Medical School Interview Questions (UK 2026 Entry): Practice Guide for Sixth Form Students

🧠 Introduction

Medical school interviews can feel daunting — but with preparation, you can turn them into an opportunity to show your motivation, integrity, and suitability for medicine.
UK medical schools use MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews) or panel interviews to assess your skills beyond academics, focusing on values, reasoning, reflection, and communication.

This guide provides 30 common medical school interview questions grouped into key topic areas for 2026 entry, along with practical tips and example points for sixth form students.

💬 1. Motivation & “Why Medicine” Questions

1. Why do you want to study medicine?
Tips:

• Reflect on personal motivation and insight into the career.

• Avoid clichés (“I want to help people”) — back up with experiences.

• Mention both scientific curiosity and human connection.
  Example points:

• Inspiration from shadowing or volunteering.

• Interest in combining science and communication.

• Understanding of NHS challenges and commitment to lifelong learning.

2. Why not nursing, dentistry, or another healthcare role?
Tips:

• Show understanding of team roles, but explain why medicine fits you best.

• Emphasise diagnostic responsibility and holistic decision-making.
  Example points:

• Medicine offers both clinical and leadership roles.

• You value collaboration but want a broader diagnostic scope.

3. Why did you choose this medical school?
Tips:

• Research the school’s curriculum, teaching style, and culture.

• Link your learning style to their approach (e.g., PBL, integrated).
  Example points:

• You enjoy early clinical exposure.

• You appreciate their research or community focus.

4. Tell us about yourself.
Tips:

• Structure: past, present, future.

• Focus on what shaped your interest in medicine.
  Example points:

• Academic strengths, extracurriculars, and healthcare experiences.

• How these led to applying for medicine.

✅ Top grades and the UCAT aren’t enough. MMI & panel interviews test the ‘unknown unknowns’. Our Medical School Interview Course builds confidence, sharpens answers, and prepares you for tough questions.

➡️ Join thousands who’ve secured offers—book now.

⚖️ 2. Ethics & Professionalism

5. What would you do if you saw a colleague making a mistake?
Tips:

• Apply the GMC’s Good Medical Practice principles.

• Balance honesty with empathy.
  Example points:

• Prioritise patient safety.

• Address issue privately, escalate if needed.

6. Should doctors ever lie to patients?
Tips:

• Consider autonomy, truthfulness, and beneficence.

• Discuss rare exceptions (e.g., mental health crises).
  Example points:

• Honesty builds trust.

• Information should be shared sensitively.

7. How would you break bad news?
Tips:

• Use the SPIKES model: Setting, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Empathy, Strategy.

• Show empathy and clear communication.
  Example points:

• Sit in private, use simple language, allow silence.

• Offer support and next steps.

8. What are the ethical issues with euthanasia or abortion?
Tips:

• Explain both sides; avoid taking extreme positions.

• Reference legal context in the UK.
  Example points:

• Respect for autonomy vs. sanctity of life.

• Importance of patient-centred discussion.

🧩 3. NHS Structure, Values & Hot Topics

9. What are the NHS core values?
Tips:

• Know the 6 NHS Values: respect, commitment to quality, compassion, improving lives, teamwork, accountability.

• Give examples of how you’ve shown them.
  Example points:

• Respect: listening during volunteering.

• Teamwork: collaboration in sports or Duke of Edinburgh.

10. What are the current challenges facing the NHS?
Tips:

• Mention workforce shortages, ageing population, waiting times.

• Focus on balanced awareness, not political views.
  Example points:

• Funding pressures and staff wellbeing.

• Importance of innovation and primary care.

11. What do you know about the structure of the NHS?
Tips:

• Be concise: Department of Health → NHS England → Trusts → Primary Care Networks.

• Mention how GPs and hospitals interact.
  Example points:

• GP acts as gatekeeper to secondary care.

• Multidisciplinary teams work across sectors.

12. How does the NHS promote equality and inclusion?
Tips:

• Reference the Equality Act 2010 and NHS inclusion strategies.
  Example points:

• Accessible services for all communities.

• Tackling health inequalities through outreach.

🤝 4. Teamwork & Leadership

13. Tell us about a time you worked in a team.
Tips:

• Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Highlight communication and adaptability.
  Example points:

• Role in school project or sports team.

• How you handled conflict constructively.

14. Describe a time you demonstrated leadership.
Tips:

• Focus on guiding others, not just being in charge.

• Reflect on lessons learned.
  Example points:

• Leading a volunteer event or peer mentoring.

• Balancing listening with decision-making.

15. What makes a good team member in healthcare?
Tips:

• Mention respect, reliability, and communication.
  Example points:

• Listening to others’ expertise.

• Supporting colleagues under pressure.

💪 5. Resilience, Reflection & Wellbeing

16. Tell us about a time you failed or faced a setback.
Tips:

• Focus on reflection and growth.

• Show self-awareness and perseverance.
  Example points:

• Exam disappointment or sports loss → what you learned.

• Improved organisation or mindset.

17. How do you manage stress?
Tips:

• Mention healthy coping strategies and balance.
  Example points:

• Exercise, time management, support network.

• Seeking help early when overwhelmed.

18. What does resilience mean to you?
Tips:

• Link to the realities of medical training.
  Example points:

• Staying calm in uncertainty.

• Learning from feedback.

🌍 6. Diversity, Inclusion & Cultural Competence

19. How would you approach a patient who doesn’t speak English?
Tips:

• Emphasise communication aids and respect.
  Example points:

• Use interpreters, avoid family members translating.

• Maintain eye contact and empathy.

20. Why is cultural competence important in medicine?
Tips:

• Show understanding of patient-centred care.
  Example points:

• Respecting beliefs about treatment.

• Avoiding assumptions based on background.

21. What have you learned from working with diverse groups?
Tips:

• Reflect on adaptability and listening.
  Example points:

• Volunteering or school projects.

• Valuing different perspectives.

🧭 7. Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking

22. What would you do if two patients needed care but only one bed was available?
Tips:

• Discuss triage, ethics, and team consultation.
  Example points:

• Prioritise based on urgency and fairness.

• Escalate to senior decision-makers.

23. How would you handle a situation where you disagree with a colleague?
Tips:

• Focus on professional communication.
  Example points:

• Clarify facts, stay respectful, involve supervisor if needed.

24. A patient refuses life-saving treatment. What do you do?
Tips:

• Discuss capacity and autonomy.
  Example points:

• Assess capacity under the Mental Capacity Act.

• Respect informed decision if capacity is intact.

🎓 8. Course Knowledge & Reflection

25. What have you learned from your work experience?
Tips:

• Reflect on insight, not just description.
  Example points:

• Observing multidisciplinary teamwork.

• Appreciation of doctor-patient relationships.

26. What are the main qualities of a good doctor?
Tips:

• Link to GMC Good Medical Practice: competence, integrity, care.
  Example points:

• Communication, empathy, professionalism.

27. What will be the biggest challenge in studying medicine?
Tips:

• Be honest but show preparedness.
  Example points:

• Time management, workload, emotional resilience.

28. How do you keep up with medical news?
Tips:

• Mention NHS websites, BMJ, BBC Health.
  Example points:

• Weekly health news reading, reflecting on topics.

29. What are the differences between PBL and traditional courses?
Tips:

• Understand both; link to your learning style.
  Example points:

• Enjoy self-directed learning, teamwork, application of theory.

30. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Tips:

• Show realism and flexibility.
  Example points:

• Aspiration for training completion.

• Interest in clinical excellence and research.

📘 Conclusion

Medical school interviewers aren’t looking for rehearsed answers — they want authentic, reflective, and value-driven applicants.
By understanding ethical principles, NHS values, and your personal motivations, you’ll stand out as a thoughtful future doctor ready for 2026 entry.