Cardiff Medical School Interview Questions (2026 Entry): Complete Guide
Applying to Cardiff Medicine for 2026 entry? This guide explains how Cardiff selects interview candidates, the exact MMI style used, when interviews typically take place, what is assessed, and the offer rates. It concludes with a comprehensive list of Cardiff-style practice stations, along with expert tips.
Ready to practise under timed MMI conditions? Book our small-group Medical School Interview Course and MMI mock circuits:
• Course: https://bluepeanut.com/medical-school-interview
• MMI Circuits: https://bluepeanut.com/mmi-courses
How Cardiff decides who to call for an interview
Cardiff shortlists mainly on achieved academic grades, not predicted grades:
Your top nine GCSEs are scored (must include Maths, English Language, Biology, Chemistry or Double Science): 9/8/A* = 3 points; 7/A = 2 points; 6/B = 1 point. No scores for <6/B.
If you apply with achieved A-levels, those points are added to your GCSE score; once you pass 27 points, you’re considered alongside other “maximum score” applicants. Predicted grades and AS grades are not taken into consideration.
Where too many applicants tie at the top, Cardiff may introduce a UCAT cut-off to identify roughly 1,100 candidates to interview. That cut-off is set each year and can differ by applicant group; it is not predetermined.
Contextual/Widening Participation: Welsh-domiciled and other contextual groups receive additional consideration. Applicants completing Step-Up, Doctoriaid Yfory or the Sutton Trust pathway receive a guaranteed interview if the minimum requirements are met. How Cardiff interviews for 2026 entry
Cardiff uses Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)—several short, themed stations that test personal qualities and understanding of Medicine. Topics often include Cardiff’s course, ethics, motivation, NHS, team-working, self-directed learning, empathy, resilience and communication. A Welsh/bilingual MMI option is available (you can switch languages between stations; no advantage/disadvantage for speaking Welsh).
Interview delivery (in-person vs online) varies by cycle. For 2025 entry, Cardiff held in-person for home applicants and online for overseas, while 2024 entry ran online. Expect details for the 2026 entry to be confirmed in the invitation email and on Cardiff’s website.
If you’ve not heard by mid-December, Cardiff advises contacting the admissions team (after they’ve finished reviewing all applications).
What is the interview style?
Format: MMI (several stations; number/length reviewed annually).
Themes assessed: course insight (Cardiff), ethics, NHS understanding, team-working, SDL, motivation, empathy, resilience, communication—including role-play.
Identity checks & conduct: University interview guidance applies (bring photo ID; follow instructions for in-person/online format).
When are the Medicine interviews held?
Timetables are released each cycle, but recent dates give a good sense of timing:
For 2025 entry, Cardiff’s MMI sessions ran on campus in mid-December and mid-January (e.g., 16–19 Dec and 15 Jan).
External guides also note that Cardiff interviews usually start in January, sometimes extending into February, depending on the year.
For 2026 entry, apply by the UCAS deadline of 15 October 2025; interviews typically take place from December to February, but please check your official invitation for exact dates.
What topics are covered?
Cardiff lists recurring themes the MMI may explore:
Insight into Cardiff’s course and why it suits you
Ethics (autonomy, consent, confidentiality, justice)
Understanding a medical career and the NHS
Team-working & communication (often via role-play)
Self-directed learning, motivation, empathy, resilience
How many applicants receive interviews and offers?
Cardiff reports (recent cycle figures):
~4,600 applications/year
~1,100 invited to interview
~520 offers following the interview
~300 Year-1 places (incl. overseas; 7.5% cap on overseas)
That implies an approximate offer rate from interview ~47% (520/1,100)—but this varies annually.
Example Cardiff-style MMI stations and questions
Cardiff does not publish actual station content. The following practice set is designed to mirror Cardiff’s themes and format:
1) Motivation & Course Insight (Cardiff-specific)
“Why the C21 curriculum and learning style at Cardiff?”
“How would you use early clinical exposure to develop as a student doctor?”
2) Ethics
“A competent 16-year-old refuses treatment. How do you approach capacity and consent?”
“Is it ever acceptable to breach confidentiality?” Use GMC principles.
3) NHS & Health Policy
“Discuss a current NHS challenge in Wales and how it affects patient care.”
“Explain how multidisciplinary teams improve outcomes.”
4) Communication – Role-play
Break the news of a delayed clinic to a frustrated patient; de-escalate and safety-net.
Explain a common procedure (e.g., venepuncture) in plain language.
5) Teamwork & Leadership
“Describe a time you managed conflict in a team—what did you learn?”
Prioritisation: triage four unwell patients with limited resources; justify.
6) Data Interpretation & Clinical Reasoning
Interpret a simple observation chart; identify red flags and next steps.
Read a patient information leaflet; explain risks vs benefits.
7) Professionalism & Resilience
“You witness unprofessional behaviour by a peer—what do you do?”
“How do you look after your wellbeing during intense study blocks?”
8) Reflection on Experience
“What did you learn (not just do) from a caring/volunteering experience?”
“Give an example of feedback you received and how you acted on it.”
9) Welsh context & Communication (for bilingual/MMI awareness)
“How would you ensure equitable care for Welsh-speaking patients?”
“Why might delivering care in a patient’s first language matter?” (You may interview in English, Welsh or both.)
Practise these under timed conditions with structured feedback in our MMI mock circuits: https://bluepeanut.com/mmi-courses
When are offers released?
Cardiff does not publish a single fixed date; they begin after January and release decisions as interviews conclude—often in February to April, depending on the year. (Student community threads show offers starting to appear from March in some cycles.) Always rely on your UCAS Hub and official emails.
Top tips for the Cardiff Medicine interview
Know Cardiff: Be specific about the C21 curriculum, early clinical exposure and how you learn.
Reflect, don’t recite: Cardiff screens personal statements for insight and reflection—use the same depth in answers.
Ethics made simple: Structure with GMC principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice) and apply to scenarios.
Role-play polish: Practise explaining, signposting and summarising; show empathy and safety-netting.
NHS awareness: Prepare one Welsh NHS issue (e.g., access, workforce, rurality) and a balanced, practical response.
Time discipline: MMIs are strictly timed—learn to deliver concise, structured responses. Student bloggers emphasise being natural and well-practised. Blogs
Bilingual option: Can you consider booking a Welsh/bilingual slot? Switching languages is allowed and carries no scoring penalty.
Evidence-based examples: Prepare 6–8 STAR-structured stories (teamwork, leadership, resilience, empathy, communication, ethics).
Know the shortlisting rules: High GCSEs matter; predicted grades don’t; UCAT may be used as a tiebreak.
Practise under pressure: Simulate timings and feedback—our Interview Course and MMI Circuits are built for this:
• https://bluepeanut.com/medical-school-interview
• https://bluepeanut.com/mmi-courses
Student comments (what interviewees say)
Cardiff MMIs are strictly timed stations; candidates rotate with clear buzzers and should aim for calm, concise delivery. Blogs+1
Students recommend practising realistic MMIs and sounding natural rather than rehearsed; Cardiff’s own materials encourage authentic answers over scripted ones.
Frequently Asked Questions (Cardiff, 2026 entry)
Does Cardiff use a UCAT cut-off?
Sometimes. Only when too many applicants tie for the top academic score does the threshold vary annually and by group.
Do predicted grades matter pre-interview?
No—Cardiff does not consider predicted or AS grades in selection.
How many candidates are interviewed, and how many receive offers?
About 1,100 interviews and roughly 520 offers in a recent year, around 300 places.
What about the SJT Band?
Cardiff’s policy focuses on academic scoring, with the UCAT possibly used as a cut-off; it does not explicitly state the use of SJT. Some third-party guides suggest that SJT isn’t considered; treat this as unofficial and check the latest policy.
Are interviews in Welsh available?
Yes—Cardiff offers Welsh/bilingual MMIs; you can switch languages between stations with no scoring impact.
When are interviews and offers?
Interviews typically Dec–Feb (recent on-campus dates spanned mid-Dec to mid-Jan). Offers normally begin after January, often extending into February and April. Always follow your invite/UCAS Hub.
Application deadline for 2026 entry?
15 October 2025 for Medicine/Dentistry.
Final nudge to maximise your Cardiff chances
Master the Cardiff-specific criteria and practise timed MMI answers with feedback.
Join our doctor-led Medical School Interview Course and polish your delivery in our MMI mock circuits:
• https://bluepeanut.com/medical-school-interview
• https://bluepeanut.com/mmi-courses
