Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, friends, charitable organisations and staff, the University of Sunderland is able to make available a number of scholarships to our students and recent alumni. A scholarship – also knows as a bursary- is financial support that you don’t need to pay back and is non-means tested.

** Please see individual programmes for updated closing dates**

Get up to £3000

Futures Fund

Futures Fund provides 3 unique scholarships supporting Experience, Excellence and Employability up to £3000.
- Experience Scholarship - Open to Home/EU and Overseas students, all levels*
- Excellence Scholarship - Open to penultimate year UG Home/EU students
- Employability Scholarship - Final year students/graduates up to 3 years post graduation.

This programme is currently open to applications.

Get up to £5000

Santander Education Award

Our partner, Santander Universities UK, will award six full-time undergraduate or postgraduate student from University of Sunderland £5,000.

This programme is currently open to applications.

Get up to £12,500

The Sir Tom Cowie Sunderland Award

Two scholarships of £12,500 available to full time, UG penultimate year students studying in the disciplines of;

Business*
Primary/Secondary Education
School of Art and Design subjects

Engineering*
Music*

This scholarship is currently open to applications.

Get up to £750

The Mary & Brian Archer Experience Awards

The University is the recipient of a generous donation providing up to four awards annually of £750 supporting opportunity and experiences enhancing student study.

This scholarship is currently open to applications.

Get up to £1000

The Richard Studham Ceramics Scholarship

Funded by Emeritus Professor, Richard L Studham, this programme will award one scholarship of £1,000 to a successful student studying MA Visual Practice: Ceramics.

This scholarship is currently open to applications.

Get up to £3000

The Douglas Clasper Award - FESCI

Funded by Honorary graduate, Mike Clasper in memory of his father Douglas Clasper, this programme will award one annual scholarship of up to £3,000 to a talented scholar studying in the Faculty of Education, Society and Creative Industries.
Open to Level 2/3 students.

This scholarship is open to applications.

Get up to £1000

The Art & Design Global Challenges Scholarship

Up to five £1,000 scholarships per academic year available to students studying Creative Arts related subjects* at Level 2 and above. This programme is open to Home/EU/OS students studying full or part time at Sunderland Campus.
*see specific criteria for subjects supported.

This scholarship is currently open to applications.

Get up to £1500

Hope Winch Benevolence Scholarship

A £1,500 scholarship available to current undergraduate pharmacy students (Level 2 and above) who may be experiencing serious financial challenges impacting upon their academic potential. Available to Level 2 and above Home/EU/International*.

This scholarship is currently open to applications.

Get up to £1000

The Robson Art & Design Masters Award 2025-26

Three £1,000 scholarships to support students undertaking Master's level study beginning September 2025 in the disciplines of Design or Visual Practice.

This scholarship is closed to applications.

Mike Davies Scholars 2025

The University is the recipient of a generous donation to support up to six first-year students embarking on a 'maker' course of undergraduate study within the School of Art and Design.

This programme is closed to applications.

Get up to £1000

Sunderland Robson Art & Design Scholarship

There are awards of £1,000 available to eligible students.

This scholarship is closed to applications.

Get up to £5000

Chancellor's Scholarship

Funded by the current University's Chancellor, Leanne Cahill. The Chancellor’s scholarship provides additional support for students looking to explore a career in retail. There is one cash award available annually of £5,000. In addition, funding is available for work experience placement actitivy and work shadowing experiences up to the value of £3,000.

This scholarship is closed to applications.

Development & Alumni Office | +44 (0)191 515 3664 | alumni@sunderland.ac.uk