Sunderland is a port city in Tyne and Wear, England. Situated in a lower range of hills running parallel to the coasts, the city is divided by the River Wear which runs across an incised valley called ‘Hylton Gorge’. Several small water bodies like the Hendon Burn and the Barnes Burn also magnify the beauty of the city. The universities in Sunderland are well-known to be friendly and accommodating since the welfare of students is genuinely taken care of. The University of Sunderland, established in 1901, offers rich and high-quality education and facilities. It is one of the most highly-respected universities in the United Kingdom that merge academic excellence with top-notch student care and support. The average cost of living in Sunderland is also comparatively low and ranges from £970 to £978 per month for students. Housing and commuting are much cheaper when compared to other cities. Here is a guide that compiles the average expenses and gives you an estimated cost of living in Sunderland.
| Item | Expense per month |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | ￡280 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | ￡288 |
| Transportation | ￡55 |
| Food | ￡348 |
| Utilities | ￡163 |
| Groceries | ￡53 |
| Clothes | ￡30 |
| Entertainment | ￡41 |
| Total Cost Of Living With Off-Campus Accommodation | ￡970 |
| Total Cost Of Living With On-Campus Accommodation | ￡978 |
Cost Of Tuition (2023/24)
Tuition fees for most universities vary according to the courses and their duration, and also depend on whether you are a domestic or an international student. For full-time domestic students, fees start from £9,250 per year for three or four-year undergraduate degrees and top-up degrees, and £8,750 per year for foundation degrees. Most part-time tuition fees start from £6,935 for approximately 100-120 credits but they also differ depending on whether the student has applied to a study centre or other partner colleges. International tuition fees, applicable to any students who live outside of the United Kingdom, start from £14,000. These are higher because the UK Government subsidises the cost of university tuition for UK students.
There are certain exceptions for students from the Republic of Ireland, or with EU-settled/pre-settled status, when it comes to international tuition fees, whereas those applying for undergraduate degrees may be eligible for a £1,400 fee reduction. Students can also apply for financial aid in terms of maintenance and educational loans. Most of these have low-interest rates and feasible repayment plans.
Cost Of Accommodation
Rent depends vastly on whether you choose university or private accommodation. On-campus housing usually includes bills for basic utilities like heating, lighting, water, fuel, Wi-Fi and personal possessions insurance, which makes them a much better option comparatively. The University of Sunderland, one of the major and most popular colleges in the city, offers comfortable rooms with fully equipped kitchens and onsite coin-operated laundry facilities. They provide the option to choose who you want to live with, in a single-gender flat, or a single-culture flat. They also have family and couples’ accommodation available, in case the student is accompanied by their partner and children.
The rent of on-campus accommodation is around £288 per month, whereas that of off-campus accommodation is £280 per month. Appropriate budgeting is especially important for students when it comes to accommodation since monthly rent can directly impact the overall cost of living in Sunderland to a large extent.
AXO Sunderland is a student accommodation property offered by UniAcco. Situated in a prime location, students can find a huge number of cafes, restaurants, etc. Transportation is also easily available and provides easy access to all parts of the city. They offer students en-suite rooms, studios, private apartments, and much more. Along with comfortable rooms, several amenities like a kitchenette, study area, wardrobe, lounge area, gaming room, community area and free Wi-Fi are also offered.
Cost Of Transportation
Sunderland is a compact city where travel expenses could be easily minimised. Students can select accommodation within walking distance of the university to save money on commuting. Otherwise, public transport services can also be utilised. The average monthly expense of transportation is around £55.
If you are interested in field trips, a return train ticket to Newcastle is about £6, to Durham is about £9, and to Middlesbrough is about £10. Students can also avail of the ‘Young Person’s Railcard’ which offers an additional discount of 33 per cent.
Cost Of Food
The expense of food depends entirely on the student; however, cooking is the cheapest option out there. Several university accommodations for students have rooms or apartments with fully equipped kitchens, either attached or in common spaces. Students can also visit cafes and restaurants in the city. These usually have great deals and concessions available specifically for students. On average, one can expect a monthly expense of around £348 on food. Similar to housing, food also promptly affects the average cost of living in Sunderland, hence it’s essential to manage your budget wisely.
Cost Of Study Material
Students can utilise books and reference textbooks in college libraries to minimise their expenditure on college adjuncts. Although depending on the courses, you might have to pay for uniforms, lab accessories, or field trips. Second-hand textbooks can also be found in local marketplaces for temporary use.
Cost Of Utilities & Groceries
This expenditure too depends entirely on the standard of living of the person. It includes expenses for groceries, grooming, accessories, toiletries, housing essentials, and basic utilities like electricity, gas and water. Utilities cost around £163 per month, whereas groceries cost approximately £53. However, a lot of places offer student discounts on proper verification.
‘TOTUM’ is both an in-store and an online service which brings all the best UK student discounts from stacks of top national brands. Also approved by the National Union of Students (NUS), it is extremely student-friendly. Knowing what’s important for students is the motive that sits at their core and enables them to make life easier with top deals and saving opportunities that minimize the cost of living in Sunderland and several other places in the United Kingdom. Memberships are available to students aged 16 or over, studying full or part-time in the UK.
Cost Of Entertainment
A blend of city, coast and countryside, Sunderland is an amazing place to explore. Seaburn and Roker are award-winning beaches where the Sunderland International Airshow is hosted every year. Entry on most of these beaches is either free of cost or at negligible charges. The city is also popular for its intensive history and culture. Students can visit the famous Penshaw Monument, the Washington Old Hall, or the nearby Beamish Museum. The city is sprinkled with beautiful parks such as Herrington Country, Hetton Lyons and Roker Park. There are also the sports facilities at Thompson Park and the exotic wildlife at Washington Wetlands. These places have subsidised entry charges for students who are carrying Id cards or similar documents for verification.
The nightlife in Sunderland is also comparatively cheap and abundant. Over the past decade, the city’s nightlife has improved significantly, with several new cafes and pubs. One-pound drinks are common throughout the week, and with drinks as cheap as two for a fiver at The Meeting Place, or U-Student’s on-site bar, there’s little need for students to open their wallet wide.
Cost Of Clothes & Other Miscellaneous Expenses
Miscellaneous expenses include maintenance charges for mobile phones, TV subscriptions, laundry charges and other similar expenses. Shopping for clothes costs around £30 per month. These can be managed directly by efficient choices to reduce the overall cost of living in Sunderland.
FAQs
Q1. What is the average cost of living in Sunderland?
Ans: The average cost of living in Sunderland can range from as low as £970 to £978 depending on expenditure and standard of living.
Q2. Is Sunderland expensive to live in?
Ans: Sunderland is the second most affordable city in the United Kingdom, according to a survey conducted by Prospects Luminate. Living comfortably on a budget is much easier for students enrolled in universities in Sunderland than in other cities.
Q3. Where do students live in Sunderland?
Ans: There are several areas that are affordable and convenient for students in the city of Sunderland. Some of the best places that offer cheap student accommodation include Jesmond, Garth Heads, Fishergate York, and Quayside.
Q4. Is Sunderland good for international students?
Ans: The universities in this city are internationally known for the quality of teaching and research, and for their research-active staff. International learners make up 37 per cent of the total student enrolment, creating a vibrant atmosphere to learn and grow.
Q5. What is Sunderland most famous for?
Ans: A centre for electronic, chemical and paper industries as well as motor manufacturing, it is also known internationally for its high quality and affordable education.
Thank you for reading our guide to the average cost of living in Sunderland! Let us know your queries or suggestions in the comment section below.
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