How can I effectively prepare for Cambridge Medicine interviews?

Revise core sciences, practice mock tutorials, prepare ethical reasoning, think aloud through questions, and understand the Cambridge course structure.

What format do Cambridge Medicine interviews follow?

Two interview panels—usually two academics and one clinician—lasting 20–45 minutes each, often held at different colleges, with questions covering science, ethics, and personal motivation.

What kinds of questions are asked?

Expect a blend of scientific reasoning, ethical dilemmas, and personal insight questions that test your thought process and motivation.

What if I reach a dead-end in an interview?

Interviewers may prompt you toward answers. The focus is on how you approach problems, not just whether you get them right.

Aberdeen Medicine Interview Questions - 2025 Application Entry Requirements

The Medic Life
1 day ago
4 min read

If you're applying for the MBChB (Medicine) programme at the University of Aberdeen, the interview is a key part of the application. Understanding how Aberdeen runs interviews, what they assess, and how to prepare will help you feel ready and confident. This page gives you the official format, sample question areas, useful stats, and expert tips - all based on Aberdeen’s own admissions data and guidance.

PS: This expert Aberdeen Medicine Interview guide from The Medic Life (experts in MMI Courses) covers what to expect, common interview themes, and practical tips to help you succeed. Our Founder, Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad, is an expert in MMI Prep! Explore The Medic Life's MMI Mocks & MMI Stations as well as MMI Role Play and MMI Courses.

MMI Data Interpretation Questions & Example

Aberdeen Medicine Application & Interview Overview (MBChB programme): Entry Requirements

UCAS deadline: 15 October each year. Applications submitted after this date are not considered.

Selection stages:

Review of your UCAS application: predicted/achieved academic attainment.
UCAT scores considered alongside academics in deciding who is invited to interview.
Interview performance contributes heavily to the final decision.

Weightings (for Medicine MBChB):

Academic attainment and predictions: 30%
UCAT: 20%
Interview performance: 50%

Aberdeen Medicine Interview Format & Structure

The format used is a modified Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).
Interviews are in-person at the Suttie Centre, Foresterhill Health Campus, Aberdeen.
Timeframe: interviews take place between December and March each application cycle.
Duration: about 1 hour, with multiple stations (usually 5 minutes per station) and evaluation by two selectors per station. Communication and interpersonal skills are assessed at each station.

Aberdeen Medicine Interview Questions: Domains & Topics You’ll Be Assessed On

During the MMI, you’ll move through stations each focusing on different domains. Aberdeen publishes the following station domains for Medicine:

Motivation to study medicine
Core qualities (integrity, empathy, resilience etc.)
Critical thinking & problem solving
Teamwork
Professionalism

(There is no reading time before stations. You may be asked questions that require you to think on your feet.)

Book Your MMI Interview Course

Aberdeen Medicine Interview Questions: Admissions Data & What to Expect

Here are some recent statistics to help you benchmark:

Category	Lowest UCAT invited to Interview	Average UCAT of Interviewees	Offers made
Scottish/EU - School Leavers (2024)	2160	2560	536 offers
RUK (Rest of UK) - School Leavers	2440	2700	72 offers

These are indicative; UCAT thresholds and numbers can vary each year.

Aberdeen Medicine Interview Questions: Sample Question Types

Here are examples of the sort of questions/topics you might encounter in the stations. The aim isn’t to memorise answers, but to reflect on your experiences and be ready to apply your reasoning.

Why do you want to study medicine at Aberdeen? What aspects of the course are most relevant to you?
Describe a situation where you worked in a team. What went well, what didn’t, and what did you learn?
Reflect on a time when you faced a challenge or made a mistake. How did you respond? What did you take from it?
You may be given a scenario involving an ethical dilemma or decision-making under pressure. How would you approach it?
How have you prepared for the realities of a medical career (clinical exposure, shadowing, understanding of stress, professionalism)?

Aberdeen Medicine Interview Questions: How to Prepare Well?

Research the course: Know the MBChB curriculum at Aberdeen, early clinical exposure, what professional values the school emphasises.

Reflect genuinely on your experiences: personal statement, caring roles, shadowing, teamwork. Be ready to talk about what you learned.

Practice mock MMIs: timing, format, moving between stations. Build comfort with thinking under pressure.

Book Your MMI Interview Course

Communication & interpersonal skills matter: clarity, listening, reasoning, empathy. Interviewers assess not just what you say but how.

Logistics & mindset: ensure good rest the day before, arrive/prepare well, dress appropriately, bring photographic ID, complete consent/declaration forms as requested.

Aberdeen Medicine Interview Questions: FAQs

How hard is it to get into Aberdeen Medicine?

It is competitive. Meeting academic requirements and having a strong UCAT help you get to interview. But your interview performance, motivation, and non-academic qualities are crucial. The competition for places is high, especially for non-Scottish (RUK) and international applicants.

What is the acceptance rate or offer chance?

Exact percentages fluctuate. For example, in 2024 ~757 applicants were interviewed and ~618 offers were made across various applicant types. Still, many more apply than places available. Your performance across all stages counts.

What exactly will be asked at the interview?

Stations will explore domains like motivation, core qualities, critical thinking, teamwork, and professionalism. Questions often require reflection, reasoning, hypothetical scenarios. No pre-reading is required for most stations.

Can I get feedback if I’m unsuccessful?

Yes. Aberdeen commits to offering comprehensive feedback to unsuccessful applicants. Requests for feedback can be made from mid-April to end of May, quoting your UCAS Personal ID.