Medical School Interview Guide

This Medicine interview guide outlines what to expect at each Medical School, including potential topics, what each university is looking for, and the typical interview timeline.

The waiting game begins once you’ve hit “submit” on your UCAS application. Universities will review your application, and if you meet their entry criteria, you may be called for an interview. Interviews are their way of seeing if you live up to the glowing application you’ve submitted and assess whether you have the qualities needed to succeed in medical school and beyond as a healthcare professional. Medical schools can give you as little as a few days notice to attend an interview. In addition, they may not offer you the ability to reschedule without a valid reason.

Medical school interviews typically take place between December and March. While the idea of an interview can feel nerve-wracking, with solid preparation and practice, it can become a rewarding experience. Though many universities shifted to online interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic, most have returned to face-to-face interviews. That said, each university’s approach may vary, so it’s crucial to stay updated on the latest guidance from each institution. Regardless of the format—whether online or in-person—the core principles of interview preparation remain the same.

If you’re invited to an interview, preparation is critical. You won’t get a second chance to make an excellent first impression; the more you prepare, the better your chances of succeeding. Interviews can be nerve-inducing, so practice interviews are essential to build your confidence and help you stay calm under pressure.

Medical school interviews could have been more standardised in the past, with each school asking different questions. But thanks to the Medical Schools Council’s selection alliance and the input of the General Medical Council, there’s now greater consistency in what medical schools assess during interviews. Still, you should expect a few curveball questions to test how you think on your feet—but don’t worry, the interviewers aren’t trying to trick you. Instead, they’re looking for candidates who demonstrate intelligence, a strong knowledge of healthcare, empathy, and a commitment to lifelong learning. They want to see that you possess the right blend of knowledge, character, and skills to thrive in a demanding yet rewarding career.

Many medical schools now use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) as a crucial part of their selection process. MMIs consist of a series of short, focused interviews known as "stations"—typically 5 to 10 in total—each lasting around 5 to 8 minutes. You’ll rotate between one or two interviewers at each station, moving quickly from one to the next.

MMIs are popular because they provide a well-rounded assessment of the qualities, behaviours, and values expected of a medical professional. With multiple stations, you get several chances to showcase these traits, and since different interviewers evaluate you, your overall performance is more balanced and fair. After completing all the stations, your scores are combined to form an overall assessment. Stations can vary in format, with some like a traditional interview, others involving role play, perhaps with actors, and even being asked to review data and questions based on this.

A few medical schools let candidates know questions in advance, but most do not. Some may also ask you to complete extra coursework, which can form part of the interview. Some medical schools are also more open about which topics they will assess in their interviews, with others only letting candidates know on the day when you arrive on site.

Though the format might initially feel fast-paced and a bit overwhelming, rest assured that the MMI is thoughtfully structured. The design ensures you’ll have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate why you’re the right fit for the medical school, giving you multiple chances to impress the interviewers and make your case.

After each interview, you should record a list of questions you got stuck on and reflect and revise any weak areas. The medical school may ask you to sign a confidentiality agreement stating you will not disclose the questions to others. Still, using them to continue your revision for your next interview is reasonable.