"Mental Health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stressors of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."

World Health Organisation

Being a student can be hard, navigating a new city, moving out for the first time, a new way of learning and new people to meet. Throw in moving to an entirely new country with an unfamiliar language and customs and it can be difficult being an international student!

• Missing home, friends and family
• Adapting to new teaching styles
• Making new friends
• Meeting people in the local community
• Financial difficulties
• Language difference
• Feeling different

You can find more information on our website by clicking here, where we talk about Culture shock, activites available and mental health support. 

Every Wednesday from 7 pm-8 pm our Chaplain Chris Howson hosts the University of Sunderland Friendship Evening!

This takes place at CitySpace: 3 Chester Rd, Sunderland SR1 3SD

This is a social event for all students at UOS to meet and get to know each other. All current and former Sunderland Uni students are welcome to join in. For our international students, this is a great place to learn English, talk with friends, and meet some new unforgettable people!

To get involved just contact Chris.Howson@sunderland.ac.uk for more details. You can read more about Chaplaincy by clicking here.

If you are an international student planning to study at Sunderland University, it is crucial to have received the MMR and MenACWY vaccines before starting your studies. It is strongly advised to check with your doctor in your home country to ensure that these immunizations are up to date. Residents from certain countries may also be required to obtain a certificate confirming that they are free from infectious Tuberculosis (TB) before applying for a visa. To learn more about tuberculosis tests for visa applicants, please refer to the relevant information provided by your local embassy.

It is recommended that you get your vaccinations before leaving your home country, as there may be costs associated with receiving them in the UK. If you have any evidence of your vaccinations, be sure to bring it with you to Sunderland University.

For more information

For more information on accessing healthcare in the UK, as well as details about meningitis and the MenACWY immunization and MMR immunization, please visit the relevant sections on the NHS website.

Additional Information

In addition to the vaccinations listed above, healthcare students may also be required to receive other vaccinations, depending on their specific program of study. For example, students who will be working with children may be required to receive the varicella vaccine (chickenpox vaccine). Students who will be working with patients who are immunocompromised may be required to receive the influenza vaccine (flu vaccine) every year.

It is important to check with your university or program admission team regarding their specific requirements for vaccinations. They will provide guidance on whether you need to receive any additional vaccines and any additional steps you should take to ensure your immunization status.

These websites provide information about the different types of vaccines, the diseases they protect against, and the risks and benefits of vaccination. They also provide information about where to get vaccinated in the UK.

• NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html
• World Health Organization (WHO) website: https://www.who.int/immunization/en/

• Public Health England (PHE) website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) website: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/
• Royal College of Nursing (RCN) website: https://www.rcn.org.uk/
• British Medical Association (BMA) website: https://www.bma.org.uk/

In addition to these websites, people can also talk to their doctor or nurse about vaccinations. They can provide personalized advice about the best vaccines for each individual.