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University of Sheffield Medicine Interview Questions
This article was updated in December 2023 with the latest information, and we will continue to regularly update it!
What is the medical course at the University of Sheffield?
Sheffield is one of the oldest medical schools in the UK. Sheffield offers an integrated, 5-year course, taught with the patient-centred approach. The MBChB course also has the Sheffield Discover Medicine Scheme, the Realising Opportunities Scheme and the Widening Participation Scheme, so that contextualised offers can be made to students based on their circumstances.
In this guide we provide an expert insight into past Sheffield interview questions, the Sheffield Medicine interview day and tips for converting your Sheffield Medicine Interview into an offer!
How Is Sheffield Interviewing for 2024 Entry?
What is the format of the Sheffield medical interview?
The Medical School aims to recruit approximately 30 graduate students each year; however this is not a strict limit. Sheffield is unique from other Medical Schools in that it provides you with the interview questions at the time of invitation.
The University of Sheffield Medicine interview is typically an 8 station MMI, with each station lasting 8 minutes.
For more statistics and general information about Sheffield Medical School, click here: Sheffield Medical School
For more information about the interview structure, have a look at this page: Medicine Admissions
When are the Sheffield Medicine Interviews held?
Sheffield University will be hosting MMIs (Multiple Mini Interviews) between December and January for 2024 entry Medicine.
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What are the common topics covered at Sheffield?
Questions will be sent out alongside interview invites to successful candidates. They will typically be based around the following areas:
- Breadth of work experience and interest in Medicine
- Communication skills
- Knowledge of Sheffield’s Medicine curriculum
- Medical ethics (including four pillars of medical ethics and values of a Junior Doctor)
- Understanding of pressures as a medic
- Motivation to study Medicine
- Extracurricular activities / work-life balance
Sample questions might include:
- Can you tell me a bit about the curriculum for Medicine at Sheffield?
- Can you describe some work experience you have undertaken and explain why it will make you a better Doctor?
- Why do you feel better suited to a career as a Doctor, as opposed to any other health professional?
- How have you demonstrated an ability to maintain a work-life balance in the past?
- What are some challenges you expect to face as a Doctor? How will you manage these challenges?
- Choose a pillar of medical ethics and describe how it improves patient care.
- What would you do if you were unsuccessful in securing a place at Medical School?
How many people were interviewed at Sheffield?
The University of Sheffield interviewed around 1,000 candidates for 2023 entry Medicine.
How many interviewed applicants received an offer from Sheffield?
Home Students: For 2022 entry, after 1144 interviews, Sheffield has given out 770 offers. This means you had a 68% chance to receive an offer if you’ve been invited to an interview at Sheffield!
International Students: For 2022 entry, Sheffield has given out 40 offers after 96 interviews (42%).
To learn more about the Sheffield Medicine course in general, have a look at their official page: Sheffield Medicine
At Medic Mind we’ve helped many students secure offers from Sheffield and other medical schools. If you’re applying to Sheffield, we can do a high quality 1-1 mock with you with a Sheffield tutor and realistic stations uniquely for Sheffield.
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List of Recent Sheffield MMI Stations
| Theme | Sheffield Example Questions |
|---|---|
| Motivation for Medicine | Reasoning behind pursuing Medicine as a career Reasoning behind applying to Sheffield specifically |
| Work Experience | Experiences that prompted further research into a medical career Strengths and weaknesses of a doctor |
| Communication & Role-Play | Communicative management of a situation Prioritisation |
| Personality & Skills | Resilience / Perseverance Coping with stress Maintaining interpersonal and professional relationships |
| NHS Hot Topics | Values Based Recruitment Organ donation schemes Healthcare expenditure |
| Medical Ethics | Confidentiality Use of social media in Medicine |
| Personal Statement | Not very common in Sheffield interviews |
| Data Interpretation | Sorting through data sets |
If you wish to practice Sheffield Medicine Interview mocks, here are some sample questions. Remember, Sheffield normally gives out the questions before the interviews, which is quite unusual for a medical school!
- Why do you want to study medicine at Sheffield, specifically?
- What would you do if you had no offers to study Medicine?
- Tell me about a time when you have made a positive impact in someone’s life?
- Why is consent important in healthcare?
- How do you cope in a new environment?
- Should doctors use social media?
- Why is treating a patient with respect and dignity important?
- Scenario involving an actor, who is a patient at your local GP surgery. You must speak to them to find out about their illness, and how it is managed?
To prepare for your Sheffield MMI interview, may wish to check out our guide to approaching MMI role plays
Insider Guide: Sheffield Medicine Interview Day
How did the Sheffield Medicine Interview day work?
Sheffield will be running an MMI interview for the 2023-24 cycle. Questions will be sent out beforehand, alongside the interview invite to successful candidates.
Interviewers are varied and can include medical educationalists, biomedical scientists, clinical practitioners at any level, nurses, medical students, patients from their ‘Patients as Educators programme’ and lay people. This echoes a holistic and approachable interview format that will assess candidates’ abilities to communicate and build rapport with a multitude of people.
There is no available information as to how long the interview is set to last but a typical interview should not last more than 45 minutes. This information is likely to be communicated to invited candidates closer to their interview date.
Can students choose their own interview slot?
Applicants who are invited to interview will receive their email invite on the same day and slots are therefore available on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that students are encouraged to book their interview date as soon as they receive their invite. The Medical School will not offer interviews outside of the available dates and students who are unable to attend will not receive an offer. Therefore, while you can choose your own slot, general flexibility and availability should be prioritized during the Sheffield interview period.
Does the Sheffield Interview require any pre-reading?
Sheffield Medical School encourages all invited interviewees to read the NHS constitution and the Good Medical Practice guidelines set out by the GMC. This is in keeping with their values-based recruitment policy which details the various factors involved in assessing their future medical cohort, such as respect and dignity. It is vital to thoroughly showcase these qualities in your own candidature.
It is also highly encouraged to stay on top of relevant medical news and advancements as well as re-read your personal statement, with a focus on skills-based reflection.
What are the Sheffield MMI examiners like?
Sheffield is unique in it’s interviewer cohort, as they’re more varied than most medical schools. Interviewers can range from admissions officers and doctors to patients and lay people. Many of them may have been instructed to remain neutral to promote unbiased marking.
Did the Sheffield MMI interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?
Questions in the panel-style interview are sent out beforehand to students invited to the interview. Given that applicants therefore have time to prepare, surprise follow-up questions are to be expected. These may be from a predetermined list or may be in lieu of something that’s caught their attention regarding your application.
Logistical advice for the interview?
For virtual interviews, ensure you have a quiet and bright space with a strong Wi-Fi 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 interview?
Sheffield is very transparent with their admissions process. Their website delves into the details of the process, including what happens after the interview. Students will hear back in a few weeks following their interview but delays are not uncommon due to the logistical issues caused by the pandemic.
Top Tips for Sheffield Medicine MMI Interview
1. Prepare for the questions you’re given – It is highly uncommon that medical schools give out their interview questions beforehand so don’t let this be a wasted opportunity. Avoid rehearsing monologue style answers as this will be spotted and frowned upon immediately. Rather, build structured bullet-point answers to the given questions keeping in mind Sheffield’s values-based recruitment and the NHS constitution.
2. Don’t memorise answers – it sounds robotic and you might get stuck when a surprise or follow up question is added.
3. Learn about Sheffield – this includes the city, the university and the medical school and it’s hospitals. Really think about why you’d like to go there, focusing on aspects of the course you like as well as the location. Personalizing this is a good approach – find out what components of Sheffield’s teaching best fit your learning style as well as how their popular research fields fit into your areas of interest.
4. Use the university website and Good Medical Practice as your main study resources – everything you need is here! You can find both websites using the following links: Medical School , Medical Practice .
5. Don’t panic! You can pause before answering questions so you have time to think, and can ask for clarification if you don’t understand. You don’t need to rush into giving an answer. It is more important to come across confident and approachable than to speak quickly.
Covid – 2024 Changes
Is the University of Sheffield MMI Interview different this year?
Usually, the University of Sheffield holds MMI interviews for it’s medicine course.
Where can I find more information about the changes?
Full details of the changes for 2024 entry interviews can be found here: 2024 Entry Interviews
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Frequently Asked Question
→What are the entry requirements for the University of Sheffield Medicine programme?
The entry requirements for the University of Sheffield Medicine programme include excellent grades at A-level or equivalent in Chemistry and Biology, and one other subject. Applicants must also demonstrate excellent communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
→What should I expect during the Sheffield Medicine interview process?
The Sheffield Medicine interview process is designed to be challenging and rigorous. Candidates can expect to be asked a wide range of questions on topics such as scientific knowledge, problem-solving skills, communication skills, and personal attributes. It is also common for candidates to be asked to undertake a practical task, such as interpreting a medical case study or conducting a scientific experiment.
→What kind of personal qualities are the University of Sheffield looking for in applicants to the Medicine programme?
The University of Sheffield Medicine programme is looking for applicants who possess a range of personal qualities, including excellent communication skills, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, empathy, and a commitment to the medical profession.
→What is the selection process for the University of Sheffield Medicine programme?
The selection process for the University of Sheffield Medicine programme is highly competitive and rigorous. Candidates are selected based on their academic achievements, personal qualities, and performance during the interview process. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate a strong academic background, excellent problem-solving and communication skills, and a commitment to the medical profession.
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