University of Nottingham 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 medicine interviews, the interview day and tips for converting your Nottingham Medicine Interview into an offer!
For more statistics and general information about Nottingham Medical School, click here: Nottingham Medical School
How is Nottingham Interviewing for 2025 Entry?
What is the Nottingham Medicine Interview style?
We are expecting all interviews will be online using Microsoft Teams for 2025 entry. This usually involves 2 interviewers on a virtual panel conducting an integrated interview format consisting of 6 scenarios, each lasting 5 minutes each. The interview will begin with a one minute “ice-breaker” which will not contribute to the overall score.
Interviews are conducted in accordance with the University’s Equality and Diversity Policy. For more information about the interview structure, have a look at this page: Nottingham Medicine Interviews
What sets Nottingham apart from other medical schools?
One key feature is the BMedSci degree available in the third year, allowing you to complete a Bachelor of Medical Sciences with a research project in your chosen area, without needing an extra year for it.. Additionally, Nottingham is one of the few schools that offers full-body dissections for anatomy instruction, along with prosections to enhance your learning.
When are the Nottingham Medicine Interviews held?
Interviews are usually held in December and January.
What are the common topics covered at Nottingham?
The interview is designed to assess the personal qualities usually considered important for the practice 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
Meet Our Nottingham Tutors!
Book a session with one of our expert Nottingham tutors to boost your chances of getting into medical school! Call us on +44 (0) 203 305 9593 for a free consultation.
recommended
premium
premium
How many interviewed applicants received an offer from Nottingham?
Over the past few years, here are the competition ratios for Nottingham Medical School:
Home Students:
Home Students: After 1,874 to 2,100 applications, they interviewed 823 to 1219 applicants, a total of 267 to 642 offers were made.
International Students:
International Students: After 190 to 327 applicants, they interviewed 60 to 96 applicants, a total of 28 to 60 offers were made.
To learn more about the Nottingham Medicine course in general, have a look at their official page: Nottingham Medicine Course
At Medic Mind we’ve helped many students secure offers from Nottingham and other medical schools. If you’re applying to Nottingham, we can do a high quality 1-1 mock with you with an Nottingham tutor and realistic stations uniquely for Nottingham.
Book a University Specific Mock
Meet our Tutors from Nottingham
recommended
premium
premium
List of Recent Nottingham Medicine MMI Stations
| Theme | Nottingham Example Questions |
|---|---|
| Motivation for Medicine | Motivation to find out more about the career When did you decide you want to study Medicine? |
| Work Experience | Emotional responses to work experience |
| Communication & Role-Play | Empathy Prioritisation under stressful conditions Helping vulnerable demographics |
| Personality & Skills | Qualities of a good doctor Coping with stress |
| NHS Hot Topics | GMC principles and guidelines Evaluating the NHS |
| Data Interpretation | Prioritisation Following instructions to complete a task |
| Medical Ethics | Inter-professional communication and problem-solving Strikes Healthcare worker pay (junior doctor/nurses specifically) |
| Personal Statement | Generally related to work experience and volunteering |
If you wish to practice Nottingham Medicine Interview mocks, here are some sample questions:
- Describe an experience during your work experience which elicited an emotional response.
- How do you manage stress, and why is stress management important as a doctor?
- Evaluate the pros and cons of the NHS.
- Why is consent important in healthcare? Are all patients able to give consent to their treatments?
- Speak to an actor, who is an elderly lady struggling to read her prescription. Offer her your help and explain her medication times to her.
- Speak to an actor, who is a fellow student, struggling to balance the workload at university. Try to calm her down and offer your advice and support.
- You are planning a social event for the medical society at the university, look at the list of tasks and decide and explain which order you would do them.
To prepare for your Nottingham MMI interview, you may wish to check out our guide to approaching MMI role plays
A Nottingham Medical Student’s Perspective
Name 3 Reasons why you picked Nottingham
Reason 1 – The course
I love how the teaching style at Nottingham is diverse! It features early clinical exposure, lectures, group learning, and optional modules. Plus, the course structure connects all your learning. For instance, if you’re studying metabolism for one week, you’ll cover related reactions, review clinical cases, and explore how changes in metabolism affect the body.
Reason 2 – Placements
The fact that I would have early clinical exposure from my first year was definitely something I wanted. The variety of placements across NHS trusts and general practices in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, especially at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham—one of the largest hospitals in the UK—was really appealing for me.
Reason 3 –The campus and city
As a campus university, it’s very accessible for all students and truly an enjoyable place to be. Proximity to Highfields Park is perfect for walks, and the transport links are excellent. And I love the city! It offers a variety of options, whether you want to dine out, visit Old Market Square, or take a stroll through Sherwood Forest.
Insider Guide: Nottingham Medicine Interview Day
How did the Nottingham Medicine Interview day work?
My interview was held via Microsoft Teams. Instructions on the interview format and how to access the interview itself were sent to us prior to the day. The interview began with a one minute “ice-breaker” which they mentioned will not contribute to the overall score. The interview itself had roughly 4 scenarios, including 1 role-play, assessed by a panel of 2 interviewers.
What did you have to bring for the Nottingham Medicine Interview?
I wore my smart dress code and brought my photo ID. I also brought my IT equipment with a webcam and a microphone and made sure I had a strong Wi-Fi connection and a quiet, brightly-lit space to sit the interview.
What were the Nottingham interviewers like?
Nottingham interviewers were friendly and conversational. Some remained unbiased and neutral to prevent inequality. All interviews were conducted in line with the university’s Equality and Diversity Policy and the interviewers have participated in equality, diversity and unconscious bias training so nobody was rude or unfriendly.
Did the Nottingham MMI interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?
They asked for a lot of follow up questions but they are mostly from a predetermined list.
How long is the actual Nottingham MMI Interview?
The virtual interview lasted between 30-40 minutes not including the connectivity check at the start.
What is your logistical advice for the day for future interviewers?
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 did it take you to hear back after your Nottingham Medicine Interview?
Offers are made starting in February and lasting into April, if not later. I received mine in the last week of March.
Top Tips for Nottingham Medicine MMI Interview
1. Practise role-play scenarios. Remember to practise different scenarios with different family members and friends, so that you feel more comfortable in the exam. Don’t worry! They’re not looking for an Oscar-worthy performance but simply someone who can communicate in an approachable and empathetic way.
2. Read GMCs Good Medical Practice. It’s important to have a clear understanding of how doctors should react in specific situations, as this will help you evaluate ethical scenarios and role-play stations during your interview.
3. Discuss challenging ethical debates. Make sure you don’t sit on the fence while answering. It’s good to discuss the pros and cons for both sides but at the end always choose between them, if asked to. We have a great page for medical ethics here: Medical Ethics
4. Read the diary you maintained during your work placement. Or go through your personal statement before the interview in order to brush up on the work experience and voluntary work you have done. Most importantly, learn how to reflect thoroughly. Reflect on what went well, what went wrong, how you improved, what you learned etc.
5. Definitely be ready with your genuine answer to “why medicine?” Try to refrain from giving generic answers for this question and make sure your answer is personal. An easy way to do this is to reflect upon your work experience. To help you answer questions about your motivation to study medicine, have a look at our page here: Model Answers
6. Be confident. Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re stressed. It’s normal to feel a bit anxious, but try to appear confident as this can help you feel more at ease. Sit up straight, maintain eye contact, take a deep breath before you speak, and don’t rush your words.
7. Environment is key, especially with online interviews. Your background makes a huge impression and the interviewers don’t want to see your laundry lying on your bed in the background. Try and make sure to have a clear background that won’t distract people and make sure to dress well, even if you’re at home, it’s important to wear the right thing.
8. Make sure you spend the weeks before your interview doing some preparation, making sure you’ve practised answering questions and done your research about the course, university and city.
Book a University Specific Mock
Meet our Tutors from Nottingham
recommended
premium
premium
Frequently Asked Question
→What kind of questions can I expect in a University of Nottingham Medicine interview?
You can expect a range of questions that assess why you are qualified to pursue a career in medicine. These may also include your understanding of the healthcare system, your ability to work in a team, and your ethical reasoning skills.
→How should I prepare for a University of Nottingham Medicine interview?
To prepare for a University of Nottingham Medicine interview, you should research the school’s values and curriculum, review common medical school interview questions, and practise answering questions with a friend or family member.
→How do you approach ethical dilemmas in medicine?
When answering questions about ethical dilemmas, be sure to demonstrate your understanding of the principles of medical ethics like respect for patient autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. Talk about your ability to navigate complex situations and make decisions that prioritise the well-being of patients.
→How hard is it to get into Nottingham medical school?
Nottingham Medical School is very competitive with an acceptance rate of 9%. The difficulty level varies each year based on the number of applicants, their qualifications, and available spots in the programme. Admission considers various factors, including academic performance, relevant work or volunteer experience, and interview performance. It is important to perform well in the interview as offers are made based on your interview performance alone.
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
17 January 2024
Should I be worried that I haven’t heard back from my interview and it’s been a few weeks?