Sunderland Medicine Interview — Format, Questions & Prep Tips

Why Sunderland for medicine?

Reference the PBL curriculum, early clinical contact, the North East context and the widening-participation mission. Be specific.

What is it about problem-based learning that you find suitable for your learning style?

Show insight into how PBL works — peer learning, self-direction, group discussion — and why that suits you. Don't pretend PBL is easy.

The North East has some of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the UK. Whose responsibility is it to address this?

Engage with personal, NHS, public-health and political layers. Reference specific local determinants such as deprivation and ex-industrial communities.

You are a peer leader in a PBL group. One member dominates discussions; another rarely speaks. (Actor present.)

Address the dynamic without humiliating anyone — create space for the quieter member, gently boundary the dominant one.

Describe a situation where you helped someone from a disadvantaged background.

Genuine, specific example. Avoid sounding patronising. Show what you learned about systemic barriers.

Here is a graph showing life expectancy by ward in Sunderland. Interpret it.

Describe the trend, comment on the gap between most and least deprived wards, and acknowledge confounders.

A patient repeatedly fails to attend appointments. Should they continue to receive NHS care?

Yes, but explore reasons — transport, mental health, caring responsibilities. NHS Constitution prohibits discrimination on these grounds.

What attracts you to working in the North East specifically?

Be honest. If you're not from the region, explain what draws you here. If you are, talk about wanting to give back.

Tell us about a time you received critical feedback and how you responded.

Genuine example. PBL involves constant peer feedback — show you can take it constructively.

Explain to a patient with limited health literacy that they need to start insulin therapy. (Actor present.)

Plain language, no jargon, chunked information, teach-back to confirm understanding.

Should newer medical schools like Sunderland have lower entry requirements than older schools to widen access?

Engage seriously. Reference contextual offers, evidence on academic potential, and the duty to maintain professional standards.

What do you understand about the Sunderland MBChB structure?

Five-year integrated programme, PBL-led, early clinical contact, regional placements. Show you have read the prospectus.

Describe a recent piece of medical research you found interesting.

Pick something specific and recent. Explain what it found, why it matters, and any limitations you noticed.

Tell us about a time you adapted your communication style.

Concrete example with reflection. Sunderland places students with diverse patient populations early on.