University Metro station


University is a station on the Tyne and Wear Metro, serving the University of Sunderland, and the west of Sunderland. The station joined the network in March 2002, following the opening of the extension from Pelaw to South Hylton.
The station is located on the alignment of the former Penshaw branch of the York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway, the line having closed to passengers in May 1964, following the Beeching Axe.
University is the nearest station to the University of Sunderland's City Campus, with the campus located about north east of the station. The University of Sunderland is also served by the station at St. Peter's – this being the nearest to The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St. Peter's.
Along with other stations on the line between Fellgate and South Hylton, the station is fitted with vitreous enamel panels designed by artist, Morag Morrison. Each station uses a different arrangement of colours, with strong colours used in platform shelters and ticketing areas, and a more neutral palate for external elements.
The station was used by 228,608 passengers in 2017–18, making it the fifth-least-used station on the Wearside extension.

Facilities

Step-free access is available at all stations across the Tyne and Wear Metro network, with ramped access to both platforms at University. The station is equipped with ticket machines, waiting shelter, seating, next train information displays, timetable posters, and an emergency help point on both platforms. Ticket machines are able to accept payment with credit and debit card, notes and coins. The station is also fitted with smartcard validators, which feature at all stations across the network.
There is no dedicated car parking available at the station. There is the provision for cycle parking, with 6 cycle pods available for use.

Service and frequency

University is served by the, which operates between South Hylton and Airport, with an end-to-end journey time of 64 minutes.
Services from platform 1 operate towards South Hylton, with the first train departing at 05:49. Services from platform 2 operate towards Airport, with the first train departing at 06:07. Trains run frequently across the network, at intervals of up to every 12 minutes, and every 15 minutes, with the last trains departing at around midnight.
Journey times from University are: