Embarking on a career in medicine is a profound journey, one that demands not only academic prowess but also a profound sense of empathy, resilience, and ethical understanding. The MBChB honours degree stands as the threshold through which aspiring doctors must pass, ensuring they possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and professionalism before advancing to further training. Central to this journey is the meticulous admissions process, where candidates undergo a series of assessments designed to gauge their suitability for the rigors of medical practice.

At the University of Sunderland, this journey begins with the pivotal interview stage. Employing the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, Sunderland scrutinizes candidates' abilities across various domains, from their motivation for pursuing medicine to their capacity for effective communication and comprehension. Through a series of succinct one-on-one stations, candidates are evaluated on their empathy, insight, awareness of ethical dilemmas, and aptitude for handling the responsibilities and challenges inherent in a medical career. Moreover, a 30-minute online numeracy test further probes into candidates' quantitative skills, ensuring they possess the necessary proficiency for success in their medical journey.

The Process - The MBChB honours degree is designed to ensure you meet the necessary standards in terms of knowledge, skills and professionalism that all new doctors should have as they embark on further training

The Interview –

Sunderland conducts MMIs examining a range of skills and aptitudes. These will be in a traditional 1:1 short station format:

Motivation for medicine Empathy and insight

Responsibilities & challenges of a doctor Awareness of ethical issues in health Resilience

Comprehension Effective communication

You will also complete a 30 minute online numeracy test before the interview.

Work Experience - They want to see that you understand what a career in medicine involves. Work experience, and other related experiences, are only as valuable as the way you talk about them. Needs to show that you are people-focused, attitudes towards being a doctor and a realistic understanding of Medicine.

Exams? –

GCSE

5 subjects at grade A (7) with a minimum of grade B (6) in Maths, English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

A Levels

AAA.

Must include biology or chemistry & another science subject. A Level grades must be achieved in one sitting. Resits accepted in some circumstances

Statistics –

• Applicants- 394
• Interview invites- 291
• Offers given- 274
• Chance of success post-interview- 94%

How Important is the Personal Statement? - Not used. There is a Roles and Responsibilities form that needs to be filled out as part of the application process which enables us to make an initial assessment of your non-academic achievements and aptitude for a career in medicine.

UCAT Scores - Scores must be within top 8 deciles of the cohort and situational judgement test (SJT) must be within bands 1-3.

Minimum score in 2020 – 2300

Minimum score in 2021 - 2540

https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/help/school-of-medicine/mbchb-medicine/