’ll have plenty of time to explore and enjoy.
Roker and Seaburn beaches are two local spots which have been popular for decades, thanks to their wide open beaches, soft sand and seaside attractions. It’s a great place to visit with mates, to relax, have an ice-cream and maybe even a quick dip in the water if you’re feeling adventurous!
Once a major centre of industry and commerce, Sunderland has a rich heritage of shipbuilding and glassmaking. There are many museums, galleries and cultural institutions to visit, and students are able to get concession tickets for many of these places at a reduced rate. Check out the National Glass Centre, a fantastic museum which offers hands-on events and regular glass-blowing demonstrations for free.
The University of Sunderland is the main education hub in the city and its only university. It's home to over 28,000 students and offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The uni is known for its research credentials, and publishes world-leading and internationally excellent work.
You can be assured you’ll be learning from some of the best minds and educators in the country and you’ll have a lot of fun while doing it! Sunderland uni has a lively social scene with lots to get involved with.