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Medstart at Sunderland

Medstart is a series of targeted Medicine sessions which aims to equip students with the skills that will assist them in their application and interview for entry onto the Medicine MBChB course at the University of Sunderland.

Students who participate in Medstart are given a unique opportunity for hands-on experience through simulations and teaching sessions, as well as meet new friends with similar interests.

Medstart student sitting at a desk reading information during a session

Who is Medstart for?

Medstart is for Year 12 students interested in pursuing MBChB Medicine and is targeted at groups currently underrepresented in Higher Education, who meet our Widening Participation Criteria. In 2024, Medstart is open to select Sixth Form and Colleges only.

To be eligible for Medstart, students must:

  • Be a Year 12 student at a select College or Sixth Form
  • Be a resident in the United Kingdom
  • 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 the University of Sunderland’s Widening Participation Criteria
  • Live in the North East of England

 

Students are expected to attend all sessions, which may take place during term times or weekends, and can take place either online or in person at the University of Sunderland.

A medstart student using a stethoscope on a Manikin during a simulation

How are Medstart 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, and places will be awarded at the discretion of the University.

Priority will be given to applicants who meet the most University of Sunderland Widening Participation Criteria 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 - The University of Sunderland 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 - The University of Sunderland 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 Medstart.

We urge teachers and advisers to check the Medstart entry criteria before informing students about the scheme.

Medstart students working on a Manikin arm during a simulation

Academic requirements

To be considered for Medstart, you must meet our academic requirements.

You must have five GCSE awards at grade A/7, with a minimum of grade B/6 in Maths, English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics (Dual Award Science is Accepted).

You must be studying A Levels in three subjects achieved in one sitting, including 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 our entry requirements for our MBChB Medicine course.

Medstart students using a stethoscope on a patient

How to apply?

Applications for Medstart 2024/2025 are now closed.

If you missed our launch event, you can watch our launch event from 2023 on Microsoft Teams.

If you have any questions about Medstart, please contact us at medstart@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3374.

Please note our application form will ask you to provide information about you, your studies and your background. This information will help the University determine if you are eligible for the scheme and if you meet any of the University of Sunderland’s Widening Participation Criteria definitions of under-represented groups. You must provide accurate information and be able to provide evidence if required.

Medstart Sessions

In 2024, Medstart will be running the following sessions:

Tuesday 22nd October at 5pm – 7:30pm at the University of Sunderland

MedStart students will be welcomed into the School of Medicine, where they will have the opportunity to meet staff and connect with fellow participants. During this session, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the MedStart programme and explain how it can support you throughout your application journey to study Medicine. Additionally, the session will also include a guided tour of our state-of-the-art facilities and provide advice on how to maximise your work experience opportunities to strengthen your medical school application.

Tuesday 26 November at 5pm – 7:30pm at the University of Sunderland


This engaging event offers Medstart students a unique chance to interact with a variety of clinicians and gain first-hand insights into what it’s like to be a doctor. During the event you will have the opportunity to meet doctors from various specialties, learning about their daily roles, the types of patients they treat, the teams they work with, and the challenges they face. The event aims to provide an insight into the medical professions and inspire students in their medical career aspirations.

Friday 7 March at 9am – 3:30pm at Sunderland Royal Hospital


Located at the Sunderland Royal Hospital Education Centre, Med Start students will meet current medical students and clinical staff ranging from those just qualified (foundation doctors) to senior consultants; students will have the chance to talk to staff in a Q&A and participate in clinical focused activities.

Saturday 11 May at 9:30am – 2pm at the University of Sunderland


This weekend workshop will be run by our medical students. Medstart students will be taken through the various types of questions found on a UCAT test, alongside taking mock tests. Medstart students will leave the workshop knowing what best resources to use to prepare, and how to create a timetable for preparation.

A two day event, with the date and time to be confirmed.


This immersive event will see students attending university for two days. Medstart students will follow the content of a typical day for a first-year medical student. This will include hands on sessions, an introduction to problem-based learning, anatomy and clinical skills. Medstart students will meet and interact with our patient, carer, and public involvement group (PCPI). They will practice and prepare for their Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI), with feedback provided by our staff.

Medstart students performing an examine on a patient during a session

Guaranteed interview

The School of Medicine will guarantee a Multiple Mini Interview to those students that are applicants of the Medicine MBChB course who:

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

 

You are expected to attend all sessions of the Medstart Y12 scheme to be eligible for the guaranteed MMI. Exceptions may be made if you have extenuating circumstances.

The guaranteed Multiple Mini Interview will be applied following the receipt of an application for the 2025 intake of the Medicine MBChB course at the University of Sunderland and will be subject to academic screening and UCAT test scores meeting our requirements.

When you submit your UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) application form to study the Medicine MBChB course at the University of Sunderland, assuming you have met our academic screening and a satisfactory UCAT score, our Student Administration Team will send you information on how to complete an online interview selection tool. You still need to complete this assessment as preparation for your interview, but you will be guaranteed to progress to Multiple Mini Interview.  

This information will be sent to our Student Administration team who will then be able to flag the guaranteed interview on your application if you apply to Sunderland for Medicine.

Please note the information on how the guaranteed multiple mini interview will work is accurate at the time this page was published. The university reserve the right to change the application process for the Medicine MBChB course, in which case the process for the guaranteed multiple mini interview may change. If the process does change the university will be in touch with all students who are eligible for the guaranteed multiple mini interview to outline these changes and any new requirements.

Three medstart students practicing using equipment during a simulation

Contextual offer

We have a contextual offer for applicants that fulfil both our local (North East and Cumbria) and Widening Participation POLAR 4 quintiles 1 and 2 (home address) criteria. 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.

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