Aston University Medical School Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

Introduction: Why Aston?

Aston Medical School (AMS) offers a patient-centred MBChB programme with placements across primary, secondary, and tertiary care, and gained full GMC awarding powers with its first graduating cohort in July 2023.

1) How Aston interviews for 2026 entry (shortlisting & selection)

• Shortlisting to interview: After the UCAS deadline, Aston ranks applicants using achieved academic qualifications (e.g., GCSEs) and total UCAT score; SJT is not used in ranking. Top-ranked applicants are invited to interview. 

• After interview: Applicants are re-ranked on their MMI score, and top-ranked candidates receive offers. Aston ranks Home, Widening Participation (WP) and International applicants separately. 

This summary is based on Aston’s official Admissions FAQs (we always prioritise the medical school’s own guidance).

2) What is the Aston interview style?

Aston uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). Independent guides consistently describe 7–10 stations, each lasting 8 minutes (usually on campus), assessing GMC/NHS values, communication, ethics, and decision-making. While exact station counts may vary from year to year, this outline reflects recent trends.

3) When are Aston medicine interviews held?

Historically, Aston runs MMIs from December to March of the application cycle (invitations typically sent on a rolling basis beforehand). Expect a similar window for 2026 entry (i.e., Dec 2025–Mar 2026).

4) What topics are covered at Aston MMIs?

From Aston’s own selection criteria and common MMI content, you should be ready for:

• Communication & empathy; teamwork & leadership; professionalism; ethics; problem-solving; motivation for Medicine; understanding GMC guidance & NHS values.

5) How many applicants get an interview? How many get offers?

Numbers vary annually, but a recent FOI snapshot for 2024/25 shows a “Total Applicant Cohort” of 1,076, with 616 invited to interview (table also lists UCAT ranges/averages). (Offer numbers fluctuate with capacity and conversions.)

Aston lists intake on its FAQ (for 2025 entry: 110 Home + 30 International places), which helps contextualise competitiveness; the precise split can change each year. 

6) Example Aston-style MMI stations & questions

Aston does not publish live stations, but based on its stated values and recent cycles, these authentic, Aston-style scenarios are realistic practice:

Communication & Empathy (role-play)

• Break down a complex test result for a worried parent who has limited medical literacy.

• A peer is overwhelmed on placement; explore concerns and signpost support.

• De-escalate a frustrated patient whose appointment was delayed.

Teamwork & Leadership

• You’re in a student team with clashing personalities and a looming deadline—how do you lead fairly?

• Prioritise four patients with brief vignettes and justify your triage.

Ethics & Professionalism

• A friend asks you to “peek” at a relative’s notes. Discuss confidentiality, consent, and data protection.

• Vaccination refusal in a vulnerable patient group—balance autonomy with public health.

Motivation & Reflection

• What aspects of Aston’s curriculum and placements appeal to you specifically?

• Reflect on a time you received constructive criticism—what changed?

NHS Values & Health Policy

• Discuss one current NHS challenge (e.g., access, workforce, AI triage) and a pragmatic solution.

• Explain how the NHS Constitution and GMC “Good medical practice” inform daily behaviour.

Data/Scenario Analysis

• Interpret a brief audit chart on missed DNAs (no advanced maths). Propose service-level improvements.

• Consent & capacity mini-vignette: identify key steps and safeguards.

Written/Reading Task (if present)

• Summarise a short article on digital health inequities and propose one measurable intervention.

Independent prep sites also mention ~8 stations and similar themes; treat specifics as indicative, not guaranteed.

7) When are offers released?

Aston issues offers after MMIs and final ranking. Across UK medical schools, offers commonly land from late winter through spring (many complete decisions by April–May). Expect Aston to follow a similar cadence, but keep a constant eye on your UCAS Hub. 

8) Student comments (what candidates say)

• Fair but focused: Posts and guides describe stations that feel structured and values-driven, with a mix of friendly and neutral interviewers. Waiting times for decisions vary; some report waiting several weeks to approximately three months. Treat anecdotes cautiously and rely on Aston’s official comms for deadlines.

Top tips to shine at Aston

1. Align with Aston’s criteria. In answers, signpost the value you’re demonstrating (e.g., “empathy,” “teamwork,” “integrity”). This mirrors how Aston ranks candidates after the MMI.

2. Know the course & placements. Mention a specific aspect from the MBChB course page and explain why it suits you. 

3. Use NHS & GMC language. Weave in the NHS Constitution values and GMC Good Medical Practice—briefly, and only when relevant. (These frameworks underpin most MMI assessments.) 

4. Practise role-plays aloud. Time yourself to ~7–8 minutes per station, practising structure (introduce, explore, summarise, safety-net). 

5. Prioritisation drills. Build a repeatable triage framework (urgency, risk, reversibility, resources).

6. Reflect, don’t recite. For work experience, focus on what you learned and how you changed, not just what you did.

7. Logistics. If interviews are on campus, plan travel; if online, stress-test tech and have a quiet space ready. (Aston has previously supported candidates who lacked a suitable space/equipment.) 

👉 Want structured practice that mirrors Aston’s style? Book our Medical School Interview Course and cap it off with our MMI Mock Circuits.

Key facts (at a glance)

• Shortlisting: Academics + UCAT (SJT not used in ranking).

• Interview style: MMI; commonly 7–10 stations of ~6–8 mins. 

• Typical window: December–March.

• Recent scale: Example FOI (2024/25): ~1,076 applicants; ~616 interviewed (offers vary each year).

• Intake (illustrative 2025): 110 Home + 30 International.

FAQ (SEO-friendly)

How does Aston decide who to interview?
By ranking achieved academics + total UCAT (not SJT), then inviting top candidates.

Is Aston’s interview online or on campus?
Format can vary by year. Third-party summaries describe on-campus MMIs in recent cycles; check your invitation for the definitive details.

How many MMI stations are there, and how long are they?
Guides report ~7–10 stations, each lasting 6–8 minutes. Treat as indicative only. 

When will Aston hold interviews for 2026 entry?
Expected to be December 2025–March 2026, based on previous cycles. Watch your email/UCAS Hub for official dates. 

When do offers come out?
After MMIs are completed and the ranking is complete, many offers are made across UK Medicine by spring (often in April–May). 

What topics should I revise?
Communication, empathy, ethics, teamwork/leadership, NHS values, GMC guidance, motivation, and basic data interpretation. 

How competitive is Aston?
Very. One FOI snapshot for 2024/25 lists 1,076 applicants with 616 interviews (offers depend on year and cohort).

Final prep plan

• Week 1–2: Knowledge base—Aston course specifics, NHS Constitution, GMC Good Medical Practice.

• Week 2–3: Station drilling—communication, ethics, prioritisation; timed 8-minute cycles.

• Week 3–4: High-fidelity MMI mock with feedback (simulate 7–10 stations).

• Ongoing: Reflection journal; crisp 30-second “why Medicine/why Aston” pitches.

Ready to practise the exact skills Aston looks for?
👉 Join our Medical School Interview Course and secure a slot on our MMI Mock Circuits.