We are expecting every medical school to run medical school interviews online. Looking at the websites of the medical schools, many have confirmed they are moving online whilst a few are yet to post an update about the methods they will use to interview students this winter. Some have confirmed dates for interviews. We bring you a summary of what has been uploaded on the medical school websites so far.

With many localities having lockdown restrictions due to COVID 19, in our view it would be simply unfair and pose an unavoidable and unnecessary risk to hold a traditional face to face panel or MMI interviews. We list some of our reasons below:-

• Students (and examiners for that matter) may need to self-isolate with very little notice through no fault of their own.

• The government could lock down the area around the university preventing any mixing outside of a social bubble.

• Having hundreds of students from around the country attend an interview centre, even with social distancing poses an unnecessary risk of transmission of COVID 19.

• These students may also need to use public transport again increasing the risk of transmission of the virus.

• Simply wiping down the interview chair and door handles in between candidates may not be enough.

• Track and trace at the centre could be implemented but at what administrative burden?

• Unlike the UCAT exam, the candidates will also be talking through in interview. Even with a mask the risk of transmission is much higher.

• And the reason which we feel is the most important – there is alternative technology available to hold remote interviews safely, so this technology should be used.

As I mentioned previously many medical schools have already made the decision to hold interviews remotely and some have given some interview dates. Others are still yet to make a decision, but it does increasingly look that that every medical school will interview remotely this year. A few may give the option for a face to face interview in person, but these are likely to be in the minority.

The information below is taken directly as direct quotes from the medical school websites. If the site has little information or does not appear to have been updated (as of Tuesday 13 October 2020) we have indicated this. The information below is only a snapshot and medical schools do change dates and formats, so always check with the medical school before making any decisions.

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University of Aberdeen

Interviews are conducted between November until the end of March using the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. For 2021 entry, interviews will be conducted online.

Anglia Ruskin University

For the 2021 cycle, we'll be running all of our interview days remotely, but still following the MMI format. You'll be invited to a 'preparation session' in the week prior to your interview, to ensure you are able to access the platform and are comfortable with the technology that you will be using.

MMI interview dates for September 2021 entry

7 - 16 December 2020

7 - 15 January 2021

Aston University

The website has not been updated at the time of writing this article.

The MMIs will take place at Aston University and all applicants who are selected for interview, including international applicants, will have to attend. Normally, no Skype/ remote interviews will be possible as we believe that face to face assessment of an applicant’s abilities is an important part of the selection process.

BARTS (Queen Mary University of London)

If selected, you will be required to attend a short interview. Interviews normally take place at the Whitechapel campus between January and March, however, for 2021 entry these will be held online.

We also normally hold interviews overseas in Malaysia and Singapore and these will also be online for 2021.

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

University of Birmingham

For 2021 entry - online interviews

All interviews will take place in January, online via Zoom, and will last for no longer than 30 minutes per candidate. Your online interview will comprise of two 6-minute interview stations, one of which is a role play station, followed by a separate calculation station. The online calculation station test will take 10 minutes and will take place on a separate date from your interview and further information on this can be found below.

Brighton & Sussex Medical School

All applicants for 2021/22 should be aware that the multiple mini interviews (MMIs) at BSMS will be held remotely using Zoom videoconferencing software. We are currently aiming to hold these in January 2021. More information will be added about our Zoom MMIs in the coming weeks, so please check back for details.

Bristol University

All our interviews for undergraduate courses will be held virtually this year, in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

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University of Buckingham

The website mentions Buckingham is moving to ‘Digital MMI’

Objective Structured Selection Examinations

The second stage of selection applies only to those who meet the academic threshold, and is intended to judge personal attributes relating to suitability for practice as a doctor. It consists of an Objective, Structured Selection Examination (OSSE), made up of a series of tasks intended to test abilities related to 'Good Medical Practice', published by the UK General Medical Council

The January 2021 Selection Day dates are:

6 October 2020 (Digital MMI) Spaces Available

6 November 2020 (Digital MMI) Spaces Available

University of Cambridge

In order to minimise COVID-related risks to our applicants, students and staff in the coming undergraduate admissions round, we are making plans to interview applicants this year without requiring them to travel to Cambridge in December.

Cardiff University

The website has not been updated at the time of writing this article.

No offers are made without interview. Interviews are offered to applicants who achieve the highest positions according to their academic and non-academic rankings. Applicants are required to attend a multiple mini interview.

Selection for interview is based on academic performance. For those selected for interview, applicants will attend a multiple mini interview. These interviews will take place throughout December and January.

University of Dundee

We use Blackboard Collaborate for our online interviews. You will be given a link to access your interview in your confirmation email. There is no need to register for an account or log in, simply click the link in your email to join the online meeting at the time stated in your confirmation and reminder email.

We hold our interviews between December and February. It is wise not to plan holidays over this period so that you don’t miss out on an interview date. Our booking system will allow you to choose from a selection of dates and times. We advise that you book quickly to secure a slot which is best for you.

Kent and Medway Medical School

The website appears not to have been fully updated at the time of writing this article.

The KMMS MMIs will take place from December and are a mandatory part of the application process. Candidates who are invited to interview will be able to view information on MMI timings and logistics via their applicant portal in KentVision.

Invitations to the KMMS MMIs will begin to go out mid-November. Please remember to check your applicant portal and emails regularly as this is how we will contact you regarding the progress of your application.

Norwich (UEA)

The website appears not to have been fully updated at the time of writing this article.

Applicants are then invited to interview (from late November/December onwards).

University of Edinburgh

The website appears not to have been fully updated at the time of writing this article.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an Assessment half-day, during which they will have an opportunity to find out more about studying medicine in Edinburgh, as well as undergoing a series of short interviews. Candidates invited for assessment day will be provided with more information about the structure of the day.

University of Exeter

The website appears not to have been fully updated at the time of writing this article.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview between December and March. The interview style will be Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). The day will also include tours and presentations and a short period for discussion with a member of staff.

University of Glasgow

The website appears not to have been fully updated at the time of writing this article.

Candidates who are being considered further are normally interviewed (600-700 applicants) in December. The general format of the interview features in the invite to interview letter, with an outline on some areas that may be assessed.

Hull York Medical School

For this cycle (2021 entry), we will be conducting our interviews virtually, but will be retaining the MMI format.

Our interviews for 2021 entry will take place during December 2020 and January 2021.

Imperial College London

The website appears not to have been fully updated at the time of writing this article.

Imperial departments that hold recruitment days or interviews mostly hold them between November–February.

Keele University

No applicant will be offered a place without attending for interview. Interviews usually take place on the Keele University campus. However, for 2021 it will be necessary to hold interviews online.

Interviews are scheduled to take place in December, January, February and March. More detailed information will be available to candidates invited for interview.

Kings College London

The website appears not to have been fully updated at the time of writing this article.

No offers are made without an interview. Interviews are held between November and May and you must be available for interview in order to be considered for admission.

Lancaster Medical School

The website appears not to have been fully updated at the time of writing this article.

No applicant will be offered a place without being interviewed in person. The Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) will usually be held in January and February. The exact timing of the MMI days will vary from year to year but we aim to give applicants two weeks’ notice of their MMI date.

University of Manchester

Interviews for 2021 entry will be held online.

For 2021 entry, interviews will be held in December 2020 and January/February 2021. You will not be offered a place at Manchester without an interview.

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University of Oxford

Mid-December: Interviews for Medicine in 2020

For courses starting in October 2021, admissions interviews will be held online and are expected to take place in December 2020. We will add further guidance about the technology we will use as soon as possible.

University of Plymouth

In response to the Coronavirus outbreak and in the interest of keeping applicants, interviewers and staff safe, we will be completing all interviews online for 2021 entry. This means that the interview structure may differ from our standard Multiple Mini Interview format, however, we will send applicants who are invited to complete an interview process all of the required information in advance.

University of Sheffield

The Medical School usually uses Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMIs). This will not be possible in 2020-21 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and instead we shall conduct our online panel-based interviews between November 2020 and February/March 2021.

University of Southampton

Selection days for BM4, BM5 and BM6 will take place between January and March 2021. As soon as we know exact dates, we’ll update (this page with the details).

Due to the nature of the interviews you will not be able to choose your selection date.

University of St Andrews

Invitations to attend an interview will be emailed to applicants at various times from November up to March. Interviews usually take place in St Andrews on dates in late November and early December and then in the following January, February and early March.

For 2021 entry, all interviews will be conducted online using Microsoft Teams. Further information will be provided to applicants who are invited to interview.

St Georges Medical School

The website appears not to have been fully updated at the time of writing this article.

You will then be invited to attend an MMI which is a values-based recruitment process and reinforces objectivity.

University of Sunderland

Where and when will interviews take place?

Interviews are scheduled to take place in late December and January.

What does an on campus interview consist of?

Our interviews take the form of multiple mini-interviews (MMIs), where candidates undertake a series of short interview stations.

What does an online interview consist of?

Our online multiple mini-interviews (MMIs) will take place on Microsoft Teams where candidates undertake a series of short interview stations.

UCL Medical School

The website appears not to have been fully updated at the time of writing this article.

The exact format of interviews (whether they are face-to-face or online, and whether it is feasible to conduct MMIs or panel-based interviews) will be guided by the pandemic situation later on in the year. We are hoping to be able to make the decision by October/November and will provide additional information to all applicants at this stage.

University of Central Lancashire

Please note, due to the global health situation, interviews will be conducted remotely for the foreseeable future. If you are shortlisted, you will receive more details from our Admissions team in due course.