St. George's University Medicine Interview Questions (2023 entry)
About St. George's Medical School (2023)
St. George's Medical school is a supportive, helpful and diverse community.
As the only UK university to share a campus with a teaching hospital, where the television series '24 hours in A&E' is filmed, you are immersed in a professional environment from day one.
It is a specialist health university, providing students a unique position to get a real taste of their future. An integrated teaching style of science and placement gives an all-rounded development and experience.
St. George's Interview Information
🔍 How does St. George's College select candidates for interviews?
GCSE/ Alevels: You only need to meet the entry requirements. SGUL does not use these grades for the interviews.
Personal statement: It is not used for choosing candidates for the interview but can be referenced during the interview.
UCAT: SGUL interviews around 750-950 candidates per year. The cut-off for the UKCAT scores differs each year and depends on the number of available interviews. Interviews will be allocated to students who belong to applicants with the highest UCAT scores.
The final decision is made based on the highest scoring candidates in the UKCAT and SJT exams.
🧬 What is the interview format?
The interview format for SGUL is an MMI. It consists of six interview questions that take around 4 mins each. The stations in this MMI can be of three different types:
Answering a question
Completing a practical task
Participating in a role play
There often aren't right and wrong answers when it comes to the MMI, the assessors will grade you based on your ability to think and act around a certain situation you’re presented with.
📆 When will you get interview invitations?
You will get your interview questions between 25th November to 15th December.
👩💼When are the interviews usually held?
Interviews are usually held from December to March
📝What are the main topics I will be asked at the interview?
These are the main topics that will be asked about:
Reasoning for choosing medicine as a career
The skills you possess to prove that you will be a good candidate to be a part of the healthcare system
Your commitment towards helping others and improving their quality of care.
How good of a team worker you are.
Your knowledge surrounding topics such as research programmes and government policies on healthcare.
☑️How will my interview be marked?
SGUL believes that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the MMI questions. They are assessing your ability to think and act around a certain situation you’re presented with.
🏠How many applicants are there per interview (Home)?
Usually around 1358 students, 52% of them get interviewed
🌎How many applicants are there per interview (International)?
260 students had applied at SGUL and 45% of them were interviewed.
✨How likely is it that I will be given an offer after an interview?
In 2022, there were 712 students interviewed out of which 63% of them were offered a seat.
In 2022, there were 120 students interviewed out of which 36% of them were offered a seat.
For SGUL it is worthwhile to learn more about different topics in medicine – both key events in the past and current developments.
Remain level-headed to think more clearly and to show the interviewers that you have the skills and qualities to make a great future doctor.
The stations are extremely varied and can include answering questions, solving problems, and engaging in role-play or scenario-based tasks.
Practise immersing yourself in role-play or scenario tasks.
Try and practice with people who are good at being strict so you get used to the expected interview.
Give multiple examples to illustrate your points. Make sure you include your personal experience in your answers, for example, work experience.
Example interview questions
⚖️ Values and skills
How are you a good candidate for Medicine?
What skills did you learn during work experience and which skills do you think you need to develop for the future?
🏥 Work Experience
In your work experience, did you observe a doctor breaking bad news to a patient? How did they do this, and why was it done well?
When have you worked in a team and what did you learn from this?
Talk about a research paper you’ve recently read.
📰 NHS
For the past, what were some of the most notable achievements in the medical field for you and why?
🕵️♀️ Problem soving
Summarise an article.
Travelling on the underground in London, one of your friends becomes separated from the group and it is their first time in London. Explain your plan of action.
How would you deal with making a prescription error?
Explain how you would make a cup of tea, to someone who has never done it before.
🎭 Role play
Your neighbour’s cat ran away while you were cat-sitting for them. Speak to your neighbour when they come home from work.
Explain, without gesture or mime, how to tie a shoelace
Explain to someone with a learning disability how to tell the time using an analogue clock
You are a hotel receptionist. A family has arrived for their holiday but there is no booking on the system. Handle this situation with the father.
🗞 Current Affairs
Currently, what do you think is the biggest issue in medicine?
Discuss your views on abortion.
The campus being situated inside the hospital itself drives easy integration into a clinical environment. Case-based learning for the first two years establishes a strong foundation for the clinical years. Anatomy is led by a whole-body prosection however a Summer dissection programme is available. Facilities like Clinical Hub Cubicles, a Dissection Room, advanced patient simulation centres and Pathology museums provide excellent opportunities. Intercalation is optional between years 3 and 4. Situated in South-West London, it provides the advantages of living in one of the most exciting cities in the world, London, without all the cost!
SGUL is a small university with only about 5500 students making it a tight-knit community. The curriculum is organised into integrated learning weeks, supported by case and problem-based learning tutorials, and typically includes lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and self-directed study. On top of this, Tooting, where St George’s is based is a thriving, multicultural hub. Central London and all its attractions are just 25 minutes away on the tube. The halls of residence are a 15-minute walk from the university. Students here have access to a wide range of educational and research facilities as well as spaces for socialising or extra-curricular activities. All resources needed from the SU to student services are at an arm's length.
At St. George's everyone knows. The Students’ Union organises events and allows students to create societies dedicated to sports, cultures or specialisms. Tooting was also voted one of the 10 coolest neighbourhoods on earth! There are sports clubs, societies like musical, comedy, Islamic, Adventure Sports, and opportunities to fundraise. You also get the added benefit of being part of the National Union of Students (NUS) and University of London Union (ULU), which offers support and advice, along with social events you can take part in at its central London headquarters just 30 minutes away. We have George’s families too, who will help you find your feet and let you know what things in the social calendar you should be attending!
Medical Societies at St. George's are a cumulation of multiple societies ranging from academic Societies, cultural, performance, religious, special Interest and welfare Support Groups. The societies run various events throughout the year to ensure that you make the most of your time as a student. The Students’ Union has a VP Education and Welfare who is there to support students, and SGUL Alumni have been funding an Education and Welfare Support Officer within the SU too.
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