Barts Medicine Interview Questions - How to Prepare and What to Expect
- The Medic Life
- Aug 22
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, part of Queen Mary University of London, is located in Whitechapel, East London. Known for its high student satisfaction and research reputation, Barts offers a competitive medical programme that provides early clinical exposure from Term 1.
Applicants should attend open days to gain insight into the school and its facilities.
Barts Medicine Interview Questions + Frameworks: The Medic Life's proven way to Smash Barts Medicine Interview Questions
Article-Based Segment
Question Examples:
Summarise the article’s key argument. What’s the strongest counter-argument?
Identify the stakeholders & ethical tensions.
If you were a junior doctor, what practical steps would you take?
Framework: S.U.M.M.A.R.Y.
Summarise concisely: “This article argues that…”
Update context: Why this matters (NHS, patients, policy).
Main stakeholders: Who’s affected and how?
Moral/Ethical tensions: Autonomy, beneficence, justice.
Actions: What could be done practically?
Reason: Justify your stance.
Your reflection: Why this matters as a future doctor.
Motivation & Insight
Question Examples:
Why Barts specifically?
Why Medicine?
What did you actually do during your caring experience—and what did you learn?
Framework: D.E.L.T.A.
Direct answer: “I chose Barts because…”
Evidence: Link to an experience.
Learned quality: What skill or insight you gained.
Tie to Barts/East London context.
Aspirations: How you’ll contribute or develop further.
Resilience & Wellbeing
Question Examples:
Tell us about a time you persevered through a setback.
How do you maintain your wellbeing—and why does that matter for patient safety?
Framework: S.T.R.I.D.E.
Situation: Set the scene.
Task: What needed to be achieved?
Response: How you acted.
Insight: What you learned.
Deep reflection: Why this matters in medicine.
End note: How you’ll manage wellbeing long-term.
Teamwork & Leadership
Question Examples:
Give an example of teamwork.
How did you handle disagreement or underperformance from a peer?
Framework: L.E.A.D.
Leadership/team role context.
Event: What happened?
Action: What you did.
Deep reflection: Skills developed and why they matter.
Ethics & Public Health
Question Examples:
Should doctors be allowed to strike?
When is it justified to override patient autonomy?
How can health inequalities in East London be tackled?
Framework: J.U.D.G.E.
Justice & autonomy: State the dilemma.
User groups: Who is affected.
Discussion: Pros and cons.
Grounded decision: Give reasoned conclusion.
Ethical reflection: Wider implications.
Data & Prioritisation
Question Examples:
Prioritise three A&E admissions.
Propose a way to reduce DNA (missed appointment) rates.
Framework: P.R.I.O.R.I.T.Y.
Present the scenario clearly.
Rationalise your choices.
Infer risks and benefits.
Outline consequences/impact.
Recommend improvements.
Involve key stakeholders.
Tie back to patient safety.
Your initiative/leadership shown.
Communication Scenarios
Question Examples:
A family member asks you to hide a diagnosis from a patient—what do you do?
A colleague makes an unprofessional comment—how do you respond?
Framework: C.A.R.E.
Calm response: Show empathy.
Ask clarifying questions.
Reassure while explaining obligations.
Empower: Suggest next steps or escalate appropriately.
Course Structure at Barts Medicine
Barts Medicine is a five-year integrated programme combining problem-based learning and patient contact from the start. Students may choose to intercalate based on academic performance.
Phases:
• Phase 1: Body in Health & Mechanisms of Disease (Years 1–2)
• Phase 2: Clinical Basis of Medicine (Years 3–4)
• Phase 3: Preparation for Practice (Year 5)
Students also complete an Intermediate Life Support qualification.
Barts Medicine Entry Requirements.
GCSEs: 6 at grades 777666/AAABBB, including Biology, Chemistry, English, and Maths. Science Double Award may substitute.
A Levels: Minimum A*AA, including Chemistry or Biology plus a second science subject.
IB: 37 points, with three Higher Level subjects at 666 including Chemistry or Biology.
Scottish Qualifications: Three Highers at AAA; Advanced Highers at AA including Chemistry or Biology.
Graduate Entry: Minimum 2:1 in a Molecular or Biomedical Sciences degree, or another degree with A-level passes in Chemistry/Biology + one further science subject.
Barts Medicine Admissions Tests?
UCAT: Required. Candidates must reach at least the 4th decile to be considered for interview. Interview scores, UCAT, and SJT are combined to rank applicants.
BMAT/GAMSAT: Not required.
Graduate Applicants: UCAT requirements vary depending on degree class.
Work Experience & Personal Statement
Applicants must demonstrate understanding of a medical career through people-focused experience. Shadowing doctors is ideal, but volunteering in care homes or local charities is equally valid.
The personal statement is reviewed by the interview panel but is not scored. Expect questions based on your experiences and interests.
Barts Medicine Interview Format
• Style: Panel interview, often online (2025 entry)
• Length: 15–20 minutes
• Interviewers: Typically 2 staff members, sometimes a medical student or lay member
• Key Focus Areas:
• Motivation and realism about a medical career
• Initiative, resilience, and maturity
• Teamwork and problem-solving abilities
• Contribution to university life
• Communication skills
• Article research and analysis
Practice Interview Questions
Article-Based Questions:
• Summarise the article provided
• Identify key issues and potential implications
Motivation Questions:
• Why medicine?
• Why Barts/Queen Mary?
• What have you learned from work experience?
• How will you contribute to life at Barts?
Personal Insight:
• How would patients trust you?
• Describe a time you demonstrated resilience or teamwork
• How do you cope with stress?
NHS & Local Area:
• How would you improve the local A&E?
• What challenges face the NHS?
• Knowledge of healthcare in East London
Ethical Scenarios:
• GMC principles & medical ethics
• Prioritisation questions (organ donation, triage scenarios)
• Professional judgement questions
How to Prepare for Barts Medicine Interviews
1. Understand the course: Know the Barts programme structure, intercalation opportunities, and unique features.
2. Review local healthcare context: Be familiar with Whitechapel’s community health challenges and NHS priorities.
3. Practice critical thinking: Prepare for article-based questions and ethical dilemmas.
4. Have examples ready: Draw from volunteering, work experience, and extracurricular activities.
5. Reflect on personal qualities: Be prepared to discuss resilience, teamwork, and motivation.
6. Mock interviews: Practise with a tutor or mentor familiar with Barts interview style.
FAQs
Is Barts hard to get into?
Yes, competition is high due to strong academic entry requirements and rigorous selection criteria.
What is the style of interview for Queen Mary Medicine?
Panel interview, often online, lasting 15–20 minutes. Focus is on motivation, ethics, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Is Queen Mary Medicine hard to get into?
Yes, both academic excellence and strong interview performance are required.