MNurse (Adult)

You must have a certificate of evidence of GCSE English language and maths at grade C or above (or equivalent) and hold an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above, awarded within the last five years.

You must be able to provide evidence of 600 hours of theoretical learning (gained from your previous degree) and 600 hours of healthcare experience by completing an Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) document, which you'll receive post-interview. These hours contribute to the APL, in line with NMC requirements.

If you're unsure if you're eligible to apply, please contact the admissions tutors for further information by emailing nursing.admissions@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab).

Interviews

Your completed application form will be reviewed by our Admissions team to ensure that you have the required entry qualifications. If you meet these requirements, you'll be shortlisted for interview. This will be an individual interview which will assess your values, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Interviews will take place online via Microsoft Teams and are offered throughout the year.

Healthcare experience and Portfolio of Evidence

If you're successful at interview, you'll be asked to evidence the required minimum hours of theoretical and healthcare experience by completing an Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) document. Formal healthcare experience can be in the public or private sector.

English language requirements for international applicants

International applicants must meet the NMC English language requirements. If English isn't your first language, you must provide a valid test result from one of the following:

IELTS (Academic version):

• Overall score: 7.0
• Minimum 7.0 in speaking, listening, and reading
• Minimum 6.5 in writing.

OET (Nursing version):

• Overall grade: B
• Minimum grade B in speaking, listening, and reading
• Minimum grade C+ in writing.

Tests must be taken within the last two years, and no other forms of English language evidence will be accepted.

Exemption for University of Sunderland graduates

If you completed a degree or master’s level course at the University within the past five years, you don't need to submit an English test. If you studied at another UK university, exemption may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Fitness to practise

Medical assessments of your mental and physical health and disclosure of criminal convictions apply to all nursing courses and are based on current NMC requirements. Nurses are registered healthcare professionals and the ability to practise safely, effectively, and professionally is essential, so all applicants are required to follow our fitness to practise procedures. This means you're required to complete the following:

• A health declaration form. Here, you must demonstrate that you're of good health, good character, and can satisfactorily pass occupational health screening. In addition, you'll be required to attend an Occupational Health Assessment with an NHS Trust. The University will, taking into account current NMC regulations, make any reasonable adjustments if required. Please refer to the HEOPS nursing student fitness standards(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab).
• A self-declaration form about your conduct
• Obtain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The cost of the DBS check is covered by the University.

Instructions on how you complete these checks will be sent to you once you hold a conditional firm offer with us. These forms are then reviewed alongside your application, and you must meet both the academic and fitness to practise requirements before you'll be given an unconditional offer. If you're successful, you'll also need to complete an annual declaration form to confirm you're fit and there are no changes to your DBS.