Case Study

I like to be challenged and like to learn and work hard so going to university seemed like the perfect option for me. I also watched my mum get her social work degree when I was younger and appreciated her drive and the quality of life that her degree provided us with. My sister is also currently in university completing a nursing degree so working in healthcare ran in the family and I wanted to be able to give back to the health service and to help people in any way I could.

I chose to study Medicine at the University of Sunderland as I really enjoyed reading about the MBChB course here. I liked that interprofessional learning was included in the curriculum, which is important for our future working life with other healthcare professionals. I think this has been vital in my education so far as it has prepared me for patient interactions in a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) setting. At my interview I found the staff to be very welcoming, which made me feel more confident about potentially joining the University. I also like Sunderland as a city, as it is quiet but only 30 minutes away from Newcastle, so you can be separate but close to a larger city if you need it.

The University has a mock hospital ward and training ambulance which I find interesting, as it allows us to practice CPR and basic life support training with paramedic students. I also enjoy the anatomy sessions because of the Anatomage table and the fact that we are able to ultrasound volunteers and each other to help consolidate our learning.

I am aiming to graduate in 2024 and plan to either travel back home to Ireland to complete my foundation years or stay in the North East, as my placements have opened my eyes to the region. Either way, after completing my foundation years, I hope to progress through the ranks and complete surgical training. I am not 100% sure yet what speciality I will choose, but I am certain that my future placements will help me decide that.

I would definitely recommend the University of Sunderland to other students as I believe that I would not have been as supported in my studies if I had attended a different university. I find that Sunderland as a university is very supportive and challenges their students to allow them to learn and to reach their full potential. So far I would say that I have 100% enjoyed my experience studying here and I am certain that my future years at this university will be filled with fun memories and challenging classes.”

Published 27 May 2020