Supporting students applying to Healthcare courses

Admission processes for healthcare courses across all UK universities are designed and mapped against regulatory bodies, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health and Care Professions Council, and Social Work England. This means that applications and interviews will be aligned to the various professional standards.

Applying to Healthcare courses through UCAS

Students should check university websites for entry requirements to ensure they have the necessary qualifications for their chosen course. Some universities require science subjects for courses like Nursing and Midwifery, so students should verify their qualifications before applying.

Depending on the course, specific science subjects may be required. Some courses might need points in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, while others may accept Social Science qualifications (such as Psychology) or Mathematics. Remind them to check GCSE requirements in addition to level 3 qualifications.

Their reference should support the skills they have developed for the course. If they have relevant work experience, a professional or practice-based reference is helpful, but a positive academic reference is also fine.

Writing a UCAS personal statement for Healthcare courses

Students will need to show these 4 key things in their personal statement, and be prepared to talk about them at interview:

1. Knowledge and understanding of the profession
2. Commitment, motivation and enthusiasm for the profession
3. Relevant work or volunteer experience
4. Personal qualities that link to professional skills and qualities

Showing an understanding of the profession and relevant experience

Students should research the career path their chosen course leads to, ensuring they understand its demands and have realistic expectations. Encourage them to reflect on any work or volunteer experience they have, even if it’s not in healthcare. Admissions teams recognise that many students from sixth form or college may have limited work experience.

The key is to consider the skills and knowledge gained from their experiences, such as communication, organisation, or conflict resolution from a customer service job, or working with vulnerable people in healthcare. Skills from extracurricular activities are also valuable.

Highlighting personal qualities on their statement

Students should reflect on their personal qualities and values, considering how they suit a professional course and role. These could include:

• Communication skills
• Ability to empathise with others
• Problem solving and use of initiative
• Studying and working independently and in groups
• Willingness to learn
• Working effectively under pressure

Interviews for Healthcare courses

If students are successful at the application stage, they will be invited to an interview. This may be in person at the university or conducted online. The interview may include various elements such as a written task, scenario-based assessment, group tasks, or individual questions. Different healthcare courses may have different interview questions and formats, with some universities offering a combination of these to assess students.

For online interviews, students should ensure they have a quiet space and verify that their devices can connect properly beforehand. If they do not have a quiet space or access to a computer, they should contact the university to discuss alternative arrangements.

Healthcare interview top tips

• Be on time for the interview
• Research the NHS constitution and values
• Research relevant regulatory bodies and documents to mention in the interview
• Prepare by thinking of examples where they've demonstrated skills and values in line with NHS values
• Use the STAR model when giving examples: Situation, Task, Action, Result
• Research the university course and prepare any questions they have

Possible interview questions

Students applying to healthcare courses are likely to be asked about their knowledge of the course and the profession, so it's important they do their research before applying and attending the interview. They’ll need to demonstrate relevant skills, such as communication, teamwork, and the ability to work in a caring and compassionate manner.

Applicants may need to discuss their personal qualities and values in line with NHS core values, covering areas such as respect, compassion, and dignity. They are also likely to be asked how they would respond in stressful situations or when dealing with conflict or difficulty. Reflecting on relevant news stories related to health and social care can highlight their up-to-date knowledge in the field.

Most healthcare courses follow a value-based interview practice, assessing whether applicants' values and behaviours align with professional standards and NHS values. Possible interview questions might include: