Founded in 1901, the University of Sunderland is proud to provide truly life-changing education to students locally, nationally and globally. Here are some of the reasons why students choose to study online with us:
About us
Key benefits
- Flexible online degree courses
- 5 star rating for teaching, inclusiveness, employability and facilities*
- Top 30 UK University**
- Option to pay per module
- 8th in the UK for social inclusion***
*QS World University Rankings 2023
**Guardian University Guide 2026
***The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
A global University
At the University of Sunderland, we have nearly 6,000 international students, 37% of our total student population, and 1,500 students studying online from locations across the world. We’re in the top 10 universities in Europe and 2nd in the UK for International Student Diversity (QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024). This reflects our leading credentials in transnational and distance learning as well as our significant expertise in how to both teach online and to ensure that our students have the best possible student experience. With a community of 25,600 students around the world, the networking opportunities that studying with this global University provides are endless.
World-leading research
The quality of the research at the University of Sunderland has been recognised in the latest Research Excellence Framework, which rated our research as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’ (REF 2021). What’s more, unlike many universities, all of our researchers also teach at the University, meaning that our research excellence is fed directly back into our teaching. The University of Sunderland was rated TEF Silver for teaching, the second-highest rating that can be awarded (TEF 2024) and a 5-star rating for teaching in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Leading student support credentials
The north-east of England is known as one of the friendliest regions in the UK, and that is reflected at the University of Sunderland. From being 7th in the UK for social inclusion (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024) to being a member of the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter, the University of Sunderland offers the best possible experience to students from a range of backgrounds, both in-person and online.
A clear focus on employment
Many of our courses are recognised by industry and our close relationships with leading industry partners mean that our academic content is developed with a clear focus on the real world of work. Many of our courses are recognised by industry and our close relationships with leading industry partners mean that our academic content is developed with a clear focus on the real world of work.
Top 40
UK University
UK University
(Guardian University Ranking 2025)
1st in the North
East for teaching quality
East for teaching quality
(The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
70% of university research
rated as ‘world-leading’ or
‘internationally excellent’
rated as ‘world-leading’ or
‘internationally excellent’
(Research Excellence Framework 2021)
8th in UK
for social inclusion
for social inclusion
(The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)