Medical School Interview Formats, Dates & Decision Dates

Knowing the interview date and format universities use is important. So here is every UK medical schools' interview process, dates and decision dates.

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Every Medical School Interview Format and Date

This guide has every single medical school in the UK, with their interview format, date, decision date and unique aspects you should consider when interviewing there. You can use the medical school list below to go directly to the medical schools that you are applying to. 

Medical School List

Of course, due to the pandemic, it is likely that your interview will be online, this might change the format of your interview, so please check course pages by clicking the medical school name.

Candidates rotate around a number of different question stations each in turn. At each station, two selectors will explore one question area/domain for 5 minutes and score the candidate’s performance against pre-determined criteria. Communication and interpersonal skills are also scored at each station. The MMI experience will last approximately 1 hour for each candidate.

Frequently assessed on understanding of medical career ladder, motivation for medicine, and problem-solving.

MMIs consist of a series of six mini-interviews (‘stations’), each lasting six minutes.

Assessed on 3 criteria: 1) Communication and interpersonal skills, 2) Problem solving and initiative, 3) Personal integrity and moral reasoning.

During an MMI, you will encounter between seven and ten different stations. Each station is designed to test a different attribute.

May involve actors in a roleplay scenario. A number of the stations are based on GMC guidelines.

Normally, interview panels consist of two members of senior academic or clinical staff, a medical student and sometimes a lay selector.

Frequently assessed on NHS ‘hot topics’ and what you would bring to life at Barts.

Each interview station will last for 6 minutes, plus 2 minutes preparation time during which you will be informed of the discussion topic and, where relevant, the primary questions you will need to answer. At each station, you will interact with one interviewer but a second interviewer will also be present. You will be scored independently by each.

Frequently assessed on medical news.

The Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) at BSMS will consist of five discussions, each lasting ten minutes, with a minute between each discussion. Applicants will move from each discussion in turn, until they have completed a full circuit – this will take 54 minutes.

Frequently assessed on work experience and Medical School Council’s core values.

Each MMI has 7 stations that last 6 minutes. 1 minute is used for reading the instructions and getting an idea of what the station requires you to do. 

Focus on ethics and interest in Medicine. 

Candidates engage in a number of short interviews, using a range of different interviewers positioned at 6 stations.

Frequently assessed on communication skills, current affairs knowledge and professionalism. 

Selection day using MMI style interviews. 10 stations that last 7 minutes.

Common focus is qualities of a doctor and ethics. 

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Traditional or Panel Interviews consist of being asked questions around your application itself (Personal Statement, school work, work experience) and your reasons for wanting to study Medicine. These questions are asked by a panel of two or more Cambridge tutors.

Frequently assessed on basic science and maths. Interview format varies between colleges.

9 stations, 6 minutes each.

Frequently assessed on empathy, leadership ability, insight into professional life, insight into the Welsh NHS, time management and teamwork, and problem-solving.

10 stations. 7 minutes each – 1 minute of reading + 6 minutes for discussion/task completion.

Frequently assessed on role play and selling points unique to Dundee.

The interview will take the form of MMIs which will assess a range of skills and attributes including the following (mapped onto The NHS Constitution Values and the Vision and Values of Edge Hill University).

Frequently assessed on understanding and motivation for wanting to join the programme, verbal communication skills, integrity/probity, teamwork/leadership, empathy and compassion, awareness of current health challenges, ethical awareness, awareness of self and others, prioritisation/decision making, interpretation of data.

3 rotations. 10 minutes each. 20 minutes preparation work before interviews commence. 1) Communication skills, 2) Critical and ethical reasoning and 3) Career exploration.

As part of the assessment half-day, candidates have an opportunity to find out more about studying Medicine at Edinburgh.

7 stations. 3 minutes each and 3 minutes in between each station.

Frequently assessed on course details, role play and non-academic qualities.

The interview session will last around 30 minutes in total, divided into two sections – a panel A and a panel B. Panel A will explore what being a doctor means and related topics around this. The panel B section will focus more on the applicant as a future doctor and will include a discussion of an ethical scenario – applicants choose one from two given scenarios.

The interviews are conversational, with no writing required at any stage of the process. The only part of the interview that requires reading is the panel B section, where the applicant reads two ethical scenarios and chooses one for discussion.

Group exercise (20 points) – 20 minutes. Personal qualities interview (20 points) – 10 minutes with 2 interviewers. Issues in medicine interview (20 points) – 10 minutes with 2 interviewers. Scenario stations (20 points) – 5 minutes.

Frequently assessed on personal statement, and medical issues.

The interview process consists of multiple aspects including 3 mini-interviews, group work scenarios and individual scenarios.

Common topics assessed are motivation for studying Medicine, understanding of the qualities of a good doctor and communication skills. 

10 stations. 5 minutes each.

Frequently assessed on motivation/experiences informing your decision to pursue a medical degree, insight and empathy, responsibilities and challenges of being a doctor, awareness of ethical issues, resilience, comprehension, and effective communication. 30-minute clinical maths test – 20 questions and simple calculations can be used.

There are 6 stations that are 7 minutes long with 2 minute breaks in-between. The group station lasts for 42 minutes.

Candidates who are invited to interview will be able to view information on MMI timings and logistics via their applicant portal.

7 stations. 6 minutes each with 2 minutes preparation time.

Frequently assessed on ethical scenarios, current topics in the news, and reasons for applying.

The MMI will consist of three small circuits:

– Circuit A consists of stations where you will be given a different task or questions to answer. You will have exactly 5 minutes at each station and then you will be asked to move to the next station. You will have 5 minutes between each station.

– Circuit B consists of stations where you will have 5 minutes to read and think about some information, followed by 5 minutes to discuss with an interviewer. You will have 5 minutes between each station.

– Circuit C consists of a group excercise. You will have 3 minutes reading time followed by 15 minutes for group discussion.

Frequently assessed on NHS ‘hot topics’, and problem-based learning. 20-minute group activity.

The MMI process consists of eight different stations. Each station will last six minutes with one minute to move between stations and read the next task.

BMAT station – assessed on BMAT essay discussion.

The MMI consists of 8 stations which are 7 minutes long. 

Frequently assessed on what makes a good patient consultation, personal statement, medical news and ethical scenarios, and calculation skills.

Any applicant who is invited to interview will be advised of the format when issued with their interview invitation.

Four or five-station multiple mini interview (MMI) format, with each station being marked by a separate interviewer and each station lasts seven minutes long.

Frequently assessed on communication skills, reasons for wanting to do Medicine, matters of medical interest, previous caring experience, and ethical and social issues.

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Interviews for home A100 and all A101 applicants take the form of Multiple Mini Interviews
(MMI’s). A100 applicants classed as International for fees purposes will be interviewed by a
panel of two interviewers either on campus or by video conference if this is more
convenient.

Frequently assessed on integrity, communication, empathy and self-awareness, motivation and commitment to study Medicine, compatibility with the programme, teamwork, organisation, and resilience.

7 stations, 5 minutes each.

Frequently assessed on empathy and insight into Medicine as a career and personal suitability for the profession.

6 stations, 5 minutes each. Includes one role-play scenario with a current medical student.

Ask you to briefly talk about one of your interests and teach the interviewer something about your chosen interest. You will need to allow time within the five minutes allocated for this scenario to interact with the interviewer to check their understanding and make sure they have correctly learned what you want to teach them. 

Traditional or Panel Interviews consist of being asked questions around your application itself (Personal Statement, school work, work experience) and your reasons for wanting to study Medicine. These questions are asked by a panel of two or more Oxford tutors.

Oxford admissions tutors look to see if a candidate matches with criteria such as personal integrity, leadership potential and evidence of self-motivation. At an Oxford Medicine interview, students may be asked questions like “why do we have red blood cells?” or “should the NHS treat people who smoke?”.

You will be assessed across four single assessor stations, which takes approximately 50 minutes. It is not a test of medical or scientific knowledge, but aims to explore your attitudes, outlook and way of thinking.

Frequently assessed on GMC guidelines.

9 separate MMI stations. Around 5 minutes each.

Frequently assessed on problem-solving, and medical ethics.

The Medical School usually uses Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMIs). This will not be possible in 2021-22 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and instead, they shall conduct structured online panel-based interviews between November 2021 and February 2022.

The Panel-Based Interviews comprise a series of eight sections. In the event that you are invited to attend an interview, you will be sent the questions with your invitation.

One 20-minute panel interview and a separate 30-minute group task.

Group task involves around 8 candidates discussing a certain topic, whilst being observed by two interviewers.

Interviews for entry to the School of Medicine are in the format of multiple mini interviews: these usually consist of six ‘mini’ interviews held at stations that last about six minutes each.

Frequently assessed on ethical issues, and role-play scenarios.

MMIs consists of between six and eight short interviews, which take around five minutes each. The interviewers sit at ‘stations’ and the interviewees move between them. Each ‘station’ may involve answering a question, completing a practical task, or participating in a role-play, for example, giving bad news to a patient’s relative.

Frequently assessed on medicine ‘hot topics’, problem-solving skills, and role-play tasks.

Candidates undertake a series of short interview stations. The stations will examine a range of skills and aptitudes. The format of stations may vary from a 1:1 traditional interview through to a role-play.

Interviewees will complete a 30-minute online numeracy test which will assess their ability to perform clinically relevant calculations. This is a pass/fail test. Interviewees who do not achieve the passing score will be unsuccessful at interview.

30 minute written situational judgement assessment and two 20 minute panel interviews. 

Frequently assessed on personal statement, and course details.

8 stations. 7 minutes each – 5 minutes activity + 2 minutes reading.

Frequently assessed on current healthcare news and ethical dilemmas.

UCL

Panel interview with multiple interviewers.

Frequently assessed on personal statement, and BMAT essay discussion.

Everyone who attends the selection centre will be there for about two hours and will take part in six Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs).

You will be observed and scored on the exercises (including team working, communication and empathy) by trained assessors. They come from a range of backgrounds including medical professionals, academics and laypeople with an interest in medical education.

So what next?

Knowing the interview format for your chosen university represents the first step in preparation. The subsequent steps involve practising frequently asked questions with friends, teachers and family, keeping up to date with important medical topics, and making sure you can explain everything on your personal statement!

The process isn’t easy and may feel daunting at times. Just remember that an interview invitation means the medical school already believes that you’re the kind of student they want – now’s your chance to show them in person!

Interview Bundle Logo

Stand out from the competition with expert Interview Support.

Boost your performance in every type of interview with our expert resources and live intensive courses, covering everything you need to know. 

MMI Crash Course

MMI Crash Course

Prepare effectively so you walk into your Interview filled with confidence.

Signing up to the Interview Bundle means you’ll be guided by a Medicine interview expert who will help you face the toughest Interview questions and come out on top.

Want to learn how to Interview like a pro, then this bundle is the one for you…

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