Admissions policy

Admissions Policy and Procedure Academic Year 2026/27

The University of Sunderland’s Admissions Policy sets out how we consider and make decisions on all applications for study. It explains the principles, criteria and processes we follow to ensure applications are assessed fairly, transparently and in line with our commitment to equality of opportunity. This policy supports our academic standards by outlining how entry requirements are applied, how we make offers, and the considerations we take into account when reviewing your application, whether you are applying as a home, international or mature student.

Appendices

Introduction

1. Scope

This policy describes the University of Sunderland’s key principles which clarifies its admissions processes for all on campus and on-line undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

2. Purpose

This policy is the framework for admission procedures relating to University applications. It has been developed by key staff across the University and reflects relevant legislation and current good practice across the higher education sector. The University is a signatory of the Universities UK fair admissions code of practice.

3. Admissions Statement and Key principles

The University of Sunderland is committed to fair access. Individual applicants are considered on their merits, abilities, and potential: regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, sexuality, gender identity, marital status, family responsibilities, political or religious beliefs and affiliations or any other irrelevant characteristics. The University’s admissions policies and procedures are designed to ensure that all applicants are considered fairly and consistently, in accordance with professional standards and the University’s marketing, recruitment and admissions key principles:

4. Principles that the University complies with:

Be open and transparent in all dealing with prospective students.
Be informative and balanced and help prospective students decide if the University is the ‘right fit’ for the student.
Act in the best interests of the student in mind
Make sure that all content and materials used in recruitment and marketing are truthful and accurate.
Be clear about what conditions students must meet and how the University can support.
Offer personalised and tailored support to prospective students.
Respond to prospective students in a timely manner

5. Responsibilities

The Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions Committee (MRAC) has the responsibility to monitor and enhance matters relating to marketing, recruitment, and admissions. MRAC reports to the Operations Board and, as appropriate, the Board of Governors. The Assistant Director of Student Journey is responsible for ensuring:

Admissions processes are clear and up to date.
Staff engaged in admission decisions follow this policy and associated procedures and:
Are competent to make fair judgement.
Are trained to an appropriate standard.
Continuously develop and evolve their practice in line with the sector.
Observe the University’s inclusion and equality commitments. This policy is reviewed and approved by MRAC annually

6. Information for Enquirers and Applicants

The University is committed to providing admissions and course information, which is clear, comprehensive, and accessible. This includes, but is not limited to course duration, modules, and 4 tuition fees. Admissions and course information, including detailed information on entry requirements are available on our subject areas.

The University’s School of Medicine MBChB honours degree has an additional Admissions Policy (Appendix G).

7. Entry Criteria

The University has minimum standard entry requirements for all courses. These entry requirements and typical offers are published annually on the University website for all courses, and on the UCAS website for undergraduate courses. The University reserves the right to amend its entry requirements before the proposed starting point of admission cycle. Amendments will be published on the University website and on the UCAS website for undergraduate applicants. The University considers a wide range of UK, EU, and Overseas qualifications for entry to its courses. The University is committed to giving full and fair consideration to all entry qualifications. Potential candidates should not be discouraged if they do not meet the published criteria. If the University is unable to offer an applicant a place on their preferred choice, it will, where possible, make an offer for an alternative course. Entry Qualifications at Appendix A contains information about the entry qualifications and other requirements the University will consider in assessing applications.

8. Feedback Policy

Applicants who apply via UCAS will receive a brief reason why their application has been unsuccessful via UCAS Track. If an applicant requires further feedback they can make a request in writing within 10 working days of receipt of the decision. All requests should be made to the Student Administration team whose contact details are in section 10 below. Please refer to Appendix G for Medicine feedback. Requests must include the applicant’s full name, address, and application reference number. The Student Administration team will respond with reasons and, where possible, an alternative study choice will be offered. Applicants who wish to appeal against a decision can refer to the Admissions Complaints & Appeals Procedure (Appendix E).

9. Application Process

The application process is dependent on the type of course applied for. The University will seek to process all fully completed applications within a reasonable timescale, adhering to any internal or external constraints.

10. Full-time Undergraduate course

Applications to undergraduate courses must be submitted through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) at www.ucas.com where detailed online help is available. The UCAS institution code for the University of Sunderland is SUND S84.

Applications received by UCAS prior to January 2026 deadline will be given equal consideration. Any forms received after this date but prior to 30th June 2026 will be considered as post January and will be considered for courses with vacancies. Applications received after 30th June 2026 will be considered under the UCAS Clearing System.

11. Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses

Graduates wishing to apply for an initial teacher training qualification should apply through the DfE 5 apply service(opens in new tab).

12. Part-time, On-Line, and Postgraduate taught courses

Applications for part-time, on-line, and postgraduate taught/research courses can be submitted directly to the University using the apply online facility on the appropriate web subject pages.

Admission will be determined by an assessment of the applicant’s ability to contribute to and benefit from their proposed course of study. Individual applications are considered based on the admissions statement and key principles detailed above.

13. Verifying Qualifications

Each applicant’s qualifications must be verified by the University before enrolment is completed. Verification is completed for undergraduate applicants via the UCAS system if the results of their qualifications have been received from the examining bodies. All other qualifications will be assessed by the relevant team during confirmation of offers. As required applicants will be advised how to provide original copies of their qualifications.

Non-UK qualifications which are not in English must be translated.

14. Fraudulent Applications

Should an applicant be found to have submitted a fraudulent application, the University will withdraw their application and inform the relevant clearing house. Applicants have the right to appeal and should follow the Admissions Complaints & Appeals Procedure at Appendix E.

15. Applicant Communications

Applicants who apply through UCAS or DfE will receive notification of the University’s decision via UCAS Hub or DfE. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they have read and understand the conditions of their offer before accepting a place.

Applicants will also receive confirmation of their offer directly from the University via its MyApplication portal.

Applicants may also receive individual and relevant communications from other University departments by email, telephone, SMS, and/or letter.

16. Disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties

If made an offer of a place, applicants declaring a disability will be contacted via email by Student Support Services. This enables applicants to discuss their requirements with professionally qualified advisers to reduce any barriers that might confront them when seeking to study at the University of Sunderland and to provide appropriate support for their studies. Further details of the University’s procedures are in Appendix C.

A decision may need to consider any overriding health and safety concerns, professional body requirements or the University’s ability to make all necessary adjustments. In such instances, cases will be considered on an individual basis.

17. Criminal Records

The University requires some information from applicants with any relevant criminal convictions. The information required, the timing of the disclosure, and the relevance of the conviction relates 6 to the nature of the course. The University recognises and accepts that people with a criminal record are a broad and diverse population. Applicants who have applied for courses in regulated professions (such as teaching, health, social work, or courses involving work with children and vulnerable adults) are required to disclose all criminal convictions including sentences and cautions (including verbal cautions), reprimands, final warnings, and bind-over orders. Exemptions within the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 requires applicants to such courses to disclose all convictions, even if spent.

The University requires all such applicants to declare criminal convictions in order that their suitability to work in a professional environment (which will include suitability to attend any mandatory placements involving work with children or vulnerable adults) can be determined. The University will also identify, assess, and manage any potential risks that conviction(s) may create for others within the University environment.

Applicants to other courses are required to inform the University of any relevant, unspent convictions at the point that they accept an offer of a place. Relevant convictions include those for offences against the person, whether of a violent or sexual nature; and convictions for offences involving unlawfully supplying controlled drugs or substances where the conviction concerns commercial drug dealing or trafficking. Spent convictions (as defined by the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) are not considered relevant and should not be disclosed.

The University requires offer holders to declare their relevant, unspent convictions to enable the University to identify, assess and manage any potential risks that the conviction may create for others within the University environment.

It is important to understand the fact of a criminal record is not an automatic disbar onto any University course, even those which require an enhanced DBS check. Applicants are encouraged to take advice from the regulating bodies in such cases prior to making their application.

It is equally important that applicants with a criminal record understand that being admitted to a course may not automatically enable or permit a graduate pathway into career routes and accreditations. Applicants are encouraged to take advice from regulating bodies and PRBS in such cases.

Further details of these procedures are outlined in Appendix D.

18. Admission of Minors

The University of Sunderland is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all students and has a particular responsibility to safeguard the welfare of students who are under 18 years of age. All applicants must be 18 years of age before the end of their first term of study in the year of their enrolment.

As University facilities are intended for use by adults (aged 18 and over), a parent or legal guardian is required to complete a consent form accepting responsibility to explain this to the applicant and ensuring they understand and will comply with arrangements in place for such. The consent form will be sent to the applicant at the stage an offer from the University of Sunderland is firmly accepted.

Our decision to make an offer may need to consider any professional body requirements or other overriding factors related to the University being able to meet confidently its safeguarding responsibilities. In such instances, cases will be considered on an individual basis.

19. Scholarships and Bursaries

The University has several generous scholarships and bursaries available. For further information please visit our page on scholarships and bursaries.

20. Data Protection

The University complies with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Find out more about our guidance on data protection.

The University of Sunderland is registered as a data controller with the Office of the Information Commissioner. Personal data collected and or processed by the University is held in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

The University collects and holds personal data relating to its applicants and students for a variety of purposes. A detailed privacy notice outlining these purposes and who we are likely to share data with can be found in our student privacy notice.

Applicants should contact the University’s Data Protection Officer if there are specific questions or concerns about the processing of their personal data:

The Data Protection Officer or email dataprotection@sunderland.ac.uk.

21. Freedom of Speech

The University of Sunderland recognises their free speech duties under the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. The Act protects free speech within the law. It does not protect unlawful speech. The Act requires universities, colleges, constituent institutions, and relevant students’ unions to take steps to secure free speech within the law. The University of Sunderland maintains a free speech code of practice and will act within the Code and the legislative requirements.

In relation to Admissions, the University of Sunderland will not revoke an offer of admission to a person on the grounds of that person’s opinions or ideas.

Further, the University of Sunderland shall not admit students or visiting academics because of funding arrangements or other criteria that have the effect of restricting their or others’ free speech or academic freedom within the law. The University of Sunderland will be proactive about checking that those applying to be visiting academics do not pose risks to academic freedom.

22. Admissions during periods of change

The University will be responsive to changes, in advance or at the time, to the type and nature of qualifying examinations, their assessments and the impact of these on awarding body grades and PSRB requirements. The University undertakes to honour changes to UCAS deadlines and dates for actions such as “Reject by Default.”

The University’s commitment to widening access gives it a pedigree in judging potential and other aspects of contextual admissions. This alongside the principles in section 1 above ensure that the University’s approach is inherently flexible and fair. These will continue to be the key principles by which applications will be considered during any further period of Government restriction or in response to unusual prevailing circumstances, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic.

23. Contact Information

Applications to Sunderland Applications to London Post to:

The Student Administration Office

The Gateway

Chester Road Sunderland

SR1 3SD

Email: admissions@sunderland.ac.uk

Applications to London Post to:

Admissions Office

University of Sunderland in London

4 Harbour Exchange Square

London E14 9GE

Date of Issue: Apr 2025 Date Next Review Date: Apr 2026 Approval: Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions Committee Date Author/Owner: Assistant Director, Student Journey (Admissions and Success).

Appendix A - Entry Qualifications and Additional Requirements

The University accepts all UK nationally recognised advanced qualifications for entry and gives equal consideration to academic and vocational qualifications for all programmes of study. The University may also take into consideration skills and expertise gained from work experience or 9 vocational training. The University normally requires three GCSE passes grade C or above, or an equivalent, which must include Mathematics and English Language. This requirement may differ for entry to professional regulated courses which have GCSE requirements. Visit individual programme specifications on our website for further information.

Entry requirements for specific programmes of study are published on the website and, for undergraduate programmes, on the UCAS website.

Published entry criteria will consider as many qualifications as possible but may not be completely comprehensive due to the diverse nature of qualifications. Applicants who are unsure if their individual profile meets our standard entry criteria should seek advice from the Student Administration Team at: admissions@sunderland.ac.uk.

International Applicants

Applications are considered on individual merit. Qualifications are assessed, with careful consideration of other key factors including work experience and educational experience. Guidance and insight about international qualifications is also taken from UK-ENIC.

English language requirements

English language requirements Where an on-campus or UK partner college applicant’s first language is not English, there is an additional requirement to evidence achievement of 6 overall in the International English Language Testing Scheme (IELTS) with each element scores at 5.5 or higher. An alternative approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) may be accepted. Applicants to programmes delivered at transnational centres will be required to demonstrate evidence of 6.0 overall in the International English Language Testing Scheme (IELTS) with all element scores at 5.5 or higher. This may differ for some professional regulated programmes where the requirement may be higher. Please refer to individual programme specifications on our website for further information.

For further information visit our English language requirements.

Additional Requirements: Teacher Training/Social Work/Allied Health courses

Individual courses may also specify non-academic entry requirements or Professional, Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements. This may involve one or more of the following:

Applicants must attend an interview as part of the selection process.
Applicants must complete self-declaration forms about their health and/or conduct.
UK students must obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. For overseas students, a Certificate of Good Conduct from your home police force is necessary.
A Fitness to Practise/Teach information pack will be sent to applicants once they hold a conditional firm offer. These will be reviewed alongside their applications. Applicants must meet the academic and fitness to practise requirements prior to enrolment. These checks enable us to make safer recruitment decisions.

Appendix B - Equality and Diversity Statement

The University of Sunderland values and celebrates the diversity of all its students and staff. Through our policies and practices, we work to ensure that all students and staff are welcome in our community and do not face discrimination regarding any aspect of their identity, such as age, 10 disability, gender (including gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy and maternity), ethnicity (including race, colour or nationality), religion or belief (including non-belief) or sexual orientation.

The University is committed to providing a positive work and study experience for all our employees and students, which includes a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and sexual misconduct. All University employees and students are entitled to enjoy a safe and positive experience at University.

We are committed to fostering a stimulating, supportive and inclusive learning and working environment that is free from harassment and sexual misconduct. We aim to create a culture of mutual respect and support for diversity, underpinned by mutual respect and trust where all students and staff can achieve to their full potential.

We believe that everyone is entitled to work and study in a supportive environment that values and promotes personal dignity. The University is committed to creating and maintaining a positive work and study environment for all members of its community, and as such, it takes all reports of harassment and sexual misconduct extremely seriously. We are an international and multicultural community, which values and encourages diversity. As a public body, the University has a particular responsibility to promote race equality. There is no place for racism or racial harassment of any kind at our University. We will continue to emphasise our values of inclusion and respect, and to take tangible actions to create an inclusive and supportive University community.

Get further information on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within the University.

Appendix C - Code of practice for applicants with disabilities, specific learning difficulties and/or long-term health conditions

The University of Sunderland is fully committed to the principles of Equality and Diversity. We 11 welcome applications from potential students who have or may have a disability. We are keen to ensure that all reasonable adjustments and support can be put in place where appropriate.

When you apply for a course at Sunderland you will have the opportunity to disclose that you have a disability, specific learning difficulty and/or a medical condition. You are not obliged to provide us with this information. However, if you do not, we may not be able to provide you with the level of support and assistance that you require.

Every applicant is advised to familiarise themselves with the demands of a programme, including requirements for field trips, placements, year abroad and teaching, learning and assessment methods.

For further information see our page on disability support.

Context

Where appropriate, Faculties and/or Services will be advised during the admissions process about reasonable adjustments that may be required for individual students.

This document sets out the procedure that ensures the support needs of applicants are given timely and due consideration during the admissions process.

Admissions Procedure

When the University receives an application in which a disability or SpLD has been declared, an email will be sent to the applicant introducing the Student Support Services team
Once a decision has been made and the applicant has firmly accepted our offer, a further email will be sent with additional advice and guidance on any support needs the applicant may have.
Student Support Services will contact applicants should further information be needed once an applicant has contacted the Student Support Services team.

The University offers applicants:

Liaison with professional qualified staff regarding your application.
Information about learning and daily living support and Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
Advice on the accessibility of premises including Halls of Residence.
An early visit to the campus or Halls of Residence can be offered. Applicants wishing to arrange a visit can book a campus tour.

Applicants can expect:

Courteous and helpful staff who will focus on your needs and offer appropriate advice and guidance.
A prompt response to any reasonable query.
Information and guidance about disability and/or health & wellbeing issues related to studying at university and/or living in halls of residence.
Advance notification of any unavoidable changes to an appointment and an acceptable alternative arrangement
That any information, written or verbal, that you have given us about yourself is securely stored and, within legal limitations, treated with confidentiality. Your permission will be asked before any information is passed on to a third party external to the University.
An agreed course of action with a timescale to be undertaken by us.

The University expects applicants to:

Treat all staff and other users of the Student Support Services with courtesy.
To respond promptly or within agreed time scales to requests for information and actions that are requested of you.
Let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend an appointment so that we can rearrange an alternative appointment.

The University of Sunderland continues to work steadily to remove many of the barriers placed in the way of disabled people.

Appendix D - Code of practice for applicants declaring a criminal record

Introduction

The University recognises and accepts that people with a criminal record are a broad and diverse population.

The University requires applicants to professionally regulated courses to declare all criminal 13 convictions to determine their suitability to work in a professional environment (which will include suitability to attend any mandatory placements involving work with children or vulnerable adults), and to identify, assess and manage any potential risks that the conviction may create for others in the University environment.

Applicants to all other courses are required to inform the University of all relevant, unspent, convictions at the point that they accept an offer of a place on a course. Relevant convictions include convictions for offences against the person, whether of a violent or sexual nature, and convictions for offences involving unlawfully supplying controlled drugs or substances where the conviction concerns commercial drug dealing or trafficking. Convictions that are spent (as defined by the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) and are not considered relevant and should not be revealed. The University requires offer holders to declare their relevant, unspent, convictions to allow the University to identify, assess and manage any potential risks that the conviction may create for others in the University environment.

Due to the differences in the information required for applicants of professionally regulated courses, and all other courses, applicants to each will be considered under different processes as set out in this procedure.

For those courses which have admissions procedures that are not managed by the Student Administration Office (e.g. London Campus, short courses, on-line courses), this process applies with a nominated person from the relevant area acting in place of the Admissions Manager.

Principles

The procedures outlined below provide a mechanism to ensure that the wellbeing of the University community is secured as far as is possible without prejudice to its principles of extending access and widening participation. Declaring a criminal conviction will not affect the University’s assessment of an applicant’s ability to meet the academic requirements for admission to a course and it will not usually be an automatic bar to acceptance onto the course or prevent them from taking up their place. All information regarding an applicant’s criminal convictions is highly confidential. However, it may be necessary for the effective discharge of the process for information to be disclosed to relevant parties within the institution.

Process for Applicants to professionally regulated courses

Applicants to professionally regulated courses will be required to disclose their criminal convictions either through UCAS or via a direct application to the University. This information is required for the following reasons:

To determine the suitability of the applicant to work in the professional environment.
The University needs to decide whether an applicant would be able to undertake mandatory work placements as part of the course. Such placements take place within a regulated professional environment and bring students into contact with children or vulnerable people. Some regulatory bodies and placement providers require the University to undertake an assessment of suitability. The University therefore requires applicants to these courses to disclose their criminal convictions, including spent convictions.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

If an applicant accepts an offer of a place on a course at the University, they must obtain a 14 satisfactory enhanced criminal convictions check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check) before they can enrol onto their course.

To identify, assess and manage any potential risks that the conviction may create for others in the University environment.

Due to the diverse nature of the University environment, students meet others who are under the age of 18 or who are vulnerable and to whom the University has safeguarding duties. Therefore, the University requires all individuals who accept the offer of a place on a course at the University to declare certain, relevant unspent conviction to enable a risk assessment to be undertaken. This involves consideration of any risks that the fact of a conviction creates and the extent to which these can be managed. The outcome of this assessment may mean that any offer to study at the University is subject to certain restrictions, or in exceptional cases an offer may be withdrawn. Applications for professionally regulated courses are received by the Admissions Office. The relevant section of the application is checked.

If the applicant is identified as a member of staff, notification will be made to HR in cases where the conviction may also need to be considered through the staffing equivalent of this process.

If an applicant declares no criminal conviction, the application proceeds. If the applicant does not complete this section, their application is flagged and proceeds through the academic decision-making process. If an unconditional offer of a place is made, the applicant will be notified that they cannot enrol onto their course until they have obtained a satisfactory enhanced criminal convictions check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check).

Where a conviction is declared initially the application is flagged and then proceeds through the academic decision-making process. If an offer of a place is made, the applicant is asked for further information within a specified time and informed that their application cannot be processed further until this information is received. If there is no response to this request, the application will be rejected. If you are applying for A100 (Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) Please refer to appendix G.

The application is passed to the University’s Admissions Review Panel for consideration.

The Admissions Review Panel comprises:

Academic Registry (Chair)
Faculty of Health and Wellbeing 3 x Academic Staff
Faculty of Education and Society 2 x Academic staff
Head of Admissions & Student Records and a Admissions Coordinator

Although the applicant may be asked to indicate sources of relevant information (e.g. probation or social worker reports, medical evidence etc.), the responsibility for judging which evidence should be requested and the process of requesting that information resides with the University. The applicant will not be invited to attend the Admissions Review Panel and therefore all evidence must be identified and submitted on request, in advance.

The Panel will consider each application based upon the principles outlined in this document. The reasons for all decisions will be recorded.

The Panel will decide, which may be to proceed with the application, to refuse the application to be considered further, or in exceptional circumstances, to lay down such conditions as it thinks fit for the admission of an individual. If a decision is taken to proceed with an application, Admissions staff will make an offer, accompanied if required by a letter detailing implications for the applicant’s future professional status. If a decision is taken not to proceed, this will be forwarded to Student Administration for a rejection to be made.

In certain cases where a decision to refuse an application is made, an appeal can be made to the Assistant Director of Student Journey via a written submission to the Admissions Team at: admissions.confidential@sunderland.ac.uk within 10 working days of the notification of the decision. An appeal will normally be accepted for consideration only where the applicant submits new evidence.

Process for Applicants to all other courses (not professionally regulated)

Applicants applying for a course that does not lead to professional registration will not be required to declare any criminal convictions unless and until they have received an offer of a place on a course.

The University will therefore consider applications for these courses on academic merit, without consideration of any criminal convictions. If an applicant receives an offer of a place on a course with the University, they will be required to disclose any relevant, unspent convictions at the point that they accept the offer of a place.

Offer holders are required to disclose relevant, unspent convictions in order that the University may identify, assess, and manage any potential risks that the conviction may create for others in the University environment. Due to the diverse nature of the University environment, students meet others who are under the age of 18 or who are vulnerable, and to whom the University safeguarding duties. Therefore, the University requires all individuals who accept the offer of a place on a course to declare certain, relevant unspent conviction for the purpose of a risk assessment being conducted.

This risk assessment involves consideration of any risks that your conviction creates and whether these can be managed. The outcome of this assessment may mean that any offer to study at the University is subject to certain restrictions, or in exceptional cases, an offer may be withdrawn.

On accepting an offer of a place, offer holders are required to pass certain clearance checks using the online applicant portal. This will require the offer holder to disclose any relevant unspent convictions and provide further details of the same.

This policy defines the following convictions as “relevant” convictions:

Any kind of violence including but not limited to threatening behaviour, offences concerning the intention to harm or offences which resulted in actual bodily harm.
Sexual offences including those listed in the Sexual Offences Act 2003
The unlawful supply of controlled drugs or substances where the conviction concerns commercial drug dealing or trafficking (excludes drug offences involving possession only)
Offences involving firearms.
Offences involving arson.
Offences involving terrorism.
Offences involving knives and bladed weapons.
Offences involving imitation firearms.
Human trafficking offences
Any “hate crime” as defined by the Crown Prosecution Service and equivalent offences or findings in other jurisdictions.
Any offence under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (controlling or coercive behaviour) or any equivalent offences in other jurisdictions.

An offer holder need only disclose relevant convictions which are “unspent.” That is, a conviction which is not classified as “spent” under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Act provides for some convictions to be disregarded (“spent”) after a period. Whether or not a conviction is spent depends on the nature of the offence and the sentence imposed. More information is available on the government website.

Offer holders should declare any criminal conviction in the categories above which have been issued in a country outside the UK and which would not 16 be spent had it been imposed in the UK.

Although the offer holder may be asked to indicate sources of relevant information (e.g. probation or social worker reports, medical evidence), the responsibility for judging which evidence should be requested and the process of requesting that information resides with the University. The applicant will not be invited to attend the Admissions Review Panel and therefore all evidence must be identified in advance.

The Panel will consider each application based upon the principles outlined in this document. The reasoning for all decisions will be recorded.

The Panel will decide, which may be to allow the individual to accept their offer of a place, to impose such restrictions or requirements as are considered reasonable to manage the risk, or in exceptional circumstances to withdraw the offer if the risks cannot be managed.

In certain cases where a decision to withdraw an offer is made an appeal can be made to the Assistant Director of Student Journey via a written submission to the Admissions Team at: admissions.confidential@sunderland.ac.uk within 10 days of the notification of the decision. An appeal will normally be accepted for consideration only where the applicant submits new evidence.

If the offer holder fails to complete the self-certification declaring whether they do or do not have a relevant criminal conviction, and meets the academic conditions of their course, they may be issued with an unconditional offer letter and allowed to enrol on to their course subject to accepting the risk that they may be withdrawn at a later date should further information be known at a later date of previous criminal behaviour.

Process for Transnational Education (TNE) applicants

For TNE applicants, the process for confirming declaration of criminal convictions is the responsibility of the TNE partner college.

For non-professionally regulated courses, the University’s TNE admissions team assess the applicant’s eligibility for entry to the programme and issues the offer letter to the partner college. The partner will then confirm whether the applicant has any relevant unspent convictions at the point before they issue the offer to the applicant.

If applicants declare a criminal conviction to a TNE partner college at this point, the partner is required to flag this to the TNE Admissions team at the University who will then manage it through the normal admissions policy.

Appendix E - Complaints and Appeals

The University is committed to providing a high-quality applicant experience. This procedure explains how submissions should be made if you wish to complain or appeal against a decision.

General Provisions

These provisions apply to sections 3-4 below.

Time Limits

Complaints or appeals received more than 10 working days after the decision/event in question shall not normally be investigated. Complaints or appeals received beyond this time limit will be referred to the Assistant Director of Student Journey (Admissions and Success) who will determine if there are reasonable circumstances that prevented the applicant from making a submission within the time limit.

Anonymous Complaints will not be investigated.

Responsibilities of a Complainant

Complaints and appeals must be made in writing to the Admissions team. Submissions must include the complainant’s full name, applicant number and as much detail as possible about the grounds for complaint or appeal, including relevant names and dates. The complaint or appeal will also include confirmation that the complainant consents to the matter being investigated with all relevant parties and to any information disclosed in the complaint or appeal being divulged to those relevant parties.

Confidentiality

Any information which a complainant provides to the Admissions team or any other staff dealing with the matter during an investigation shall be treated as confidential, subject to the need to divulge it to relevant parties during the investigation and subject to any requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Complaints Procedure

The procedure described below shall be followed where an applicant wishes to complain about the administration of the University’s admissions policies and procedures. It should not be used when a complaint relates to UCAS services or procedures. UCAS has its own complaints procedure. Complaints will not be accepted from applicants from outside the UK who do not follow the University’s processes and timescales as required by the UK Visa and Immigration Service.

Initial Investigation

The Admissions team will always attempt to resolve complaints quickly and informally. A Admissions Officer will be allocated to determine whether the complaint discloses sufficient grounds related to the administration of the University’s admissions policies and procedures:

If the complaint does not disclose sufficient grounds, the Officer will explain the reason(s) for this decision in writing to the complainant.
If the complaint does disclose sufficient grounds, the Officer will investigate further, consulting all relevant parties.
When all necessary information has been gathered, the Officer will judge whether the complaint may be resolved at that point, or whether the matter needs to be considered at a more senior level.
If it is judged that a resolution can be achieved, the Officer will put the response in writing to the complainant.
If it is judged that the matter needs to be referred for further consideration, the Officer will refer the matter to a Admissions Manager who will continue the investigation and act as Complaints Officer.

A record of all proceedings will be maintained.

The Complaints Officer will determine the outcome of the complaint.

The outcome may include:

Dismissing the complaint • Upholding the complaint As soon as possible after completion of the investigation, the Complaints Officer will notify the complainant in writing of the outcome and consequential action, if any, to be taken.

1 If the Admissions Manager is the subject of a complaint, the Head of Admissions shall arrange for a senior officer from another part of the University to undertake the Admissions Manager’s role in relation to the complaint.

Appeals Procedure

This procedure will be used where an applicant wishes to appeal against the decision made by a member of the Admissions team or an admissions tutor.

Challenges to the academic judgement of admissions tutors may not form the basis of an admissible appeal.

Appeals against the decisions may only be made on the following grounds:

Failure to apply the relevant policy or procedures.
Bias or prejudice.

Initial Investigation

A Admissions Officer will determine whether the appeal fits within the prescribed grounds.
If it is decided that there are no sufficient grounds to appeal, the allocated Officer will explain the reason(s) for this decision in writing to the complainant.
If it is decided that the appeal does have grounds, the Officer will investigate, consulting all relevant parties.
When all necessary information has been gathered, the Officer will judge whether the appeal may be resolved at that point, or whether the matter needs to be considered at a more senior level.
If it is judged that a resolution can be achieved, the Officer shall put the response in writing to the applicant.
If it is judged that the matter needs to be referred for further consideration, the Officer will refer the matter to a Admissions Manager who will act as Appeals Officer.

A record of all proceedings shall be maintained.

Exceptionally, and where deemed appropriate by the Appeals Officer, the applicant and other relevant parties may be invited to a hearing. Any person invited to attend a hearing may be accompanied by a friend or representative. As soon as is reasonably practicable, the applicant will be provided with relevant case papers. The conduct of the hearing shall be for the Appeals Officer to decide.

The Appeals Officer shall determine the outcome of the appeal.

The outcome may include:

Dismissing the appeal
Supporting the appeal

As soon as possible after completion of the investigation the Appeals Officer will notify the complainant in writing of the outcome and consequential action, if any, to be taken.

Application for Review of Outcome

An application for review of the outcome of a complaint or appeal shall be admissible only on the ground of procedural irregularity on the part of the Admissions Manager, Complaints Officer, or Appeals Officer.

A person wishing to apply for a review of the outcome of a complaint or appeal shall do so in writing, addressing the application to the Head of Admissions using the details in 6 below within 14 days of notification of the outcome of the investigation. The Assistant Director of Student Journey may dismiss an application which does not provide evidence of a case on the specified ground.

If the Assistant Director of Student Journey, having reviewed the original complaint or appeal file and sought any evidence as appears to be necessary to reach a decision, considers there to be grounds for review, the matter shall be referred to the Vice-Chancellor.

The Vice-Chancellor shall determine the outcome of the review which shall be final. There shall be no further opportunities for review within the University.

Contact details:

The Admissions Office

University of Sunderland The Gateway Chester Road Sunderland SR1 3SD

Email: admissions@sunderland.ac.uk

Appendix F - Terms and Conditions

Handbook issued at that time.

The current Terms and Conditions are set out below. These Terms and Conditions may be varied by the University from time to time. Course directories and prospectuses describe courses 20 available from the University of Sunderland (‘the University’).

Every effort is made to ensure that all details are correct at the time of going to press but these may be subject to alteration. Should you become a student at the University, you will receive further documents describing the teaching, examination, assessment, and other educational services (‘the educational services’) offered by the University, including details of fees payable. In the event of any inconsistency between the information contained in a Directory/Prospectus and the information set out in these further documents then the further documents will prevail.

The University will take all reasonable steps to provide the educational services in the manner set out in each Directory/Prospectus and in those further documents. The University does not, however, guarantee their provision. The educational services, courses, facilities, and other arrangements for students described in each Directory/Prospectus are regularly reviewed and are naturally subject to change from time to time, sometimes without notice.

In order to continue to provide high quality educational services to students, the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses and modules, discontinue and merge or combine courses and modules in response to; professional , statutory and/ or regulatory body requirements, feedback from students and/or external examiners , the need to enhance student performance and achievement, changes to the theory in an area of research and/ or changes to the practices around the subject or its delivery. In the event of any changes to courses or modules, or the discontinuation of any course, the University will use reasonable endeavours to help affected students switch to a suitable alternative course or alternative HE provider if they wish to do so.

Liability

The University will not be deemed to be in breach of these Terms and Conditions, or otherwise liable to its students in any manner whatsoever, for any failure or delay in its ability to provide the educational services due to an event beyond the reasonable control of the University. Such an event, for the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, means any cause preventing the University from providing the educational services arising from or is attributable to acts, events, omissions or accidents beyond the reasonable control of the University including, without limitation, strikes, lockouts or other industrial disputes, protests, war or national emergency, an act of terrorism, riot, civil commotion, malicious damage, compliance with any law or government order, rule, regulation or direction, breakdown of plant or machinery, utilities failure, fire, explosion, an Act of God, flood, storm, epidemic or other natural disaster, or default or delays of suppliers or sub-contractors. The University will use all reasonable endeavours to minimise the resultant disruption to those services.

The University cannot accept responsibility and expressly excludes liability for damage to or loss of students' property whilst on University premises or the transfer of computer viruses to students' equipment unless caused by the negligence of the University.

Disclosure of Criminal Convictions

Students are required to disclose any relevant, unspent, criminal convictions (as defined in the University’s Admissions Policy and Admissions Code of Practice for Applicants declaring a criminal conviction), when requested to do so by the University. Disclosure will be required from you when you accept your offer of a place on a course and must be completed before enrolment. If a student chooses not to self-declare they will be required to sign a disclaimer clarifying that if future information is known that they have previous and relevant convictions, then action may be taken which can include being withdrawn from their course. If you disclose a relevant, unspent, criminal conviction to the University, you are required to provide the University with additional information, as reasonably requested, for the University to conduct a suitable assessment of risk.

Upon receiving a relevant criminal convictions disclosure, the University reserves the right to (a) cancel/withdraw the offer, (b) impose conditions or restrictions on you whilst you are at University to the extent that the University considers necessary to manage any risks, or (c) to terminate any contract with you where you have already enrolled on a course, where the risks cannot be appropriately managed.

Students are required to notify the University if they are charged or found guilty of any relevant, unspent, criminal offence after their initial declaration, whether this is prior to enrolment or during their time at University. Failure to disclose a relevant, unspent, criminal conviction may result in disciplinary action by the University and the University reserves the right to terminate the contract.

Where appropriate, registration on a course may be conditional upon compliance with any requirements arising from legislation or regulations made from time to time in relation to the protection of children and vulnerable adults. For these courses, you will be required to disclose information about your criminal convictions and to complete a disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Service which may include the disclosure of spent convictions. You may also be required to submit a Medical Clearance form.

Students should be aware that a criminal conviction may not necessarily be a bar to studying at the University, however the University cannot guarantee that a criminal conviction would not be a barrier to entry in your chosen career or profession. It is the students’ responsibility to familiarise themselves with and to ensure compliance with the requirements of any professional body which they wish to join either before or after graduation.

Students should also be aware that a change in their circumstances whilst studying (e.g. acquiring criminal convictions or certain physical or mental ailments or illnesses) may affect their continued compliance and in such cases should be notified both to the relevant professional body and to the University for clarification.

International students

International students are responsible for complying with the terms of their visa. International students may be required to provide evidence to the University that they are complying with these terms.

International students studying at the University on a Sponsored Study visa are required as a condition of their contract to maintain English language skills at least at the level required on entry to the University for the duration of their course. The University reserves the right to re-test students at any point during their course.

Student Conduct and Discipline

Whilst registered as students of the University, the University requires its students to familiarise themselves with and comply with its ‘Rules in Respect of Student Conduct and Discipline’(opens in new tab), copies of which can be obtained from the University.

The University requires its students, as a condition of enrolment, to ensure the payment to the University in each academic year of academic fees and charges made up of the tuition fee and any other additional charges pertaining to the course upon which they are enrolled. Additional charges may include but are not limited to payment for study materials provided by the University such as creative art materials, computer disks, and special paper or learning packs which are intended as cheaper alternatives to textbooks, and the cost of mandatory field trips included in the course.

You must pay the tuition fees for your module or programme in accordance with the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Policy, by the due date.

The tuition fee that you agree to pay is shown in your offer letter. You also agree to pay any Additional Charges which may be due to the University in respect of your studies that are not covered by the tuition fees. The payment of these fees and charges is a condition of enrolment. If a third party is paying some or all your tuition fees on your behalf (such as the Student Loan Company, an employer or sponsor), you remain responsible for all outstanding fees. If you do not pay the tuition fees by the relevant due date, the University reserves the right to withdraw you from the programme, remove access to online materials, prevent you from re-enrolling in your studies, withhold and award or delay graduation. The University may also take all reasonable steps, including legal action, to recover outstanding fees from you.

Data Protection

The University of Sunderland is registered as a data controller with the Office of the Information Commissioner(opens in new tab).

Until 24th May 2018 any personal data collected and or processed by the University is held in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. From 25th May 2018 in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

The University collects and holds personal data relating to its students for a variety of purposes, for further details on the way in which we process your personal data, including the legal basis for doing so, please read our student privacy policy.

The University may process special category personal data about you, such as details about your mental or physical health and/or disability, information concerning ethnicity, domicile, religious or political opinions and/or sexuality. In limited circumstances the University may also disclose this special category personal data to third parties, where there is a legitimate need or obligation, during or after your study.

The University undertakes to maintain student data in secure conditions and to process and disclose data only within the terms of its Student Privacy Notice.

The University’s Data Protection Officer should be contacted if students have any specific questions. Please note that the University is reliant on students for much of the data it holds as such it is your responsibility to help the University keep records up to date by notifying any alterations to student addresses, personal details, or course enrolments.

The University complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and from the 25th of May 2018 the requirements of GDPR. Read our guidance on Data Protection issues.

Under the GDPR individuals have several rights in relation to how the University manages their personal information which are listed in the Student Privacy Notice. To discuss any objections, concerns, to obtain a copy of the current personal information held about you or to exercise any other rights that you have under GDPR, please contact the University’s Data Protection Officer at the following address:

The Data Protection Officer - send an email to: dataprotection@sunderland.ac.uk.

Education Act 1994

Under the Education Act 1994 any student has the right not to be a member of a Students’ Union and not to be unfairly disadvantaged about the provision of services, or otherwise, by reason of having exercised that right. At the University of Sunderland all students, members and non - 23 members alike, have in general the right of access to services provided by the University and the University of Sunderland Students’ Union (USSU).

However, there are some rights which are not extended to non-members, and these include the following:

(i) the right to participate in USSU and NUS (National Union of Students) elections and decision-making processes, including those of clubs and societies,

(ii) the right of USSU and NUS representation,

(iii) the right of access to USSU bars, and certain USSU commercial activities, except as guests of members,

(iv) the right to commercial advantages negotiated for the benefit of USSU and NUS members.

Should you accept an offer to study at the University and you become a student at the University, these Terms and Conditions shall constitute part of any contract between you and the University, and your acceptance will signify your consent to the incorporation of these Terms and Conditions. Any offer of a place made to you by the University is made on the basis that in accepting such an offer you signify your consent to the incorporation of this notice as a term of any such contract and your agreement to comply with University regulations and procedures.

These Terms and Conditions are governed and are to be construed in accordance with English law. The English Courts will have exclusive jurisdiction to deal with any dispute which arises or may arise out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions, except that the University may bring proceedings for an injunction or enforcement of any order or judgment in any jurisdiction.

University of Sunderland

Edinburgh Building,

City Campus, Chester Road Sunderland, SR1 3SD, UK

www.sunderland.ac.uk

Appendix G - School of Medicine Admissions Policy Purpose

This Admissions Policy sets out the principles and criteria by which applicants for the MBChB degree.

The School of Medicine’s Admissions Policy builds upon the University of Sunderland’s 24 established reputation of social responsibility.

For prospective applicants, this means three things:

Widening participation
NHS Service
Regional engagement.

Widening participation

The University of Sunderland is one of the national leaders for widening participation to Higher Education and was awarded the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 award for University of the Year for Social Inclusion. The medical school will likewise champion opportunities for students attending from low participation neighbourhoods and hard-to-reach groups who may not have previously considered a career in medicine. With a founding commitment to develop new routes into the study of medicine beyond the School of Medicine’s early years, this Admissions Policy will be updated as these new pathways open.

NHS Service Provision Sunderland School of Medicine takes pride in our stated commitment to deliver a balance of graduates whose professional ambitions appropriately reflect the service provision required by a 21 century NHS.

Those health service needs are emphasised at every stage of the MBChB, from admissions through clinical training, to managing the expectations of our students with realistic careers advice. In practice, this means the curriculum has a proportionately greater focus on General Practice and Psychiatry than at most other medical schools.

Regional engagement

The medical training and quality of life enjoyed by students and trainees living in the Northeast is perceived to be exceptionally high; nevertheless, there is a net drift of medical trainees away from the Northeast. This is likely because most medical education in the north of England has historically been provided to students who have applied as school leavers from the south of England.

The University of Sunderland Medical School has been created to respond to this regional need for outstanding GPs and secondary care physicians. Whilst prospective students are encouraged to apply from all geographical localities, applicants will be expected to see themselves identifying with Sunderland City and our coastal partners, as well as potentially working in these areas after graduation.

Principles of Selection

The aim of our admissions process is to select medical students who will become safe and effective doctors and apply the opportunities of medical training in a socially responsible way. We therefore seek to identify applicants from all backgrounds who can acquire the requisite knowledge and skills and develop the professional behaviours of a doctor.

We are committed to the principle of values-based recruitment and to selecting students who demonstrate commitment to the values of the National Health Service as defined by the NHS Constitution. We adhere to the Medical Schools Council.

Equal opportunities

The University of Sunderland has an Equality & Diversity Policy which state that no student will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital status, sexuality, disability, religion, political belief, socio-economic background, parental status, age, or trades union membership.

The University is committed to a programme of action to ensure that this policy is fully effective. In practice, this means that contextual information relating to participation in Higher Education and educational factors will be considered to help us identify potential where this may not be obvious from past performance, for example examination grades.

For these reasons, the postcode of the applicant’s permanent or home address will be used to identify applicants who live in neighbourhoods with low levels of participation in Higher Education. The applicant’s school/college performance compared to the national average, as well as other relevant contextual factors when disclosed may be considered to better identify potential - especially where these factors may have affected or could affect an applicant’s examination attainment and personal development.

Admissions Criteria

The 5-year A100 programme is open to home students with appropriate UK school-leaving qualifications equivalent to UK A-levels. All home applicants to A100 must take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) during the year in which they apply.

Applicants must declare every qualification that they have completed in their application.

GCSE: a minimum of five subjects at grade A (or 7) with a minimum of B (or 6) in Maths, English, and Sciences. Please note all GCSE requirements must be met prior to application. We require a minimum of five GCSE subjects at grade A, not including short-course GCSEs. Mathematics, English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics must be passed at a minimum of grade B (or 6). GCSE Science/Core Science plus Additional Science is acceptable as an alternative to Biology, Chemistry and Physics. If Further Additional Science has been taken, this must also be passed at grade B (or 6). IGCSE double-award Science is also acceptable. Applied Science is not an acceptable GCSE. Applicants who have studied in Scotland must have passed a broad range of subjects with a minimum of 5 subjects at Standard or National 5 grade A/1. English Language and Mathematics must be passed with a minimum of grade B/2. Any science subject not being offered at Higher or Advanced Higher level must also have been passed at Standard/National 5 Level B/2.

GCSE resits are accepted and must be gained prior to application, a maximum of 2 resit attempts per subject will only be considered.

All students from schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must have completed appropriate Level 2 science qualifications as defined by the Key Stage 4 National Curriculum. Combinations of subjects that do not fulfil these requirements (e.g. Science, Biology and Chemistry) will not be accepted, even if these were the only combinations offered by the school. "Multiple entry" at GCSE will be dealt with by looking only at the GCSEs that are necessary to fulfil our minimum academic requirements for the programme. Students whose schools have entered them for multiple qualifications in the same subjects (e.g. Science and/or Additional Science as well as Biology, Chemistry and Physics) will only have the minimum required subjects considered; the grades for the additional GCSEs will be ignored. Where students have been entered for the same qualification with more than one exam board in the same assessment period, we shall take only the lower or lowest grade into account.

Applicants who have taken non-GCSE level 2 qualifications will not be eligible for admission to the medicine programme.

A-level: AAA A-levels in three subjects at grades of AAA are typically required and these must have been achieved in one sitting. A-levels must include Biology or Chemistry plus another designated science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/Further Maths/Statistics) and a third academic subject.

Contextual offers will be made for applicants who complete the selection process successfully and fulfil the following criteria:

We have a contextual offer of AAB for applicants that fulfil both our local postcode (North East and Cumbria) and meet one of our WP requirements:

POLAR 4 quintiles 1 and 2 (home address) criteria
You are a refugee
You receive free school meals or were eligible within the last six years
You received UCAT bursary
You are a student from a UK armed forces family (military service child)

Any science A-level (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) completed in England from 2017 must include a pass in the practical endorsement: without this endorsement the qualification will be judged to have been failed, regardless of the headline grade.

Applications are accepted from students who have already achieved grades of AAA from three A-levels (including Chemistry or Biology and a second science). Note that students may apply with achieved grades of AAA with only one science if they are currently taking a second science A-level. Any offer would usually be conditional on achieving a minimum of A in the additional A-level (see below).

Only one subject from a combination of Maths/Further Maths/Statistics will be considered within the three A-levels.

Any science not offered at A-level must have been passed at GCSE grade B (or 6) or above, either as a stand-alone subject or within double/triple-award.

We require a minimum of three A-levels or equivalent (e.g. International Baccalaureate) to be completed in a single sitting or within two years of starting. We would not consider applications from students in their third year of A-level study or those who have taken 3 years to obtain A-level grades. However, if you have extenuating circumstances that you can evidence, and that have impacted on your ability to complete your studies in 2 years, please make sure that your school/college referee adds supporting evidence to your UCAS application, and this will be reviewed at the point of application.

The following subjects are not accepted at A-level for A100:

Citizenship Studies
Critical Thinking
General Studies
AQA Applied A-levels (Applied Art & Design; Applied Business; Applied ICT; Applied Leisure Studies; Applied Science; Applied Travel & Tourism; Science in Society; Use of Mathematics)
Edexcel Applied A Levels (Applied Art & Design; Applied Business; Applied ICT; Engineering; Health & Social Care; Leisure Studies; Media; Performing Arts; Travel & Tourism)
OCR Applied A-levels (Applied Art & Design; Applied Business; Applied Health & Social Care; Applied ICT; Applied Leisure Studies; Applied Performing Arts; Applied Science; Applied Travel & Tourism)
WJEC Applied A-levels.

Key skills qualifications will not be considered in assessing academic ability. GCSE requirements must also be met as above.

A-level Re-sits.

A-levels achieved from re-sits will be considered only where an applicant has been awarded AAB, the applicant is only required to re-sit the B grade subject. The primary admissions criteria which are being considered (e.g. A Levels) must have been completed within the past five years. For those who are a previous applicant to Sunderland School of Medicine will be required to complete a fresh application, including re-taking UCAT, MMIs and all other aspects of the application process.

Cambridge Pre-U

Candidates taking the Cambridge Pre-U diploma will be required to perform to a minimum of P1 standard in all components, including Global Perspectives and Independent Research (GPR). Principal subjects should be offered at grades of D3 M1 M1 or D2 M1 M2, with Chemistry required at a minimum of M2. A second science (Biology, Mathematics or Physics) and a third subject should also be offered, with no grades below M2. Scores for Pre-U short courses in modern languages will not be taken into consideration. Up to two A-levels may be substituted for Pre-U principal subjects. A-levels must be achieved at a minimum of grade A and the overall principal grades should be equivalent to D3 A. The usual subject and combination exclusions apply to A level components.

The following combinations of subjects are not accepted:

Biology and Sports Science.
Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

Scottish Qualifications

National 5 - minimum 5x A with minimum of B in maths, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics

Higher - minimum of AAAAB, including chemistry/biology plus a second science both at A, to be achieved by the end of S5 (i.e. before applying) Advanced Higher - minimum of AB from two subjects (both sciences) sat in S6 - any additional subject sat at Higher level in S6 must be achieved at grade B or higher.

Any science subject not being offered at Higher or Advanced Higher level must have been passed 28 at Standard/National 5 grade B/2.

Scottish Baccalaureate (science)

Grades of AA required in 2 Advanced Highers (including chemistry or biology) plus AA in interdisciplinary project unit and 1 higher. Chemistry or Biology must be offered at Advanced Higher grade A. Standard Grade/National 5 requirements must also be met.

Welsh Baccalaureate

We require an A grade pass in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma and two full science A-levels at grade AA taken at a single sitting. Chemistry or Biology is essential plus one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths/Further Maths/Statistics.

Our GCSE requirements must also be met.

International Baccalaureate:

35 points including three grade 6 passes at IB Higher Level and grades of 6, 6, 5 at Standard Level are required. Higher Level subjects must include Chemistry or Biology, plus one from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths and a third rigorous subject. Any science not taken at the Higher Level must be offered at Standard Level grade 5 or GCSE grade B (or equivalent). Points awarded for the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge are not considered, but these components must have been completed. English Language (Language A) at Grade 6 is acceptable in lieu of GCSE English Language. Please see English Language Requirements under General Requirements if you do not have either of these. We are unable to accept the IB middle years programme (MYP) in lieu of meeting our GCSE requirements.

Graduate entry

We will take graduates who achieve a minimum of 2:1 in any subject. Masters' degrees/doctorates not accepted in compensation for bachelor's degree below 2:1 (we are interested in ability to succeed at undergraduate study). The degree will have been completed within 5 years of application and gained at point of entry onto the course. We will take applications for students in the final year of their degree program however their offer will be conditional on achieving a minimum of 2:1 degree classification. Please note degree holders will not be considered for entry if they do not achieve the minimum 2:1 classification, regardless of holding A-level grades of AAA.

In addition to the degree applicants must have achieved a minimum of BBB in our required Alevels (Biology or Chemistry plus another designated science subject [Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/Further Maths/Statistics] and a third academic subject). Grade compensation is not permitted. A Level grades must be achieved in one sitting and meet our re-sit requirements: where an applicant has been awarded BBC, the applicant is only required to re-sit the C grade subject (one attempt only, in the same subject).

GCSE requirements are Maths, English Language and Sciences – double-award/ triple-award/combined (trilogy) or 3 separate – at a minimum of grade B/6; reformed English language GCSE in England must include pass in speaking and listening endorsement.

Graduates must also take UCAT and must be within top 8 deciles of the cohort; SJT must be within bands 1-3.

Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)

Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) Graduate applicants not meeting the minimum requirements in one of the following A-level subjects, grades or Science GCSEs grades may be considered for Medicine if they have taken the GAMSAT prior to application (GAMSAT is offered twice a year, in March and September. GAMSAT results obtained from different sittings are directly comparable and can be used when 29 applying to universities for up to two consecutive years). Our minimum requirement is either(a) 55 overall with a minimum of 58 in section III or (b) 58 overall with a minimum of 55 in section III - no section score below 50 accepted.

GAMSAT can only be used once to compensate for either the GCSE Science requirement or the A- Level subject or grade (not both).

Transfers

Currently the University of Sunderland will not accept applications from individuals who wish to transfer their studies from other schools of Medicine. This may be reviewed once the programme is more established.

English Language Requirements

All applicants must have completed an English language qualification that meets the requirements of the National Curriculum for Key Stage 4 in England, Wales & Northern Ireland. Acceptable qualifications include GCSE (minimum grade B/6) and Level 1/2 Certificate (grade B). The multiple mini interview includes assessment of the ability to use and comprehend spoken English. Applicants who have performed poorly in speaking and listening assessments within their English language qualifications should consider carefully whether they are likely to be able to meet the requirements of the interview.

Application Procedure

All applications should be submitted to UCAS by the closing date for medical school applications in October.

Fee assessment is made at point of application, if we are unable to confirm your home fee status when you apply, we would be unable to consider your application any further for the academic year you have applied for.

When completing the UCAS application form applicants will apply to The University of Sunderland using the following institution and course code:

Institution: S84 Course: A100 (5 year).

All applications meeting the minimum academic requirements (including appropriate aptitude tests) will be assessed in detail by the Admissions Tutors. Applicants successfully completing the interview. selection tool and fulfilling the UCAT criteria will be short-listed for interview; no applicant will be offered a place without attending for an interview. Aptitude Tests All applicants must complete the Universities Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year of application.

The admissions process

The admissions process involves three phases – academic screen, UCAT/interview selection tool and interviews.

Phase 1 – Academic Screen

All applicants who fulfil the Academic requirements will be sent an online interview selection tool to be completed before the given deadline.

Phase 2 – UCAT & Interview selection tool

Applicants must take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) during the year in which they 30 apply. Scores must be within top 8 deciles of the cohort and situational judgement test (SJT) must be within bands 1-3. Shortlisting for interview is based on the interview selection tool. Applicants are encouraged to write about and reflect on work experience(s) they have had which they believe allowed them to develop the skills and attributes they may need for a future career in medicine.

Admissions Tutors assess the interview selection tool results using the following criteria:

Evidence of extensive engagement in activities involving care, support, and/or service
The nature of the experience(s) undertaken, and the level of the responsibility undertaken
Open ended responses in an SJT assessment

Phase 3 – Interviews

The final decision on the offer of a place will be made based on the assessments performed during the interview process.

It is our policy to interview approximately 4/5 students for every applicant place available for entry to the 5-year course (A100).

Applicants are called for interview based on standard scoring systems used to shortlist applications by the Admissions Tutors
Each candidate will have a similarly structured multiple mini interview; the interviewers are drawn from the university, hospital and local (lay) environments and they have undergone specific training for interviewing medical school applicants
Interviews are likely to take place in blocks during the period of December to early January
After the interview, applicants will receive the University's decision via UCAS; successful applicants will be invited to attend an Offer Holder Day.

Feedback after Application

Decisions on invitation to interview and offer of places are final. Unsuccessful applicants will inevitably be disappointed at not being offered a place. We will provide written general feedback based on decisions at the time of notification that an application has been unsuccessful. Queries regarding admissions procedures must be submitted in writing by the applicant via post or e- mail. We will not discuss applications with anybody other than the applicant (e.g. parents, teachers, MPs, etc.) without signed, written authorisation from the applicant.

Deferments

Requests for deferment are considered, once all academic conditions have been met.

Code of practice for applicants declaring a criminal record

Where a conviction is declared, and the application meets the academic criteria, we will contact the applicant for further information regarding the positive declaration before the application is progressed any further.

The information is then reviewed by the school of medicine health and conduct panel to ensure the application can be considered for the professional status of MB ChB. After the initial screening, the panel may confirm the application can be progressed to the next stage of assessment or the application may be refused further consideration.

If the applicant is successful in all stages of assessment, the panel will reconvene to make a final decision if an offer of a place can be issued. This will entail the applicant attending a health and conduct panel meeting and engaging with any relevant information required.

Admissions policy