University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Medical School Interview Questions (2026 Entry)
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Quick intro to UCLan Medicine
The University of Central Lancashire (publicly branded “University of Lancashire” on its site) runs a modern 5-year MBBS with early patient contact and placements across Lancashire and Cumbria. It accepts both UK and international applicants, with limited UK places and a focus on widening participation.
📈 Capacity news: In Oct 2023, the UK Government increased UCLan’s funded UK places from 15 to 50 to support the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. This expansion affects recent cycles and helps contextualise competition.
How UCLan decides who to invite to interview
UCLan outlines a transparent four-step process:
Initial assessment against academic and non-academic criteria (for UK applicants, UCAT is considered).
Interview selection: your personal statement and academic reference are scored to decide interview invitations.
Interview stage: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) (see below).
Offers: made based on interview performance (ranked by MMI score).
✅ UCLan confirms UCAT is required for UK applicants and used in pre-interview selection; thresholds are set per cycle and not published in advance.
How UCLan interviews for 2026 entry
UCLan states interviews usually run from December → April each year and use a multi-station MMI, typically 6–10 stations. Interviews are usually in person at Preston, with international options as needed. After interviews, candidates are ranked by MMI score; offers are then made, with a note that a small number of early offers may be released.
Third-party guidance adds colour: several reputable prep sites report ~8 MMI stations and describe English & Maths components. Treat specifics as indicative—always follow your official invite.
What is the interview style?
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). UCLan explains that an MMI is a circuit of short, independent stations that sample different competencies (often 6–10 stations).
Independent expert sites describe recent cycles featuring ~8 stations with timed tasks (e.g., ethical reasoning, communication, data/calculation, situational judgement). Again, formats can evolve—check your official email.
When are UCLan medicine interviews held?
December to April (each cycle). Invite communications, confirm date/time, and what to bring on the day.
What topics are covered?
From UCLan’s own guidance and widely reported themes, expect:
Motivation for Medicine & insight into the role of a doctor
Communication & empathy
Ethics/professionalism (e.g., consent, confidentiality, justice)
Teamwork/leadership & resilience
Problem-solving/data interpretation; sometimes basic calculations
Reflection on work/volunteering and a transferable skills statement (UCLan asks you to complete one if you’re invited).
How many applicants receive an interview, and how many receive an offer?
UCLan does not publish a firm, annual breakdown for the 2026 cycle on its site. What we do know:
UK places are limited (now up to 50 funded UK places)—this makes selection competitive.
Offers are based on interview performance alone, following ranking by MMI score.
Some third-party sites and forums share anecdotal numbers, but they vary by year and aren’t official. Treat them cautiously and rely on UCLan’s communications for your cycle.
When are offers released?
UCLan indicates that a small number of early offers may be made, with wider offers issued once interviews conclude and rankings are finalised.
Several external guides suggest decisions may arrive ~2–3 weeks after your interview in some cases, but timelines can vary. Use your invitation email/portal as the source of truth.
Student comments (anecdotal, not official)
Applicants discussing recent cycles on The Student Room describe MMI circuits and occasionally an extra writing or maths task; difficulty levels are reported as mixed. Treat this as student opinion only.
UCLan student reps on TSR often point candidates to official MMI guidance sent with your invite—read that carefully.
Extensive example MMI stations & questions (practice bank)
Below are practice-style prompts aligned to UCLan’s stated competencies and commonly reported stations. Use them to rehearse—time yourself (~7 minutes task + brief reading time). We’ve written each as a station statement followed by a question.
Motivation & insight 🩺
Statement: You’ve just completed two weeks of shadowing in primary care and saw both the variety and pressures on GPs. Question: What did you learn about the realities of a doctor’s workload, and how has it influenced your reasons for choosing Medicine?
Statement: Medicine at UCLan includes early patient contact and placements across Lancashire/Cumbria. Question: Why is early clinical exposure valuable, and how will you handle the responsibility that comes with it?
Statement: You are balancing A-Levels, volunteering, and UCAT preparation. Question: Describe how you prioritise and what this shows about your suitability for Medicine.
Communication & empathy 🗣️
Statement: A distressed parent is worried their child’s investigation was “missed” by the team. Question: How would you handle this conversation to acknowledge emotions, clarify facts, and rebuild trust?
Statement: A patient with limited English struggles to understand medication changes. Question: How would you adapt your communication and check understanding?
Teamwork & leadership 🤝
Statement: Your sixth-form project group missed a deadline because roles weren’t clear. Question: How would you debrief the team and prevent recurrence?
Statement: On placement, two staff members disagree about who should do a task. Question: How would you contribute constructively as a student observer?
Ethics & professionalism ⚖️
Statement: An elderly patient refuses a recommended operation. Question: How would you approach autonomy vs beneficence and shared decision-making?
Statement: A peer shares a patient photo in a private group chat. Question: What are the confidentiality and professional issues, and what should you do?
Statement: A short-staffed ward asks you to perform a task beyond your competence. Question: How do you balance patient safety, honesty, and team pressures?
Problem-solving, prioritisation & data 📊
Statement: You’re given a simple clinic list with four tasks and limited time. Question: What order would you do them in and why?
Statement: An A&E triage board lists: chest pain (3 hrs), sprained wrist (20 mins), feverish toddler (1 hr), elderly fall (2 hrs). Question: Prioritise and justify, acknowledging uncertainty.
Statement: A bar chart shows weekly clinic DNA (missed appointments) rates for 6 weeks. Question: What trends do you see and what quality improvement ideas might you propose?
Calculation & data interpretation 🔢
Statement: A medication dose is 5 mg/kg, child weighs 18 kg. Question: What dose is required? Show working and check for safety.
Statement: A clinic’s no-show rate falls from 12% to 9% after reminders. Question: Calculate the absolute and relative reduction and suggest next steps.
Reflection & resilience 🌱
Statement: You received lower-than-expected mock grades. Question: How did you analyse causes and what specific changes did you make?
Statement: Tell us about your transferable skills from non-medical experiences. Question: Which two will matter most at medical school, and why?
Role-play & breaking bad news (values & empathy) 🎭
Statement: Your friend repeatedly arrives late for volunteering, frustrating the team. Question: Role-play a supportive conversation to address it and agree on improvements.
Statement: A simulated patient is anxious about an upcoming MRI. Question: Demonstrate explanation, sign-posting, and checking understanding.
Pro timeline: what to do & when
September–October 2025: Finalise UCAS by the October deadline; if UK, ensure your UCAT is completed and scores sent.
November–January: If invited, complete any transferable skills form thoroughly and evidence your reflections (keep a copy for your station).
December–April 2025/26: Interview season—expect MMI at Preston (or advised location).
After interview: Watch your portal/email; UCLan may issue early offers for top performers, with most decisions after interviews conclude.
Top tips for UCLan MMIs (doctor-approved) 💡
Build your “why UCLan” around early patient contact, placements, and the community setting—authentically tied to your experiences.
Drill the fundamentals: ethics (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice), communication structure (ICE: Ideas, Concerns, Expectations), and teamwork principles.
Practise timed stations (~7 min tasks, short reading time). Set a timer; summarise, structure, conclude. External sources suggest ~8 stations recently—prepare broadly, but follow your invite.
Refresh mental maths & graphs. Several reports mention basic calculations/data checks—accuracy + safety net thinking.
Know your application inside-out, especially your transferable skills statement and personal statement examples.
Keep up with NHS hot topics (primary care pressures, waiting lists, AI in healthcare, prevention, safeguarding) and practise applying principles to scenarios.
Reflect > recite. Use concise STAR/SPA (Situation-Task-Action-Result / Situation-Perception-Action) to show self-awareness and growth.
Wellbeing wins. Sleep, hydration, and a calm pre-station routine boost clarity.
Logistics: bring required ID and arrive early; check your invite carefully for any extra tasks or materials.
Want structured help from NHS doctors?
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You’ll get realistic UCLan-style stations (communication, ethics, calculations, prioritisation) and personalised coaching to convert interviews to offers.
Sources (official & reputable)
UCLan official “How to apply for Medicine (MBBS)” — shortlisting (PS & reference scoring), UCAT (UK), interviews Dec–Apr, MMI style, offers based on interview; mentions transferable skills statement & ranking. (We are explicitly using the medical school website here.) University of Lancashire
UCLan MBBS course page — early patient contact, entry notes, UK limited places, UCAT requirement (UK). University of Lancashire
UCLan News (Oct 3, 2023) — increase to 50 funded UK places. University of Lancashire
Final word
UCLan’s process is clear: meet academics (and UCAT for UK), excel in your personal statement and reference, then perform strongly at the MMI. With deliberate practice on communication, ethics, reflection, and basic data/calcs, you’ll feel composed and ready. You’ve got this. 🙌
Ready to practise under timed, UCLan-style pressure?
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