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Cardiff University Interview Questions
About Cardiff Medical School
As one of the largest medical schools in the UK, Cardiff heavily emphasises clinical experience from the beginning of the course starting in first year.
Early patient contact, combined with the opportunity for full body dissections establishes a brilliant base for clinical years.
The curriculum is spiral, ensuring that everyone can really build up their basic knowledge consistently and add on year after year. They are always keen to listen to new suggestions.
INTERVIEW
MMI or Panel?
MMI
Interview format
There are 9, 9 minute stations.
What to expect on interview day?
The information for each station is on a piece of paper on a stand by the desk and students have 2 minutes to read this except the maths station where you can start instantly. Usually you get asked 2 separate questions at each station, having to speak to the interviewer for 3 minutes per question. The interview questions / instructions are on the desk or on a board next to the interviewer.
Interview scoring system
The interviews focus on exploring the applicant’s personal qualities and attributes which are vital to becoming a good doctor in the future. The attributes include:
Medical motivation and awareness of the career
Caring ethos and a sense of social awareness
Sense of responsibility
Evidence of a balanced approach to life
Evidence of self-directed learning and extracurricular activities
Referee’s report
Each station attracts one of four grades based on the performance of the applicant; these are poor, borderline, good and excellent.
Interview months
Interviews run in December and January, with international ones in Malaysia potentially later.
Prior information
You will receive an email with information about the Cardiff medicine interview, including an overview of the structure. This email often contains instructions such as ‘consider preparing for...’ These hints may form the basis of the questions, so ensure that you can discuss these topics comprehensively.
Examiner review
The interaction is formal yet also relaxed and they make sure you are comfortable during the station. The follow-up questions are not surprising or abstract, they are fairly predictable given the information given before the station fully began.
What to expect after the interview?
People begin to hear back after interviews are complete.
Interview tips
Reading up a little on the background of the NHS and the values underlying its creation is a good starting point for preparation.
Cardiff is keen on assessing people's communications skills and their ability to balance arguments and justify scenarios therefore practicing this beforehand with family or friends will definitely help.
Brush up on basic maths skills for the numeracy station but don't stress too much about this.
Key to any MMI - all the stations are assessed individually so don't let one bad station affect your entire performance of the day.
Research the course, especially the new C21 course that they offer. Make a note of any unique aspects that particularly interest you.
Ensure that you have a good understanding of the Welsh NHS.
Example interview questions
Motivation
Why medicine?
Why Cardiff?
Why not study closer to home?
How are you able to contribute to Cardiff as a student and a potential student ambassador?
Values and skills
What are essential skills within doctors as healthcare professionals?
Work experience
Just general questions about how this has benefited you
NHS
"How has the development of the NHS changed healthcare within the UK?
(Founder of the NHS, Aneurin Bevan was Welsh, good to have some knowledge about how he spearheaded the creation of the National Health Service)"
Current affairs
Impact of COVID on medical research and development
Give me a current medical issue you find interesting and explain why?
What do you think are the two major health issues in Wales at the moment?
What do you think of the NHS bed crisis?
What is your understanding of "bed blocking"?