Nottingham Medical School is one of the most respected medical schools in the United Kingdom. It is also our founder, Dan's, hometown! Dan particularly enjoys walking around the lakeside at the University of Nottingham. It is unique in that it includes a BMedsci degree within the five-year programme. Teaching methods vary from full-body dissection through to case-based learning - a great mix!
Before the Nottingham Medicine Interview
After you send off your UCAS application, the university screens each application with a range of tools. You can read about them here.
The Interview at Nottingham: Explained
Nottingham University follows a MMI format, and in the past has had 6 stations at 5-minutes each. This includes one role-play station. The full interview usually lasts about one hour in total, after taking into account the extra reading time you get before each station.
What Questions Will I Be Asked in the Nottingham Medical Interview?
The questions vary each year, but they all revolve around the same topics. Nottingham has published the main qualities they expect to see in students, and the stations are made to assess these qualities. They are:
- Good communication and listening skills - An understanding of professional issues such as teamwork - Respect for patients and the contribution of those working in professions allied to medicine.
Below, I will cover these qualities, and also some other themes that are likely to crop up in the interview.
Communication and Listening - Nottingham Medicine Interview
These are key skills in medicine, and Nottingham usually assesses them through role-play. They will be assessing how you communicate, your body language, and how you build a rapport with someone. The scenario may be based in a medical or a non-medical setting. Don’t worry too much – you won’t be expected to know any specific details of medical scenarios! They will mainly be assessing skills such as empathy along with the good listening skills and good communication skills.
You could also be asked to talk about a task where good communication was essential, or about a time when you witnessed good or bad communication skills.
Top tip: this could be communication between a doctor and a patient, or it could be between a doctor and a nurse in an MDT-setting. Always draw on your work experience and make sure to reflect on what you saw!
Teamwork - Nottingham Medicine Interview
Teamwork is an important attribute of a medical school, and you can be asked about it in different ways! Examples include being asked about “a time you worked in a team and some of the challenges you overcame”.
Remember: Reflection is key in medicine! Throughout the interview, make sure you are reflecting on all experiences you talk about. Interviewers love to see what you learnt and how you improved.
Top tip: when talking about what you learnt, talk about how you implemented changes and how they helped you overcome future tasks.
Respect for patients and staff - Nottingham Medicine Interview
This could be assessed by asking you opinion of professionalism matters such as “is it okay for doctors to lie to patients?”. Respect for staff and other allied healthcare professionals may involve asking you to talk about your thoughts towards MDTs.
Top tip: If you have any personal experience of this from volunteering or work experience, then definitely mention it!
Extra-Curricular Activities - Nottingham Medicine Interview
You will likely have mentioned some activities you do in your personal statement, so this would be a good time to expand on them! Universities like to see that students are well-rounded and take time out for themselves, as they understand the importance of looking after yourself! You may be asked specifically about what you do outside of work and how you relax, or you may be asked how your extra-curriculars help you develop as a person, and how they could help you as a medic.
Ethics - Nottingham Medicine Interview
Make sure you are comfortable with the 4 pillars of medical ethics. If you know those, you will be able to talk about any ethical scenario with ease!
Top Tip: when discussing an ethical scenario, try to give an equal number of arguments for and against. It’s important to show the interviewer you are keeping an open mind and considering all views!
Final Thoughts - Nottingham Medicine Interview
The interview is a stressful time, but the universities just want to know what type of person you are. Practice example questions with friends and family and make sure you’re comfortable with role-play and acting but ultimately, be confident in your abilities! Good luck, you’ve got this!
Key Resources - Nottingham Medicine Interview