Lincoln Medical School Interview Questions (2026 Entry)
Quick note before you prep
From 2026/27, Lincoln Medical School will deliver its own MBChB programme (subject to GMC approval), and the University has confirmed recruitment for the 2026 entry. This guide focuses on Lincoln’s A100 MBChB (not the former Nottingham “Medicine at Lincoln” pathway).
Introduction
Lincoln Medical School’s new MBChB blends case-based learning with extensive Lincolnshire placements, and will interview 2026 applicants using Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) held in person on campus. If you’re aiming for an invitation, you’ll need a competitive UCAT score, a strong GCSE profile, and the personal qualities that medical schools assess during interviews—communication, teamwork, ethics, and professionalism.
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How Lincoln decides who to invite to interview
For 2026 entry (A100 MBChB), Lincoln states:
UCAT is required in the same admissions cycle. SJT Band 4 is not considered.
No published UCAT cut-off; interview thresholds vary annually.
Lincoln does not use/consider predicted grades when selecting; offers remain conditional on achieving the required grades.
Interviews are offered based on scores from Lincoln’s selection process (no fixed threshold; varies year by year).
The Medical Schools Council profile for Lincoln provides helpful clarity: UCAT section scores (including SJT) are converted to points and combined with GCSE points to create an overall Academic Score, which is used to rank applicants for interview. It also notes that there is no set UCAT cut-off (reviewed annually).
Bottom line: get the strongest UCAT you can (particularly SJT) and a solid spread of high-grade GCSEs.
How Lincoln interviews for 2026 entry
Format: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)
Mode: In-person on campus at the University of Lincoln
Selection to interview: based on Lincoln’s selection scoring; no fixed threshold
SJT Band 4: not accepted
These points are set out on Lincoln’s official MBChB course page and the UCAS course listing.
(Note for context-seekers: the former Nottingham-run “Medicine at Lincoln” pathway stops after the 2025 intake; Lincoln now recruits independently for 2026 onwards.)
What is the interview style?
An MMI is a circuit of short stations (typically ~5–8 minutes each) assessing different competencies. Expect a mix of ethics, communication/role-play, data interpretation, and motivation for a career in medicine/insight into the NHS. Lincoln confirms that MMIs will be in-person, and you should be prepared for role-play and communication-intensive tasks in UK MMIs.
When are the interviews held?
Lincoln hasn’t published specific 2026 interview dates at the time of writing. Across UK medical schools, the interview season typically runs from late November to March, with invitations arriving from late autumn onwards. Watch your UCAS Hub and email closely after the 15 October 2025 application deadline.
Topics commonly covered at a Lincoln MMI
While individual stations vary, you should prepare for:
Communication & empathy (history-taking, explaining procedures, breaking bad news—adapted for pre-med level)
Role-play with an actor (difficult conversation, signposting, dealing with conflict)
Teamwork & professionalism (what makes a good doctor, insights from your experiences)
Ethics & law (four pillars, consent, confidentiality, prioritisation)
NHS & healthcare (structure, primary vs secondary care, resource constraints, safety/quality improvement)
Motivation & reflection (why medicine, why Lincoln, resilience, dealing with setbacks)
Data handling (interpreting a simple graph, triage scenario, or prioritisation exercise)
These reflect common UK medical MMI domains and the qualities that Lincoln and the MSC say are assessed during the interview.
How many applicants receive an interview, and how many get an offer?
Official, current counts for 2026 are not published. For context, one external summary (2021/22, from the previous Nottingham-run Lincoln pathway) reported ~118 interviewed and ~103 offers—a very high post-interview offer rate that year. Treat historic figures cautiously because thresholds and cohorts change—and Lincoln’s 2026 MBChB is a new, independent course.
Example Lincoln-style MMI stations & practice questions
Lincoln doesn’t publish past stations, so use these realistic practice prompts aligned to their stated competencies:
Role-play – upset relative at reception
A parent complains about long waits for their child’s appointment. Demonstrate empathy, active listening, clear explanations of next steps, and effective de-escalation.Ethics – confidentiality vs safety
A 16-year-old asks you (as a student volunteer) not to tell anyone about vaping and fainting episodes. Discuss autonomy, safeguarding, and when to escalate.Teamwork reflection
“Tell us about a time you worked in a team with competing priorities. What did you do well and what would you do differently next time?”Prioritisation
You’re given five tasks on a busy ward as a student observer (e.g., ringing a lab, fetching equipment, assisting with a distressed patient). Prioritise and justify.NHS awareness
“What does good continuity of care mean in general practice and why does it matter in rural areas like Lincolnshire?”Data & safety
Interpret a simple admissions graph showing winter pressures. What are the risks, and how might teams mitigate them?Motivation & course fit
“Why Lincoln Medical School? How does case-based learning suit your style, and what will you contribute to the cohort?”Professionalism scenario
A peer posts a photo from a clinical skills session on social media. What professionalism and confidentiality issues arise?Communication – explaining a test
Explain a basic blood test to a non-medical friend using plain language. Check understanding, avoid jargon.Resilience & reflection
“Describe a recent setback. How did you respond, what support did you use, and what changed as a result?”
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When are offers released?
Schools begin sending offers from late January and continue through spring to UCAS decision deadlines (exact dates vary by school each year). Keep checking UCAS Hub and your email.
Top tips for Lincoln’s interview (from NHS interviewers)
Prepare for role-play. Practise empathy, agenda-setting, summarising, and closing the conversation.
Know Lincoln’s context. Be ready to discuss rural health needs and multidisciplinary working across Lincolnshire.
Ethics = application, not recitation. Use the four pillars to justify a balanced decision.
Show realistic insight. Reflect on what you learned from volunteering/paid work or speaking with NHS staff (Lincoln encourages an informed choice).
Structure answers. Use SPIES for dilemmas, ABCDE for prioritisation logic, and brief STAR reflections.
Practise aloud. Time yourself to ~5–7 minutes per station; get feedback from someone who will push you.
Know your application. Your UCAS Personal statement may be reviewed after the interview; ensure it matches what you say.
Logistics. Because interviews are in person, plan travel, arrive early, and bring required documentation.
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Student comments (what applicants have said publicly)
First-hand accounts of the 2026 MBChB interviews are scarce (new course). Historically, applicants discussing Lincoln’s previous pathway noted:
“The style of interviews will be Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) that comprises 8 stations…,” wrote a forum helper in a Lincoln thread (historic info).
Treat older comments cautiously; processes evolve—always prioritise official pages linked below.
Key official sources (use these to double-check details)
University of Lincoln – MBChB course page (entry requirements; in-person MMI; SJT policy; selection overview). University of Lincoln
UCAS course listing (A100/A106; deadlines; interview format). UCAS
Medical Schools Council – Lincoln MBChB profile (how UCAT/SJT and GCSEs feed the Academic Score; widening participation). Medical Schools Council
University of Lincoln news (June 19, 2025) confirming recruitment to new medical courses from 2026/27. news.lincoln.ac.uk
FAQs (SEO-friendly)
Is Lincoln’s 2026 MBChB approved by the GMC?
The programme is undergoing GMC accreditation; Lincoln has confirmed recruitment. Nottingham is the contingency school, should it be needed.
Are interviews online or in person?
In person on campus for the MBChB (2026 entry).
What UCAT/SJT do I need?
UCAT is required; SJT Band 4 applicants are not considered. No published UCAT cut-off; thresholds vary year by year.
Do predicted grades matter for interview selection?
Lincoln does not use predicted grades in selection; offers are conditional on achieving required grades.
When will interviews and offers happen?
Interviews typically run from December to March across the sector; offers start from late January onwards (exact Lincoln dates have not been published yet).
How many applicants get an interview/offer?
Current official figures are not yet published for 2026. A third-party report for 2021/22 (older pathway) cited ~118 interviews / ~103 offers. Use with caution.
What topics should I revise?
Communication, ethics, teamwork, NHS awareness, motivation, data handling, and resilience. (See examples above.)
Final checklist for Lincoln
UCAS submitted by 15 October 2025 (18:00 UK time)
UCAT sat in 2025; aim for strong cognitive + SJT Band 1–2
GCSEs: solid set at high grades (Lincoln scores them for selection)
Practised role-play and ethical reasoning out loud
Read Lincoln’s MBChB page + course overview and understand rural healthcare context
Arranged travel for in-person interview and prepped documents
✅ Secure your place on our MMI mock circuits (live, timed stations with actors).
bluepeanut.com/mmi-courses
