Your Essential Guide to UK Medical School Applications: UCAT, UCAS, Interviews & Beyond
Welcome to the Blue Peanut Medical School Blog—your trusted resource for navigating the challenging and competitive journey into medicine. Whether you're in sixth form preparing your UCAS personal statement, studying for the UCAT, or gearing up for interviews such as MMIs or panel formats, our blog provides expert guidance at every stage.
Created by practising NHS General Practitioners and experienced medical educators, each article distils practical strategies, up-to-date insights, and insider knowledge to help you achieve your dream of securing a place at a UK medical school.
Role-Play Stations in MMI: Scripts, Examples and What Examiners Look For
Role-play MMI stations – where you interact with an actor in a simulated scenario – can be one of the most challenging parts of a medical school interview. This blog demystifies these acting stations with clear examples and insider tips to help you shine.
Do International Students Need Biology and Chemistry for Medicine in the UK?
Thinking about studying medicine in the UK as an international student, and not sure whether you must have Biology and Chemistry? This guide explains what UK medical schools actually require, how it applies to A-levels, IB and other curricula, and what you can do if you’re missing one of the core sciences – in clear, friendly English.
UK Medical School International Acceptance Rates – A Complete 2025 Guide
Aspiring to study Medicine in the UK? 🌍 Discover how competitive it really is for international applicants at every UK medical school. We break down acceptance rates, explain why they’re so low, and offer tips for improving your chances in a friendly guide tailored for sixth-form students worldwide.
Online Medical School Interviews Guide
Applying to medical school and facing an online interview? 📹 Don’t worry – you’re not alone. Many UK medical schools now interview applicants remotely. In this friendly guide, we’ll explain everything from the software you’ll need (Zoom, Teams, etc.) to which universities are holding online interviews, and how virtual interviews differ from traditional face-to-face ones. Get ready to shine on screen and turn your online interview into an offer!
What to Wear to a Medical School Interview
Preparing for a medical school interview is nerve-wracking, but choosing the right outfit shouldn’t be. 🤔 This comprehensive guide explains exactly what to wear (and what not to wear) to a medical school interview – whether it’s in-person or online. We cover everything from how smart your attire should be to the best colours, shoes, accessories, and even tips for virtual interviews. Dress to impress and let your confidence shine through! ✨
UK Medical School Entry Requirements for International Students (Complete Guide)
Planning to study medicine in the UK as an international student? This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need – from academic qualifications and admission tests (like UCAT) to English language scores, the UCAS application process, work experience, interviews, and visa requirements. Written in clear British English, it explains each requirement in simple terms, helping you navigate UK medical school admissions with confidence.
Cheapest UK Medical Schools for International Students
Looking for the most affordable options to study medicine in the UK as an international student? This comprehensive 2026 guide covers the cheapest UK medical schools for international students, explaining tuition fees (with some as low as ~£30,000/), total costs, living expenses, and scholarships. Learn how universities like Leicester, Queen’s, and Belfast offer lower fees, discover budget-friendly graduate entry routes, and get tips to finance your UK MBBS degree. All info is in clear British English – perfect for sixth-formers worldwide planning their medical education.
AI in Healthcare – Essential Guide for Medical School Interviews (Uses, Ethics, Patient Safety)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the medical field, from faster diagnosis of diseases to personalised treatments. Aspiring medical students are increasingly expected to discuss how AI is used in healthcare, along with the ethical and patient safety issues it raises. This guide breaks down what AI in healthcare means, current applications and benefits, key ethical implications, and patient safety considerations. We also include example medical school interview questions about AI in healthcare to help you prepare for your medicine interviews in a confident and informed way.
The Challenges Facing the NHS
The NHS is under pressure with record waiting times and workforce shortages. This comprehensive, student-friendly guide breaks down the key challenges facing the UK's health service – like ambulance delays, A&E overcrowding, cancer treatment waits, and staffing crises – and offers example interview questions to help you prepare for medical school interviews.
Sympathy vs Empathy in Medical School Interviews
Sympathy and empathy – do you know the difference? Medical school interviewers in the UK often test aspiring doctors on their ability to empathise with patients. In this friendly guide, we explain sympathy vs empathy in simple terms, why empathy is so important in healthcare, and how you can demonstrate true compassion in your medical school interviews. We also include 10 example interview questions on this topic to help you practise and prepare.
Euthanasia & Assisted Dying in the UK: A Guide for Medical School Interviews
Euthanasia and assisted dying are among the most challenging ethical issues in medicine. This guide explains what these terms mean, the legal status in the UK, key ethical arguments on both sides, and how to discuss them in a medical school interview – including 10 example questions. We break down complex concepts into clear language to help you prepare effectively and speak about this topic with confidence.
UCAS Application Stats for 2026 Entry Medicine
The number of students applying to study Medicine in the UK for 2026 entry has jumped significantly. In this comprehensive overview, we examine UCAS data on 2026 Medicine applications – including the rise in applicant numbers (both from the UK and internationally), the competition for medical school places, and why Medicine remains as competitive as ever. We also explain key terms in simple language and offer insights for sixth-formers preparing for their own medical school journey.
The Bawa-Garba Case – A Comprehensive Guide for Medical School Interviews & Ethics
The Bawa-Garba case is a pivotal UK medical ethics case that every aspiring doctor should be familiar with. It involves the tragic death of a child under a junior doctor’s care and raises critical issues about medical errors, responsibility, and systemic failings in the NHS. In this blog, we explain what happened in simple terms, discuss broader ethical themes (such as accountability versus system failures and the need for a “just culture” in healthcare), and demonstrate why the case matters for medical school interviews. We also include example interview questions to help you prepare to discuss this case with confidence.
When Are Medical School Interview Invites Being Sent Out?
Waiting for your medical school interview invite can feel like one of the hardest parts of the application process. In this blog we’ll show you exactly when UK medical schools typically send interview invites, outline the interview schedule for 2026-entry, and give you friendly, practical advice on what to do while you wait — so you stay calm, prepared and proactive.
Medical Law and Ethics for Medical School Interviews
A comprehensive guide on medical law and ethics for medical school interviews. Covers the four pillars of medical ethics, key UK legal cases, international examples, and 15 sample interview questions to help sixth form students prepare effectively.
UK Junior Doctor Strikes and NHS Pay Dispute (2022–2025)
The UK has witnessed a series of junior doctor strikes from 2022 through 2025 due to an ongoing NHS pay dispute. This blog post provides a neutral, in-depth look at why junior doctors (qualified doctors in training roles) have been striking, the impact on patients and the National Health Service, how the government has responded, and what solutions might resolve the conflict. Key terms, such as the British Medical Association (BMA), consultant, pay restoration, and strike mandate, are explained. We also include example medical ethics interview questions to help sixth-form students prepare for medical school interviews on this timely topic.
Oxford vs Cambridge for Medicine – How to Choose the Right Medical School
Choosing between Oxford and Cambridge for Medicine is a big decision for any sixth form student. This comprehensive guide breaks down the key differences – from course structure and entry requirements to acceptance rates and student life – to help you decide which university is the better fit for your medical studies. We also discuss considerations for international students, and answer common questions in an FAQ section.
Oxford Medical School Admissions Statistics and How to Succeed in Your Application
How hard is it to get into Oxford Medicine? We break down Oxford’s latest admission stats – from acceptance rates to average UCAT scores – and share advice to help sixth formers maximize their chances of securing a place at Oxford’s prestigious Medical School. (Includes a comparison with Cambridge and tips on acing your interviews.)
UCAT 2025 Results – How Do They Compare to 2024?
The UCAT 2025 results have just been released, revealing how this year’s candidates performed in the admissions test. In this comprehensive breakdown, we compare the 2025 average scores and percentile ranks to 2024’s statistics, highlighting key differences and trends. Read on to find out if UCAT scores are on the rise and what this means for your 2026 medical or dental school applications – including advice for applicants with high or low UCAT scores and how universities might use these results.
UCAT 2025 Scoring Explained – What’s a Good UCAT Score for 2026 Entry?
The UCAT exam is evolving for 2025, and if you’re applying to medical school in 2026, it’s crucial to understand how the new scoring works. In this comprehensive guide, we explain how UCAT 2025 is scored under the latest format (with one less subtest), when UCAT results come out, and how to interpret your score. We’ll break down what is considered a low, average, or high UCAT score in 2025, discuss the final UCAT results from 2024, and explore what score you might need for a medicine offer. Along the way, we’ll share strategies for choosing medical schools based on your UCAT and how to prepare for the next stage – your interviews.