Benefits of working here

Staff Card

The University staff card allows staff to access a range of benefits and discounts both on and off campus, including access to the free campus bus and use of the University library.

The staff card can also acts as a contactless key for out-of-hours access to buildings (or certain rooms and floors).  If in discussion with your line manager you identify that this is a requirement for you then you will need to apply for this via the out-of-hours access form.

Please note that you are encouraged to have a Staff Card but carrying the card is not mandatory unless you wish to access associated benefits. Some Faculties or Service may make local arrangements to use the staff card as a form of identification, for example in a lanyard.

Benefits of the staff card include:

• Identification whilst on campus;
• Key card to get through security doors, where applicable;
• ID to enable access to free use of the Connect and Student Union Campus Bus services, park and ride service at the Stadium of Light;
• Library Card for all University libraries, enabling you to borrow up to 20 items, reserve and renew items using the Library Catalogue, and use the library 24/7;
• University of Sunderland Students’ Union (USSU) membership gives discounts in many Sunderland outlets such as Accessorize, Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Esquires Coffee House, HMV and Waterstones.
• Staff discounts, including CitySpace fitness suite discounted rates;
• Photocopier / Multi-Functional Device (MFD) roaming access.
• CitySpace discounted membership - Purchase membership of the CitySpace fitness suite at subsidised staff rates.

To get a Staff Card you need to be a member of staff currently employed by the University of Sunderland, and you need to upload a passport-style photo of yourself. New staff can upload a photo as soon as you have started your job, activated your account and changed your password.

You will need your staff number and your NI Number (both from your payslip) to login to this website. The photo will be automatically generated (by an external bureau) and sent to you at the same time as your next payslip (around the 20th of the month).

For more information see the Staff ID Card Policy.

Staff Benefits L-Z

Learning and Development

• As a University we take great pride in supporting our staff to learn and develop.  We offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities for staff to continue to learn and develop whilst working here, including training and courses.

Library facilities

• The two University libraries - St. Peter's library and Murray library offer a wide range of reading material for both its staff and students. As a member of staff you are entitled to join the library from the first day of your employment, free of charge.  Our staff card also acts as your library card.  You will be entitled to borrow items, reserve and renew items using the Library Catalogue and use the library 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Read about the University libraries.

National Glass Centre

• Located on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's, with views across the River Wear, the National Glass Centre is home to our internationally renowned glass and ceramics programmes. University staff can become a Friend of the NGC at a discounted rate by salary deduction.

Metro Travel Discounts

• Corporate Metrosaver Travel Pass at a discounted rate, allowing free travel across the entire Metro Network seven days a week. It is also valid on the Shields ferry and the Newcastle - Sunderland rail line.  (Also see our Train Travel discounts from Northern Rail below, and the Bus Travel discounts from Stagecoach above.)

NUS Card

• In addition to the USSU membership that comes with our staff card, employees are also eligible to apply for an NUS (National Union of Students) card and associated discounts.

Occupational health support

• We employ our own internal Occupational Health Adviser, offer counselling and other forms of support to our staff.  We believe that a safe and healthy working environment contributes to the health and wellbeing, motivation, job satisfaction and performance.

Pay and Grading Structure

• We have a generous and fair pay and grading structure that meets principles of equal pay.

Pension schemes

• Our main occupational pension schemes are generous Defined Beneift schemes with pensions based on a clear formula using your salary and length of service.

Relocation Assistance

• Where stated in the job advert, we offer targeted assistance with relocation from outside the North East of England area (this only applies to exceptional roles where we have identified a need to attract applicants from beyond the region): Relocation Assistance Policy and Procedure.

Salary sacrifice schemes

• We offer salary sacrifice schemes that provide tax and NI savings.

Sport facilities

• We have world-class sporting facilities available on campus in our flagship £12m City Space building, with subsidised rates for staff.

Train Travel Discounts

• Northern Rail annual season ticket for rail travel through monthly salary deduction. (Also see our Metro discounts above.)

Wagestream

• Salaried staff on our Sunderland campus can opt to receive some of their monthly pay earlier in the month, before the normal pay date, using the Wagestream app.  This is not a loan or credit; there is no credit check, and no interest rate.  It’s your pay, early.  It can help staff who find it difficult to budget over the month or who need money for an emergency.  For more information see: Your Pay.
  
  

Wellbeing support

• We run regular wellbeing events.