Queen Mary University of London Medicine Interview Questions

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

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BARTS MEDICAL SCHOOL (QMUL): Barts Medical School is ranked 1st in London according to the The Guardian University Guide 2021 – UK subject rankings. It is also ranked 1st in London for overall student satisfaction according to the NSS 2020. With a central London location and many shops, monuments and parks closeby, Barts is ideal for students looking for a highly ranked University and busy learning environment.
BARTS MEDICAL SCHOOL (QMUL): Barts Medical School is ranked 1st in London according to the The Guardian University Guide 2021 – UK subject rankings. It is also ranked 1st in London for overall student satisfaction according to the NSS 2020. With a central London location and many shops, monuments and parks closeby, Barts is ideal for students looking for a highly ranked University and busy learning environment.
Download Free Medicine Interview Notes

    How Is Barts Interviewing for 2024 Entry?

    Barts has confirmed interviews for the 2024 cycle will be online. Medicine interviews at Queen Mary University of London are normally in the style of a panel. This consists of 2 members of senior academia or clinical staff, a medical student and sometimes a lay selector.

    The interview lasts 20 minutes and comprises two parts. Firstly, you will be asked questions on an article sent to you prior to the interview. In the second part, the panel will conduct a more traditional medical interview.

    It is important to note that undergraduate candidates will receive the article a week before their interview but graduate candidates will only receive this 24 hours in advance.

    When are the medicine interviews at Barts?

    Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry generally interview home candidates from January to March. Overseas interviews are normally held in late February and are usually held in Malaysia and Singapore and take place in late February.

    What are the common topics for the Queen Mary Medicine Interview?

    • Motivation and realistic approach to medicine as a career
    • Initiative, resilience and maturity
    • Teamwork
    • Organisation and problem solving abilities
    • Contribution to university life
    • Communication skills

    At Medic Mind we’ve helped many students secure offers from QMUL and other medical schools. If you’re applying to QMUL, we can do a high quality 1-1 mock with you with a QMUL tutor and panel questions uniquely for QMUL. 

    List of Recent Queen Mary University of London Panel Stations

    ThemeQueen Mary Example Questions
    Motivation for MedicineWhy Queen Mary University of London?
    Why Medicine?
    Tell me about the course structure at Barts
    Work ExperienceCan you elaborate on the work experience mentioned in your personal statement? 
    Strengths and weaknesses of a doctor
    ArticleYou will be given an article a week before your interview and will be told to prepare yourself to be questioned about it. You are expected to have good general knowledge on what the article is about will be asked follow up questions based on the answers you initially give.
    Summarise the main points presented
    What are the implications for the NHS?
    Personality & SkillsWhat can you contribute to this university?
    Why would you be a good doctor?
    What extracurricular activities do you do?
    White Chapel / Mile End AreaWhat diseases / conditions do you think are prominent in this area?

    If you would like to practice for the Queen Mary medicine interview, have a go at the following questions and check out our tips for panel interviews: QM Medicine Interview

    • Describe a time when you worked within a team
    • What have you read recently that’s related to medicine?
    • Describe a memorable moment from your work experience, what did you learn from it?
    • Talk about your strengths
    • Why do you want to attend Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry? We have University specific interview lessons which could help you with a question like this, check out more information here: University Specific Interviews

    Insider Guide: Barts Medicine Interview Day

    What did you have to bring for the Queen Mary Medicine Interview?

    The dress code is as usual for an interview – suits for boys, and smart clothes for girls. ID is required, but nothing else specifically other than knowledge from the article that they sent to you.

    Is your personal statement used in the Queen Mary University of London Panel Interview?

    It is not used in scoring at interviews and is used to give extra insight into your interests and potential contributions to the medical school. It is still worth being familiar with your personal statement so when asked about what you could bring to the medical school you can mention activities that you highlighted in your personal statement.

    What was the panel for the Queen Mary Medicine Interview like?

    Everyone at Queen Mary’s is really friendly and always happy to answer any questions. Different candidates had varying experiences but overall, interviewers give you time to speak and ask questions. Many will be encouraging and nod along with what you are saying and smile as a form of encouragement. Others can be quite stern, strict and challenge points made and ask follow up questions.

    There were three different examiners. For example, one previous candidate was interviewed by a specialist doctor, a GP and a medical student. Students and staff understand that interviews are stressful and try to make the process as smooth as possible. Overall, the examiners were polite and very focused on the interview; they started the first question almost immediately.

    Did the Barts medicine interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?

    There were lots of follow up questions regarding the article that was given beforehand. They based their  follow up questions on what was said. For example if a candidate expressed a particular view, they asked them to elaborate or to explain the disadvantages of that view. Otherwise, Queen Mary’s like to have a set of questions that they get through to standardise the interview process so do not generally ask follow up questions on your answer. Normally, they will move on to the next question once you have finished speaking. Try to be concise and keep your answers to about 2 minutes in length so they don’t have to cut you off.

    How long is the actual Queen Mary University of London Panel Interview?

    The medicine interview at Barts was 20 minutes long and was split into  two 10 minutes halves. The first half was based on the article emailed to you prior to the interview. The second half was questions about personal qualities and motivation for medicine. They leave time at the end of the interview for you to add anything you might want to tell them and give you time to ask them questions.

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

    Candidates tend to receive their results around two to four weeks after their medicine interview at Barts and the London.

    STRONG COMMUNITY FEEL: Prior to the start of first year, students can apply online to receive ‘Barts Parents’ for when they arrive. These will be two more senior Barts students who are there to help you settle in, make friends and introduce you to the local area and university societies. This is beneficial for students looking for a strong community feel at Medical School.
    STRONG COMMUNITY FEEL: Prior to the start of first year, students can apply online to receive ‘Barts Parents’ for when they arrive. These will be two more senior Barts students who are there to help you settle in, make friends and introduce you to the local area and university societies. This is beneficial for students looking for a strong community feel at Medical School.

    Top Tips for Queen Mary University of London Medicine Panel Interview 

    1. Research your article and know it well. It’s very important for you to research your article well and be confident speaking about it, especially because half of your interview is based on this. Consider which of the pillars of medical ethics are involved, the implications for the NHS as well as different aspects of society. You may find our article on model answers for useful questions here: NHS Hot Topics

    2. Be prepared to be asked about anything in your personal statement. A very common mistake is to not go over your personal statement,  but remember that the interviewers don’t know you personally. Your personal statement is the only information they have about you so they will be keen for you to elaborate on elements of it during your interview.

    3. Prepare your answers for the typical questions. These include questions about why medicine and why Barts, and remember to make your answers personal to you by mentioning your work experience and volunteering etc. 

    4. Know about the local community. Make sure you research about the Mile End/Whitechapel area and what the community is like there. This is very important for you Barts interview as you are likely to be asked questions about the community and health issues there.

    5. Look into the social aspects of the university as well as academics. This will show the interviewers that you’re interested in the university as a whole and have taken the time to look at what the experience of studying at Barts is like. This will help with your answer for questions such as ‘What can you contribute to this university?’ because you’ll have an idea of how you want to get involved.

    medicine MMI circuit
    Medicine MMI Circuits
    Experience real-life medicine MMIs, with individual feedback on each station to prefect your answers
    Download Free Medicine Interview Notes

      Frequently Asked Question

      →What is the Queen Mary University of London Medicine interview process?

      The Queen Mary University of London Medicine interview process is a traditional panel interview. The panel interview is a more traditional interview format, where you will be asked questions on an article you read prior to the day and questions about your motivation for studying medicine and your suitability for the course.

      →What types of questions are asked at the Queen Mary University of London Medicine interview?

      The types of questions asked at the Queen Mary University of London Medicine interview vary depending on the stage of the interview. You may be asked questions about your motivation for studying medicine, your experiences in the field, and your personal qualities.

      →How can I prepare for the Queen Mary University of London Medicine interview?

      To prepare for the Queen Mary University of London Medicine interview, it is important to research the course and the university. You should also practise answering common interview questions and familiarise yourself with the article sent to you. Additionally, you can attend mock interviews or interview preparation workshops to help you feel more confident and prepared on the day.

      →What is the timeline for the Queen Mary University of London Medicine interview process?

      The timeline for the Queen Mary University of London Medicine interview process varies. Applicants will be notified of their interview date at least two weeks in advance.

      →How long does the Queen Mary University of London Medicine interview last?

      The Queen Mary University of London Medicine interview process lasts approximately 20 minutes. Applicants should plan to arrive early.

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