Leicester Medical School Interview Questions (2026 Entry): Format, Topics, Dates & Expert Tips
Introduction
Leicester Medical School runs a well-structured Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) that assesses your communication, values, problem-solving, empathy and numeracy in short, timed stations. For 2026 entry, Leicester has updated its scoring criteria for UCAT and academics—so make sure you’re working from the latest documents on the medical school’s own website, which this guide cites throughout.
Book our Medical School Interview Course – taught by NHS doctors who teach at 3 UK Medical Schools.
Also see our MMI Mock Circuits (live, timed stations with detailed feedback).
How Leicester decides who to invite to interview (A100, 2026 entry)
Leicester scores applications 50% academic achievement and 50% UCAT. Applicants with UCAT SJT Band 4 are rejected pre-interview, and those in the bottom two UCAT deciles are not considered. Academics are scored mainly from your best eight full-length GCSEs (including English Language, Maths and double/triple science) using Leicester’s published points table.
Exceptional cases and guarantees (subject to meeting conditions in the policy):
Achieved A-levels (first gap year): automatic interview if you meet minimum GCSE/A-level requirements, achieved A-levels are within two years of GCSEs, UCAT is in the top 5 deciles (home) or top 3 deciles (international), and SJT Band 1–3.
Widening participation programmes: AccessLeicester: Medicine / UKWPMED and Realising Opportunities (ROP) participants are guaranteed an interview if they meet GCSE minima, have at least ABB(UKWPMED) or AAA (ROP) in required subjects, and hold a UCAT in the top 7 deciles with SJT 1–3.
Personal statements are not routinely read pre-interview; they may be used for borderline/tiebreak decisions.
Full detail: Leicester Medical School – Scoring of Application for Medicine A100 (2026 entry)
How Leicester interviews for 2026 entry
Interview mode: Face-to-face MMIs for UK (Home) A100 applicants; online MMIs for international A100 applicants (and A199).
Stations & timing: Typical circuit of 7 stations, ~10 minutes each, including a simple numeracy station (no calculator; no medical knowledge required). U
What Leicester assesses: communication, problem solving, personal qualities/values, motivation/suitability, empathy/compassion, organisation, and numeracy.
Leicester’s official “Medicine interview candidate information” page explains the on-campus flow and the online setup step-by-step.
When are Leicester Medicine interviews held?
For 2026 entry, Leicester states that interviews are planned for December 2025 and January 2026 (exact dates will be released nearer the time).
What topics are covered at the Leicester MMI?
From Leicester’s official materials, you should expect stations that probe:
Communication skills (listening, structuring answers, rapport)
Problem solving & numeracy
Motivation & suitability for medicine
Personal values aligned with NHS values (compassion, respect, dignity)
Empathy & professionalism
Organisation and reliability
Leicester’s candidate page also confirms a dedicated numeracy station.
How many applicants get an interview & offer?
Leicester expects to interview ~1,400 Home and ~100 International A100 applicants for 2026 entry.
In a recent cycle (2024 entry), Leicester reports 1,553 A100 interviews and 636 offers across fee statuses.
Leicester’s 2026 FAQs note they typically make 500+ offers each cycle.
When are offers released?
Leicester sends offers after all interviews are completed, issuing them in batches starting in February and continuing up to the UCAS decision deadline (16 May).
Example Leicester MMI stations & practice questions
Leicester does not publish its actual stations. The themes below align with the official attributes and the numeracy element described by the medical school, making them realistic for Leicester’s MMI.
➡️ Want timed practice on these? Join our MMI Mock Circuits or Interview Course.
1) Communication & rapport (patient-facing)
Break bad news about a delayed referral; show empathy, check understanding, and safety-net.
Explain consent for a minor procedure to a worried parent; address risks/benefits and capacity/assent.
A relative is angry about waiting times—de-escalate, apologise appropriately, and signpost.
2) Motivation & fit for Leicester
Why Leicester specifically? How will you make use of full-body dissection and small-group teaching?
What did you learn from a time you shadowed or volunteered (focus on reflection over description)?
Which NHS values matter most to you and why?
3) Ethical reasoning
A friend shares exam answers in a group chat—what do you do? Consider probity, fairness, and patient-safety implications.
Should GPs charge for missed appointments? Balance autonomy, justice, access, and resource stewardship.
A patient refuses a life-saving treatment—discuss autonomy, capacity, safeguarding and communication.
4) Problem solving/prioritisation
You are the only healthcare worker in a minor injuries clinic; five patients arrive at once—triage and justify.
You read a short policy leaflet that contains conflicting statements—identify issues and propose solutions.
5) Data handling & numeracy (no calculator)
Convert mg ↔ mcg; calculate a weight-based paediatric dose, then check it is sensible.
Interpret a bar chart of local vaccination uptake; identify two interventions and how to evaluate them.
6) Teamwork & leadership
You witness poor handover on a ward; how would you improve team communication?
Describe a time you received difficult feedback; what changed next time?
7) Values & resilience
Talk about a setback and how you rebuilt confidence.
What does empathy look like in a 7-minute consultation?
Top tips for the Leicester interview
Answer the question actually asked. Leicester stresses the importance of reading instructions carefully and taking your time.
Practise timed delivery (7–10 minutes goes fast).
Refresh GCSE-level numeracy. No calculator; accuracy and method matter more than flair.
Bring it back to values. Leicester explicitly assesses compassion, dignity, and personal qualities.
Structure helps: Situation → Approach → Rationale → Reflection.
Know Leicester. Be ready to discuss features such as complete cadaveric dissection and teaching style.
Logistics: If on campus, arrive early at the George Davies Centre; if online, test Blackboard Collaborate in advance.
Ready to turn preparation into offers?
Book our Medical School Interview Course – taught by NHS doctors who teach at 3 UK Medical Schools.
Practice live circuits? MMI Mock Circuits.
Student comments (anecdotal)
Applicants report a friendly, well-organised day with information sessions for families alongside the interview circuits. (Community forum reports from a parent and candidates.)
Threads discussing Leicester MMIs repeatedly mention a numeracy element and a circuit lasting about an hour, with stations on communication, motivation and ethics (exact content varies by year).
Note: These are informal comments from public forums, not official guidance; your experience may differ.
FAQ (Leicester Medicine Interview – 2026 Entry)
Is the Leicester interview MMI or panel?
MMI.
How many stations and how long are they?
Leicester indicates 7 stations of ~10 minutes each, including numeracy.
Are interviews in person or online?
Home A100: on campus. International A100 (and A199): online.
When are the 2026 interviews?
Planned for December 2025–January 2026 (dates confirmed closer to the time).
How does Leicester select for an interview?
50% academics (GCSE-based points) + 50% UCAT total, with Band 4 SJT excluded and the bottom two UCAT deciles not considered. Some widening-participation routes have guaranteed interviews if conditions are met.
Do personal statements matter?
Not typically used in pre-interviews; may be used for borderline or tie-breaks.
How many people get interviews and offers?
Expect ~1,500 interviews overall; Leicester typically makes 500+ offers. In the 2024 entry, there were 1,553 interviews and 636 offers.
When do offers come out?
Batches from February through to the UCAS deadline (16 May).
Final word
Leicester’s MMI rewards clarity, kindness and calm under time pressure. Build fluency with the common scenarios above, practise numeracy without a calculator, and keep bringing answers back to NHS values.
If you’d like structured, Leicester-specific prep with timed stations and targeted feedback:
Book our Medical School Interview Course – taught by NHS doctors who teach at 3 UK Medical Schools
Join an MMI Mock Circuit for realistic pacing and actionable feedback.
Good luck—you’ve got this!
