Sunderland University Student Guide
So, you are going to be a student in Sunderland, and wondering how best to get around the region?
Public Transport is safe, affordable and easy way to get to where you want to go.
If you have never been to the region before here is a few of our top spots, that over your course you will either may need to get to, or you must visit!
Use our journey planner to help plan your journey.
Ticket information
Metro
Pop Blue – If you are 21 or under Pop Blue is the easy way to pay for your Metro travel. A single is £1 or all day is £2.20.
Student Metro season ticket – This ticket is available to students with a valid student ID card and gives you at least 31% discount off an adult season ticket. An annual Inner Sunderland ticket is £398 or 4 weeks is £35.70.
Bus
If you are 21 or under, you can travel on buses in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham for £1 single.
For season tickets, look at individual operator websites.
Multi-modal
If you are aged 21 or under, you can get a day ticket for £3 that gives you access to Metro, bus (in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham), the Shields Ferry and Northern train services between Blaydon and Sunderland.
Sunderland Connect
Sunderland Connect is two services, the 700 and 701, that go to spots across Sunderland including the City Centre, Roker Park and University of Sunderland St Peter’s Campus.
For University of Sunderland students and staff who show valid university ID, travel is free.
1. If you are attending University of Sunderland
There are two campuses at Sunderland which are easy to get to via Metro.
The city campus is easy to get to with the Metro station aptly named University and has direct buses.
The St Peter’s Campus is a short 10-minute walk from St Peter’s Metro station. This campus also has its own library.
2. If you are attending Sunderland College
There are three campuses for Sunderland College including City, Bede and HICSA which are accessible by bus or Metro.
For city campus, head to Park Lane Metro station or Park Lane bus station
For Bede campus, there are local buses that take approximately 15-minutes from Holmeside straight to campus.
For HICSA head to St Peter’s Metro station and it is a 5-minute walk to campus.
3. Studying
Looking for some ideal study spots, there are several libraries across Sunderland, all a short distance from bus stops and Sunderland or University Metro stations. Sunderland College also has its own libraries for students. Libraries that are accessible to everyone include:
4. Beaches and seaside
Seaburn and Roker Beaches are the perfect places for walking, cold water swimming, and water sports.
You can get to the coast from Seaburn Metro station, it is about a 30-minute walk or a bus right down to the seafront.
There are also direct buses to the Sunderland Seafront, including E1, E2 and E6.
Find out more in our blog about Wearside Coastal Days out.
5. Parks
Sunderland is full of green spaces for you to enjoy close to campus, easily accessible by bus or Metro. These include:
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Mowbray Park (Closest to Sunderland Metro station) (Or take a bus to Burdon Road)
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Barnes Park (25-minute walk from University Metro station) (Or take a bus directly to the entrance of Barnes Park)
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Roker Park (20-minute walk from Seaburn Metro station) (Or take a bus to Roker seafront)
6. History and culture
Sunderland is rich in culture and history. There are a range of galleries, museums and historical attractions for you to discover. You can even take a tour of Roker Lighthouse (Closest Metro station is Seaburn or a bus to Roker seafront).
Regeneration is also a part of Sunderland and its future, with sites like the Sheepfold Stables (Closest Metro station is St Peters) which has undergone modernisation to bring it back into usage for food, drinks and entertainment.
7. Shopping and entertainment
For shopping days, head to The Bridges shopping centre (Closest Metro station is Sunderland), home to a range of clothes, shoes and other essential shops. For a more extensive choice and an enjoyable day trip, you can take the Metro or bus into Newcastle City Centre ( Head to Monument Metro station or Eldon Square bus station).
Sunderland has an amazing nightlife, with something for everyone. There are some amazing restaurants in the city as well as music and theatre venues.
Head to Seaburn STACK (Closest Metro station is Seaburn) for a fun evening with street food and music. If you enjoy the theatre, there is the Sunderland Empire (Closest Metro station is Sunderland), which often has popular shows playing.
8. Sports and Fitness
If you are a fan of football or just an exhilarating atmosphere, take a trip to the Stadium of Light and watch a premier-league football game, easily accessible from Stadium of Light Metro station.
For those who love action-packed sports, head to Seaburn Metro station or get a bus and walk down to Roker Beach to find Adventure Sunderland, the ultimate water sports hub.
For general gym goers – Sunderland has all the main chains as well as a university gym located on the University of Sunderland City Campus.
