Coat of Arms
When you graduate from the University of Sunderland you will receive a degree parchment which bears the University of Sunderland's coat of arms.

Understanding the Coat of Arms
The Crest: the ship is a Lymphad (a single-masted ship propelled with sails), reflecting the University's connection with the sea and coal. The Coat of Arms is repeated on the sail.
The Arms: the Mitres (or ceremonial head-dress worn by bishops and abbots) refer to Bishopwearmouth and Monkwearmouth, with St Peter’s keys (which open the gates to heaven).
The Sun: this symbolises the light of learning, and is also a play on word 'Sunderland'.
The Shield: The shield is divided into eight pieces, or 'gyrons'. This shows that the University is made of numerous elements and alludes to our large number of courses.
The Supporters: the gryphon on the left represents wisdom and looking into the future. The lion on the right is a reference to the lions in the Durham Coat of Arms. Sunderland was historically part of County Durham.
The Motto: 'Scientiam Dulce Hauriens', is taken from the closing prayer of the Venerable Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People. It translates from Latin as "sweetly absorbing knowledge".