Best Student Accommodation in Sunderland, United Kingdom

Sunderland is located on the east coast of the UK near Newcastle and Durham. The coastal location creates an atmosphere that’s charming yet cold. With a rich and diverse lifestyle ranging from city, coast, and countryside vibes, international students living in Sunderland love the charm and the close community of this vibrant city. Sunderland is famous for its ports, trades and diverse community. Known as a trading coal and salt centre, the town has a past of being the capital of shipbuilding in the world, also known as the "Largest Shipbuilding Town in the World". It is an ideal destination for sea lovers with a wide range of beaches all over its coast.

Facts About Sunderland

Sunderland, the ship-building capital of the world, has plenty of interesting things to offer. Before going to Sunderland, there are plenty of unique and lesser-known facts about Sunderland that you’d enjoy learning about. There are several cities that go by the name of Sunderland across the world, including one in Canada and one in the United States of America. The city has plenty of famous landmarks and monuments, including one of Sunderland's most famous landmarks, Penshaw Monument, which is actually a mini version of the famous temple of Hephaestus in Athens. 

Did you know the first police box in England was in Sunderland? The idea was brought over from the United States and the first box came to life by the hands of the Chief Constable, Frederick Crawley in Sunderland in 1923. Sunderland is also a big city in music, which is a slightly lesser-known fact about the city, however, several top hits in England did, in fact, originate in Sunderland. Additionally, Sunderland is known for its glass industry and for being one of the world’s first cities where stained glass first came to be. 

There are several areas that students choose to call home in the city of Sunderland. Close to both the universities and the city centre, students can take their pick from a number of Sunderland neighbourhoods. Some of the best places to live in Sunderland and where students can find affordable and comfortable Sunderland student accommodation include Jesmond, Garth Heads, Fishergate York, and Quayside. 

Here are some of the best places to book Sunderland student accommodation:

Jesmond

This is a lavish and luxurious area of the city that is mostly known for its busy social life and vibrant nightlife. Students who book their student accommodation in Sunderland in this neighbourhood benefit from having access to everything they need all the time while remaining close to transport links and university campuses. 

Garth Heads

This is the ideal place to live if you are attending any of Sunderland’s prestigious universities and institutions. It is also a short walk away from the city centre, making it even more desirable for students. Booking Sunderland accommodation in this area allows students to live in a quiet neighbourhood while maintaining proximity to the hustle and bustle of the city centre,

Quayside

This is a busy Sunderland neighbourhood with lots of gatherings and places of interest that attract students to live in the area. If you book student accommodation in Sunderland in this neighbourhood, you will find plenty of affordable and good options that are close to your university of choice. 

Casita has several options for student accommodation in Sunderland for students to choose from. These options are fully furnished and come with all the necessary amenities that help students have a better stay. The location of most of the following buildings is close to the city’s universities and institutions. Here are some of the top options for Sunderland accommodation offered by Casita!

Manor Bank

This Sunderland accommodation offers a wide range of room options for students to choose from based on their varying needs and preferences. Rooms at Manor Bank come fitted with big comfy beds with under-bed storage, bedside tables, wardrobes, and study areas with desks and chairs. They also come with private bathrooms with showers, washbasins, and toilets. Manor Bank has a quiet communal study space and a common lounge for you to socialise with your flatmates. There’s also an outdoor social space where you can enjoy warm afternoons.

St James’ Point

As one of many options for Sunderland student accommodation, St James’ Point allows students to choose from a range of rooms and pick whichever one fits them the most. All room types at St James' Point Roost include a small double bed, under-bed storage, a study desk and a chair, a wardrobe, and a chest of drawers. The facilities at this Sunderland student accommodation include high-speed Wi-Fi, contents insurance, on-site laundry facilities, on-site staff 24/7, bike storage, a spacious communal lounge, a social calendar, an outdoor area, and a study room.

Magnet Court

This student accommodation in Sunderland provides students with a wide variety of room options to choose from. All rooms at Magnet Court come with a big comfy bed with under-bed storage and a bedside table, a wardrobe, and a study area with a desk and a chair. You will also get your private bathroom with its shower, toilet, and washbasin. The facilities at this Sunderland accommodation include a quiet communal study room and a common room with comfy sofas as well as ping pong and pool tables.

Mansion Tyne

This student housing in Sunderland has several room types for students to choose from throughout their stay. All rooms at Mansion Tyne mainly come with the following essentials: a private en-suite bathroom, a small double bed, ample storage, and a study area. This Sunderland accommodation is mere minutes away from the University of Sunderland and it comes with a useful set of amenities, including a common room, a cinema room, and an outdoor area.

The View

The View is a Sunderland student housing offering a wide variety of fully-furnished room options for students to choose from. All rooms at this Sunderland accommodation come with large comfy beds, stylish fitted furniture, wardrobes, workspaces, and contemporary en-suite bathrooms with showers. The View houses a variety of stylish social spaces including a quiet study zone and a modern games room.

Sunderland is considerably affordable for students to live and study there. The average living costs in the city are approximately £675 per month, excluding rent, and including basic expenses like groceries, food, transportation, and even entertainment and leisure. Below is a table illustrating the expenses you’re expected to pay as a student in Sunderland in detail. 

Getting around the city of Sunderland is an easy feat due to the variety of accessible and affordable transportation links available throughout the city. The Sunderland transport options include economical, green, luxurious, comfortable, and eco-friendly options. 

Metro: Moving around Sunderland is easy as Tyne and Wear Metro lines cover the whole city and connect it to the neighbouring areas. 

Bus: There are bus routes that extend to each part of the city, so you can be anywhere in no time. There are also several bus stops close to your university campuses as well as your choice of Sunderland student accommodation.

Bike: There are routes dedicated to bikes for those who love to move around lightly. This is an affordable and eco-friendly way to move about in Sunderland and enjoy the scenery while you’re at it. 

Walking: Getting around Sunderland on foot is also a viable option to take into consideration when exploring the city or getting to class in the morning.

Sunderland is a renowned student city whose reputation is constantly on the rise and is home to thousands of both local and international students. International students often choose Sunderland as their study destination, and rightfully so! This is mainly due to the high quality of education offered at Sunderland’s various universities, colleges, and higher education institutions, its proximity to Newcastle, the vibrant student life in the city, and the multiple options for student accommodation in Sunderland that students can take their pick from. 

Besides the United Kingdom, which contributes the largest number of students in Sunderland universities, students flock to the city from other countries in Europe, including Spain, France, Germany, and Greece among others. Some students also come from countries like the United States of America and Canada. Additionally, some students’ home countries are located in Asia and the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, India, China, and Kuwait among others. 

Sunderland is a student-friendly city, not only because of its world-renowned universities and higher education institutions but also because of its vibrant atmosphere and busy nightlife. There is always something for students to do and places for them to visit while in Sunderland. The city’s coastal location also allows you to enjoy a number of waterside activities and destinations. You won’t have a dull moment in the city, whatever your interests may be! 

Events in Sunderland

Several events and festivals take place in Sunderland throughout the year. These feature everything from history and culture to art and entertainment and everything in between. Here are some of the events in Sunderland that we think you should check out!

1. Sunderland Food & Drink Festival - June

This is an event in Sunderland that’s all about trying different cuisines and getting exposed to various cultures through food and drink. This event includes stalls and pop-ups with cuisines from as far afield as the Caribbean, Europe, and Afghanistan, as well as a range of local producers. Additionally, live performances are available at this festival as well for your entertainment. 

2. Summer Streets Festival - July

Community arts and music festival Summer Streets is a free family event in Sunderland with a lineup of engaging performances and interactive activities for everyone to enjoy. There are usually big performances from several artists and renowned musicians that take the stage at this festival. 

3. Sunderland Shorts Film Festival - August - October

This is one of the most famous events in Sunderland and one that creates the most buzz every year. Since 2015, Sunderland Shorts has been dedicated to providing unmissable film experiences for film fans and filmmakers alike. 

Sunderland has a number of diverse attractions and destinations that you should absolutely check out during your time there. These attractions in Sunderland are fit for all interests, including history, architecture, art, natural scenery, culture, science, entertainment, and so much more. Here are some of the must-visit Sunderland attractions!

Roker & Seaburn Beaches 

These award-winning beaches are a Sunderland staple; they are great spots for fun water activities.

Hylton Castle

This is a notable Sunderland attraction located in the North Hylton area. This stone castle was originally built from wood and then later rebuilt with stone in the 14th to 15th centuries. 

The National Glass Centre

People who enjoy culture and art, specifically glass artwork, usually enjoy their time at The National Glass Centre. 

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

This museum has vast collections of artefacts depicting the local and natural history of the area. 

Sunderland has a number of notable learning institutions and top-ranked universities and colleges whose high quality of education attracts both local and international students. Casita has a variety of Sunderland student housing facilities near the city’s universities; check them out below!

University of Sunderland

• There are over 20 Sunderland student accommodation options available within a short walk or ride from the university.

• There is a subway station as well as several bus stations surrounding the campus.

• The famous Keel Square is a 10-minute walk away and the National Grass Centre is a 30-minute walk. 

City of Sunderland College

• There are several options for student homes in Sunderland that are only 15 to 25-minute ride by public transport.

• Several bus stations are right next to the college.

• Barnes Park is right next to campus and Roker Lighthouse is a short ride away.

The city also presents an ideal destination for students who intend to study in Newcastle. Newcastle is only a short train ride away, with famous universities like Northumbria University, Newcastle University, and Newcastle College available.