You get one of the cheapest places to study in the UK, with beaches within the city itself and campuses close to the centre and the river. Newcastle and Durham are minutes away when you want more.

• The University of Sunderland's City and St Peter's campuses are close to the centre and the river.
• Roker and Seaburn beaches are within the city itself.
• It is one of the cheapest places to study in the UK.

Nightlife centres on the city centre and around Ashbrooke near campus, and the seafront is the go-to on sunny days. For bigger nights, Newcastle is a short Metro ride.

• Nightlife centres on the city centre and around Ashbrooke near campus.
• The seafront at Roker and Seaburn is the go-to on sunny days.
• The Studcasa Sunderland group helps international students find their feet.

Sunderland sits at the low end of the UK cost band, so rent and daily life are cheap. A regional travel card and local chippies keep spending down.

• Budget around GBP 700-1,100 a month, at the low end of the UK band.
• A Nexus Pop card gives cheap Metro and bus travel across Tyne and Wear.
• Local markets and chippies keep everyday costs down.

Ashbrooke is the leafy, classic student area near campus, with cheaper rooms in Millfield and the city centre. Roker and Seaburn suit those who want to live by the sea.

• Ashbrooke is the leafy, classic student area near campus.
• Millfield and the city centre are cheap and central.
• Roker and Seaburn suit those who want to live by the sea.

The Metro links Sunderland to Newcastle and the coast, with trains to Durham and Middlesbrough. A regional smartcard is the cheapest way to travel.

• The Tyne and Wear Metro (Green line) links Sunderland to Newcastle and the coast.
• Northern trains run to Durham and Middlesbrough; Stagecoach and Go North East cover the buses.
• A Nexus Pop card is the cheapest way to tap on.

The University of Sunderland is the main host, with strengths in nursing, media and automotive engineering. Terms follow the usual UK calendar.

• The University of Sunderland is strong in nursing, media and automotive engineering.
• Terms run late September to June.

Since Brexit, EU citizens no longer have free movement, so most non-Irish students need permission to study. For an exchange of up to six months you can often come under the Short-term study route or simply as a Standard Visitor, depending on your nationality and course length. For a full year you will need a Student visa sponsored by your host university.

What applies depends entirely on your passport, so confirm with the university and official UK government guidance early. The Student visa needs a CAS reference from your uni, proof of funds and usually the immigration health surcharge, so budget both time and money for it.

• Exchange under 6 months, often Standard Visitor or Short-term study
• Full year, Student visa with a CAS from your uni
• Irish citizens, no visa needed under the Common Travel Area
• Budget for the immigration health surcharge on longer visas

North East staples and seaside chippies are the everyday food, and the city's glassmaking heritage is a point of pride. Football is at the heart of local life.

• Try a stottie, pease pudding and seaside fish and chips at Roker.
• The National Glass Centre celebrates the city's glassmaking heritage.
• Sunderland AFC at the Stadium of Light is at the heart of local life.

The city runs from leafy Ashbrooke to the riverside campus and the seaside districts. Each offers a different balance of price and setting.

• Ashbrooke for a leafy, student-friendly base.
• St Peter's and the riverside for campus convenience.
• Roker and Seaburn for beachside living.

The North East's cities, coast and castles are all close, with Edinburgh an easy bigger weekend. Seaham's sea-glass beach is a local gem.

• Durham is about 15-20 minutes and Newcastle about 20 minutes by Metro or train.
• Seaham's sea-glass beach is about 15 minutes down the Durham Heritage Coast.
• Northumberland's castles and Edinburgh (about 2 hours) make great weekends.

A travel card pays off from day one, and the beaches are a rare perk to use often. Mind the local football rivalry when you pick your colours.

• Get a Pop card on arrival for the cheapest travel.
• Make the most of the beaches; few UK universities have them on the doorstep.
• Mind the Tyne-Wear football rivalry when you pick your colours.