Studying medicine at university is extremely competitive. Demand always outweighs supply so if you didn’t get offered a place this year, you’re not on your own. No matter where you choose to study, the number of places available each year is capped by the government, meaning securing a place has become progressively more challenging.
If you haven’t managed to secure a place then don’t panic, at the University of Sunderland there are a number of options for you to choose from. You can choose to play the long game and study a bachelor’s degree and then re-apply through the graduate entry route, or you can choose an alternative career path. We have lots of science and health professional degrees available, all of which offer very rewarding careers in the health sciences.
Graduate entry
If you didn’t quite get the grades at A Level to study medicine, then you could try the graduate entry route. This is where you choose to study a bachelor’s degree for three years and then re-apply to study medicine once you graduate. You’ll need to achieve at least a 2:1 at undergraduate level to be considered for our medical course. Find out more about the graduate entry route and the full entry requirements.
Alternative careers
If you don’t want to study for an additional three years before applying through the graduate entry route then we have lots of health science degrees which may be of interest to you, some of which you may not have ever considered before.
If healthcare is where your passion lies, we have several degrees on offer including nursing, physiological sciences and biomedical science. If chemistry is your strong suit, we have degrees in pharmacy, biochemistry and medicinal chemistry. Psychology is also a great option if you’re interested in the human brain and neurology. Read on to find out more about these degrees and where they can take you in your career.
Nursing
A career in nursing is probably one of the most rewarding careers you can have. We offer three different nursing pathways so you can really narrow down your specialism. Choose from:
Average salary: According to Health Careers via the NHS, the average starting salary for a nurse is £27,055 a year at Band 5 according to the Agenda for Change pay scales. However, this can rise for senior nursing roles, such as a Band 7 nurse with 5 years experience can earn up to £50,056. Find out more about what you can do with a nursing degree.
Entry requirements: Typically, you will need 120 UCAS points from a minimum of two A Levels (ideally including a health or science subject) to study one of our nursing degrees.
Find out more about our nursing courses.
Midwifery
Midwifery is a rewarding, dynamic and highly-skilled profession. The role of the midwife is central in ensuring that women/persons have a safe and life-enhancing experience throughout pregnancy, labour and the first few weeks after birth. As a midwife, you'll also be responsible for making sure newborn infants and families have the best possible start in life.
Average salary: According to National Careers, newly qualified midwives can expect to earn around £28,000 a year rising to around £50,000 for more experienced midwife roles.
Entry requirements: Typically you will need 128 UCAS points from a minimum of two A Levels or equivalent, which should include a Science-related subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics).
Find out more about our Midwifery course.
Physiological Science
Healthcare science practitioners with a specialism in physiology are skilled professionals who help medical staff to assess patients’ health and manage disease and disability. Potential employers include the NHS, academic research institutions, clinical laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. At the University of Sunderland, you can opt to specialise in audiology or cardiac physiology (subject to availability of placements).
Average salary: According to Prospects, salary for those working in the NHS is in line with Agenda for Change pay rates, with trainee clinical scientist employed at a Band 6, around £33,706. With more experience, you could earn up to £47,672 on a band 7.
Entry requirements: Typically, you will need in the region of 120 UCAS points from a minimum of two A Levels (including Biology or Chemistry) to study physiological science at the University of Sunderland.
Find out more about Physiological Science.
Biomedical Science
Studying Biomedical Science will develop your knowledge of scientific investigation into human health and disease, through learning how the human body functions and what happens when disease affects it. At the University of Sunderland, we have four Biomedical degree titles to choose from: Biomedical Science, Applied Biomedical Science, Biomedical Science (sandwich) and Healthcare Sciences (Life Sciences), some of which offer placements so you can get a real feel for what life is like in industry.
Average salary: According to Prospects, the starting salary for those working in the NHS is in line with Agenda for Change pay rates £34,581 on a Band 5. With experience and specialist knowledge, you could increase to a band 8a, with earning potential of up to £57,349.
Entry requirements: Typically, you will need in the region of 120 UCAS point points from a minimum of two A Levels (including Biology or Chemistry) to study biomedical science.
Find out more about biomedical science.
Pharmacy
Studying pharmacy will allow you to become an expert in the design, development and therapeutic use of medicines. Here at the University of Sunderland, we have over 100 years’ experience of teaching pharmacy and have a reputation for excellence.
Average salary: According to National Careers, a starter pharmacist can earn around £35,000, with a more experienced pharmacist earning up to £69,000.
Entry requirements: Typically for Pharmacy, you'll need 120 UCAS points from a minimum of two A Levels (including Chemistry and one other science subject at grade B or above).
Find out more about pharmacy.
Pharmaceutical Sciences
We also offer a range of pharmaceutical sciences degrees, including biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, biopharmaceutical sciences and cosmetic science.
Average salary: According to Prospects, the average starting salary in the science and pharmaceuticals sector is between £18,000 to £25,000. With experience and further training, this can rise to around £100,000.
Entry requirements: Typically for pharmaceutical sciences, you'll need 112 UCAS points, from a minimum of two A Levels (including Chemistry and one other science subject at grade B or above).
Find out more about our range of pharmaceutical degrees.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the human mind and brain, as well as a wide range of phenomena such as behaviour, motivations, memory and other cognitive processes. At Sunderland we have a range of psychology degrees, including:
Psychology can lead to a range of careers including a psychotherapist, psychologist, teacher and mental health practitioner.
Average salary: According to National Careers, a starter chartered psychologist earns around £44,000, with a more experienced chartered psychologist earning around £57,000. Find out more about what a degree in psychology could lead to.
Entry requirements: Typically, you will need in the region of 128 UCAS points from a minimum of two A Levels or equivalent.
Find out more about our range of psychology degrees.
Allied Health Professions and Public Health
We have a range of health professional courses available at the University of Sunderland, you can choose to study:
- Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Therapy (Accelerated)
- Physiotherapy
- Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care
Average salary: Salaries for paramedics and physiotherapists are in line with the NHS Agenda for Change pay scales. According to Prospects, the starting salary for paramedics is a band 5, where you can earn up to £31,534, with experienced paramedics earning up to £45,839 at a band 7. For physiotherapists, Prospects states that starting salaries for physiotherapists are Band 5, with earning potential up to £32,934. With further training and experience, physiotherapists can earn up to £47,672 (Band 7).
According to National Careers, the average starting salary for a registered occupational therapist working in the UK is around £28,000. A more experienced occupational therapist can earn up to £50,000.
Entry requirements: Typically, you will need 120-128 UCAS points depending on which course you choose to study.
Find out more about our allied health professions degrees.
Integrated Foundation Years
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, we also offer many of our courses with an Integrated Foundation Year.
Open days
If you would like to learn more about any one of our courses, including the ones not mentioned above, you can book onto one of our open days and visit our city by the sea. t’s a great opportunity to hear more detailed course information from lecturers and ask them any questions you may have about the course or the application process.
If you can't make it to an open day, we also offer our virtual experience. You can also read our student stories to find out what its like to study at Sunderland.
Published: 3 August 2023