University of Nottingham Medicine Interview Questions

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

Nottingham assesses each candidate based on their GCSE and UCAT scores, giving approx. 20% weight to GCSE grades and 40% to UCAT and SJT alike. All of your scores are translated to a score, with the maximum being 152 points.

For more statistics and general information about Nottingham Medical School, click here: Nottingham Medical School

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

In this guide we provide an expert insight into past Nottingham MMI stations, updated information regarding the 2023-24 interview, the Nottingham Medicine interview day and tips for converting your Nottingham Medicine Interview into an offer! 

NOTTINGHAM MEDICAL SCHOOL BUILDING: Nottingham is a highly respected university offering a competitive Medicine course. With a dedicated Medical School building offering spacious lecture rooms, PBL rooms and a library and cafe, students will benefit from the modern facilities on offer. The standard 5 year course at Nottingham also uniquely leads to both BMedSci and BMBS degrees.
NOTTINGHAM MEDICAL SCHOOL BUILDING: Nottingham is a highly respected university offering a competitive Medicine course. With a dedicated Medical School building offering spacious lecture rooms, PBL rooms and a library and café, students will benefit from the modern facilities on offer. The standard 5 year course at Nottingham also uniquely leads to both BMedSci and BMBS degrees.
Download Free Medicine Interview Notes

    How is Nottingham Interviewing for 2024 Entry?

    What is the Nottingham Medicine Interview style?

    The fist virtual interview was held for 2021/22 entry. This involved 2 interviewers on a virtual panel conducting an integrated interview format consisting of 6 scenarios, each lasting 5 minutes each. Students typically have 1 minute of reading time prior to each scenario. 

    The first station of the Nottingham Medicine Interview cycle is a 2-minute ice-breaker which will not contribute to your overall score and is intended to make you more comfortable.

    According to their latest admissions policy for 2024, this format will be continued for 2023-24 entry and will make use of Microsoft Teams.  

    For more information about the interview structure, have a look at this page: Nottingham Medicine Interviews

    When are the Nottingham Medicine Interviews held?

    December – March. Nottingham medicine interviews take place between December and March, with offers being issued soon after.

    What are the common topics covered at Nottingham?

    The Nottingham MMI primarily focuses on skills and personal qualities that they believe to be essential to good healthcare provision; much of this is dictated by the GMC and encapsulates the following: 

    • Communication and listening skills
    • Understanding of the profession and issue you can face
    • Teamwork and leadership
    • Respect for patients and allied healthcare professionals

    A thorough understanding and application of the General Medical Council’s guidelines for ethical and professional practice is vital.

    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.

    How many interviewed applicants received an offer from Nottingham?

    In 2022, these were the competition ratios for Nottingham Medical School:

    • Home Students:
      Home Students: After 1238 interviews, a total of 542 offers were made.
    • International Students:
      International Students: After 95 interviews, a total of 46 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.

    List of Recent Nottingham Medicine MMI Stations

    ThemeNottingham Example Questions
    Motivation for MedicineMotivation to find out more about the career
    When did you decide you want to study Medicine?
    Work ExperienceEmotional responses to work experience
    Communication & Role-PlayEmpathy
    Prioritisation under stressful conditions
    Helping vulnerable demographics
    Personality & SkillsQualities of a good doctor
    Coping with stress
    NHS Hot TopicsGMC principles and guidelines
    Evaluating the NHS
    Data InterpretationPrioritisation 
    Following instructions to complete a task
    Medical EthicsInter-professional communication and problem-solving
    Strikes
    Healthcare worker pay (junior doctor/nurses specifically)
    Personal StatementGenerally 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

    1. Reason 1 – The course

    The teaching style is varied which includes early clinical exposure, lectures and group learning as well as optional modules. Further the structure of the course means all your learning is linked together, so for example if you are studying metabolism in a particular week then you will learn all the reactions, look at some clinical cases related to metabolism and see the effect of changes to the metabolic process and the effect on the body.

    1. Reason 2 – Placements

    The fact that I would have early clinical exposure from first year was definitely something I wanted and the range of placements across NHS trusts and general practices in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, especially with the Queens Medical Center in Nottingham, one of the largest hospitals into the U.K

    3. Reason 3 –The campus and city

    Being a campus university, it’s very accessible for all students and truly an enjoyable place to be. Being close to Highfields park is great for walks and the transport links are excellent. The city itself has a lot to offer for whatever your tastes may be too, whether you want to eat out, visit Old Market Square or talk a walk through Sherwood forest.

    What makes Nottingham unique to other medical schools?

    One of the main things that makes the course unique is the Bmedsci degree offered in third year, so you can complete a Bachelor of Medical Sciences, doing a research project in an area of your choosing without needing an extra year for it. Another thing is that Nottingham is one of few that offers fully body dissections when teaching anatomy as well as providing prosections to aid your learning.

    Insider Guide: Nottingham Medicine Interview Day

    How did the Nottingham Medicine Interview day work?

    For 2023-24, interviews will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Instructions on the interview format and how to access the interview itself will be sent out to you prior to the day. 

    The interview itself will have roughly 4 scenarios, including 1 role-play, assessed by a panel of 2 interviewers. Typically, a member of the Medical Admissions Committee, usually the Director for Admissions, will lead the day. At least one Admissions Committee member will provide support and quality assurance. 

    In-person interviews typically also include a tour of the medical school by current students who are also available should you have questions about the course and/or school but this will not be available (or may be modified) for a virtual interview. 

    What did you have to bring for the Nottingham Medicine Interview?

    The dress code is as usual for an interview – smart clothes. Photo ID is required, but nothing else specifically. You will also require access to IT equipment with a webcam and a microphone as well as a strong Wi-Fi connection and a quiet, brightly-lit space to sit the interview.  

    How did you receive information for each Nottingham MMI station?

    Students will typically have a minute to think about the scenario presented to them prior to the station. The instructions given during this reading time will not be specific but rather an overview of what will be assessed in the scenario. This is a useful time to start structuring your answer. 

    What were the Nottingham MMI examiners like?

    Nottingham MMIs are friendly and conversational and the examiners typically mimic this. Some may remain unbiased and neutral to prevent inequality. All interviews are 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 should be rude or unfriendly. 

    Did the Nottingham MMI interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?

    Nottingham medicine stations tend to have fixed follow-up questions that are not disclosed during the reading time or in the instructions. 

    How long is the actual Nottingham MMI Interview?

    The virtual MMI should last between 30-40 minutes, not including time for logistical checks. 

    How long is the actual Nottingham MMI Interview?

    Each of the 8 Nottingham MMI stations were for 5 minutes and reading time outside the station was for 1 minute. There was a 3 minute ice breaker question (not assessed) for everyone at the start of their first station. Thus, making a total of 51 minutes.

    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 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. Keep in mind that delays are to be expected due to the logistical pressures caused by the pandemic. 

    PLACEMENTS: Having a GP placement each module gives students the chance to practise their clinical skills. The fact that Nottingham is not a traditional medical school where you wait until second or third year before you can see patients, may appeal to students who are looking for early patient contact. Nottingham also does full body dissections which may be important for some applicants.
    PLACEMENTS: Having a GP placement in each module gives students the chance to practise their clinical skills. The fact that Nottingham is not a traditional medical school where you wait until second or third year before you can see patients, may appeal to students who are looking for early patient contact. Nottingham also does full body dissections which may be important for some applicants.

    Top Tips for Nottingham Medicine MMI Interview  

    1. Practice role-play scenarios. Remember to practise different scenarios with different family members and friends, so that you feel more comfortable in the exam. 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 glean a thorough understanding of how  doctors should respond in certain situations to accurately assess ethical and role play stations during your MMI.

    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 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 holistic and 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. Doing an interview is usually quite nerve-racking and it can be difficult, especially when you are stressed out to be calm. It’s okay to be a little anxious, but make sure to look confident so you can feel some confidence to. Try and sit straight, keep eye contact, take a deep breath before speaking clearly and don’t rush things.

    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 your 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 practiced answering questions and done your research about the course, university and city.

    Covid – 2024 Changes

    Is the University of Nottingham Medicine Interview different this year?

    According to the undergraduate admissions policy for 2024, all interviews will be held virtually, likely via Microsoft Teams, as they did last year. Further information can be found here: Admission Policy

     Where can I find more information about the changes?

    Full details of the 2023/24 entry interviews can be found here: 2023/24 Entry Interviews

    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 kind of questions can I expect in a University of Nottingham Medicine interview?

      You can expect a range of questions that assess your suitability for a career in medicine. These may include questions about your motivation for pursuing medicine, 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. You should also be prepared to discuss your academic and extracurricular achievements, as well as any relevant work or volunteer experience.

      →How do you handle ethical dilemmas in medicine?

      When answering questions about ethical dilemmas, be sure to demonstrate your understanding of the principles of medical ethics, such as 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 do you manage stress and balance your academic and personal life?

      To answer this question, talk about your strategies for managing stress, such as exercise, meditation, or time management techniques. Discuss your ability to prioritise self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance, and how you plan to continue to do so throughout your medical career.

      →How hard is it to get into Nottingham medical school?

      The University of Nottingham Medical School is a highly competitive medical school in the UK, and admission can be quite challenging. The exact difficulty of getting into Nottingham medical school varies from year to year and depends on factors such as the number of applicants, the quality of the applicant pool, and the number of available spaces in the programme.

      According to the UCAS website, the acceptance rate for the University of Nottingham Medical School is around 9%, indicating that it is a highly competitive programme. However, it’s important to note that admission is based on a range of factors, including academic achievements, relevant work or volunteer experience, and performance on the medical school interview.

      To increase your chances of admission to Nottingham Medical School, it is recommended that you have excellent grades in relevant subjects, relevant work experience, a well-written personal statement, and strong performance in the interview process. It’s also essential to prepare for the interview and ensure that you are well-informed about the school’s curriculum, values, and expectations for medical students.

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      366 Comments

      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?