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Nottingham Graduate 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 Nottingham questions, the Nottingham interview day and tips for converting your Nottingham interview into an offer!
How Is Nottingham Interviewing for 2024 Entry?
For 2024 entry, Nottingham will be holding MMI style interviews via Microsoft Teams for admission onto the GEM course. The Nottingham interview includes questions on four scenarios, which may include role play, typically assessed by two interviewers and lasting between 30 and 45 minutes. More details will be released by the university closer to the interview dates.
What are the Nottingham Medicine interview dates?
Interviews take place in December and March, with offers being issued in March, often not until deadline day.
What are the common topics covered at the Nottingham Medicine Interview?
- Communication and listening skills
- An understanding of professional skills, such as teamwork
- Understanding of and respect for other healthcare professionals
- Professionalism
How many applicants were interviewed and subsequently accepted onto the Nottingham GEM course?
Recent statistics have not been published. In 2020-21, Nottingham received 981 applications to their GEM course, inviting 430 to interview for a total of 112 places. This means that roughly 1 in 9 applicants and 1 in 3.8 of those who interviewed received an offer.
These statistics are similar to those in 2019-20, where roughly 1 in 11.5 applicants and 1 in 4.6 of those interviewed received an offer to study at Nottingham.
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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, other than Coronavirus?
Insider Guide: Nottingham GEM Interview Day
How does the Nottingham Interview day work?
In the past, applicants would sit the interview as well as have a briefing, debriefing and a tour of the facilities. For 2023-24, interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams in a similar format. The interview is likely to include four different scenarios and one role play. The university have stated that invited applicants will be sent more information via emails closer to the time.
What do you have to bring for the Nottingham Medicine Interview?
You will usually need to bring the following on your interview day:
- Original copies of degree certificates
- Proof of identity and address (for example a passport, driving license, UK birth certificate, recent utility bill or bank statement)
- Standard formal interview dress code
As it is a virtual interview for 2023-24, you must ensure you have a strong wifi connection, working webcam and microphone as well as a quiet place to sit your interview.
What is the set-up for each Nottingham MMI station?
Typically, the stations will have a minute of reading time preceding it as well as a minute’s warning towards the end of the stations itself. There may also be time for an ice breaker, which will not count towards your overall score. The interview will be held on Microsoft Teams for the 2023-24 cycle with further information about the specific format released closer to the interview dates.
What are the Nottingham University MMI examiners like? Do the Nottingham interviewers ask follow-up questions?
Examiners will range in their expressions and interactions, with some acting purposefully cold and/or neutral in order to provide an unbiased assessment as well as assess the candidate’s capacity for dealing with stressful communication scenarios. The role-plays employ paid actors which makes their performance that much more real but typically they will be friendly!
The Nottingham GEM Medicine Interview will have follow-ups. Typically they are contextual and will be based on the candidate’s initial answers. The best way to prepare for this is to have a loose structure for answering ANY question. For example, aim to prioritize reflection, ties to your work experience/medicine and your ambitions and skill-set with marketing yourself – this will help you answer any question that comes up.
How long is the actual Nottingham University Interview?
The interview is typically around 1 hour long but this is variable.
Top Tips for Nottingham Medicine Interview
- Keep up to date with medicine in the news – prepare to be asked on topical issues such as organ donation and medical cannabis. Have a look at our article on NHS hot topics for some more ideas: NHS Hot Topics
- Make sure you are very sharp on your communication skills – Nottingham is very communication-based and this is also really important for your role-play stations. Focus on approachability and confidence. With the interviews being held virtually in 2023-24, record yourself giving answers to popular questions, like “Why Medicine”, on virtual platforms like Zoom so you can watch it back and assess your non-verbal communication skills, as this can be difficult to perfect virtually.
- Practise speaking out loud – it sounds very silly, but even speaking to yourself in the mirror can give you the practice and improve your confidence as well as communication. 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 gets easier the more and more you practise saying it out loud.
- Ensure you have done some research about the Nottingham course itself – what do they have to offer that other universities don’t? Do they have something in particular that appeals you? Do you like the teaching style? Even if it isn’t your top choice, make sure you have a few points up your sleeve as to why you want to go to Nottingham. Make it as personal as possible here is the key to a strong answer. For example, Nottingham are particularly involved in research and clinical practice in Breast Cancer – does this relate to your goals? Or do you have a hobby that their societies do particularly well?
- Lastly, be yourself – it is very easy to panic and make up things to please the interview, but this will get you nowhere. There is no right or wrong answer, so just be yourself and answer what you believe in. Expect to be a little worn out after the interview as there are so many stations, and a lot of these may be tricky because they want to see how you cope with unfamiliar knowledge and information.
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Frequently Asked Question
→What is the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview?
The Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview is an important component of the application process for the Graduate Entry Medicine course at the University of Nottingham. The interview aims to assess the applicant’s suitability for the course and their commitment to a career in medicine.
→How can I prepare for the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview?
To prepare for the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview, you should research the course and the University of Nottingham, review your personal statement and CV, and practice answering interview questions. It is also helpful to develop good communication skills and to stay calm and confident during the interview.
→What interview style does Nottingham medicine use?
The University of Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview typically uses a traditional one-to-one interview style. During the interview, the interviewer will ask a range of questions to assess the applicant’s suitability for the course and their potential to succeed as a medical student. 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 a member of the medical school faculty or a practicing clinician.
→What qualities are Nottingham Graduate Medicine looking for in applicants?
Nottingham Graduate Medicine is looking for applicants who demonstrate academic excellence, strong communication skills, teamwork abilities, empathy, and a genuine interest in pursuing a career in medicine. They are also looking for applicants who demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.
→What are some common mistakes to avoid during the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview?
Some common mistakes to avoid during the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview include failing to research the course and the university, not preparing sufficiently for the interview, being unprofessional or uncommunicative, and failing to demonstrate a genuine interest in pursuing a career in medicine.
→Can I retake the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview?
No, you cannot retake the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview. The interview is conducted once per application cycle, and your performance during the interview is used to determine your admission to the course.
→How important is the Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview for admission to the course?
The Nottingham Graduate Medicine Interview is a crucial component of the admission process for the Graduate Entry Medicine course at the University of Nottingham. The interview is used to assess the applicant’s suitability for the course and their potential to succeed as a medical student.
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