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First Choice

Our First Choice Progression Scheme aims to support your Year 12 students in their journey towards Higher Education by equipping them with the key skills they’ll need for a successful university experience. Find out more about what we can offer and get in touch to sign up.

Two students sitting on the sculpture at St Peters Campus looking at a text book together

Who is First Choice suitable for?

The First Choice Progression Scheme has been designed to support Year 12 students who wish to continue their education after school or college and are interested in studying at the University of Sunderland. To be eligible for the Scheme, students must:

Have an interest in progressing into Higher Education
Be interested in a subject area we have available at the University
Be expected to achieve a minimum of 96 UCAS points from level 3 qualifications.

Students laughing at the First Choice Summer School

What are the benefits of First Choice for students?

Some of the benefits students will receive by taking part in our First Choice Scheme include:

16 tariff points to complement their offer for eligible undergraduate courses starting in September 2027 at either of our Sunderland campuses*
Dedicated First Choice Scholarships and Awards
A guaranteed conditional offer (excluding courses that require an interview)
A guaranteed interview for eligible undergraduate courses starting in September 2027 at either of our Sunderland campuses
A guaranteed MMI at the University of Sunderland for students who successfully complete the First Choice: Medicine pathway
Experience of what university life is really like by attending our dedicated Summer School
Develop the vital skills that are needed for Higher Education
Access to ongoing support throughout the application process
Meet other students from across the region who are also interested in studying at Sunderland

Please note, to be eligible for the tariff points, guaranteed conditional offer and guaranteed interview, students must successfully complete all segments of the Scheme and make us their firm choice via UCAS before the deadline in May 2027.

A lecturer standing in front of a whiteboard, presenting a session to students

What are the benefits of First Choice for schools and colleges?

Your school or college can benefit from taking part in our First Choice Scheme by:

Sessions organised and delivered around your availability
Priority booking for our on-campus events
Opportunities to use our facilities free of charge

First Choice Summer School

Students will get to experience university life first-hand and explore what Sunderland has to offer during our dedicated Summer School. All Year 12 students who have completed the compulsory sessions of First Choice will be required to take part in our Summer School, in order to successfully complete the scheme.

Learn more about Summer School

Three medstart students practicing using equipment during a simulation

Medicine in First Choice

For students interested in studying medicine, First Choice aims to equip them with the skills that will assist them in their application and entry onto the MBChB Medicine course at the University of Sunderland.

First Choice: Medicine students are given a unique opportunity for hands-on experience through simulations and teaching sessions as well as taking part in the First Choice Summer School.

Successful completion of First Choice Medicine will guarantee a Multiple Mini Interview to those students who are applicants of the MBChB Medicine course.

Find out further information about First Choice: Medicine.

*The 16 tariff points and guaranteed interview can be used against most of our courses, except MBChB Medicine.

Some of our new courses may also not be eligible for tariff points or guaranteed interviews.

Get in touch

Please contact us to find out more about our First Choice Scheme.

Email: first.choice@sunderland.ac.uk
Tel: 0191 515 3294

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