Queen’s University Belfast Dentistry Interview Questions

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

Queen’s University Belfast School of Dental Sciences is a very competitive school, with only 45 places available for Dentistry.

For more general information about the Belfast Dental School, check out this page: Belfast Dental School

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The Queen’s University Belfast Dentistry interview is currently anticipated to be MMI for 2023/24 entry and will still have an MMI format. Usually, the MMI setup includes 4 stations, 2 questions per station and 4-6 minutes per question, with 2 minutes waiting time between stations. In this guide we provide an expert insight into past Queen’s University Belfast interview stations, the Belfast MMI day and tips for converting your Queen’s University Belfast Dentistry interview into an offer! 

QUB DENTAL SCHOOL BUILDING: QUB is one of the highest ranked Dental Schools in the UK and is also the only Dental School in Northern Ireland. It has a progressive Dental course and students have fantastic access to libraries and well equipped facilities such as a Clinical Techniques Laboratory (CTL) used by students throughout the programme.
QUB DENTAL SCHOOL BUILDING: QUB is one of the highest ranked Dental Schools in the UK and is also the only Dental School in Northern Ireland. It has a progressive Dental course and students have fantastic access to libraries and well equipped facilities such as a Clinical Techniques Laboratory (CTL) used by students throughout the programme.

2023/24 Queen’s University Belfast Dentistry Interview in a Nutshell

What is the Belfast Interview style?

For 2023/24 entry Belfast Interviews will be MMIs. The exact number of stations hasn’t been released but they have stated the number may have changed from previous years. Normally, there are 4 MMI stations with 2 questions each.

You are given 4-6 minutes to answer each question and there are 2 assessors in each station.

There is a 2 minute break between each station.

Download Free Dentistry Interview Questions

    What are the Belfast MMI Dates?

    The exact dates for 2023/24 entry haven’t yet been released but normally takes place from mid-December to March.

    Meet Our Queen’s University Belfast Tutors!

    Book a session with one of our expert Queen’s University Belfast tutors to boost your chances of getting into medical school! Call us on +44 (0) 203 305 9593 for a free consultation.

    What are the common topics covered at the Belfast Dentistry Interview?

    • Resilience
    • Maturity and responsibility
    • Communication
    • Self Awareness 
    • Confidence
    • Ethics and moral values
    • Empathy
    • Awareness of the demands of the course

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

    List of Recent Queen’s University Belfast Dentistry Interview Topics

    ThemeQUB Example Questions
    Work ExperienceWhat you learned
    Why you chose that placement
    Communication & Role-PlaySJT based role play with actors
    e.g. talk to a student who cheated on their final exams
    Personality & SkillsData interpretation from articles
    – need to read quite quickly and may need to give own opinions as well
    NHS Hot TopicsKnowledge about Dentistry in the NHS
    Questions may be based on articles
    Medical EthicsScenarios given in the style of UCAT SJT questions
    Some knowledge required, e.g. organ donation for Medicine or Science

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

    • How did your work experience motivate you to apply for Dentistry?
    • Talk to your fellow colleague who came to work drunk this morning.
    • Read an article relevant to Dentistry and discuss your opinions on the topic.
    • What were the 3 key things you learned from your work experience?
    • Why did you choose your work experience placement?
    • What was most interesting about your placement?
    • Tell me how NHS banding works.
    • What are your opinions on organ donation?
    • Discuss the GDC ethical values.

    Check out the official Queen’s University Belfast School of Dental Sciences course page here, so that you know what to expect from this course: QUB Official Page

    Insider Guide: Queen’s University Belfast Dentistry Interview Day

    How did the Belfast Interview day work?

    I was taken to the Dental Sciences building, where I had to sign in.
    Then I was taken upstairs to a room where I was given a brief introduction into how the MMI will work and any questions from candidates were answered.

    There wasn’t much waiting time as there were only 4 of us in this session and everything happened very quickly.
    After the interview, I was given a feedback form on the interview process to fill in. 

    What do you have to bring for the Belfast Dentistry Interview?

    It’s always best to be dressed smartly but comfortably. Photo ID is needed for registration.

    How do you receive information for the Belfast MMI questions?

    The assessors would ask one question each, and you can ask them to repeat the question if necessary. 

    What were the Queen’s University Belfast MMI interviewers like?

    There was a big variety; some were very friendly and warm. The assessors had positive body language and it was easy to answer the question confidently. However, other examiners were cold and difficult to talk to; one examiner even looked out of the window when asking the question. 

    Did the Queen’s University Belfast MMI interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?

    No, they asked the question once (unless you asked them to repeat it), and once you finished that question you’d sit in silence until the next question or until the bell rang.
    If you were about to overrun, a stopwatch would beep when there was a minute remaining for the question,
    If you didn’t stop on time, you would be cut off and asked the next question.

    How long is the actual Belfast interview?

    The interview itself lasts about 40 minutes in total. However, for 2023/24 entry Belfast hasn’t released their exact timings for the MMI.

    What should I do if I’m not feeling well enough to to participate in the Belfast interview?

    If you’re feeling too unwell to participate in your Belfast interview contact the Centre for Dentistry School Office as soon as possible.

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

    Around 1 month, but this varies between candidates.

    Have a look at the official application page for Dentistry at Belfast, to get some more ideas of what to expect on interview day: Dentistry at Belfast  

    ROYAL SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY: The Dental hospital above is a part of the Royal Victoria Hospital. This is where patients will voluntarily come to be treated in 3rd–-5th year. The clinical years spent here will allow students to become more confident in carrying out procedures.
    ROYAL SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY: The Dental hospital above is a part of the Royal Victoria Hospital. This is where patients will voluntarily come to be treated in 3rd–-5th year. The clinical years spent here will allow students to become more confident in carrying out procedures.

    Top Tips for the Queen’s University Belfast Dentistry Interview 

    1. Listen carefully to each question and take 30 seconds to formulate a balanced, well structured answer if needed. Don’t rush into an answer out of panic, because you could end up waffling.

    2. Don’t get put off by anything; the examiners might be cold on purpose, so stay confident in your answer, as this is part of the test.

    3. Think about your work experience in depth before the interview, because they will expect you to expand on this question and show that you learned a lot from your placement.

    4. Increase your knowledge of NHS guidelines, especially for Dentistry, and also have some knowledge of current NHS events which are relevant to Dentistry.
    Have a look at our blog post on NHS questions for some extra help: NHS Hot Topics

    5. Practice UCAT SJT situations to prepare for the possible scenarios in role play stations, and practise role play with friends or family, as this could be quite a new experience for you

    Covid – 2024 Changes for Queen’s University Belfast Dentistry Interview

    Is the Belfast interview different this year?

    Queen’s University Belfast have stated that they currently anticipate 2023/24 entry interviews to be MMI held between December and March.

    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 interview process for dentistry at Queen's University Belfast?

      The interview process for dentistry at Queen’s University Belfast typically involves a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. This involves a series of short, timed interview stations where applicants are assessed on various skills and attributes.

      →How can I prepare for the dentistry interview at Queen's University Belfast?

      To prepare for the dentistry interview at Queen’s University Belfast, it is important to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions that may be asked. Practice answering scenario-based questions and ethical dilemmas, and work on developing your interpersonal and communication skills. It may also be helpful to do mock interviews with a friend or mentor.

      →What types of questions are asked during the MMI for Queen's University Belfast dentistry program?

      Questions asked during the MMI for Queen’s University Belfast dentistry program may include scenario-based questions, ethical dilemmas, and questions designed to assess an applicant’s interpersonal and communication skills. Sample questions might include: “How would you handle a situation where a patient is non-compliant with treatment?” or “Describe a time when you had to work effectively as part of a team.”

      →How are applicants assessed during the dentistry interview at Queen's University Belfast?

      Applicants are assessed during the dentistry interview at Queen’s University Belfast using a predetermined scoring rubric that outlines the skills and attributes being assessed at each station. Interviewers rate each applicant’s performance on each station on a scale, and the scores are tallied to determine the applicant’s overall performance.

      →What qualities does Queen's University Belfast look for in applicants to their dentistry program?

      Queen’s University Belfast looks for applicants who demonstrate a strong academic record, as well as strong communication and interpersonal skills. They also look for applicants who have a genuine interest in dentistry and are able to demonstrate their commitment to the field through relevant work experience or extracurricular activities.

      →Is it hard to get into Queen's University Belfast Dentistry Program?

      Admission to Queen’s University Belfast Dentistry Program is highly competitive, with a limited number of spots available each year. The program is recognized for its high standards of academic excellence and the quality of its graduates. Applicants must meet stringent academic requirements, including specific prerequisite courses and minimum GPA requirements. Additionally, they must perform well during the interview process, which typically involves a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. The combination of these factors makes admission to Queen’s University Belfast Dentistry Program challenging, but not impossible. It is important for applicants to thoroughly research the program, understand the admission requirements, and put in the effort to develop their skills and experience to be competitive.

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