Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview Questions
This article was updated in September 2024 with the latest information, and we will continue to regularly update it!
In this guide we provide an expert insight into past Nottingham questions, the Nottingham interview day and tips for converting your Nottingham interview into an offer!
How Is Nottingham Interviewing for 2025 Entry?
For last year’s entry, Nottingham held Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) style interviews via Microsoft Teams for admission onto the Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) course. For the 2025 entry, interviews may be face to face or online using Microsoft Teams. They will provide more details as they become available.
The Nottingham interview usually includes questions on four scenarios, which may include role play, typically assessed by two interviewers and lasting between 40 and 60 minutes.
What are the Nottingham Medicine interview dates?
The interviews usually take place between February and April.
How can an applicant qualify for an interview?
Interviews are offered to the top percentage of applicants on their GAMSAT scores. This is dependent on them having provided evidence of work or voluntary experience in a healthcare setting.
To be considered for interview, you must achieve a minimum score of:
- 55 in Section 2
- 55 in either Section 1 or 3
- 50 in the remaining section
What is the GAMSAT Threshold score when selecting for an interview?
Nottingham doesn’t have a fixed GAMSAT threshold score when selecting for an interview. The university mentioned that their threshold score varies depending whether an applicant is a standard or an international applicant; the number of places they have available to offer; the number of interview slots they have available; and the number of applications they receive in that year. You can read more about the Graduate Entry Selection Process here.
What are the common topics covered at the Nottingham Medicine Interview?
The interview is designed to assess the personal qualities usually considered important for the practise of medicine. You’ll be expected to have:
- good communication and listening skills,
- an understanding of professional issues such as teamwork
- respect for patients and the contribution of those working in professions allied to medicine.
These qualities are based on the Medical School Council’s guidelines.
How many applicants were interviewed and subsequently accepted onto the Nottingham GEM course?
Recent statistics have not been released. In the 2020-21 academic year, Nottingham received 981 applications for their GEM programme, inviting 430 candidates for interviews and offering a total of 112 places. This indicates that approximately 1 in 9 applicants and 1 in 3.8 interviewees received an offer.
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List of Recent Nottingham Medicine Interview topics
| Theme | Nottingham GEM Example Questions |
|---|---|
| Work Experience | General work experience questions Questions based on personal statement Discussion of transferrable skills mention in the personal statement |
| Communication & Role-Play | Communicate with someone with learning difficulties Managing conflict Prioritization of resources |
| Motivation for Medicine | Why do you want to be a doctor? Realities and challenges of a career in the NHS |
| Ethics and NHS Hot Topics | Two stations involving ethical dilemmas Recent medical advancements that have made the news UK laws governing euthanasia, abortion etc. |
If you would like to practice for the Nottingham Medicine Interview, have a go at the following questions:
- What is the system in place for organ donation in the UK?
- Why is confidentiality important? (You can also check out our interview video on confidentiality here)
- A fellow medical student has been involved in a drunken altercation overnight and turns up to a lecture hungover the next day. Decide the best course of action.
- Break bad news
- What are the most pressing issues for the NHS today?
Insider Guide: Nottingham GEM Interview Day
How does the Nottingham Interview day work?
My interview was held via Microsoft Teams in a MMI format. I joined the interview 5 minutes before the start time. They admitted me when they were ready. It started with an internet connection and sound checks. There was a welcome session where we introduced ourselves and they explained the schedule. The interview included four different scenarios and one role play. Once the interview was finished, the interviewers let me know before they ended the call.
What do you have to bring for the Interview? What is the dress code?
I had to bring my Photo ID and all the equipment needed for the interview like headphones and webcam. I wore a standard formal interview dress code.
What are the interviewers like?
The interviewers had different expressions all throughout the interview. I can tell that some were acting purposefully cold and neutral in order to test how I react to stressful and unfavourable situations. I think it’s also to provide an unbiased assessment of us.
Do the Nottingham interviewers ask follow-up questions?
They asked a lot of follow-ups questions. Typically, they were contextual and were based on my initial answers. Good thing I prepared for this as I used a loose structure for answering the questions. For example, I aimed to prioritise reflection, ties to my work experience and personal statement – this helped me answer any question that came up.
How long is the actual Nottingham University Interview?
The interview lasted around almost an hour long.
Top Tips for Nottingham Medicine Interview
- Stay updated on medical news and be ready to discuss current issues like organ donation and medical cannabis. Check out our article on NHS hot topics for more insights.
- Sharpen your communication skills – Nottingham emphasises effective interaction, especially in role-play stations. Focus on being approachable and confident. Record yourself giving answers to popular questions, like “Why Medicine”, on virtual platforms like Zoom. Reviewing your recordings will help you assess your non-verbal communication, which can be challenging to perfect online. You can also practise with friends and family.
- Practise speaking out loud – it may seem silly, but talking to yourself in the mirror can give you the practise you need and improve your confidence. It can be very hard to constantly talk about how amazing you are, but you are doing it in order to sell yourself and convince the interviewers why you want to be here. It may be awkward but the more you practise saying it out loud, the easier it becomes.
- Ensure you have done some research about the Nottingham course – what do they have to offer that other universities don’t? Do they have something in particular that appeals to you? Do you like their teaching style? Even if Nottingham isn’t your top choice, make sure you have a few points up your sleeve as to why you want to attend. Making it as personal as possible is the key to a strong answer. For instance, Nottingham’s focus on research and clinical practice in breast cancer—does this align with your goals? Or perhaps you have a hobby that their societies excel in?
- Lastly, be yourself – it’s very easy to panic and make up things to please the interviewer, but that won’t do well for your benefit. There are no right or wrong answers, so just be yourself and stay true to your beliefs. You got this! If you’re a little worn out after the interview, don’t worry! It’s totally normal as there are so many stations and questions, some of which may be challenging. They want to see how you handle unfamiliar knowledge and information.
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Frequently Asked Question
→What is the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview?
The interview is an important component of the application process for the Graduate Entry Medicine course. The interview aims to assess the applicant’s suitability for the course and their commitment to a career in medicine.
→ I wasn’t able to complete as much work experience as I originally planned because of the pandemic. Do I still have a chance when I apply?
Nottingham is not expecting any significant work experience to have taken place between March 2020 and May 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. So worry not as your application for 2024 and 2025 entry will not be affected negatively because of this. However, they will still look for some experience, knowledge of the profession and an understanding of the scope of the role which they may ask you about if you are interviewed. For more help, you may wish to visit the resources provided by the Medical Schools Council.
→What interview style does Nottingham medicine use?
The University of Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview is usually in the form of a small panel interview or by Multiple Mini Interview (MMIs) format. The questions may cover a variety of topics, including the applicant’s academic background, personal qualities, motivation for pursuing a career in medicine, and understanding of the role of a doctor. The interview is usually conducted by members of the medical school faculty and practising clinicians.
→What are some common mistakes to avoid during the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview?
During the interview, there are several common mistakes to avoid that can impact your performance. First, failing to thoroughly research the course and the university can leave you unprepared to discuss why you are choosing Nottingham, which is needed to make a strong impression. Insufficient preparation for common interview questions and role-play scenarios can also affect your confidence. Additionally, unprofessional behaviour—not arriving late or dressing inappropriately—can create a negative first impression. Effective communication is essential, so being unclear can make it difficult to express your thoughts. Additionally, showing genuine interest in medicine is crucial; if you don’t, it may raise concerns for the interviewers.
→Can I combine the section scores from GAMSAT tests taken at different times to meet the entry requirements?
No. You cannot combine section scores from GAMSAT tests taken at different times.
→Can I retake the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview?
No, you cannot retake the interview. It is held once per application cycle, and your performance in the interview is used to evaluate your admission to the programme.
→How important is the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview for admission to the course?
Very important! After the interview stage, they will review your performance and offer places to the applicants who performed well at the interview.
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