University of Sunderland: UCAT and Medical Course Entry Requirements (2021 Update)

This article explains the requirements, clinical placement opportunities and rankings of the University of Sunderland’s Medicine degree — find out what they have to offer and what you need in terms of academic achievements, UCAT results and work experience!

In this article on the University of Sunderland,

• Overview of the University of Sunderland
• University rankings
• University of Sunderland courses requiring UCAT
  • Bachelor of Medicine
• Clinical placement information
• NHS Trust Partners

Overview of the University of Sunderland

The University of Sunderland has its roots in St Peter’s Church and monastery school back in 674AD. Today, the river bank surrounding St Peter’s Church is Sunderland’s Sir Tom Cowie Campus. In 1901, Sunderland Technical College was opened, offering “sandwich” courses (Internship placements alongside studies) for engineering students.

In 1992, the University of Sunderland was granted its university status. Today, they have over 20 000 students across their North East coast, London and Hong Kong campuses.

The University of Sunderland offers free accommodation for all first-year Medical students with fully equipped kitchens, on-site laundry, fast internet and self-catering.

They have 4 residences; Panns Bank and Scotia Quay with their riverside views, Clanny House with their spacious surroundings, and the privately managed Forge U-Student Village.

The university of Sunderland also offers a wide variety of societies to join, including academic, arts, musical, religious and volunteering opportunities.

They also have over 30 sports clubs with over 20 sports teams competing in the British Universities and Colleges Sports Leagues each week. University of Sunderland is also home to a 50ml aquatic pool, dry ski slope, tennis centres, watersports centres, rugby and cricket grounds and a fitness suite with over 70 stations (including cardio, strength, flexibility and classes).

Rankings

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University of Sunderland Medical Courses offered that require UCAT

Bachelor of Medicine

Academic requirements:

ATAR:

• N/A – Contract the University for more information.

A-Level:

• AAA

Scottish Qualifications:

• National 5: Minimum 5 subjects at grade A
• Higher: AAAAB
• Advanced Higher: AB

Welsh Baccalaureate:

• A grade Pass in Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma; and
• A*A in 2 full science A Levels; and
• GCSE requirements

International Baccalaureate (IB):

• Overall, 35 points; and
• 3x grade 5 at IB Higher Level; and
• 6, 6, 5 at Standard Level

Prerequisites: 

ATAR:

• N/A

A-Level:

• Biology or Chemistry; and
• A second Science subject from:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Maths or Further Maths or Statistics
• And any third subject
• Note: A pass in the practical element of all A-Level Sciences must be achieved
• Note: There is a list of subjects that are not accepted at A-Level on the University of Sunderland’s website.

Scottish Highers:

• National 5 (Minimim Grade A in 5 subjects) including:
  • Maths (Min B);
  • English (Min B);
  • Biology (Min B);
  • Chemistry (Min B); and
  • Physics (Min B)
• Higher:
  • Chemistry or Biology (A); and
  • Second Science (A)
• Advanced Higher:
  • 2 Science subjects (min AB)

Welsh Baccalaureate:

• Chemistry or Biology; and
• Second Science from:
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Maths or Further Maths or Statistics

International Baccalaureate (IB):

• Higher Level (666):
  • Chemistry or Biology; and
  • Second Science from:
    • Chemistry
    • Biology
    • Physics
    • Maths
  • Third rigorous subject
• Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge (Points are not awarded for these, but they must be completed)
• GCSE English or English Language (Language A) at Grade 6 must be offered
• Note: If Sciences are not taken at Higher Level, then the student must offer Grade 5 at Standard Level or GCSE Grade B.

Entry requirements: 

Acceptance is based on students’ academic results (including GCSE), UCAT results and Roles and Responsibilities form, which examined work experience.

GCSE:

• 5 subjects at grade A (7)
  • Maths (Min B)
  • English Language (Min B)
  • Biology (Min B)
  • Chemistry (Min B)
  • Physics (Min B)

UCAT:

Students who achieve a band 4 in their Situational Judgement Test are automatically unsuccessful for the interviews. Students must also score within the top 8 deciles of the cohort to be considered as an interview applicant.

Roles and Responsibilities form, Personal Statement and Work Experience:

Students who meet the academic requirements will be asked to fill in the Roles and Responsibilities form. They must demonstrate evidence of their:

• Work experience or volunteer work in a health-care setting
  • The university prefers a hands-on role as opposed to simply shadowing or watching another person work
• High level of responsibility, commitment; and
• Motivation to be a doctor and personal qualities that are necessary to work in the healthcare setting.

Application process:

• Students are required to achieve the minimum academic standards covered above
• Students also need to sit the UCAT exam, score a high mark, have a high UCAS tariff and pass the interview section
• Students will need to write a Personal Statement and fill in their Roles and Responsibilities form

Interview criteria and structure:

Note: Due to COVID-19, interviews are taking place online through Microsoft Teams.

Students are selected for an interview based on their academic results, their UCAT scores and their Roles and Responsibilities form.

• Criteria:
  • The interview stations will assess student’s personal skills and aptitudes including:
    • Communication
    • Empathy
    • Understanding of the roles of a health professional
    • Interest and motivation for the medical profession.
  • The Maths tests will examine students’ ability to solve clinically relevant calculations. It is a pass or fail test.
• Structure: The interview will be divided into Multiple Mini Interviews and a Maths test.

Degree facts: 

• The University of Sunderland recently opened a Medical School with the first set of students starting in September 2019
• They are working with Keele University to develop their medical curriculum.

Clinical placement information

In the first two years of the medical programme, students will learn the basics of biomedical, behavioural and social science. They will have some early clinical exposure but will only really begin undertaking clinical placements in Year 3. Year 4 of the programme will continue to add to their clinical experience, and Year 5 will thoroughly prepare students for the role of a Foundation Year doctor.

NHS Trust Partners

• South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust
• Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust