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Become an OSCE examiner

Support our Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). Examine our doctors of the future. Complete training to be recognised with 3 CPD points and a certificate.

OSCE Suite

What is an OSCE?

An OSCE is an objective structured clinical examination. They are used to examine within the skills domain of our assessment strategy.  

We examine OSCEs in all years of our course. In phase 1 (year 1 and 2), the examinations take place on-site at the University. In phase 2 and 3 (year 3, 4 and 5), the examinations take place in our clinical partner organisations.  

Station types vary from year to year of the course but can include history taking, clinical examination, prescribing, and procedural skills. There are formative, summative, and supplementary sit assessments for all year groups.

student sitting in a chair reading a document

Who can examine?

The specific requirements for examining at each phase are listed below. We encourage healthcare professionals who are local to the region to consider examining for us. Our training is specific to Medicine at the University of Sunderland, so is not transferable to other institutions.  

Phase 1 (Years 1 and 2)​ 

  • Trained doctors of any seniority including foundation years 1 and 2. 
  • Allied Healthcare Professionals (e.g. Pharmacists, Nurse Teaching Fellows). Must examine stations that map to their expertise. 

 

Phase 2 (Years 3 and 4)​ 

  • Trained doctors of any seniority post-foundation training. 
  • Allied Healthcare Professionals (e.g. Pharmacists, Nurse Teaching Fellows) with a considerable involvement in the UOS undergraduate curriculum. Must examine stations that map to their expertise. 

 

Phase 3 (Year 5)​ 

  • Examiners need to be qualified doctors of grade  ST4 or above orAdvanced Clinical Practitioners.   
  • Year 5 (CPSA) examiners should usually have examined other OSCE assessments before being eligible to examine in the final year. Alternatively, they should have had enhanced OSCE examination training and direct involvement in clinical medical education and training.​ 

Completion of the examiner training will be recognised with a certificate confirming three CPD points from the University of Sunderland. Examiner training is valid for three years and will prepare potential examiners for examining any year group of the course. 

Training dates

We have a number of training dates online throughout the year. See the dates available and sign up to attend.

Some training also takes place in our clinical partner organisations on an ad-hoc by our clinical assessment leads. This can be organised and facilitated on an as required basis. 

If you are unable to attend one of these dates but are still interested in examining – please contact the team at medicine.osce@sunderland.ac.uk. 

Exam dates

The dates for the 2024/25 OSCE examinations can be found below: 

All take place on campus at University of Sunderland.

Year 1

Formative – 21 March 2025 

Summative – 9 and 10 June 2025 

Supplementary – 4 and 5 August 2025 

Year 2

Formative – 20 March 2025 

Summative – 2 and 3 June 2025 

Supplementary – 4 and 5 August 2025 

All take place at Sunderland Royal, Wansbeck, and Hartlepool Hospital for all dates except supplementary sits.

Year 3

Formative – 10 January 2025 

Summative – 29 and 30 April 2025 

Supplementary – TBC

Year 4

Formative – Takes place as part of a clinical skills event running on various days within the hospitals 

Summative – 1 and 2 July 2025 

Supplementary – TBC 

All take place at Sunderland Royal, Wansbeck, and Hartlepool Hospital for all dates except supplementary sits. 

Year 5

Formative – 19 December 2024 

Summative – 3 and 4 April 2025 

Supplementary – 24 June 2025

 

Contact us

OSCE Leads


Clinical Assessment Leads

  • Dr Vikram Mitra, Clinical Assessment Lead (North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Mr Pud Bhaskar, Deputy Clinical Assessment Lead​ (North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Dr Charlotte Bates, Clinical Assessment Lead (Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Dr Claire Bracewell, Clinical Assessment Lead (South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust)


Assessment Team Leads


Administration Team

For more information, please contact the medicine assessments team.

  • Cherelyne Hannan, Programme Administration Co-ordinator (Assessments)
  • Sophie Thompson, Programme Administration Co-ordinator (Assessments)
  • Sai Begum, Programme Administration Assistant (Assessments)