When Are Medical School Interview Invites Being Sent Out?

Introduction

Applying to study medicine in the UK is a rigorous, exciting and competitive process. Once you’ve submitted your application via UCAS (by the 15 October deadline for medicine) and completed any admissions tests such as the UCAT, the next significant milestone is the interview stage. 

One of the most nerve-wracking parts for many students is simply knowing: “When will I hear back? When will I receive an interview invitation?” In this blog, we’ll walk you through the typical timeline for UK medical schools sending out interview invites, provide a detailed schedule of when interviews are being held for 2026 entry, and give you friendly but formal guidance on how to make the most of your time while you wait.

When Are Interview Invites Sent Out?

Every university works slightly differently, but there are patterns you can rely upon. According to guidance from the Medical Schools Council and related sources:

• Many interview invites begin to be sent as early as November of the application year. 

• Most of the interview season runs from December through March. 

• Some medical schools operate in batches or multiple rounds, so you might receive an invite later even if you applied at the same time as someone else. 

• The interval from invite to interview can be quite short, so it’s best to be prepared in advance. 

So, if you applied for entry in 2026 — congratulations! You’re now likely in the waiting window. If you haven’t yet heard anything, don’t worry: depending on your chosen universities, your invite might still be on the way.

Planned Interview Schedules for UK Medical Schools (2026 Entry)

Get ready for UK Medicine interviews with this enhanced guide. Below, you’ll find the dates when each university sends invitations and holds MMI/panel interviews for 2026 entry.

Legend: 🟢 In person • 🔵 Online • 🟣 Hybrid • ✉️ Invites • 📅 Dates • 📍 Location • ⚠️ Subject to change

University of Aberdeen

🟢🏫 In-person MMIs at 📍 Foresterhill are scheduled for 📅 15–19 December 2025.

Anglia Ruskin University

🟢🏫 MMIs at the School of Medicine run 📅 6–16 January 2026, and ✉️ interviews must be booked within 14 days of the email invite.

Aston University

🔵🎥 Online MMIs usually run 📅 December–March in the application year, and ✉️ you’ll receive an invite with dates to choose from.

Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry (QMUL)

🟣 Online or in-person interviews are planned 📅 January–March 2026.

University of Birmingham

✉️ Invites are sent 📅 December–January, and 🟣 interviews run 📅 January–February 2026.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)

🟣 Interviews run 📅 December 2025–February 2026; 🟢 early December/early January in-person or 🔵 late January/early February Zoom.

University of Bristol

🔵🎥 Online MMIs are held 📅 December–February.

Brunel University London

✉️ Invites expected 📅 Nov/Dec 2025, and 🔵🎥 online MMIs run 📅 December 2025–July 2026.

University of Buckingham

🟢🏫 MMIs are held 📅 October–December.

University of Cambridge

✉️ Invites typically arrive 📅 November (some early December); 🟣 interviews vary by college (online or in person) with the main window 📅 1–19 December 2025 and winter pool 📅 mid–late January 2026.

Cardiff University

✉️ Applicants are contacted by 📅 mid-December; 🟢 Home interviews are in person and 🔵 Overseas interviews are online.

University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)

🟢🏫 Interviews usually run 📅 December–April at 📍 Preston, and 🌍 international interviews may also take place overseas.

University of Dundee

🟣 In-person and online interviews run 📅 December–January, and ✉️ they aim to give at least two weeks’ notice.

Edge Hill University

🟢🏫 Expect MMIs in 📅 January 2026.

University of Edinburgh

🟢 Applicants (Scottish & RUK/ROI fee rate) attend in person; outcomes for those applying by 📅 15 Oct 2025 are due by March.

University of Exeter

🟣 Interviews (in person or online) run 📅 December–January.

University of Glasgow

🔵🎥 Zoom interviews run 📅 late November 2025–March 2026.

Hull York Medical School (HYMS)

🟢 Home interviews are in person at Hull/York campuses, while 🔵 Overseas interviews are online for 📅 2026 entry.

Imperial College London

🟣 Interviews run 📅 January–February 2026 (format not specified ⚠️).

Keele University

🔵🎥 Microsoft Teams interviews run 📅 December 2025–March 2026.

Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS)

🟢 In-person interviews for Home applicants begin 📅 mid-December 2025, and 🔵 International interviews are on 📅 12 January 2026.

King’s College London

🟣 Interviews run 📅 November–May, and ✉️ you must be available to be considered.

Lancaster University

🟢🏫 Interviews take place 📅 January–February 2026.

University of Leicester

✉️ Email invites go out 📅 late November; 🟢 Home interviews (in person) are 📅 9–18 Dec 2025 and 8–16 Jan 2026, while 🔵 International interviews are online 📅 8–16 Jan 2026.

University of Leeds

🟢🏫 In-person MMIs are on 📅 5, 6, 7 January 2026, with 🔵 Overseas interviews online.

University of Liverpool

🟢🏫 Home interviews run on weekdays 📅 26 Jan–13 Feb 2026, and 🔵 International online interviews are potentially 📅 12–13 Feb 2026 (subject to change ⚠️).

University of Manchester

🟣 Interviews are usually 📅 December–early March, with online or in-person options.

Newcastle University

🟣 Interviews may be MMI or panel; MMIs usually run 📅 December–January.

Norwich Medical School (UEA)

🟢 In-person MMI interviews run 📅 November–March, with ✉️ invites sent from November onward.

University of Nottingham

🔵🎥 For 2026 entry, interviews are online, with MMIs usually 📅 December–February.

University of Oxford

✉️ Shortlisting is confirmed by early December, and 🔵🎥 online interviews are 📅 Mon 15 Dec & Tue 16 Dec 2025.

University of Plymouth

🔵🎥 Interviews are online, typically 📅 December–February.

Queen’s University Belfast

🟣 Interviews run 📅 mid-December–March; 🟢 Home in person, 🔵 International online.

University of St Andrews

✉️ Invites go out 📅 November–March; 🟢 Home interviews are in person and 🔵 others online, usually early December then 📅 January–March.

St George’s, University of London (SGUL)

🟢 MMIs typically run 📅 November–December, usually in person (2026 format not yet confirmed ⚠️).

University of Sheffield

🟢 Home applicants interview in person; 🔵 International applicants have an online panel. 🟢 MMIs run 📅 19 Jan–6 Feb 2026, and 🔵 online panels are 📅 8, 9, 12, 13 Jan 2026.

University of Sunderland

🟢🏫 In-person MMIs take place in 📅 December 2025.

UCL (University College London)

🟣 MMIs are in person for Home and online for International 📅 December–March, with ✉️ one week’s noticeand 5-day confirmation required.

University of Worcester

🟢🏫 Interviews are planned for 📅 week commencing 4 March 2026 (last update referenced 2025 entry—please check 2026 details ⚠️).

University of Chester

🟣 Interviews are online or remote, with more details provided upon shortlisting.

Ulster University

🟣 Medicine interviews usually run 📅 December–February.

Swansea University

🟢🏫 Interviews generally happen 📅 January–March.

University of Warwick (Graduate Entry Medicine)

✉️ Shortlisted applicants are notified in December; 🟢 in-person MMIs are 📅 16–19 Dec 2025, and 🔵 International MMIs are online on 📅 14 Jan 2026.

University of Southampton

🟢🏫 In-person interviews at the Southampton campus run 📅 January–March, with ✉️ notice typically 2–3 weeks (Home/UK) and 5–6 weeks (International); selection day dates appear in October.

🔎 Cambridge & Oxford (General Note)

🟢 Traditionally , panel interviews occur in December, but specifics vary by college—always check your college’s guidance ⚠️.

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What Should I Do Now?

While you wait for your interview invitation, here are practical steps you can take to stay productive, polished and ready.

1. Confirm your contact details and keep an eye on your inbox

Ensure that your UCAS account is up to date, including email addresses. Many universities send interview invitations by email, and you may be asked to book a slot within a short window (e.g., two weeks) so you want to ensure you don’t miss it. For example, some schools note that interviews “must be booked within 14 days of receiving the email invitation”. (e.g., Anglia Ruskin).

2. Prepare interview logistics

• Check format: online vs in-person. Some schools offer both.

• If online: ensure your internet, webcam/lighting/headset are working.

• If in-person: review travel, campus layout, where you’ll stay, and arrival time.

• Be ready to rearrange other commitments (schoolwork, holidays) when you receive the invite.

3. Revise your application and personal statement

The interviewers will often reference your personal statement, work experience, volunteer insight, and motivations. Refresh your memory so you can speak confidently about any claim you made.

4. Practice key interview themes

Typical themes for interviews include:

• “Why medicine?” and what motivates you.

• Communication, empathy, teamwork, and ethics. 

• Understanding what being a doctor involves and what medical school demands.

• Reflection on your experiences (work experience, volunteering) and what you learned from them. 

• Current issues in healthcare/NHS and ethical scenarios.

You don’t need to wait for your invite to begin practising. The sooner you start, the more confident you’ll feel.

5. Stay academically focused and balanced

While waiting, continue to maintain strong performance in your studies (A-Levels or equivalent) — offers will often still be conditional on your grades. Additionally, engage in broader reading (such as science or healthcare topics) and maintain well-rounded interests; these demonstrate you as a better prepared candidate.

6. Stay calm and manage your waiting time

Waiting can be stressful — especially when you see peers receive invites while you have not (yet) heard. Remember: some schools invite in batches and later rounds may still come through. Use the time productively rather than fixating on the date.

Friendly Tips for While You’re Waiting

Here are some extra friendly tips to make this waiting period work for you, not against you:

• Set up a weekly revision/practice schedule: devote time to mock interviews, reflection, reading, and staying informed on medical news.

• Join a peer or school group: practise with classmates or friends who are also applying; role-play stations or panel questions.

• Keep a log of your experiences: write down what you’ve done (work experience, volunteering) and what you’ve learned — great for interview preparation.

• Read broadly: don’t just focus on medicine exam content; read healthcare news, NHS policy changes, and ethical debates. Showing awareness helps in the interview.

• Mind your wellbeing: applications and waiting can be tiring. Make sure to get rest, keep up your interests/hobbies, and exercise — confidence often shows when you’re calm and composed.

• Plan for multiple outcomes: whilst confident in your application, it’s wise to think about contingency plans (gap year, different course) so that waiting isn’t anxiety-filled.

• Visualise positive scenarios: imagine receiving the invite, preparing, arriving for the interview, doing well — this can reduce stress and make you feel more ready when the time comes.

Final Thoughts

Receiving your interview invite is a significant milestone in your journey toward studying medicine. While timelines vary across schools, by understanding when invites typically go out, when interviews are held for your target universities, and what you can do now to prepare, you place yourself in a strong stance to succeed.

Remember: it’s not just when you receive the invite, but how ready you are when you do. Use the waiting time wisely, stay proactive, and you’ll walk into your interview confident, prepared and composed.

Wishing you every success on your medical school application journey!