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First Choice

Our First Choice Progression Scheme supports Year 12 students on their journey to higher education. We'll equip 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.

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Contents

First Choice: Summer School

First Choice: Medicine

Who is First Choice suitable for?

Our First Choice Scheme supports students who want to continue their education after sixth form or college. It is ideal for those interested in studying at Sunderland. To be eligible for the Scheme, students must:

  • Have an interest in progressing into higher education
  • Be interested in a course or subject area available at Sunderland
  • Be expected to achieve a minimum of 96 UCAS points(opens in new tab) from their Level 3 qualifications.

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. These are for eligible undergraduate courses starting in September 2027. It can be at either of our Sunderland campuses*
  • Dedicated First Choice scholarships and awards(opens in new tab)
  • A guaranteed conditional offer (excluding courses that require an interview)
  • A guaranteed interview. These are for eligible undergraduate courses starting in September 2027. It can be at either of our Sunderland campuses
  • A guaranteed Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) at the University. This is for students who complete the First Choice: Medicine pathway
  • Experience of what university life is like by attending our dedicated Summer School
  • Develop the vital skills needed for higher education
  • Access to ongoing support throughout the application process
  • Meet other students from across the region.

*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.

Please note, students must complete all parts of the Scheme to receive the following:

  • Tariff points
  • A guaranteed conditional offer
  • A guaranteed interview

Students must also choose us as their firm choice on UCAS before the May 2027 deadline.

For schools and colleges

  • Booking events and activities to suit your availability
  • Getting priority booking for our on-campus events
  • Having opportunities to use our facilities free of charge.

First Choice Summer School

Students on the First Choice Progression Scheme must take part in our Summer School. This event provides them with an opportunity to visit campus. They can also experience university life and explore what Sunderland has to offer.

What does Summer School involve?

At our First Choice summer school, all students will have a personalised timetable, including

  • Subject-specific workshops
  • Activities with numerous university teams and services
  • Fun evening social activities.

Please note, some subject sessions need a minimum number of students to run. If there are not enough participants, students may be asked to join a different session. Wherever possible, the University will look to accommodate everyone.

Summer School 2026 will take place from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 July.

What are the benefits of Summer School?

Attending Summer School is a compulsory part of the First Choice Scheme for Year 12 students. It comes with a range of benefits such as:

  • Getting to experience university early
  • Learning more about subjects they want to study
  • Interacting with current and prospective university students
  • Games, competitions, prizes, and freebies
  • Remain eligible for their 16 tariff points
  • Guaranteed conditional offer/interview at Sunderland.

How do students sign up for Summer School?

To attend, students must register their interest in the scheme. They must also complete the required skills session in Year 12. Their school or college must be part of the First Choice Scheme.

Students will receive an email invite after completing a skills session. This may take place at their school or college, on campus, or online. The email will include key information and a form to confirm attendance. Students must complete this form in advance, including consent from a parent or supporter.

If a student thinks they are eligible but has not received an invite, or has any questions, they can contact the First Choice team who will be happy to help.

First Choice: Medicine

First Choice: Medicine is a series of workshops. They help students prepare for their application and interview for the Medicine MBChB course at Sunderland.

Students take part in hands-on simulations and teaching sessions. They also have the chance to meet new friends with similar interests.

Who is First Choice: Medicine for?

First Choice: Medicine is for Year 12 students interested in pursuing MBChB Medicine. It's aimed at groups that are currently underrepresented in higher education and who meet our widening participation requirements. First Choice: Medicine is open to First Choice Schools and Colleges only.

To be eligible for First Choice: Medicine, students must:

  • Be a Year 12 student at a First Choice College or Sixth Form
  • Be a resident in the UK
  • Have a Home Student fee status. The Government classes all students as ‘Home’, ‘European Union (EU)’ or ‘International’. If you are classed as EU or International, then you are not eligible to apply
  • Meet our academic requirements (see academic requirement information below)
  • Meet at least one of our Widening Participation Criteria.

What are the benefits of First Choice: Medicine?

There are several benefits for choosing to participate in First Choice: Medicine. These include:

  • A guaranteed MMI for students who complete the scheme.
  • Dedicated Medicine workshops. These will give you hands-on experience through clinical simulations and a hospital visit
  • Free UCAT preparation workshop
  • Participate in a mock MMI and gain insight into our medicine application process
  • Attend a dedicated Summer School to experience what university life is really like.
  • Develop the vital skills that are needed for higher education
  • Meet other students from across the region interested in Medicine

How are First Choice: Medicine places allocated?

Places are limited and will be awarded based on the responses given on the application form. Each application form will be assessed on an individual basis. Places will be awarded at the discretion of the University.

Priority will be given to applicants who meet the most widening participation requirements and live in the North East of England:

  • In receipt of, or entitled to, free school meals within the last six years
  • From low household income or low socioeconomic status. We identify low household income as: Band 1 – annual household income of £25,000 or less and Band 2 – annual household income of between £25,001–£42,875
  • From areas of low higher education participation. We identify low participation as POLAR4 Quintiles 1 and 2, and will access this on your behalf based on the home postcode you supply
  • Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman and Boater
  • Those care experienced, or who are permanently estranged from both parents or carers
  • Recognised carers
  • Those whose parents or carers are serving, or have served in the UK Armed Forces
  • Refugees
  • Black, Asian and minority ethnic students
  • Those with a diagnosed disability.

Please note the University’s decision to allocate a place is final. If you are unsure if you meet the following criteria, please contact First Choice(opens in new tab).

We urge teachers and advisers to check the First Choice: Medicine entry criteria before informing students about the scheme.

Academic requirements

To be considered for First Choice: Medicine, you must meet our academic requirements.

You must have five GCSE awards at grade A/7,. You must have a minimum of grade B/6 in:

  • Maths
  • English Language
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

Please note, the Dual Award Science is accepted.

You must be studying A Levels in three subjects achieved in one sitting,. These must include Biology or Chemistry, plus another designated science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/Further Maths/Statistics). Only one subject from a combination of Maths, Further Maths and Statistics will be considered from the three A Levels.

We do not accept the following qualifications for Medicine:

  • BTEC qualifications
  • Foundation Medicine courses or Access to Medicine courses
  • Irish Leaving Certificate.

Find out more information about applying for MBChB Medicine.

How to apply to First Choice: Medicine

Our First Choice Team will visit your school or college. You'll need to complete a register your interest form. Then, we'll send you an application form to complete.

Please note that our application form will ask for information about you, your studies, and your background. This helps the University decide if you are eligible for the scheme. this includes whether you meet widening participation criteria for underrepresented groups.

You must provide accurate information and be able to show evidence if it's needed.

First Choice: Medicine sessions

As part of First Choice: Medicine, we usually offer the following sessions:

  • Session 1: First Choice: Medicine Welcome (Online)
  • Session 2: Hospital Clinical Experience
  • Session 3: University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) Workshop
  • Session 4: First Choice Summer School.

Guaranteed interview

The School of Medicine will guarantee an MMI to those students who are applicants of Medicine MBChB who:

  • Attend all compulsory elements of First Choice: Medicine
  • Meet the GCSE, A Level and UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) requirements
  • Complete the interview selection tool.

You're expected to attend all sessions of the First Choice: Medicine scheme to be eligible for the guaranteed MMI. Exceptions may be made in cases of extenuating circumstances.

The guaranteed MMI will apply after you submit an application for the 2027 intake of the Medicine MBChB course at the University. It's also subject to meeting the required academic screening and UCAT scores. The Student Administration Team will send you details of an online interview preparation tool. You must complete this, but you'll still be guaranteed progression to MMI.

Your details will be passed to the Student Administration team. They will mark your application as eligible for a guaranteed interview if you apply to Sunderland for Medicine.

Please note that this information is correct at the time of publication. The University may change the Medicine application process. This could affect how the guaranteed MMI works. If this happens, all eligible students will be informed of any updates and new requirements.

Contextual offer

We have a contextual offer of AAB for applicants who fulfil both our local postcode (north-east and Cumbria) and meet one of our widening participation requirements:

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

You can check your postcode on the Office for Students website. Applicants must still meet the normal entry requirements, including the required UCAT score.

If you are unsure about your local status please email medicineapplications@sunderland.ac.uk.