What is an OSCE?
An OSCE is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination, used to examine within the skills domain of our assessment strategy.
We examine OSCEs in all years of our MBChB Medicine course. In Phase 1 (Years 1 and 2), the examinations take place on campus at the University. In Phases 2 and 3 (Years 3, 4, and 5), the examinations take place at our clinical partner organisations.
Station types vary from year to year of the course but can include history taking, clinical examination, prescribing, and procedural skills. There are formative, summative, and supplementary sit assessments for all year groups.
Who can examine?
The specific requirements for examining at each phase are listed below. We encourage healthcare professionals who are local to the region to consider examining for us. Our training is specific to Medicine at the University of Sunderland, so isn't transferable to other institutions.
Phase 1 (Years 1 and 2)
- Trained doctors of any seniority including foundation years 1 and 2
- Allied healthcare professionals (e.g. pharmacists, nurse teaching fellows). Must examine stations that map to their expertise.
Phase 2 (Years 3 and 4)
- Trained doctors of any seniority post-foundation training
- Foundation Year 2 doctors with experience examining in a previous University of Sunderland OSCE (new for the 2026/27 academic year)
- Allied healthcare professionals (e.g. pharmacists, nurse teaching fellows) with a considerable involvement in the University's undergraduate curriculum
- For the latter 2 examiner groups, these examiners must examine stations that map to their expertise and station allocation will be at the discretion of the OSCE leads
Phase 3 (Year 5)
- Examiners need to be qualified doctors of grade ST4 or above or Advanced Clinical Practitioners
- Year 5 (CPSA) examiners should usually have examined other OSCE assessments before being eligible to examine in the final year. Alternatively, they should've had enhanced OSCE examination training and direct involvement in clinical medical education and training.
Completion of the examiner training will be recognised with a certificate confirming three CPD points from the University of Sunderland. Examiner training is valid for three years and will prepare potential examiners for examining any year group of the course.
Please note, the University doesn't reimburse any expenses incurred in relation to examination activities, including travel, accommodation, or subsistence. All costs must be paid by the individual unless explicitly agreed in advance.
Training dates
We have a number of training dates online throughout the year. See the dates available and sign up to attend(opens in new tab).
Some training also takes place at our clinical partner organisations on an ad-hoc basis by our clinical assessment leads. This can be organised and facilitated on an as-required basis.
If you're unable to attend one of these dates but are still interested in examining, please contact the team by emailing medicine.osce@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).
Exam dates
The dates for the 2026/27 OSCE examinations are:
Year 1
- Year 1 Formative OSCE – Tuesday 16 March 2027
- Year 1 Summative OSCE – Friday 11 June 2027
- Year 1 Resit OSCE – Tuesday 3 August 2027.
Year 2
- Year 2 Formative OSCE – Wednesday 17 March 2027
- Year 2 Summative OSCE – Tuesday 8, Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 June 2027
- Year 2 Resit OSCE – Tuesday 3 August 2027.
Year 3
- Year 3 Formative OSCE – Friday 8 January 2027
- Year 3 Summative OSCE – Thursday 27 and Friday 28 May 2027
- Year 3 Resit OSCE – Wednesday 28 July 2027.
Year 4
- Year 4 Summative OSCE – Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 June 2027
- Year 4 Resit OSCE – Wednesday 28 July 2027.
Year 5
- Year 5 Formative OSCE – Thursday 17 December 2026
- Year 5 Summative OSCE – Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 21 April 2027
- Year 5 Resit OSCE – Tuesday 22 June 2027.