vocational subjects. Their focus was applied education for work and their roots concentrated on engineering and applied science, they also created departments concerned with the humanities.
As a polytechnic, Sunderland created the first part-time, in-service BEd (Bachelor of Education) programme in the country.
=== University status ===
After the passage of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, the polytechnic gained university status.
Lord Puttnam became the university's first Chancellor in 1998. The Sunderland Empire Theatre was the regular venue for the graduation ceremonies, although they have been hosted at the Stadium of Light since 2004. In July 2007, he stepped down to become the Chancellor of the Open University.
On 23 May 2008, the university announced that former Olympic athlete Steve Cram had been appointed as Chancellor and would be officially installed at a ceremony on 27 June 2008. Cram received his sports studies degree from Sunderland in 1983. Three years later the former 1500m world record holder received an Honorary Fellowship for his outstanding contribution to sport. Singer and songwriter, Emeli Sandé was officially installed as the University of Sunderland's Chancellor on 10 July 2019 during the university's summer Academic Awards.
In 2018, it was announced that Sunderland was to host one of five new medical schools established under a UK government initiative to increase the number of training places for doctors. The medical school opened in September 2019.
On 24 September 2018, Sir David Bell became Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland.
== Current Operations ==
In January 2020 it was announced that the university would withdraw courses in history, politics, modern languages and public health courses, and research in those fields, due to reduced student demand.
=== Childcare Centre ===
It was announced on 18 September 2024 that St Mary's Childcare Centre based at City Campus will close permanently on 23 July 2025 as part of cost-saving measures. The …
