University of Leicester Medicine Interview Questions
General Interview Information
Interview Format
The University of Leicester uses the multiple mini interview format to make its selection. There are eight stations which assess the following:
Key Dates
Interviews commence from mid-December through to mid-February.
Before the Interview
Recent MMI Stations
General/Personal Statement Station: This station will involve typical interview questions regarding the attributes you possess such as your ability to work as a member of a team, your ability to take responsibility for your actions, honesty and be self-reflective. Questions may include:
Motivation and Insight into Medicine: This station will not only examine your motivation to study medicine but also your genuine interest in the medical profession and medical based topics. It may lead to questions along the lines of:
Observation Task (Video Consultation): This station involves watching a video recording of a consultation and commenting on what you have observed. It is essential that you offer a balanced appraisal and attempt to find both positive things as well as areas that require improvement (even if the observed consultation is extremely poor).
Calculation Tasks (Numeracy): These are often more about problem-solving skills than a pure mathematical task. Practice talking through your working in a concise, step by step way. Always be careful of the units you use in drug calculations, and practice your conversions between different metrics - e.g. micrograms to grams.
Role play Station: Practice a range of recent MMI Role Play Stations in our Online MMI Question Bank with model answers.
Communication Skills Stations: Expect to be given both written and verbal tasks, either at the same or different stations. A station testing your written communication could be one where you are asked to read an article and answer a question on it, or perhaps write an answer to an essay-style question. The verbal communication skills may require you to answer questions similar to the following:
Sales Pitch/ Poster Station: This station will require you to present and A4 ‘poster’ about yourself, focusing on how your attributes are suited to a career in Medicine. Tips on creating the perfect poster and presentation can be found in our online MMI Question Bank.
The University of Leicester uses the multiple mini interview format to make its selection. There are eight stations which assess the following:
- Motivation to study medicine and genuine interest in the medical profession
- Personal attributes, for example, honesty, emotional intelligence, resilience, conscientiousness, personal organisation, ability to work as a team member
- Academic ability and problem-solving skills
- Ability to reflect on your work, strengths, weaknesses, as well as your own health
- Effective communication, including reading, writing, listening and speaking
- Ability to deal with uncertainty, manage risks, deal with problems and take responsibility for your actions
- Ability to be empathetic and treat people with compassion, respect and dignity
- Ethical Judgement
Key Dates
Interviews commence from mid-December through to mid-February.
Before the Interview
- Reread your personal statement and think about which questions may come up in relation to your work experience, hobbies etc.
- Prepare the one-sided A4 presentation that describes you and your life to take with you to your interview.
- Practice formulating clear instructions and answers with a peer/family member.
- Keep up-to-date on all medical-related affairs and medical ethics.
- Research the course that Leicester University offers and be able to articulate why you want to study there. Leicester University is famous for genetics; genetic fingerprinting was developed there, of which you should also be aware.
Recent MMI Stations
General/Personal Statement Station: This station will involve typical interview questions regarding the attributes you possess such as your ability to work as a member of a team, your ability to take responsibility for your actions, honesty and be self-reflective. Questions may include:
- What made you choose medicine, rather than other options?
- What did you want to do before medicine?
- Why do you want to study at Leicester?
- What subjects did you study?
- What was your favourite subject?
- What was the last practical experiment you did in Chemistry?
- What bad qualities do you have and how are you working to overcome them?
- What are your strengths/weaknesses?
- What happens once you’ve graduated?
- What did you observe in the oncology/haematology ward etc?
- What are your hobbies?
- What can you bring to the University?
- Do you have a particular field in medicine in which you are interested?
- If you could change one thing about yourself what would that be?
Motivation and Insight into Medicine: This station will not only examine your motivation to study medicine but also your genuine interest in the medical profession and medical based topics. It may lead to questions along the lines of:
- What makes a good doctor?
- What do you think about doctors who are criticised in the press?
- Would you stay in one place or move around?
- What role does politics play in the NHS?
- What do you consider to be a problem/issue within the NHS?
- What area should research be concentrated on in the future?
- What major health issues are around at the moment?
Observation Task (Video Consultation): This station involves watching a video recording of a consultation and commenting on what you have observed. It is essential that you offer a balanced appraisal and attempt to find both positive things as well as areas that require improvement (even if the observed consultation is extremely poor).
Calculation Tasks (Numeracy): These are often more about problem-solving skills than a pure mathematical task. Practice talking through your working in a concise, step by step way. Always be careful of the units you use in drug calculations, and practice your conversions between different metrics - e.g. micrograms to grams.
Role play Station: Practice a range of recent MMI Role Play Stations in our Online MMI Question Bank with model answers.
Communication Skills Stations: Expect to be given both written and verbal tasks, either at the same or different stations. A station testing your written communication could be one where you are asked to read an article and answer a question on it, or perhaps write an answer to an essay-style question. The verbal communication skills may require you to answer questions similar to the following:
- Describe an object or a task to another person who is visually impaired
- Teach a patient to use an inhaler (with/without having an inhaler in front of you)?
- Explain how to tie your shoelace without using your hands?
Sales Pitch/ Poster Station: This station will require you to present and A4 ‘poster’ about yourself, focusing on how your attributes are suited to a career in Medicine. Tips on creating the perfect poster and presentation can be found in our online MMI Question Bank.