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UK Medicine · 2027 Entry
Sunderland Medical School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
Location Sunderland, UKEstablished 2019Interviews (2027 entry) December 2026 - January 2027Decisions (2027 entry) Until May 2027
Photo: Komusar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped
Photo: Robert Graham · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Photo: Graemefullwood · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Richard West · CC BY-SA 2.0
Tutor videos
Walk through the interview with a current student
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Full guide
How to get into Sunderland medicine
Step-by-step: entry requirements, UCAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.
Open the guide →Interview guide
Prepare for the Sunderland interview
Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.
Read the guide →The course
What the Sunderland medicine course is like
Problem-based learning + Case-based learning, 5 years, placements across The north east of England.
See the course →Overview
About Sunderland
Sunderland built its interview around a structured selection tool that rewards real paid work or caring experience over generic shadowing, plus a numeracy test.
What makes Sunderland different
No use of personal statement. The interview-selection tool reviews up to 4 examples of paid voluntary work or caring experience (shadowing doctors does not count). Numeracy test now part of the interview process.
Sunderland course & teaching
PBL curriculum. Five-year MBChB with PBL and case-based learning. Strong North-East NHS placement network.
Sunderland research strengths
Sunderland is strong in these research areas:
- Pharmacy & pharmacology
- Public health
- Cancer therapeutics
- Mental health
Intercalation at Sunderland
Optional intercalated BSc - limited spaces.
How the Sunderland interview runs
Format: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Series of short interview stations covering motivation, communication, reflection on work experience and reasoning. Includes a 30-minute online numeracy test as part of the selection day.
Sunderland intake
~100 places per year (smaller cohort).
Sunderland at a glance
Founded in 2019. Based in Sunderland.
Programmes offered:
- Medicine
- Community Medicine
TrueScore
Predicted UCAT for Sunderland
TrueScore
What is TrueScore?
A data-driven estimate of the UCAT score you'll likely need to be invited to interview at Sunderland for 2027 entry entry — based on its published cut-offs and recent admissions data. Treat it as a target to aim past, not a guarantee.
- Home1700
- Contextual1680
Sunderland's TrueScore is 1700. Build a week-by-week UCAT plan that works back from your test date — free for the first two weeks.
Entry requirements
What you need to apply to Sunderland
A-Level requirements
AAA at A-level including Biology or Chemistry, plus another designated science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics/Further Mathematics/Statistics) and a third academic subject. No use of predicted grades - Sunderland considers achieved grades only.
Required A-Level subjects
Biology or Chemistry required, plus a second designated science, plus a third academic subject
GCSE requirements
Five GCSEs at grade 7/A or above, with a minimum of grade 6/B in Mathematics, English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Dual Science may not be accepted - confirm with the school. GCSE resits permitted before application (up to 2 attempts).
International Baccalaureate
36 points overall, 6,6,6 at Higher Level including HL Biology or Chemistry plus a second science / Maths (not published on the course page - treat as unconfirmed).
Alternative qualifications
Sunderland does NOT accept international students - UK applicants only.
UCAT Selection at Sunderland
Weighting
UCAT used as a 2nd-decile minimum threshold (top 8 deciles required). Beyond that, shortlisting via interview-selection tool - applicants discuss up to 4 paid/voluntary work or caring experiences (shadowing doctors does not count). Numeracy test added for 2025 cycle. No personal statement use.
SJT band
Band 4 is automatically rejected, no further use of SJT
Contextual / WP eligibility
AAB offer for applicants who are both local and contextual (vs AAA standard). Sunderland does not accept international students.
Sunderland shortlists on three things together - the interview selection tool, the academic requirements and the UCAT. The selection tool is a survey you must complete by the published October deadline, asking you to reflect on work experience and the skills it gave you, so it carries real weight rather than being a formality. International students are not accepted.
SJT Band
Band 4 is automatically rejected, no further use of SJT
Specialities offered
Medicine, Community Medicine
Interview
How Sunderland interviews applicants
Format
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Interview window (2027 entry)
December 2026 - January 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)
Until May 2027
Post-interview chances
All Home Applicants: 353/731 = 48% (2025). Not for international students - home only.
Tutor insight
Prepare clear, reflective stories about paid work or caring responsibilities - the interview-selection tool prioritises commitment and depth of experience over volume. Practise basic numeracy under timed conditions before the day.
Practice
Practise for your Sunderland interview
PrometheusQuestion Bank621 medicine questions inside
Interview questions matched to Sunderland
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Sunderland’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
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Get support
Apply to Sunderland with confidence
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UCAT Tutoring
Hit the UCAT cut-off for Sunderland with one-to-one tutoring from top scorers.
Learn moreInterview preparation
Practise the Multiple Mini Interviews format with students who interviewed at Sunderland.
Learn morePersonal statement help
Get your personal statement reviewed by successful applicants.
Learn moreSources
Where Sunderland's figures come from
Checked field-by-field against University of Sunderland's official course page on 14 August 2026.
FAQ
Sunderland — frequently asked questions
Home applicants: Expressed in deciles: your score must fall within the top 8 deciles of the cohort, with an SJT in Bands 1-3.. Sunderland shortlists on three things together - the interview selection tool, the academic requirements and the UCAT. The selection tool is a survey you must complete by the published October deadline, asking you to reflect on work experience and the skills it gave you, so it carries real weight rather than being a formality. International students are not accepted.
Apply to Sunderland with confidence
We've helped students turn their UCAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from Sunderland and other UK medicine schools.