MBChB Medicine is a challenging but highly-rewarding degree to study at university. A passion for the sciences, a willingness to help people and a commitment to learn are just some of the things you will need to succeed, but you know all that. So let’s cut to the chase. Why should you study Medicine at Sunderland?
The Sunderland experience
As an established School of Medicine, our MBChB course has passed the General Medical Council’s (GMC) rigorous quality assurance programme and we have been ratified to award primary medical qualifications. Our Medical School first opened in 2018 as one of five new medical schools, established to address the regional imbalance of medical education places across England and to widen access to ensure the profession reflects the communities it serves.
The University of Sunderland experience is different from most UK medical schools. We have a relatively small student intake, a city-centre campus by the sea and a supportive community with enthusiastic and committed staff.
It’s important to choose a medical school that provides the right balance of personal and professional development for you, that enables you to graduate as a fully competent and caring clinician.
A healthy dose of quality tuition
At Sunderland, you’ll be taught by renowned academics in some of the UK’s most ground-breaking facilities, gaining unique insights into some of the health needs of our population. You’ll study in some of the best-performing Trusts in England and receive the right balance of personal and professional teaching methods. Our Medicine course is in the top 20 in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2024) and ranked 5th overall in the UK on the National Student Survey, and ranked 1st in the UK for academic support (NSS, 2024).
We have an outstanding reputation for delivering a comprehensive range of health-related courses. You will study alongside pharmacists, nurses, paramedics, and biomedical, sports, and physiological scientists, offering opportunities for interdisciplinary working.
Fantastic facilities
The School of Medicine is situated in the purpose-built Murray Health, which has recently undergone an £8 million renovation to make it a centre of health excellence. The building provides innovative and state-of-the-art facilities to the School of Medicine, including a 120-person Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) Space, Silent Study Zone, student breakout spaces, a bespoke examination suite, and staff agile working areas.
Additionally, from the start of the course, you will be using our Anatomy Lab which has a range of resources, from Adam Rouilly anatomical models, touch-screen computers, and portable ultrasound equipment, to an Anatomage Table.
Our anatomy lab was opened in 2022 and has been designed to support your anatomy learning through the use of prosections. It will allow you to improve your depth perception, spatial orientation, and visualization of body structures below the skin.
Then we have our Living Lab with mock hospital wards, immersive suite, and simulation manikins. All designed to allow you to run different scenarios, from clinical skills to role-playing, fully immersing you in your surroundings from the safety of the University. Read more about the Living Lab.
Sustainability at Sunderland Medical School
We are living through a climate emergency. At Sunderland, we recognise the impact climate change is having on health. We are embedding teaching on sustainability into the medical curriculum and offer opportunities to be involved in this area through our student and staff sustainability group.
It costs less than you might think
We’re sure you won’t need reminding that the financial rewards of a degree in Medicine are pretty great. According to NHS Health Careers, a doctor in foundation training will earn a basic salary of £32,398 to £37,303, and as a doctor beginning specialist training, you'll earn £43,923 to £63,152. Your earning potential increases further as a speciality doctor, with a basic salary of £59,175 to £95,400.
That might seem a little far away at the moment though – and we know getting to that point requires a sizeable investment in tuition fees first. At Sunderland, we offer a range of scholarships to support you during your studies. For full details, see our scholarships and bursaries.
Sunderland living is the perfect remedy
By studying in Sunderland, you’ll be based in a fantastic city by the sea. There’s a shortage of doctors here in the north-east, which means you’ll be helping to address a national imbalance, the chances of you securing a job after you graduate should be pretty good too!
Sunderland is already a very affordable part of the country to live. We have a guide on the cost of living in Sunderland, as well as how you can save money as a student.
So, in summary, Sunderland offers an outstanding combination of a distinctive curriculum, excellent educational and clinical resources, and a friendly environment where staff are keen to help you succeed in your medical career… not to mention a number of generous scholarships and discounts. Perhaps the more appropriate question is, why wouldn’t you study Medicine at Sunderland?
Published: 7 October 2024