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Buckingham Medicine Interview Questions
This article was updated in December 2023 with the latest information, and we will continue to regularly update it!
In this guide we provide an expert insight into past Buckingham MMI stations, the Buckingham interview day and tips for converting your interview into an offer!
How Is Buckingham Interviewing for 2024 Entry?
Buckingham University uses selection days with MMI style interviews to assess candidates, which they call Objective Structure Selection Examinations (OSSE). Offers are made based on the performance of candidates. The length of the overall interview is approximately 2 hours. There will be 10 to 12 stations, each lasting 7 minutes.
What are the Buckingham Medicine interview dates?
Buckingham University has a selection of predetermined interview dates that successful applicants will be invited to select from. Details of the interview format for 2024 entry hasn’t yet been confirmed whether they will be in person or online, they ran from February to May of the previous year (2023).
What are the common topics covered at the Buckingham Medicine Interview?
- Ethical Scenarios
- Video Analysis
- Teamwork
- Qualities of a Doctor
- Previous Experiences
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List of Recent Buckingham Medicine Interview Topics
| Theme | Buckingham Example Questions |
|---|---|
| Ethical Scenario | Colleague malpractice Problem-solving and reasoning Discussing and interpreting GMC guidelines |
| Work Experience | General work experience questions Alternatives to work experience |
| Communication & Role-Play | Speaking to vulnerable individuals |
| Problem Solving Station | Imagination and divergent thinking Approaches used by doctors |
| Motivation for Medicine | Reasons for choosing Medicine over Nursing (or other healthcare careers) |
| Ethical Scenario 2 | Competency Principles guiding patient care Communication with the medical school |
| Numerical Ability Station | Data interpretation Information Extraction Simple calculations |
| Analytical Station | Current NHS topics Resource and funding allocation |
| GP-Patient Interaction Station | Summarise video Assess interaction |
If you would like to practice for the Buckingham Medicine Interview, have a go at the following questions and check out our video on approaching data interpretation stations here
- When should problems in a healthcare setting be reported to a higher authority?
- Why is confidentiality important? (You can also check out our interview video on confidentiality here)
- Imagine someone could not obtain work experience, what are other ways they could gain insight into the responsibilities of a doctor?
- A patient is prescribed 50mg, tablets are 12.5mg each: how many tablets will you give?
- A drug is available as 20mg/5ml: your patient’s prescription is for 40mg, how many ml will be given?
- What are the different uses of a shoelace?
Insider Guide: Buckingham Medicine Interview Day
How does the Buckingham University Interview day work?
In the past, the online interview was conducted on Microsoft Teams. After identity verification, all candidates were added into one room for a briefing by the Buckingham University admissions officers. They did a presentation describing how the MMI would go. Each station was in a different room on Microsoft Teams and had varying numbers of examiners.
After the interview, there was a Q&A session where staff and two current students discussed the advantages of Buckingham University and their experiences. This included a Q&A for applicants to gain further insight into the course and Medicine at Buckingham.
What do you have to bring for the Buckingham Medicine Interview?
You will not be required to bring any items, though there is a formal dress code, as with any interview. No notes or calculators are allowed during the interview.
How do you receive information for each Buckingham University MMI station?
Upon entering a Teams room, the examiner will greet you before sharing their screen. They then gave candidates one minute to read the instructions and proceeded with the station. The instructions were quite generic and did not give much insight into the specifics of the station.
What are the Buckingham University MMI examiners like?
There are typically a range of examiners, with some being neutral in their interactions and expressions in order to provide an unbiased assessment while assessing the applicant’s capacity to deal with stressful situations.
Do the Buckingham Medicine interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?
There are not many specific questions listed on the instructions. Be aware that they tend to have multiple follow up questions and the interviewers will rush along to ask all of them to ensure you are equally assessed alongside other applicants, which resulted in quite a fast-paced interview. Be concise and to the point for the best result.
How long is the actual Buckingham University Interview?
It is typically about 1.5 hours long overall, barring the introductions and closing sessions. There were six 8 minute stations and then a 21 minute station which included the numerical ability station, an analytical station and a GP-Patient interaction station. Some delays were also experienced where candidates had technical difficulties or a poor connection. This year there will be 10 to 12 stations, each lasting 7 minutes.
Was there much guidance with timing for the Buckingham Medicine Interview?
Applicants will be given guidance about the timing for each station in the initial briefing however, the Buckingham interview can be quite fast-paced.
What are the Buckingham University MMI role play stations like?
The actors are typically really natural, which can be slightly tricky if the interaction calls for a difficult scenario. Additionally, be prepared to get straight into it, potentially without an introduction from the examiner.
How long does it take to hear back after the Buckingham University medicine interview?
Students typically hear back in a few weeks but delays are to be expected due to the pandemic.
Top Tips for Buckingham University Medicine Interview
- Prepare for the mathematical stations – brush up on mental mathematics as well as analytical skills as these are assessed. Students often stress about this, but you’ve likely done similar preparation for QR in UCAT.
- Read instructions carefully – be prepared to read the question / station slides again if you aren’t sure, some may seem ambiguous but the stations aren’t as intimidating as they may seem at first.
- Use the transition and reading time to take deep breaths – even though the exam is fast-paced, take time to think before you speak, don’t fall into the trap of rushing through a station.
- Have your gear ready and set the scene – if your interview is online, ensure that you have a strong connection in a suitable place where you won’t be disturbed by others or a background noise. Prepare and have everything in place so that you’re aware of how close you need to be to your camera, bearing in mind that you may use hand gestures whilst talking. Practice by doing an online mock interview if possible (this is a key feature of our Interview Lessons, find out more here Medicine Interview Tutors
- Be professional – one of the key values of the GMC is ensuring the professionalism of doctors is of the highest standard. This leads us onto our final tip…
- Knowledge and abidance to the GMC guidelines is essential – stations featuring this can be very specific, so be prepared! Practice solving multiple scenarios; perhaps off the GMC website or even the SJT section on the UCAT this can be found here UCAT SJT
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Frequently Asked Question
→What is the Buckingham Medicine Interview?
The Buckingham Medicine Interview is an integral part of the selection process for candidates seeking admission to the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) program at the University of Buckingham. The interview assesses the candidate’s suitability for the programme and evaluates their communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and motivation for pursuing a career in medicine.
→What is the format of the Buckingham Medicine Interview?
The Buckingham Medicine Interview is similar to a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. The interview consists of several stations, each with a different scenario or question designed to evaluate a specific skill or attribute. Each station has a set time limit, usually around seven minutes, and candidates move between stations in a predetermined order.
→How can I prepare for the Buckingham Medicine Interview?
To prepare for the Buckingham Medicine Interview, candidates should research the program and the profession thoroughly, develop their communication skills, and practise problem-solving techniques. Candidates should also familiarise themselves with the MMI format and practice answering common interview questions.
→How long does the Buckingham Medicine Interview last?
The Buckingham Medicine Interview typically lasts around two hours. The exact duration may vary depending on the number of candidates being interviewed and the number of stations in the MMI circuit.
→What happens after the Buckingham Medicine Interview?
After the Buckingham Medicine Interview, the admissions committee evaluates each candidate’s performance and considers their academic achievements, personal statement, and other application materials. Successful candidates will receive an offer of admission to the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme at the University of Buckingham.
→Is it hard to get into Buckingham Medical School?
Admission to the University of Buckingham Medical School is competitive, and it can be challenging to secure a place in the program. The program has a limited number of places, and the admissions committee considers several factors when evaluating applicants, including academic achievements, personal statement, work experience, and performance in the Buckingham Medicine Interview. The competition for places in the programme can be intense, and applicants must have a strong academic record and demonstrate a genuine passion for the field of medicine. However, with thorough preparation, including research on the programme, practise for the MMI format, and a well-crafted application, candidates can increase their chances of success.
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