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Nottingham University Interview Questions
About Nottingham Medical School
Nottingham Medical School has over 50 years of training world class doctors and offers students from all backgrounds many opportunities to enter the world of medicine.
The school isn’t just based in Nottingham; campuses in both Lincoln and Derby adds the possibility of experiencing two cities all whilst studying at the same university!
They aim to combine modern developments in learning, such as early patient contact, with traditional teaching methods e.g. anatomy sessions.
INTERVIEW
MMI or Panel?
MMI
Interview format
The MMI style interview is the same as the Nottingham medicine interview. 8 stations lasting 5 minutes each with 2 of them involving role play.
What to expect on interview day?
For virtual interviews, the interview has two interviewers on the panel, lasts between 30 and 40 minutes and includes questions on four scenarios one of which was a role play.
For in-person interviews, the students are provided with 1 minute between stations to exit the station, and read the instructions outside the next station. At the first station all applicants will be read the same “ice-breaker” question and given 2 minutes to answer. The tour happens afterwards and there are student ambassadors on hand to assist and ask questions before and after. Arrive in good time and remember all the necessary documentation and identification.
You will receive more information about the interview day if you are invited for an interview.
The dress code is as usual for an interview- smart.
Interview scoring system
You'll be expected to have:
good communication and listening skills,
an understanding of professional issues such as teamwork
and respect for patients and the contribution of those working in professions allied to medicine.
The interviewers are trained interviewers: clinicians, academics and a lay person.
Interview months
Interviews usually take place between December and March.
Examiner review
The examiners are mostly friendly however, some examiners might have a blank neutral face and might act indifferent and cold. They do this not because your answers are wrong but to put you under a stress test while you are answering to see if you crack under pressure. Most of the Nottingham medicine stations had fixed follow up questions but they were not disclosed during the reading time or in the instructions. So you can expect them all to be surprise questions even though they are fixed and not based on what you say in your previous answer.
What to expect after the interview?
Usually takes a couple of months, around February and March, to hear. Check the spam email box just in case!
Interview tips
Be yourself! The interviews are not designed to catch you out or test your academic knowledge.
Read up on the website about what to expect from the interview and think about what qualities you want to try and portray to the interviewer during your interview.
Read up on the pillars of medicine and basic medical ethics as well as being familiar with the GMC's Outcome for Graduates.
Make sure you are strong on ethical scenarios and your motivation to study medicine answers.
Practise with friends and family to make sure you are confident and secure in your answers.
Nottingham places a huge emphasis on work experience. Not all candidates could obtain experience in a clinical setting; the University is more concerned about what the candidate has learnt from whatever role(s) they have undergone.
A useful resource to consult when preparing for interviews is BMA Ethics. The resource succinctly covers ethical principles which will be useful for any interview, regardless of interview.
The first station also has an additional three minutes to let you answer a couple of ice-breaker questions. This is a great opportunity to really get into the flow of things and start your interview positively.
Example interview questions
Motivation
Why medicine?
Why have you chosen Nottingham?
What can you bring to the university?
Why not chose another career path?
What is it specifically that really makes you want to do medicine?
What about the medicine course at Nottingham appeals to you?
Medical ethics
A scenario around a situation on placement that raises numerous ethical issues. Questions are then asked about identifying these ethical issues and what would the candidate do next?
During an A-level examination, you saw your friend cheating. What would you do after the exam? What if he tells you that he is did this because he wants to meet his grades in order to get into medicine? What would happen to the relationship between you and your friend as a result?
Discuss the ethics around your patient refusing further treatment.
Values and skills
What makes you think you'll be a good doctor?
How do you relax/deal with stress?
Define 'friend'