Leicester Medical School Interview Questions (2026 Entry): Format, Topics, Dates & Expert Tips
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🏥 A quick intro to Leicester Medical School
Leicester combines early patient contact, cadaveric dissection, and a supportive teaching culture—plus a central campus location and modern facilities. For 2026 entry, their published FAQs confirm UCAT is required and interviews remain a key part of selection.
🔎 How Leicester decides who to invite to interview
Leicester uses a combined scoring system:
50% academic achievements
50% UCAT score
Applicants with UCAT SJT Band 4 are not considered, and UCAT in the bottom two deciles is capped in their formula. Personal statements aren’t routinely scored pre-interview (they may be used in borderline/tie-break cases, and are read at the offer stage).
Leicester also publishes recent admissions stats. For 2024 entry (A100): 2,374 applications → 1,553 interviews → 636 offers. Use these as a ballpark only—numbers vary each year.
🧪 How Leicester interviews for 2026 entry
Interview window: December 2025 – January 2026 (dates released near the time).
Places available: ~293 total (includes ~18 international and ~35 from the foundation year).
For recent cycles, UK A100 interviews have been face-to-face on campus, while international A100 (and A199) interviews are online—expect similar unless Leicester updates guidance.
🧭 What is the Leicester interview style?
Leicester uses Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). The official candidate page (2025 entry) describes:
7 stations, ~10 minutes each
One station is numeracy (no medical knowledge or calculator required)
Clear instructions outside each station; timing handled for you
This is the best publicly available indicator for the 2026 entry.
What they assess includes communication, listening, compassion, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, motivation, ethics, and numeracy.
🗓️ When are Leicester Medicine interviews held?
December 2025 – January 2026. Exact dates are released closer to the time on the Leicester website.
📨 When do offers come out?
Leicester typically sends offers in batches starting in February and continues until the UCAS decision deadline (usually mid-May; for 2025, it was 16 May). They may run a waiting list as numbers are tightly capped nationally.
🧠 What topics are covered at Leicester interviews?
From Leicester’s materials and prior cycles, expect stations sampling:
Motivation for Medicine & insight into the profession
Communication & listening (including empathy, dignity, respect)
Ethical judgement & professionalism
Problem-solving and dealing with uncertainty
Teamwork, resilience, reflection
Numeracy (GCSE-level calculations/drug dose style arithmetic)
📊 How many applicants get interviews & offers?
Recent official figures (A100, 2024 entry):
Applications: 2,374
Interviews: 1,553
Offers: 636
Leicester notes they typically make 500+ offers each cycle, but timing and totals vary as they monitor firm acceptances.
💬 Student comments (what recent applicants say)
Students highlight the 7×10-minute MMI flow and a separate numeracy station; some describe the maths as GCSE-style mental arithmetic. Treat these as anecdotal and always defer to Leicester’s official guidance.
Leicester’s own page offers practical MMI tips (e.g., “If you have a bad station, park it and move on.”), which many candidates find reassuring.
🧮 The numeracy station: what to expect
No medical knowledge or calculators needed; short mental arithmetic under time pressure.
Focus on accuracy + calm: set-ups may resemble drug-calculation style proportions, percentages, or unit conversions. (This emphasis is echoed in reputable prep sources and TSR discussions.) Always follow the School’s instructions.
🧩 Example Leicester-style MMI stations & questions
(These are illustrative practice prompts inspired by Leicester’s stated competencies and structure—not real questions.)
1️⃣ Communication & Empathy
Scenario: A patient’s parent becomes frustrated after waiting over an hour in the clinic.
Question: How would you respond to ensure the situation is handled calmly and respectfully?
Scenario: A colleague interrupts you during a conversation with a patient.
Question: What would you do to manage this situation professionally?
Scenario: A patient begins to cry during your consultation.
Question: How would you provide emotional support while maintaining professionalism?
Scenario: A patient doesn’t seem to understand your explanation of a treatment plan.
Question: What steps would you take to check and improve their understanding?
2️⃣ Motivation & Insight into Medicine
Scenario: You have been asked why you want to be a doctor rather than another healthcare professional.
Question: What makes medicine the right career choice for you?
Scenario: You’ve completed several weeks of work experience.
Question: What did you learn about the realities of being a doctor?
Scenario: The interviewer asks about Leicester Medical School specifically.
Question: Why do you want to study medicine at Leicester?
Scenario: A patient thanks you for your help after a long shift.
Question: How would moments like this influence your motivation as a future doctor?
3️⃣ Ethics & Professionalism
Scenario: You notice your friend has copied part of an assignment from the internet.
Question: How would you handle this ethically?
Scenario: A patient refuses a life-saving blood transfusion for religious reasons.
Question: What ethical principles would guide your response?
Scenario: You overhear a doctor speaking rudely to a patient.
Question: What should you do next, and why?
Scenario: During work experience, you are given access to patient records accidentally.
Question: What would you do, and what ethical issues are raised here?
4️⃣ Teamwork & Reflection
Scenario: You are leading a small group project, but one member is not contributing.
Question: How would you handle this situation?
Scenario: You receive negative feedback on your communication style during teamwork.
Question: How would you respond, and what would you learn from it?
Scenario: A disagreement breaks out between two team members during a project.
Question: How would you de-escalate the conflict while ensuring progress?
Scenario: Your team achieves success after a complex project.
Question: How would you reflect on your personal strengths and weaknesses?
5️⃣ Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
Scenario: You arrive late to a community clinic session and find there are more patients than expected.
Question: How would you prioritise and organise your approach?
Scenario: Your team is planning a charity health event, but runs short on volunteers.
Question: What actions could you take to adapt and ensure the event still runs smoothly?
Scenario: You’re faced with conflicting information from two team members.
Question: How would you decide what to do next?
6️⃣ Numeracy & Data Interpretation
Scenario: A medication comes as 50 mg per 5 mL. The prescribed dose is 100 mg.
Question: How many mL should be given?
Scenario: The clinic's no-show rate drops from 15 % to 10 %.
Question: What is the percentage reduction in non-attendance?
Scenario: A patient’s BMI is 30 kg/m² at 90 kg body weight.
Question: What is their height in metres (to one decimal place)?
Scenario: A patient’s temperature chart shows a sudden rise from 37.5 °C to 39.2 °C.
Question: What might this indicate, and what actions could follow?
7️⃣ Empathy & Resilience
Scenario: A patient tells you they feel hopeless about their diagnosis.
Question: How would you show empathy and encourage them to express their concerns?
Scenario: You’re under significant academic pressure before exams.
Question: What strategies would you use to manage stress effectively?
Scenario: A close friend loses a relative suddenly.
Question: How could you offer support while maintaining your own well-being?
8️⃣ Insight into NHS & Wider Issues
Scenario: You’re asked about the NHS’s core values.
Question: Which value resonates most with you, and how have you demonstrated it?
Scenario: A hospital faces long waiting times due to resource pressures.
Question: How do you think doctors can help address this issue?
Scenario: Technology such as AI is increasingly used in diagnosis.
Question: What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of patient care?
💡 Next Step: Practise Like the Real Thing
To perform your best under timed MMI pressure, you need realistic rehearsal.
👉 Book our Medical School Interview Course — taught by NHS doctors who teach at 3 UK Medical Schools.
🎯 Ready to simulate Leicester’s 7-station format?
👉 Try our MMI Mock Circuits — includes numeracy, ethics, and communication stations tailored to Leicester’s style.
🧰 Top tips for acing Leicester’s MMI
Know Leicester’s values. Their materials emphasise compassion, respect, dignity, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, ethics, and numeracy—have examples ready.
Practise timed answers (90–120 seconds) so you’re comfortable speaking clearly under time pressure.
Master MMI reset. Each station is independent—park a wobbly one and nail the next.
Polish mental maths. Daily short bursts: percentages, ratios, unit conversions, and reading drug labels.
Structure ethics. Use a simple scaffold (stakeholders → principles → options → justified plan).
Be professional. Leicester suggests smart attire—shirt + trousers/skirt (no need for jacket/tie).
Logistics. If on campus, interviews run at the George Davies Centre with tours; if online, Blackboard Collaborate is used—test tech early.
🗂️ Quick reference (official)
2026 Entry FAQs (A100): scoring (50/50 academics–UCAT), SJT Band 4 not considered, bottom-decile capping; interviews Dec 2025–Jan 2026; typical 500+ offers; 293 places overall. University of Leicester
Candidate info (2025 entry): 7×10-minute stations, numeracy station, on-campus for UK A100; online for international A100/A199; offers in batches from February → mid-May deadline. University of Leicester
Admissions stats (2024 entry): 2,374 apps → 1,553 interviews → 636 offers (A100). University of Leicester
🎯 Ready to practise like the real thing?
Polish your performance with targeted, clinician-led coaching:
Book our Medical School Interview Course — taught by NHS doctors who teach at 3 UK Medical Schools.
👉 https://bluepeanut.com/medical-school-interviewWant “Leicester-style” practice? Try a full MMI mock circuit with timed, rotating stations and numeracy practice.
👉 https://bluepeanut.com/mmi-courses
(We keep stations realistic to Leicester’s competencies and time constraints—perfect for building confidence and feedback-driven improvement.)
FAQ (fast answers)
Is UCAT required? Yes—Leicester is in the UCAT consortium.
Do they read my personal statement? Not usually for pre-interview scoring; may be used in tie-breaks and read at the offer stage.
When will I hear? Interview invites typically start after UCAT results (early November); offers usually begin in February and roll to the UCAS deadline.
How many get interviewed/offers? For 2024 entry: 1,553 interviews, 636 offers (A100). Expect variation each year.
Final word
Leicester’s process is transparent and structured: strong academics + UCAT get you the invite; clear, compassionate communication and sound judgement at MMI get you the offer. Build timed practice, sharpen your mental maths, and rehearse structured ethical reasoning. You’ve got this. 🌟
This guide relies on Leicester’s official pages (and clearly labelled stats & timelines). Always check the Medical School’s website for the latest updates before your interview.
