What is a selection event?

It's a process to assess whether you're suitable for a place on the course. It's a chance to show us your knowledge about the subject and your enthusiasm for the career.

Being invited to a selection event doesn't mean you're guaranteed a place on the course - the point of the day is to help us come to a mutual decision. We need to decide whether to make you an offer and you need to decide whether you like the course and the university.

To find out what will happen on the day, see the subject-specific information below. The timings listed are approximate, so please keep your plans for travelling home flexible.

When and where is my selection event?

If you're invited to a selection event you'll receive an email telling you when it is and where to go.

It's important to be on time. You should arrive 30 minutes before the start time so you can register. If you're delayed on the way to the event call 0114 225 5555 and ask for Admissions.

What happens on a selection event?

A group task, where you will work in a group of 5-6 people around a table in a room with up to three other groups performing an  activity which lasts 20 minutes. The topic will be a public health issue given to you by the course team.

The group task is a significant part of the assessment process where an activity is completed and the group findings presented to the interview panel and the other candidates. All candidates in the group are required to take part in both parts of the exercise. The group size will vary, but is usually four to six candidates.

An individual interview lasting approximately 15-20 minutes, in a room with a panel, usually 4 people, the panel will have representatives from the course team and one of our NHS partners. You will be introduced to your interviewers around ten minutes before the event start time so please make sure you arrive 30 minutes before the start time to allow for registration.

What else can I experience on the day?

There may be opportunities to speak to current students during the event. There may also be the opportunity for a short tour of the facilities after the event. Please express your interest in this to the student ambassadors on the day.  There are also other ways you can see our campuses and accommodation, including our weekly student-led tours. You can also view accommodation on our website.

Do I need to prepare anything in advance?

At the selection event you should be able to demonstrate an insight into the health visiting and school nursing professions, underpinned by the NMC Code 2015, and be familiar with NHS values and behaviours described in the NHS constitution.

What do I need to bring with me?

Bring the letter inviting you to the event, plus

• NMC Pin Number/proof of current, active registration. Please note that if you are offered a place to study on the SCPHN professional course you have applied for, you will be expected to complete a number of professional requirements and attend a pre-course day prior to enrolment. Failure to comply with any of these requirements will put your place at risk as your offer could be withdrawn
• Certificates - Professional education and academic. Please bring a photocopy of your certificates as well as the original documents, in order that we can process your documents more quickly
• Photographic identification. You must also bring photographic identification (photo ID). If possible please bring a passport or photo driving licence. If you do not own either of these, other forms of photographic identification will be sufficient for the selection event but should you be offered a place on the course you will be required to present further official identification documentation to complete the professional requirements referred to above
• Please ensure you have completed a SHU online application form (after your NHS interview) prior to attending the selection event.

What are we looking for?

In the selection event we're looking for you

• to be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of NHS values
• to show a well-developed, clear and realistic understanding of the profession, contemporary healthcare issues and an awareness of what being a professional means. This should be supported by examples gained from your experience
• to show an understanding of the format of the course. This includes the demand and resilience required to successfully combine academic study with practice placements
• to demonstrate your awareness of placement commitments, which includes
  - commitment to 100% attendance
  - willingness to travel
  - attend full time (Monday to Friday) Part-time option only with NHS Employer agreement)
  - annual leave - allocated holidays set out on the SCPHN timetable * Please inform at interview if you have pre-booked holidays which may need to be considered

We recruit to the values and behaviours outlined in the NHS Constitution. Please visit Health Education England to learn more about values based recruitment.

Who is on the selection event panel?

Academic staff from the SCPHN-Health visiting and school nursing course, placement practice partners and student ambassadors are usually involved with the selection event.

What should I wear?

Wear business dress.

How do I find you?

Robert Winston Building is located on Broomhall Road, off Collegiate Crescent. If you are travelling by car please be aware there are no car parks and extremely limited on-street parking near Collegiate Campus. We recommend parking in the city and walking or travelling by public transport to the campus. Buses are frequent and take just 15 minutes, they stop on Ecclesall Road at the bottom of Collegiate Crescent. You can get the number 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 or 88 directly to Collegiate Campus from the top of Fargate in the city centre.

Please use this map to help you find the building: Collegiate Crescent Campus Map (PDF, 3.56 MB) (PDF, 131.4KB).

To find the building on Google Maps, use: Robert Winston Bldg, Sheffield

I'm disabled and require support at the event. Can you help?

Yes. We can arrange (for example) a sign language interpreter, a notetaker, materials in a different format, and wheelchair access.

Just give us a call on 0114 225 5584 or email events@shu.ac.uk as soon as possible after receiving your letter and tell us what support you need.

The Disability Disclosure booklet (PDF) provides information for students on courses in health and social care. The information in the booklet will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage in both the application process and for your time on placement when you have enrolled on a course. Evidence suggests that students who disclose their disability early are much more likely to reach their potential, because they can receive the support they need to achieve.

What happens after my selection event?

We will not be able to tell you the decision on the day, but we will let you know the result as soon as possible. As there is very high competition for some courses, we may delay making final decisions until we have completed all the interviews and have had discussions with our NHS practice partners. This means that you may not receive a decision following the interview for several weeks but we will inform you if this is the case.

After the selection event our decision will be communicated via letter.

You will receive one of the following decisions.

Conditional offer means you must meet specific conditions, which may be academic and/or non-academic conditions before you can be accepted on the course. If the conditions are met, the offer becomes unconditional.

Unconditional offer is made when you have met the specific conditions we’ve asked for.

Unsuccessful means we are not able to offer you a place on the course. We do not feel that you have demonstrated the necessary skills or experience to be successful at this time; however this does not prevent you from applying in future, should you undertake further study or develop your skills and experience. For individual feedback on the decision you can contact feedbackrequests@shu.ac.uk.