Illustration and Design - BA (Hons)

University of Sunderland

The transport is regular and free (on the bus) with an ID card. As I often have to travel between campuses this is a life saver. The uni is also right next to the shopping centre so it's super easy to pop out for lunch without worrying about being late. Everyone is super friendly which helped me as I get lost a lot but someone was always willing to help me find my class during first year

Facility: The University of Sunderland offers excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art labs, well-equipped libraries and modern learning spaces. The sports facilities and technological access are top-notch, enhancing both academic and recreational activities. Location: The university is a bit far from city life, but it is well-connected by a metro station that runs directly from Newcastle to the city campus. Despite having two campuses, which can be a bit inconvenient, the university offers a free bus service to cover this distance. Student Support: The student support here is excellent. They offer a lot of services that are crucial for staying in university, including financial aid, wellbeing support, and help for international students. This support system is very comprehensive and helpful. Campus Look and Feel: The overall look of the campus is not particularly exciting; it feels more like an office building. However, both campuses have a consistent theme inside. While having two campuses can make it harder to feel unified, the St. Peter’s Campus has a very nice atmosphere and gives off a cozy vibe. Student Life: There are many activities and events happening on campus, including community spaces where students can gather and game nights that are great for international students like me. These activities make university life much easier and more enjoyable. Overall: I think the University of Sunderland is a very good place to study. It is affordable and convenient, with easy travel to Newcastle via the metro and all the essential resources provided by the university. The people here are also nicer compared to a famous city like London, which I find crowded and busy, and also a bit scary due to the higher crime rate. Here, you will get a friendlier and more easy-going vibe.

There is so much on offer, the support you get is great. There’s always something in place to fit your needs. If you have something going on in your life that affects your studies, no problem the lecturers are at hand tailoring things for your needs and helping you to get through your course.

The disability team are incredible, and I love my lecturers. They’re so supportive and kind, and take my wellbeing seriously. I feel like I can go to them with any problem I have and have it resolved. The building I’m in is usually cold, the heating rarely works but I’m allowed to customise my workspace however I like, so I have cosy slippers and a fluffy hoodie kept in an ottoman under my desk to keep me warm. There aren’t many themed student nights, particularly for alternative students. I’d love to see an emo/punk night and a kpop night so I wouldn’t have to travel for them. The SU is clearly trying to improve the student experience but not any students know what the SU is aside from them hosting Freshers events so they’re not very active. This means they can’t do as much as they want to. My course content is great, I feel like I’ve progressed a lot as an artist, researcher, academic, and a person. I feel like I’ve been prepared for the workplace and life after university really well and I know that the university can support me when I graduate as well.

What I would like to say about university is that since coming here I finally feel like I’m in an environment that’s healthy for me. The teachers are excellent when it comes to supporting me with my disability, I truly feel like I belong.