Hull York (HYMS) Medical School Interview Questions 2026: Format, Dates, Example Stations and Expert Tips
Hull York Medical School is a partnership between the University of Hull, the University of York, and NHS trusts across the region. That matters, because HYMS students don’t just learn medicine from a lecture theatre — they learn it in a programme that’s built around real clinical practice and real patients.
A few HYMS features that often come up in interviews (and are worth knowing properly):
🟦 Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is central in the early years — small groups, tutor-guided discussion, and learning driven by clinical cases.
🟦 Early clinical exposure: HYMS highlights regular clinical experience from the third week of Year 1.
🟦 Two-campus identity: you’ll be based at either Hull or York early on, but everyone follows the same curriculum and the same standards.
🟦 Regional placements: from later years you’ll rotate through a wide region (think primary care and hospitals across places like Hull, York and beyond).
In short: HYMS is looking for applicants who can think clearly, work well with other people, and stay grounded in NHS values.
Key facts at a glance ✅
Here are the headline details most applicants search for (hello, Google 👋):
🔵 Course: MB BS Medicine
🔵 UCAS code: A100 (Medicine)
🔵 Start date: September 2026
🔵 Length: 5 years
🔵 Admissions test: UCAT (including SJT)
🔵 Interview style: Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) with a group exercise + stations
🔵 Interview delivery (2026 entry):
Home (UK) + EU: in person (Hull or York)
Overseas fee status: online
🔵 Interview month (typical for HYMS): January (Home/EU)
🔵 When decisions come out: HYMS aims to notify candidates by 31 March and tries to start earlier
🔵 Most recent published volume stats (2025 entry):
Medicine: 1,625 applications → 904 interviews → 796 offers
Gateway Year: 416 applications → 119 interviews → 111 offers
🔵 Home intake shown for September 2026: 228 (plus a small international intake)
How HYMS decides who to call for interview
HYMS uses a scored ranking system once you meet the minimum entry requirements. There isn’t a magic UCAT cut-off you can aim for — you’re ranked against other applicants in your cohort.
Step 1: Eligibility screening
Before anyone gets scored, HYMS screens applicants to check they meet the essential academic requirements and eligibility rules. If you don’t meet them, your application ends here.
Step 2: Scoring for interview invitation
For Medicine (A100), HYMS scores applications using:
🟦 GCSEs (up to 35 points): based on best six achieved GCSE grades (or equivalent Year 11 qualifications)
🟦 UCAT (up to 35 points): points awarded based on your UCAT total score decile
🟦 UCAT SJT (up to 15 points): points depend on your SJT band
HYMS does not accept SJT Band 4
🟦 Contextual admissions points (up to 15 points): for UK school-leaver applicants only (based on background/markers)
🟩 Important: HYMS says it does not score your personal statement, but it still matters — especially for borderline decisions and because interviewers may probe what you’ve written. If you exaggerate or fabricate, it can come back to bite you.
Interview fast track (A100)
HYMS also runs a fast-track interview route for some widening participation and other eligible groups (with UCAT decile requirements). If this might apply to you, it’s worth reading HYMS’s fast-track criteria carefully and completing any follow-up forms by the deadlines they give.
How HYMS interviews for 2026 entry (style, structure, delivery)
HYMS interviews are Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) — a circuit of short stations that each test different attributes.
Who interviews you?
HYMS uses panels that can include:
clinicians / health professionals
academic staff
senior HYMS medical students
and people outside the medical profession
So yes — you might be scored by someone with a stethoscope and someone who represents the public perspective.
Home (UK) and EU candidates: in-person interviews
HYMS’ in-person MMI for 2026 entry includes:
🟦 1) Group exercise (teamwork station)
Group size: up to 10 candidates
Facilitated by experienced PBL tutors
You’re scored on how you work in a group (not on medical knowledge)
This is not a “who can dominate the room” test. It’s more: can you listen, contribute, help the group move forward, and communicate clearly?
🟦 2) Mini-interview stations + student station
HYMS explains that:
each station has two interviewers
you’ll be asked two questions in each interview station
interviewers can ask follow-ups
you get your first question before entering and have five minutes thinking time to prepare
interviewers score independently
These stations explore things like:
ethical / current medical issues
insight into medicine and being a medical student
critical thinking and problem-solving
personal qualities and NHS values
🟦 3) Scenario station (video-based)
You watch a pre-recorded video (with headphones) and respond to questions at set points, plus follow-up questions at the end.
HYMS specifically says:
you’re not being asked to “problem solve”
and they are not testing medical knowledge
Think of this station as: how do you respond as a safe, professional, empathetic future doctor?
Overseas fee status candidates: online interviews
HYMS uses online interviews (with Zoom mentioned in their interview guidance). Their online MMI includes:
three mini-interviews + student station (one question each station, with possible follow-ups)
scenario station (video-based)
group exercise (smaller group — up to 6 candidates)
Timing detail that matters:
you receive the first question before entering each virtual room
you get two minutes thinking time (online)
🔵 Extra important for overseas applicants: HYMS describes a mandatory pre-interview briefing webinar and a penalty if you miss it. Read your invite email carefully and treat every deadline as non-negotiable.
When are HYMS interviews held?
HYMS states it runs MMIs each January (which is typical for UK medicine). For 2026 entry, HYMS says:
🟦 Home (UK) + EU interviews: January 2026, in person at Hull or York
🟦 Overseas fee status interviews: online, in December (check your email invite for the exact date/time)
If you can’t attend:
HYMS advises you to decline and contact them ASAP — they may try to find an alternative date, but it’s not guaranteed due to volume.
What topics are covered in the HYMS interview?
HYMS is unusually clear about what they score during the MMI. The themes include:
🔵 Working collaboratively in a group
🔵 Insight into a medical career
🔵 Understanding NHS values (from the NHS Constitution)
🔵 Motivation for medicine
🔵 Awareness of current medical issues
🔵 Communication skills
🔵 Understanding of and motivation for the HYMS MB BS course
🔵 Personal qualities (including empathy, tolerance of ambiguity, resilience)
🔵 Ability to think critically
Translation into sixth-form English: they’re looking for someone who can handle people, handle pressure, and handle uncertainty — while staying kind and sensible.
How many are interviewed, and how many get offers?
HYMS publishes recent numbers (and they vary each year). For 2025 entry, HYMS reported:
Medicine (A100)
1,625 applications
904 interviews (about 56% of applicants)
796 offers (about 88% of those interviewed)
Medicine with a Gateway Year (A108)
416 applications
119 interviews (about 29% of applicants)
111 offers (about 93% of those interviewed)
🔵 Don’t over-interpret these percentages. Offers depend on how many places HYMS needs to fill and how many applicants choose HYMS as firm. Use these numbers as a reassurance that an interview is a real opportunity.
How HYMS uses the UCAT in admissions
HYMS uses the UCAT in a very structured way:
UCAT total score (for interview selection)
HYMS awards points (up to 35) based on your UCAT total score decile
They do this after UCAT results are released to universities (typically in November)
UCAT SJT band (also for interview selection)
HYMS awards points (up to 15) based on your SJT band
HYMS does not accept Band 4
UCAT bursary (can help contextually)
HYMS also flags that if you’re eligible for the UCAT bursary, you should claim it — and that this can be taken into consideration via contextual processes.
🟦 Practical takeaway: UCAT matters at HYMS twice — the total score and SJT can move you up or down the interview-ranking list.
What is the HYMS interview scoring method?
HYMS scores each station, then combines station scores into an overall interview score.
In-person scoring (Home/EU) — station maximums shown by HYMS
Group exercise: up to 22 points
Mini interview 1: up to 17 points
Mini interview 2: up to 17 points
Scenario station: up to 17 points
Student station: up to 17 points
HYMS also notes that interviewers in stations score independently, which helps reduce bias.
Online scoring (overseas fee status) — station maximums shown by HYMS
Mini interviews + student station: up to 15 points each
Scenario station: up to 15 points
Group exercise: up to 15 points
How offers are decided after interview
HYMS explains that it:
collates interview scores
adds contextual admissions points (up to 10) for eligible applicants
ranks candidates by total score
and makes offers after all interviews are complete
HYMS also states the cut-off score changes each year, so it cannot give a “minimum score for an offer”.
When are HYMS offers released?
HYMS says:
it aims to let candidates know decisions by 31 March
and makes every effort to start issuing decisions sooner
decisions are processed in random order, so it can take weeks
In other words: if your friend hears first, it doesn’t mean you’ve been rejected.
Example HYMS interview questions (40+), sorted by what HYMS assesses
Use these as practice prompts, not scripts. HYMS is good at spotting memorised answers.
1) Motivation for medicine & insight into the career
Motivation should be rooted in real experience. Why do you want to study medicine rather than another healthcare career?
Doctors work in teams, under pressure, with imperfect information. What parts of the job do you think you’ll find hardest, and how will you cope?
A medical career is long and demanding. What evidence do you have that you can sustain motivation over years, not weeks?
Insight means understanding the reality, not just the highlights. What have you learned about the NHS from work experience or talking to staff?
Medicine requires lifelong learning. What do you do when you don’t understand something straight away?
There are many pathways to helping people. What made you choose being the person who holds clinical responsibility?
Being a doctor comes with privilege and power. How should a doctor use that power responsibly?
A good answer shows reflection, not a list. What has caring for or supporting someone taught you about patient-centred care?
2) NHS values & professionalism
The NHS has clear values for how care should feel. Which NHS value matters most to you, and how have you lived it in real life?
Professionalism includes honesty. If you realised you’d made a mistake that no one noticed, what would you do?
“Everyone counts” sounds simple until resources are limited. How should the NHS balance fairness with practical constraints?
Respect and dignity apply to everyone. How would you respond if a friend made a discriminatory joke about a patient group?
Compassion doesn’t mean getting emotionally flooded. How can a doctor show compassion while still making safe decisions?
Trust is central in medicine. What behaviours build trust with patients and colleagues?
The NHS serves diverse communities. How would you make sure your communication doesn’t exclude someone?
You will be assessed on values in action. Tell me about a time you stood up for someone else.
3) Communication skills
Communication isn’t just talking — it’s checking understanding. How would you explain a complex idea to someone who is anxious and overwhelmed?
Patients may not agree with advice. How would you handle a patient who refuses a recommended treatment?
Listening can change everything. Tell me about a time you misunderstood someone — what did you do to put it right?
Clear explanations need structure. How do you make sure your answers don’t become a ramble under pressure?
Bad news is part of healthcare. What principles should guide the way a doctor gives difficult information?
Communication includes non-verbal cues. What do you think your body language does when you’re nervous, and how will you manage it?
Respect matters even when someone is angry. How would you respond to an upset relative who is blaming staff?
4) Teamwork & the group exercise station
Teamwork isn’t leadership by volume. How do you contribute in a group without dominating it?
A strong group includes quieter voices. What would you do if someone in your group hadn’t spoken at all?
Conflict happens under stress. Describe a time you disagreed with a team — how did you handle it?
Being a good teammate includes self-awareness. What role do you naturally take in group work, and what’s your “watch out” weakness?
Teams need shared goals. How would you steer a discussion back on track if it’s going nowhere?
Medicine involves hierarchy. How would you challenge a decision you think is unsafe when the person above you is senior?
Good teamwork includes credit and accountability. Tell me about a time a team succeeded — what did you personally contribute?
5) Ethical reasoning & current medical issues
Ethical questions rarely have perfect answers. How do you approach a dilemma where two options both cause harm?
Consent is more than a signature. What does “valid consent” require in practice?
Confidentiality has limits. When is it appropriate to break confidentiality, and why?
Social media affects trust in healthcare. What responsibilities do healthcare professionals have online?
AI is moving fast in healthcare. What are the benefits and risks of using AI in diagnosis or triage?
Vaccination debates can be emotional. How would you speak to someone who is hesitant without shaming them?
Health inequalities are real. Why do some communities have worse health outcomes, and what can the NHS do about it?
Medicine involves scarce resources. How should the NHS decide who gets treatment first when demand is higher than capacity?
6) Critical thinking & problem solving
Critical thinking means asking the right questions. If you were given a new claim about a health “miracle cure,” how would you judge whether it’s trustworthy?
Problems often have missing information. What do you do first when you realise you don’t have enough facts to decide?
Prioritisation matters in healthcare. If two patients both need help urgently, what factors guide your decision-making?
Pressure can distort thinking. How do you stay logical when your emotions are running high?
Evidence changes over time. How should healthcare professionals respond when guidance changes (for example, after new research)?
7) Personal qualities: empathy, resilience & tolerance of ambiguity
Empathy is understanding, not just sympathy. What does empathy look like in a clinical conversation?
Resilience isn’t “never struggling.” What healthy strategies do you use when you’re stressed?
Medicine involves uncertainty. How do you personally respond when there isn’t a clear right answer?
Reflection turns experience into learning. Tell me about a time you failed at something — what did you change afterwards?
You’ll sometimes meet patients whose choices you disagree with. How do you stay non-judgemental while still being honest?
Resilience includes boundaries. How would you prevent burnout while training as a medical student?
8) Understanding HYMS & why this course
HYMS is known for problem-based learning. Why does PBL suit your learning style, and what might you find challenging about it?
HYMS offers early clinical exposure. How do you think early placement time will shape your development as a future doctor?
HYMS students train across a region, not one hospital. What do you see as the benefits of learning in different communities?
HYMS is a partnership between two universities and NHS trusts. What opportunities does that partnership create for students?
HYMS wants students with “agility” and resilience. What does agility mean to you in a healthcare context?
✅ That’s more than 40 questions — pick 2–3 from each theme and practise answering out loud.
Questions that are especially HYMS-specific
These are the ones that can set you apart because they show you’ve done more than generic “medicine interview prep”.
HYMS uses PBL tutors even in the interview group exercise. How does the PBL process work, and what role would you naturally take in it?
HYMS says it isn’t testing medical knowledge at interview. So what is it testing, and how will you show that?
HYMS students are allocated a home campus (Hull or York) early on. How would you adapt if you didn’t get your preferred campus?
HYMS highlights patient-centred teaching. What does patient-centred care mean in practice, not as a buzzword?
HYMS placements span multiple towns and hospitals. What would you do to manage travel, time and wellbeing during placement years?
HYMS offers a Scholarship and Special Interest Programme. How do you think research and curiosity connect to being a better doctor?
HYMS emphasises “tolerance of ambiguity”. What does that look like in real clinical decision-making?
HYMS is committed to widening participation and contextual admissions. Why is widening access to medicine important for patients and the NHS?
HYMS expects strong teamwork and communication. What does “good teamwork” look like when people are tired and under pressure?
HYMS describes itself as a “different kind of medical school”. What would you want to experience on an Offer Holder Day to test whether it’s right for you?
What HYMS students say (anecdotal)
HYMS has shared student perspectives that give a good feel for the interview day vibe:
🟦 One HYMS graduate summed it up as: “Just be yourself… it’s not an interrogation.”
🟦 Antara (HYMS student) described the day as welcoming, and said speaking to student ambassadors between stations helped her stay calm.
🟦 Antara also made a point that’s genuinely useful: if one station doesn’t go well, don’t dwell — reset and focus on the next one.
🟦 A HYMS student reflecting on work experience highlighted learning about empathy, teamwork and patient-centred care — and using experiences to confirm that medicine felt like the right path.
Take the message: HYMS wants you to succeed, but you still need to prepare properly.
Top tips to succeed at the HYMS interview (and feel confident doing it)
🔵 Before the interview: prep that actually helps
🟦 Study the HYMS interview format (stations, thinking time, what they score). Tailor your practice to that exact structure.
🟦 Build an “experience bank”: 6–8 short stories from volunteering, part-time work, school leadership, family caring responsibilities, sport, etc.
Practise telling them using a structure like: situation → action → result → reflection.
🟦 Learn NHS values and connect each one to a real example from your life (not a generic “I’m compassionate” line).
🟦 Keep up with current medical issues in a sensible way: choose 3–4 themes (e.g., health inequalities, waiting lists, mental health, workforce pressures, vaccination, AI) and be ready to discuss them calmly.
🔵 For the group exercise: how to score well without being “the loud one”
🟩 Bring others in: “We haven’t heard from X yet — what do you think?”
🟩 Summarise and move things forward: “So far we’ve agreed A and B; shall we explore C next?”
🟥 Don’t interrupt, dominate, or correct people like you’re marking them.
🔵 For scenario stations: safe, kind, professional
A solid structure is:
acknowledge emotions
gather info (open questions)
think safety + escalation
explain next steps
check understanding
🔵 Online interview tips (if applicable)
🟦 Test your tech, lighting and sound in advance.
🟦 Have your ID ready and keep your space quiet and distraction-free.
🟥 Don’t try to read off a script — it kills connection and usually makes you sound less confident.
🔵 Mindset on the day
⚪️ Treat each station like a fresh start. One wobbly answer does not ruin the whole MMI.
🔵 Aim for calm clarity, not perfection.
Useful Links 🔗
Hull York Medical School – MB BS Medicine (A100)
https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/mbbs-medicine
HYMS Selection Procedure (How Interview Invites & Offers Are Decided)
https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/applying/selection-procedure
HYMS Interviews Overview (MMI Format & What Is Assessed)
https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/applying/interviews
HYMS Medicine Interviews – 2026 Entry Guidance
https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/interviews
HYMS UCAT Guidance Page
https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/entry-requirements/ucat
HYMS Work Experience Requirements
https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/entry-requirements/work-experience
HYMS Offers Information (Standard & Reduced Offers – 2026 Entry)
https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/entry-requirements/offers
NHS Constitution (NHS Values)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england/the-nhs-constitution-for-england
Medical Schools Council – Interviews Guide
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/for-students/applying-to-medical-school/interviews/
Medical Schools Council – Online Interview Guidance (PDF)
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/guidance-for-candidates-taking-online-interviews.pdf
