(Pictured right): Sir David Bell, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University.

University of Sunderland announces “game-changing” £250m investment

Today, the University of Sunderland has announced it will be investing £250m over the next 10 years to transform the facilities enjoyed by students at its campuses in Sunderland and London.

This investment is a major step-change in the University’s ambitions, building on the £75m already invested on facilities in the last five years. It reflects the institution’s “financial strength” and is aligned to Sunderland City Council’s “bold” programme of regeneration across the city.

In the first phase (2023 to 2027), the University will invest around £100m to undertake a major redevelopment of its St Peter’s campus on the riverside in Sunderland, home to the Faculties of Technology; Arts and Creative Industries; Business, Law and Tourism; and Education and Society.

This investment will create a new library and student centre, providing innovative study facilities to support learning and teaching. This will be followed by investment in education and research facilities, in the key growth areas of computer science and engineering, as part of the University’s commitment to further its work in STEM.

Investment on the St Peter’s campus will support the growth in student numbers in the University’s business-related programmes by creating a new International Business School. In addition, there will be significant external environmental improvements which will enhance the ‘look and feel’ of the campus.

The first phase will also include a multi-million investment in the University’s London campus. This will include a new location in Canary Wharf at the heart of the capital’s financial district, and investment in student and staff facilities.

Phase two will build on previous investment in health and health-related innovation at the University’s City campus, including the development of the Sunderland Health Innovation Zone, and a new sports ground.

Sir David Bell, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University, commented: “This investment reflects the standing and confidence of the University as it seeks to fulfil its life-changing purpose. It reflects too the transformational change that is taking place in the city of Sunderland, making it a great place to study, live and work.

“Alongside that, a new campus building in London will support the outstanding work we do in the capital, building on more than a decade of growth there.

“Students and staff will benefit from state-of-the art facilities in both Sunderland and London, enhancing our strong reputation for high-quality learning and teaching, and our society-shaping research and knowledge exchange activity.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily