Before you apply

If you are applying for course in the School of Health & Social Work such as Nursing or Physiotherapy, we have provided additional guidance to help you satisfy the additional requirements needed for such courses.

You'll be expected to expand on certain areas in your application for these programmes.

Understanding the Profession

The University will want to know that a student understands the various avenues available to them as a health practitioner. We advise that prospective students of our health courses visit their online professional body. The University must stress how important it is that students of this area are fully aware of the work ahead of them, and that means doing thorough online research.

Interests and Hobbies

In addition to a focus on health studies, our course tutors want to get to know the students who come to study. Personal statements are also a place for applicants to get across the kinds of people they are in their free time, and applicants might want to mention hobbies and interests like playing sports or a musical instrument.

The NHS

The NHS need not be complicated for new students, but it is important that they understand how it works. We advise that students look to the NHS website and search online to consolidate their knowledge.

Once students are familiar with how it works, we advise that they research the Constitution and the Values of the NHS by visiting the UK Government’s website at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england

When examining applicant personal statements, the university will want to know that a prospective student understands the Values of the NHS. Therefore, we advise that applicants devote a portion of their personal statement to make clear their understanding – perhaps by including examples of the Values that relate to their own experiences.

Why Health?

The University wants to know that its applicants are willing and eager to become health practitioners. We advise that applicants make clear their reasons (both personal and professional) for wanting to study and work in this field.

Your Experience

Work experience is often a vital way to improve studies with practical work – especially for upcoming health practitioners. We advise that students look to local hospitals and clinics for opportunities where you might observe practitioners as they work.

This may prove difficult with larger hospitals, so students may look to community-based clinics, hospices, charities, and other settings that may offer experience to studying health practitioners.

Whilst the University does not expect students to complete a set period of work experience (anything from a few days to a few weeks is acceptable), we strongly advise that they seek it out, as it can be invaluable to informing and shaping the development of health practitioners.

When looking at personal statements, the University wants to know what experience an applicant has, how long for, and where/with whom it was completed. It’s also important to describe just how this experience influenced their decision to pursue the health sector.

It is important that you include the following, in addition to other required documents, with your application so that it can be considered:

• A portfolio of your work (details as below)
  • A selection of images of significant works/designs (maximum of 20)
  • Images of sketchbook work (maximum of 20)
  • Images that show your development process and research (maximum of 20)

The portfolio should be clearly annotated with an indication of media used and size. Please visit our website for further information and guidance on how you may present your portfolio.

You can attach your portfolio on the application form by providing us with a URL to a digital drive or online portfolio.

Applicants to the MA Art Therapy programme must have completed approx.1,000 hours of relevant work experience.  This can be one year full-time or the equivalent in part-time employment in a clinical setting, working with people in psychological, emotional and/or physical need.

This includes mental health, special education or youth and community work, as well as work in general health care settings with adults or children. Voluntary work is acceptable but it needs to be consistent, over a period of time and meet the required hours.

You can download the Professional Practice Log on our website.

You can attach this document with your application.

As part of your application you need to present at least two short film scripts or one feature length script of your own writing. Episodic television scripts are also accepted.

You can attach this document with your application.

As part of your application you need to present at least two short film projects - documentary or scripted fiction - on which you have participated in a lead role of director, producer, or head of the department. Please note, corporate or promotional videos will not be accepted, such as videos made for a local group or church.

You can provide the URL link for this with your application.

You have selected a programme which requires additional content. In order for the admissions tutor to make a decision on your application we need the following from you:

1. Describe a patient’s skin disease that you have personally been involved in diagnosing and treating that has proved clinically challenging.

Outline in no more than 500 words why this patient case was difficult and what you learnt from managing them.

2. Summarise your clinical experience since qualifying as a doctor (You will be ask to provide this in a table format):

3. Please reflect on your career to date and provide a short account (250 words) to include:

• What are your main achievements to date?
• What specific areas of dermatology practice do you feel you need to improve on?
• What do you hope to gain from this masters?

You have selected a programme which requires additional content. In order for the admissions tutor to make a decision on your application we need the following from you:

1. Describe a patient with cardiovascular problems that you have personally been involved in diagnosing and treating that has proved clinically challenging.

• Outline in no more than 500 words why this patient case was difficult and what you learnt from managing them.

2. Please reflect on your career to date and provide a short account (250 words) to include:

• What are your main achievements to date?
• What specific areas of cardiovascular medical practice do you feel you need to improve on?
• What do you hope to gain from this masters?

You can upload this with your application.

You have selected a programme which requires additional content. In order for the admissions tutor to make a decision on your application we need the following from you:

1. Describe a patient’s skin disease that you have personally been involved in diagnosing and treating that has proved clinically challenging.

• Outline in no more than 500 words why this patient case was difficult and what you learnt from managing them.

2. In the box below please summarise your clinical experience since qualifying as a doctor. For each example, please include the following:

• Include the Type of Experience
• Start and Finish Dates (MM/YY - MM/YY)
• Name of the Hospital/Health Centre

3. Please reflect on your career to date and provide a short account (250 words) to include:

• What are your main achievements to date?
• What specific areas of cardiovascular medical practice do you feel you need to improve on?
• What do you hope to gain from this masters?

You can upload this with your application.

You have selected a programme which requires additional content. In order for the admissions tutor to make a decision on your application we need the following from you:

Please be aware that these awards are not teaching qualifications, and do not cover teaching strategies.

• Evidence of practice experience in an educational setting, or having studied education for the bachelor degree.
• A personal statement which reflects on past experience of educational practice or study, and explains future career aspirations (250 words)

If you are applying for the following programmes, you also must provide:

MA Educational Leadership

More than three years of practice experience in an educational setting is advantageous but not essential. In the box below please summarise your teaching and leadership experience. For each example, please include the following:

• Include the Type of Experience
• Start and Finish Dates (MM/YY - MM/YY)
• Name of the School/College

MA Early Childhood Education

Must have substantial work experience as a teacher/practitioner in early childhood settings (children under five years old), or needs to have studied early childhood education for bachelor degree. This award is not for applicants who have experience of teaching and practice in other settings such as primary and secondary schools. For each example, please include the following:

• Include the Type of Experience
• Start and Finish Dates (MM/YY - MM/YY)
• Name of the School/College

MA SEND and Inclusion

Experience of work in educational settings with learners who have special educational needs would be advantageous but not essential. For each example, please include the following:

• Include the Type of Experience
• Start and Finish Dates (MM/YY - MM/YY)
• Name of the School/College

You have selected a programme which requires additional content. In order for the admissions tutor to make a decision on your application we need the following from you:

You need to submit a video for advocacy assessment. This advocacy exercise assesses your ability to:

• Formulate an argument
• Support your argument with evidence
• Persuade your audience
• Use English appropriately (including grammar, vocabulary, tone)
• Structure an argument
• Clearly deliver your points

Choose from one of the following topics to discuss for your advocacy assessment video:

1. Criminal barristers should not be permitted to go on strike
2. Virtual courts are a good way to clear a backlog in cases
3. Persuade someone to move to another country

Rules for the video:

• The video should be one take and not edited together.
• The video should be a maximum of 5 minutes long.
• Upload the file with your application form and include your full name in the file name.
• The maximum file size is 5GB.
• You can only submit 1 video.

The following courses require additional content:

BSc (Hons) Sport Studies

BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching

BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management

In order for the admissions tutor to make a decision on your application we need the following from you:

1. What athletic sport experience do you have?

2. What is your highest level of representation/ participation/ achievement?

3. What sport coaching experience do you have?

4. What is the highest level role/ achievement in sport coaching?

5. Do you have any coaching qualifications? (If yes, please provide details)

6. Are you currently in a paid coaching or athletic performance position?

You can provide your answers on the application form.