Clair described her time at Sunderland College as life-changing, career-building and character-building. She decided to return to education after 20 years to study the Access to Higher Education course and progress to her dream career within social work.

She said:
“I decided to study at Sunderland College as the course met my needs and worked round my other commitments.

The college was conveniently located with easy transport links. The staff were very supportive and encouraging.

The best thing about the course was that there were specific modules, all appropriate to social care. The modules were broken down into manageable areas of work and linked to one another.

The atmosphere was great. While the college was generally busy, there was always areas appropriate to study in. The facilities were excellent and met all student needs.

I wanted to study social work and as I did not have A-Levels, I chose to undertake the Access course to allow further progression to study a social work degree.

I cannot give enough praise to the staff within the college. As a mature student returning to study after almost 20 years out of education, I was terrified! The staff helped with the transition of leaving work and becoming a student and were always at hand to support with not only academic, but personal issues too.

If anyone is considering choosing Sunderland College as a place of study I cannot recommend it enough! Sunderland College made it possible for me to study a social work degree.”

Clair is now in her first year of a social work degree.

Student success stories

Maths and English for a Successful Future

Maths and English are everywhere! They are important life skills that will help you to achieve your best in your studies and to progress to your dream career. A GCSE Maths and English qualification could be the difference between being accepted onto a university course or getting a job promotion.

98% of our students progress to a positive destination

*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).

Why choose Sunderland College?

Our achievement rates are well above the national average.

We are the College of the Year.

(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)

100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study. 

(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)

We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.