Dress code

Some applicants become quite nervous about picking the right outfit for their interview, but the most important thing is that you feel comfortable on the day.

We're not going to penalise you if you don't come in your best suit, but obviously common sense applies. In general, applicants should be clean and smartly dressed, whether the interview is online or in person.

Studies have shown that non-verbal communication is at least as important as verbal communication, so how a student or health and social care professional appears to patients, clients, service users, relatives, professionals or colleagues may communicate as much as what is said.

Extremes of dress compromise communication channels between health and social care students and other patients and professionals, regardless of either party's gender, or cultural or ethnic background. 

Styles of dress or articles of clothing that introduce barriers to communication or that compromise or could potentially compromise hygiene must be avoided.

Styles of dress should inspire confidence and add to, not detract from, effective and sensitive communication. As such, the following should be avoided:

• t-shirts with slogans;
• revealing clothing;
• trainers;
• clothing that covers most of the face*.

* Peaked caps, hoods, and the niqab are examples of unacceptable clothing in this context. Clothing like the hijab that only obscures the hair and the top of the head is, however, acceptable. 

This applies not only in clinical settings but also in educational elements of the course where communication skills are relevant, such as some types of group work and role-play exercises.

The University also reserves the right to check the identity of students who wear clothing that covers most of the face (as defined above) on key occasions such as examinations.