BA (Hons) Counselling (Top-Up)

University of Sunderland

It's a wonderful uni in a good area however this year the uni and union have clearly had some budget cuts but still do what they can

I am based on city campus and while I like a lot of aspects of this campus, I do think it lacks parking facilities. There is not a lot of parking for how many students and staff there are, and parking is around £6 a day for students. Aside from this, there could be a bit more space for taking breaks, eating etc. as a lot of the main areas get very full at peak times such as 12pm. There are a few different locations to sit but as a lot of them get full it’s more difficult in winter as sitting outside is not really an option. Location of this campus is good as I commute and the campus is only 2-3 minutes walk from the metro station, and a minute or so from major bus stops, including free students buses between campuses. Additionally, it’s a less than 10 minute walk to city centre including Bridges shopping centre with many restaurants and shops. Furthermore, it’s around 10 minutes or less to Park lane interchange where a lot of main bus routes go. In summary, it has a lot of nearby facilities and good travel links. There’s also a gym for a very affordable price for students and lots of on campus events which usually happen in City Space. Some examples I’ve seen since the start of the semester are things like a poster sale, vintage clothing sale, christmas market and also activities such as crafts and gaming. The buildings are constantly cleaned and have a lot of nice and modern facilities such as the Murray Health building which is my personal main building. There are a lot of vending machines including general snacks, drinks, and hot drinks. There’s water fountains around for students to fill water bottles, microwave appliances for lunch on campus, and lots of lockers around for storage. Some lockers cost £1 to use while others are free. There are multiple cafes in which you can get hot and cold food, such as the Gateway building or Cityspace. Meals are affordable and prices are clearly marked for students when looking at menus. There are also meal deal options with pastas, cold sandwiches, sushi, onigiri, etc. There are also different soup options through the week which come with bread for a small price. There are lots of private study rooms you can book to get important work done with privacy and quiet. There is also a large library in the Murray building which has lots of spread out spaces to get work done, with plug sockets, wifi etc. The library has a lot of nooks for privacy and small rooms for extra privacy. In terms of accessibility, all buildings have lifts which are accessible to everybody and quick to use. For attendance, students use their cards to tap in on small screen systems in the room making it very quick and easy to track attendance. You can also get an app to fill in any absences or track your attendance. Lecturers are great with communication and often post announcements for students if there are any room changes, updates or assignments. There are also lots of signs around which can point new students in the right direction of their building. To conclude, staff are nice and helpful, facilities are nice and modern and spacious. There could be more seating for students during lunch breaks but generally there is always somewhere to sit. Food is decently priced, with some items on the pricier side, student support is great and easy to access, and there are a lot of areas for storage and plugs to charge devices. The central location of City Campus is also helpful for travel and commuting, and also for shopping and going for food or social events with friends. I would definitely recommend the University of Sunderland to anybody looking for a friendly, modern, and welcoming University.

I like the support and activities offered to the students. I think more information on what to do when hard times fall would be beneficial

Excellent transition into a uni setting,very neurodiverse friendly and plenty of support, could improve with communication

Such an incredible university with lecturers who are passionate about teaching which inspires students. The friendly and inclusive environment on campus is consistent and often enjoy chatting to restaurant, cafe and domestic staff. Sunderland University is such a great place to study.