University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview

This article was updated in December 2023 with the latest information, and we will continue to regularly update it! 

The University of Glasgow School of Dental Sciences interviewed 194 students in 2020/21 entry and gave out 131 offers. This means that 1 in 1.5 people who took the Glasgow Dentistry interview received an offer!

To find out more about the Dental School at Glasgow, check out this page: Glasgow Dental School 

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The University of Glasgow interview for 2024 entry is an MMI that consists of 7 stations. In this guide we provide an expert insight into past University of Glasgow MMI stations, the Glasgow interview day and tips for converting your University of Glasgow Dentistry interview into an offer! 

2023/24 University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview in a Nutshell

What is the Glasgow Interview style?

For 2023/24 entry University of Glasgow Dental School will be conducting MMIs. The interview will involve 7 stations that last for 6 minutes each, including 1 minute reading time. Overall the interview lasts for around 45 minutes. Each station looks at a different competency. There are three different types of station including role-play, discussion and practical.

Download Free Dentistry Interview Questions

    What are the Glasgow MMI Dates?

    February. The exact dates for 2023/24 entry haven’t yet been released.

    What are the common topics covered at the Glasgow Dentistry interview?

    • Role play
    • Ethical dilemmas
    • Self-criticism and self-motivation
    • Manual dexterity
    • Teamwork skills
    • Communication skills
    • Problem-solving skills

    How many people were interviewed in 2020/21 at Glasgow?

    194 candidates.

    How many interviewed applicants received an offer from Glasgow?

    131 offers were given out, out of 194 people interviewed, so around 1 in 1.5 people interviewed received an offer.

    List of Recent University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview Topics

    ThemeGlasgow Dentistry Example Questions
    Work ExperienceReflecting on experiences
    Volunteering experiences
    Communication & Role-PlayCommunicating to patients (could be calm or angry)
    Communicating to staff (could be calm or angry)
    Building rapport
    Personality & SkillsCharitability 
    Medical EthicsEthical scenarios and how you would approach them
    e.g. uncomfortable conversation with a friend
    OtherManual dexterity question

    If you wish to practice Glasgow MMI mocks, here are some sample questions:

    • What were the 2 most important things you learned when volunteering and how will these things help you in the future?
    • Explain to this (annoyed) patient why their prescription is not yet ready for collection.
    • How would you tell your friend that you were uncomfortable with their behaviour at a party last weekend.
    • What would you do if you caught a colleague drunk at work?
    • Why do you think that volunteering is important?
    • You are at a staff meeting and one member of staff accuses you of treating them badly. Speak to them to resolve the situation. Think about if you’d like to have a conversation in front of everyone, or take it somewhere private to start with.
    • Chat to this patient about his worries about the operation that you will be performing on her tomorrow.
    • Which 3 skills do you think you need to improve for the future and why?
    • How have you developed manual dexterity skills?
    • How would you bend this wire into the shape of a heart?

    Have a look at Glasgow’s official course page, to make sure you know what Dentistry involves: Glasgow’s official course page

    Insider Guide: University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview Day

    How did the Glasgow Interview day work?

    I arrived at the university and waited at the cafeteria area as I was early. I was then taken into a room and my documents were checked for verification. After the checks, I was put into a group and taken to the place where the MMI took place. At the end of the MMI, you were allowed to leave. 

    What do you have to wear for the Glasgow Interview?

    The dress code is ‘smart’ (e.g. suit). 

    What is the setting for the University of Glasgow Dentistry interview?

    Each Glasgow Dentistry MMI station was done in an individual small room. In my group, we were each allocated to different rooms to start with and waited outside until the timer started. Then we could read the question until another timer went off, which indicated that we could enter the MMI station.

    How do you receive information for the Glasgow MMI questions?

    The instructions for each station were pasted on the door outside each mini room for each MMI station. For some stations such as ethical scenarios, they displayed a brief description of what the scenario was about. For other stations such as the manual dexterity, there was very minimal instruction until you actually entered the room. I would recommend spending time to think about specific points you want to bring up such as the four pillars and work experience examples, when you’re waiting outside the stations.

    For more MMI information from the University of Glasgow itself, have a look at this page: University of Glasgow

    What were the University of Glasgow MMI interviewers like?

    Some of the examiners were really quiet and would not really prompt you if you didn’t have much else to say. However some others were more chatty and would prompt you with questions to direct you in the right direction. Also, the examiners did not cut me off or give me any indication of how much time I had left. I would say don’t be put off by examiners who seem cold as they do this on purpose and instead focus on what you are saying and think about your answers carefully. 

    Did the University of Glasgow MMI interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?

    There were not many follow up questions in each station. Some follow up questions were asked about work experience when I mentioned something specific, so they would sometimes want me to expand on what I had already said.

    How long is the actual Glasgow interview?

    The MMI itself lasted for about 1 hour.

    What do you advise for the day? (Accommodation, Travelling)

    I would suggest staying in Glasgow the night before so that you can plan your time adequately on the day of your interview. I would also suggest giving extra time for your travelling to take into account any possible delays. 

    How long did it take you to hear back after your Glasgow interview?

    About 2-3 weeks, but this varies between candidates. Applicants should have received a response by 31 March. Here’s a link to the Glasgow Dental School applications page, to help you get a better idea of what the whole application process involves: Glasgow Application Page

    Top Tips for the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview 

    1. Practise quick fire questions with family and friends so that you know how it feels to be put on the spot.

    2. Practise role play questions with family and friends, because this is a new type of skill which you probably haven’t practised much, and Glasgow has quite a lot of role play stations compared to other universities.

    3. Think about things you’ve learned from work experience or volunteering so that you have plenty of examples to give if you are asked a question related to this. This should help you answer related questions without too much panic.

    4. Go through ethical scenarios and problem solving questions to think about how you would answer these. The UCAT SJT questions are a great place to start. To help you get started, here are some of our example answers for ethics questions: Medical Ethics

    5. Go through the 4 pillars, read around NHS topics and focus on relevant dental news. You might not be asked a direct question about any of these, but integrating this knowledge into questions where it fits will be impressive and show your interest in this degree.

    Dentistry MMI course
    Dentistry MMI Circuits
    Gain first-hand experience of a dentistry MMI, with individual feedback and improvement tips
    Download Free Dentistry Interview Questions

      Frequently Asked Question

      →What is the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview?

      The University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview is an integral part of the selection process for candidates seeking admission to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program at the University of Glasgow. The interview assesses the candidate’s suitability for the program and evaluates their communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and motivation for pursuing a career in dentistry.

      →What is the format of the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview?

      The University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview is 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 six minutes, and candidates move between stations in a predetermined order.

      →How can I prepare for the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview?

      To prepare for the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview, candidates should research the program and the profession thoroughly, develop their communication skills, and practice problem-solving techniques. Candidates should also familiarize themselves with the MMI format and practice answering common interview questions.

      →What types of questions can I expect in the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview?

      The questions in the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview are designed to assess a candidate’s communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and motivation for pursuing a career in dentistry. The questions may cover a variety of topics, such as ethical dilemmas, patient care scenarios, or current issues in dentistry.

      →Is it hard to get into the University of Glasgow School of Dentistry?

      Admission to the University of Glasgow School of Dentistry is competitive, and it can be challenging to secure a place in the program. The admissions committee considers several factors when evaluating applicants, including academic achievements, personal statement, work experience, and performance in the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview. The competition for places in the program can be intense, and applicants must have a strong academic record and demonstrate a genuine passion for the field of dentistry. However, with thorough preparation, including research on the program, practice for the MMI format, and a well-crafted application, candidates can increase their chances of success.

      →What happens after the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview?

      After the University of Glasgow Dentistry 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 Dental Surgery (BDS) program at the University of Glasgow.

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