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University of Central Lancashire Medical School Medicine Interview Questions
This article was updated in December 2023 with the latest information, and we will continue to regularly update it!
The University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Medical School, located in Preston, is one of the newer medical schools in the country.
UCLan Medicine employs a panel format for their interviews. In this guide we provide an expert insight into past UCLan interview questions, updated information regarding the 2023-24 interview, the UCLan Medicine interview day and tips for converting your UCLan Medicine Interview into an offer!
How is UCLan Interviewing for 2024 Entry?
What is the University of Central Lancashire Medicine Interview style?
For 2024 entry, the interviews will once again be held in person in an MMI format.There will be 8 MMI stations with 7 minutes for each station. Please see the website for more details on UCLan medical interviews.
When are the University of Central Lancashire Medicine Interviews held?
Interviews are typically held between December and April but further information will be sent to invited applicants.
What are the common topics covered in the UCLan Medicine interview?
The main focuses of the UCLan Medicine interview are;
- Motivation for Medicine
- An understanding of the realities and challenges of the career
- Demonstrating flexibility, integrity, empathy and conscientiousness
- An understanding of medical ethics
- Problem-solving and reasoning skills
- Demonstration of teamwork, leadership and resilience
- Communication (verbal, non-verbal and comprehension)
To learn more about the University of Central Lancashire Medicine course in general, have a look at their official page: UCLan Medicine
At Medic Mind we’ve helped many students secure offers from UCLan and other medical schools. If you’re applying to UCLan, we can do a high quality 1-1 mock with you with a UCLan tutor and realistic stations unique to the medical school.
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An UCLan Medical Student’s Perspective
Name 3 Reasons why you picked UCLan
- Clinical Exposure from Year 1 – There are clinical placements from the first year of medicine, which allows you to be a part of a healthcare team from the beginning of your degree. This experience can motivate you through medicine and allow you to apply your medical knowledge
- Brand new teaching facilities, with state-of-the-art technological advances and implementations – Given the medical school is newly funded, campus facilities are modern, technological, and state-of-the-art; students can use these facilities to learn more efficiently, and resources are all up to date for the most accurate teaching possible
- Patient Interaction and Communication Implemented into Teaching – From year one, communication and clinical skills lectures involved ‘volunteer patients’ to practice skills on, which improves confidence, communication, and listening skills; it also prepares students for the clinical phase and world by providing accurate clinical simulations of real-life expectations to face in later years and on placement
What makes UCLan unique to other medical schools?
UCLan is unique to other medical schools in the way that their student body is predominantly international students, meaning that there is a lot of diversity and cultures, creating a friendly and accepting atmosphere within the school. In addition, they’re a fairly new medical school, having just been accredited by the GMC. All of the medical school is in a new building, and there are several clinical suites, state-of-the-art anatomy models, and technologically advanced robotic patients and labs, all of which aren’t offered in other medical schools.
Top Tips for Newcastle Medicine MMI Interview
1. Prepare naturally and not with structured answers – medical schools like to see how you think on the spot, and it’s important not to give a structured answer and make you sound like a robot; preparing naturally means being authentic, honest, and having a natural flow to the conversation with your interviewer
2. Don’t let one station affect the performance of others – each station is different, and it’s quite common to get stuck on one station; each should be treated like a new slate because all interviewers are different and topics range between each; it’s also okay to not pass one station and pass all the others, so it’s better to fail one over letting it affect the results of all the others
3. Get to know how medicine is like at the university – a lot of interviewers want to see that you’ve done your research into the university you’re applying and interviewing for; it shows you’re being proactive and have a genuine interest in what that school has to offer; it can also prepare you for any university specific questions they may ask you at a station. For example, I was asked questions relating to what interested me in the university course, which required me to have knowledge on the school course itself
If you wish to practice UCLan Medicine Interview mocks, here are some sample questions:
- What skills did you pick up from your work experience placements?
- Tell us about a time you used empathy to resolve conflict?
- Evaluate the pros and cons of the NHS.
- Why is teamwork important in Medicine? Should a doctor be more of a leader or a team-player?
- Tell us about a time you made a mistake and how you dealt with it after.
- What are your opinions on the use of cannabis for medical purposes?
To prepare for your UCLan interview, you may wish to check out our guide to approaching panel interviews.
Insider Guide: University of Central Lancashire Medicine Interview Day
How does the University of Central Lancashire Medicine Interview Day work?
UCLan typically uses the MMI format for its Medicine interviews. There are usually 8 MMI stations, with 7 minutes allotted to each station.
For 2023-24, the medical school will once again hold the interviews in person in an MMI format.
There is no other information available but invited applicants can expect more detailed guidance from the university closer to the time of the interviews.
What do you have to bring for the University of Central Lancashire Medicine Interview?
The dress code is as usual for an interview – smart clothes. Photo ID and certain documentation, such as your GCSE documents will be required.
If you get invited to interview at UCLan you must provide a satisfactory enhanced DBS check (or international equivalent). UCLan will give you information about how to do this but make sure you get this check done before your interview. Also, make sure you bring proof of identification with you on the day of your MMI. Check in the information given to you by UCLan that there is nothing else you need to bring.
Does the UCLan Medicine interview require any pre-reading?
Yes. The UCLan Medicine Interview is based on the attributes and qualities of a good doctor, as dictated by the GMC guidelines so being familiar with this is crucial. Applicants are also expected to be well-versed with recent medical headlines and developments as well as core topics, like medical ethics.
The interview will not require any scientific and/or medical knowledge.
What are the University of Central Lancashire panel examiners like?
University of Central Lancashire Medicine examiners are typically friendly but may tend to be more neutral during some interactions. This is often done to provide an unbiased assessment of the applicant as well as assess their capacity for dealing with stressful communication stations.
Do the University of Central Lancashire interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?
Yes! As with most panel interviews, the interview will take up a more conversational format where applicants may be asked to further discuss their initial responses or delve into specifics of what has just been discussed.
How long is the actual University of Central Lancashire Interview?
The interview itself typically lasts about 40 minutes but the entire process may take longer when identityand logistical checks are taken into account.
Logistical advice for the day?
For virtual interviews, ensure you have a quiet and bright space with a strong wifi connection and working camera and microphone. Ensure you will not be disturbed during your interview and avoid sitting in front of a bright light or window to prevent glare. Ideally, set up your interview space prior to the day and practice in that setting a few times to ensure comfort and logistical ease. If the university allows, it is helpful to have water to sip on throughout the interview.
How long does it take you to hear back after your University of Central Lancashire Medicine Interview?
It can take a few months to hear back but this varies from student to student. Keep in mind that delays are to be expected due to the logistical pressures caused by the pandemic.
Top Tips for the University of Central Lancashire Medicine Interview
1. Read GMCs Good Medical Practice. It’s important to glean a thorough understanding of how doctors should respond in certain situations to accurately assess ethical and role play stations during your MMI. Many of the skills tested in the KMMS interview are taken from the GMC guidelines as well as the NHS core values.
2. Discuss challenging ethical debates. Make sure you dont sit on the fence while answering. It’s good to discuss pros and cons for both sides but in the end, always choose between them. We have a great page for medical ethics here: Medical Ethics.
3. Practice virtual interview skills. Conveying strong communication skills, particularly non-verbal skills, can be difficult via a webcam so its vital you intentionally practice this in preparation for your interview. Record yourself answering common interview questions and watch it back to critique your own skills.
4. Have a strong “why”. This is by far the most popular medicine interview questions, particularly in panel interviews. Try to refrain from giving generic answers and make sure your response is holistic and personal. An easy way to do this is to reflect on your work experience. We’ve got great guidance on how to answer questions that delve into your motivation for medicine here.
5. Prepare naturally and not with structured answers – medical schools like to see how you think on the spot, and it’s important not to give a structured answer and make you sound like a robot; preparing naturally means being authentic, honest, and having a natural flow to the conversation with your interviewer
6. Don’t let one station affect the performance of others – each station is different, and it’s quite common to get stuck on one station; each should be treated like a new slate because all interviewers are different and topics range between each; it’s also okay to not pass one station and pass all the others, so it’s better to fail one over letting it affect the results of all the others
7. Get to know how medicine is like at the university – a lot of interviewers want to see that you’ve done your research into the university you’re applying and interviewing for; it shows you’re being proactive and have a genuine interest in what that school has to offer; it can also prepare you for any university specific questions they may ask you at a station. For example, I was asked questions relating to what interested me in the university course, which required me to have knowledge on the school course itself
Covid – 2021 Changes
Is the University of Central Lancashire Medicine Interview different this year?
The university will be held in-person for 2023-24 and invited applicants will be sent detailed information closer to their interview date.
Book a University Specific Mock
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Frequently Asked Question
→What is the University of Central Lancashire Medical School?
The University of Central Lancashire Medical School is a medical school located in Preston, Lancashire, UK. The school offers a five-year undergraduate program in medicine, as well as a four-year graduate entry program.
→What are the admission requirements for the University of Central Lancashire Medical School?
To be eligible for admission to the University of Central Lancashire Medical School, applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements, which include a minimum of AAA at A-level or equivalent qualifications. Applicants must also perform well on the UKCAT or BMAT entrance exam and have relevant work experience.
→What is the interview process like for the University of Central Lancashire Medical School?
The interview process for the University of Central Lancashire Medical School is designed to assess candidates’ communication and interpersonal skills, as well as their motivation and suitability for a career in medicine. The interview typically includes a panel of interviewers who will ask a range of questions, including ethical scenarios and questions about the applicant’s personal qualities and experiences.
→What are some common interview questions for the University of Central Lancashire Medical School?
Some common interview questions for the University of Central Lancashire Medical School include questions about the applicant’s motivation for pursuing a career in medicine, their communication and interpersonal skills, their ethical reasoning, and their ability to work in a team.
→How can I prepare for the interview for the University of Central Lancashire Medical School?
To prepare for the interview for the University of Central Lancashire Medical School, it is important to research the school thoroughly and to practice answering common interview questions. It is also important to prepare examples from your personal and work experiences that demonstrate your suitability for a career in medicine. Practicing with mock interviews or with friends and family can also be beneficial.
→Is UCLan medicine easy to get into?
UCLan medicine is a competitive program, and admission is highly competitive. While there is no set cut-off for grades, applicants are expected to have achieved excellent academic results, with a minimum of AAA at A-level or equivalent qualifications. In addition to academic qualifications, applicants must also perform well on the UKCAT or BMAT entrance exam and have relevant work experience. The selection process also includes an interview designed to assess candidates’ communication and interpersonal skills, as well as their motivation and suitability for a career in medicine. Therefore, while it is not easy to get into UCLan medicine, it is possible with hard work, dedication, and a strong application.
→What are the career prospects for graduates of the University of Central Lancashire Medical School?
Graduates of the University of Central Lancashire Medical School are well-prepared for a career in medicine, with a strong foundation in medical knowledge, clinical skills, and communication and interpersonal skills. Graduates may pursue a range of career paths, including working in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings, or pursuing further education or research in a specialized area of medicine.
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