Applying for courses in Medicine, Dentistry and Health Julian Burton Emma Parr Julie Askew

Outline Medicine Dentistry and other programmes Widening participation What do Medical Schools look for? What tools do Medical Schools use to select applicants? Our admissions selection process Assist students seeking entry? Dentistry and other programmes Widening participation © The University of Sheffield

Introduction 500 additional places nationwide for 2018 entry Another 1000 places for 2019 entry © The University of Sheffield

What do medical schools look for when selecting applicants? Academic attainment Aptitude test performance Knowledge of course applied to What do medical schools look for when selecting applicants? Communication skills Commitment to caring Well-rounded individuals Values and attitudes Work Experience © The University of Sheffield

 X UCAS FORM: Academic attainment Panel-based interviews  UCAS FORM: Personal statement What tools do medical schools use when selecting applicants? Multiple mini-interviews (MMI) X  UCAS FORM: Reference  Situational judgement tests  X Admissions Test Personality tests © The University of Sheffield

Our selection process Stage 1 Academic attainment threshold met? UKCAT attainment threshold met? UKCAT Ranking WP Stage 3 Multiple Mini Interview OFFERS © The University of Sheffield

Academic entry requirements Qualification Standard applications Realising Opportunities applications SOAMS applications GCSEs AAAAA. B or better in Maths, English and Science. 5 A*-B grades. C or better in Maths, English, Science AS Levels Not considered Not Considered A Levels AAA (Chemistry or Biology, Another science, a 3rd subject) ABB (Chemistry or Biology, Another science (Maths, Physics, Biology, Psychology) and a 3rd subject) A Levels + EPQ AAB (Chemistry or Biology, Another science, a 3rd subject) + A/A* EPQ BBB (Chemistry or Biology, Another science, a 3rd subject) + A/A* EPQ © The University of Sheffield

UKCAT entry requirements Standard applications Realising Opportunities applications SOAMS applications Threshold 2470/3600 Ranked on UKCAT? YES NO Outcome Applicants meeting academic threshold with highest UKCAT scores invited to MMI Applicants meeting academic and UKCAT thresholds are invited to interview © The University of Sheffield

Multiple Mini-interviews Interview approx 1150 Home/EU applicants for 2019 entry (for 288 Home places) Eight stations, each lasts 8 minutes UKCAT SJT acts as 9th virtual station Communication skills Medical work experience / EPQ Depth and breadth of interests Evidence of commitment for caring Motivation for Medicine Understands nature of medicine Knowledge of / interest in study in Sheffield Values and attitudes Outside interests © The University of Sheffield

How can you help applicants? Academic attainment Medical schools mean what they say. Be aware of entry requirements of schools your students are considering Medical Schools Council has summary guidance on entry requirements for all UK schools www.medschools.ac.uk © The University of Sheffield

How can you help applicants? Admissions tests Different schools use different tests, and in different ways UKCAT recommend 25-30 hours of practice on the sample questions on their website www.ukcat.ac.uk © The University of Sheffield

How can you help applicants? MMI Practice speaking in a formal interview setting Do not worry too much about the questions – coached candidates do not come across well Applicants should be able to talk at length about their interests, work experience, course they have applied to etc. © The University of Sheffield

Sheffield MBChB Admissions Remember we: Don’t rank applicants on academic achievement – must meet minimum threshold Will consider disrupted studies Require practical components of A levels, passed Don’t use UCAS Personal/Referee statements to determine who to invite to MMI. Make offers to applicants who have highest MMI scores (provided Referee statement acceptable). © The University of Sheffield

Additional useful information Our website: www.shef.ac.uk/medicine/prospective_ug/applying Medical Schools Council “A journey to medicine”: http://www.medschools.ac.uk/Publications/Pages/A-journey-to-medicine-series.aspx © The University of Sheffield

Dentistry and Health Dental Surgery Adult Nursing Orthoptics Speech & Language Therapy Dental Hygiene & Therapy, Health & Human Sciences and Speech & Language Sciences

What do we look for when selecting applicants? Med Den Nur Orth Speech Academic attainment Knowledge of course Commitment to caring Values and attitudes Aptitude test performance Communication skills Well-rounded individuals Work Experience      Orthoptics: We don't do the Aptitude Test Speech: We look for all except aptitude © The University of Sheffield

What tools do we use when selecting applicants? Med Den Nur Orth Speech Academic attainment Personal statement Reference Admissions Test Panel-based interviews MMIs Situational judgement tests Group Exercise Presentation      Orthoptics: we don't use Admissions Tests and Situational judgement test Speech: We don't do MMI, situational judgement or admissions test. We do a values-based individual interview © The University of Sheffield

Standard applications Realising Opportunities applications Dental Surgery Qualification Standard applications Realising Opportunities applications SOAMS applications GCSEs 6-8 A grades, inc in Maths, English and Science. 5 A*-B grades. C or better in Maths, English, Science A Levels AAA (Chemistry, Biology & 3rd subject) General studies considered AAB (Chemistry or Biology, Another science (Maths, Physics, Biology, Psychology) and a 3rd subject) A levels + EPQ AAB and A Other Science BTECs & Access to HE diplomas considered © The University of Sheffield

Standard applications Realising Opportunities applications Dental Surgery UKCAT Standard applications Realising Opportunities applications SOAMS applications Threshold Above Average 1-3 situational judgement Ranked on UKCAT? YES NO © The University of Sheffield

Adult Nursing BBB (general studies accepted). Qualification Standard applications GCSEs 5 GCSEs at C/4 including English, Maths & Science A Levels BBB (general studies accepted). Other Relevant BTECs & Access to HE diplomas will also be considered

Orthoptics Qualification Standard applications SOAMS ADOPT Realising Opportunities GCSEs English, Maths & Science C/4 A Levels BBB (Must have either Biology, Maths, Physics or Chemistry + 2 other subjects). BBC including B in one of Biology, Maths, Chemistry or Physics Other Science BTECs & Access to HE diplomas may also be considered GCSE grade C/4 in Maths, English language and Science A level grade BBB which must include one of Biology, Maths, Physics or Chemistry - we do not accept General Studies A level resit - grade BBB A level and extended project:  BBC including B in one of Biology, Maths, Chemistry or Physics+grade B in EPQ in a relevant subject SOAMS and Realising Opportunities:    BBC including B in one of Biology, Maths, Chemistry or Physics BTEC:  DDD in BTEC The Extended Diploma level 3 Applied Science Access to HE Diploma in Science:   60 credits overall with Distinctions in 30 Level 3 credits to include units in Biology and Mathematics, and Merits in 15 Level 3 credits 

Speech & Language Therapy Qualification Standard applications Realising Opportunities GCSEs C/4 in English A Levels AAB ABB A Levels + EPQ ABB + B. The extended project should be in a relevant subject. Other Relevant BTECs & Access to HE diplomas will also be considered We only require GSCE english at grade C - we don't have any other specific subject requirements, we don't accept general studies, EPQ is correct, and for Realising Opportunities etc. we offer guaranteed interview and dropping one grade (or whatever the university will allow).  4. Interview for 2019 will be a talk by the admissions tutor, questions and answer session with current student and a 10 minute individual interview. 

Interviews Dentistry: 15 min individual interview; 2 academic staff and and student. Communication station. Nursing: Group exercise, 5min presentation & 20 min interview. Orthoptics: 3 stations x 6min; clinician, service user and academic staff. Speech: 10 minute individual interview. Dentistry: Interviews 200-250 applicants over 3 days. Notified of interview by the end of January. Tour the Dental School and adjoining Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, & meet students Interview panels comprise of two members of academic staff and a senior dental student. Interviews last up to 15 minutes and investigate: Career Exploration Values and Personal Qualities Commitment to Sheffield Communication Skills Communication Station 15 minutes between the end of their interview and the beginning of the Communication Station. In this station applicants will be presented with a scenario and this station aims to assess Empathy Compassion Applicants will receive the outcome of their interview by the end of March. The School makes more offers than it has places available in order to compensate for those applicants who do not select Sheffield as their first choice or who do not meet the conditions of their offer. Nursing: Meet staff and students if available. Introductory talk and Q&A. Group activity Lunch 5min Presentation (topic given in invitation to interview) 20 minute panel interview Orthoptics: MMI's: we have 3 stations last 6 minutes each. There is a station with a clinician (orthoptist working in the NHS), a service user (patient) and an academic member of staff. At the interview day: introductory talk about orthoptics a tour by students of our facilities and try out clinical skills. Speech: a talk by the admissions tutor, questions and answer session with current student and a 10 minute individual interview.  © The University of Sheffield

How to help students Orthoptics: ‘observe’ Speech: The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists careers booklet: www.rcslt.org/speech_and_language_therapy/docs/undergraduate_guide_2014_amended0715 How can teachers help the students? Orthoptics: Work experience: ideally we would like applicants to observe the work of an orthoptist for at least 1/2 day however observing other eye care and healthcare professionals in a hospital setting is also very valuable. Applicants are recommended to contact their local hospital and ask if it is possible to observe the work of an orthoptist. Other work experience that is also considered valuable is observing the work of an optometrist/optician. We would also strongly encourage applicants to have undertaken some voluntary work/experience with children, the elderly or people with disabilities as these are some of our main patient groups. Advise for interviews: we try and make the interviews as informal and welcoming as possible. Tell the applicant to be themselves and be honest when answering questions. We would expect the applicant to have done some research around what an orthoptist do and have some experience working with people and team work experience. We are also keen for the applicant to have thought about questions they would like to ask.  Speech: With the work experience, we ask students to try and get some experience of interacting with people with speech, language and communication difficulties. This doesn't have to be in a speech and language therapy context, shadowing an SLT etc., we know it is hard to find these opportunities. Activities such as play groups, school volunteering, stroke association groups, care worked in nursing home etc. are all relevant experiences. Applicant should reflect on their work/voluntary experience and be prepared to discuss what they have learnt at interview. Teachers can help them by practising this i.e. asking them to talk about what they learnt about the people they volunteered with, how speech and language therapy might support people with communication difficulties etc. Applicants should also be prepared to demonstrate how they align with the NHS values. The interviews are friendly and an opportunity for applicants to get to know how we do things at Sheffield, as much as for us to get to know them.  The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, our professional body, have recently updated their careers booklet so this might be a useful

www.tinyurl.com/bioscience-health www.shef.ac.uk/medicine/workexperience www.shef.ac.uk/snm/nursing

To Discover And Understand. © The University of Sheffield