Chester Graduate Entry Medicine Interview Questions | Entry Requirements & Insights 2025-26
- The Medic Life
- 14 hours ago
- 5 min read
The University of Chester Medical School has launched its Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) MBChB programme, beginning with its first cohort in September 2024. This four-year course offers graduates from any discipline the chance to pursue a career in medicine. With the programme currently under the General Medical Council (GMC) quality assurance process, Chester aims to deliver a high-standard, future-focused medical education, combining early clinical exposure with a Case-Based Learning (CBL) model.
For applicants, one of the most crucial stages of the admissions process is the medicine interview. Understanding the format, style, and types of questions asked at Chester Medical School is essential for preparation. This page provides detailed guidance on Chester’s Graduate Entry Medicine interview questions, insights from recent admissions cycles, and expert strategies to help you succeed.
PS: This expert Chester Graduate Entry 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.u
Chester Medical School: Overview of Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM)
Programme length: 4 years (Graduate Entry)
Degree awarded: MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery)
Teaching style: Case-Based Learning (CBL) supported by seminars, lectures, and simulation-based clinical skills
Clinical exposure: Over 100 weeks in placements across Cheshire, Shropshire, and North Wales
Facilities: Chester campus (Exton Park, Wheeler Building, Bache Hall) plus simulation suites, hospitals, GP practices, and community healthcare settings
Contingency school: Warwick Medical School
Chester Medicine Entry Requirements
Unlike many traditional medical schools, Chester takes a graduate-only intake:
Degree: Minimum 2:1 Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (2:2 accepted with a Master’s or PhD)
Admissions tests: Applicants must meet the threshold in UCAT, GAMSAT, or MCAT (verbal reasoning score at or above the mean is required)
Work experience: At least 70 hours of healthcare, allied work, or relevant shadowing experience, completed in the last 3 years
International students: Welcome to apply (annual fee £44,000)
Personal statement: Considered but not scored heavily compared with tests and interviews
Chester Medical School Interview Process
Format
Chester uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format:
6 stations lasting around 1.5 hours in total
Each station assesses applicants against GMC’s “Good Medical Practice” competencies
Candidates are observed and scored by two trained assessors per station (academics, clinicians, current students, lay members)
Scores are reviewed holistically before offers are made
Interview Timeline
December - February: Main interview period each year
229 candidates were interviewed for 2024 entry, from 690 total applicants
136 offers were made, with the lowest overall score being 2,470 (UCAT equivalent)
Chester Graduate Entry Medicine Interview Questions
While Chester does not publish its exact interview questions, preparation should cover key themes used across UK medical schools and align with GMC guidance. Below are likely Chester MMI topics, grouped for effective preparation:
1. Motivation & Commitment to Medicine
Why medicine, and why Chester?
What did you learn from your 70+ hours of work experience?
Why medicine instead of nursing, dentistry, or another healthcare role?
How will you cope with the emotional challenges of being a doctor?
What is the most important quality a doctor should have?
2. Communication Skills
Explain a complex medical concept to someone with no background knowledge.
How would you communicate with a patient who doesn’t speak English?
Delivering bad news: what steps would you take?
Describe a time when you resolved a conflict through communication.
3. Ethical Scenarios & GMC Good Medical Practice
A colleague has arrived at work under the influence – what would you do?
A patient adds you on social media - how do you respond?
How would you prioritise organ donation between two patients?
Should euthanasia be legalised in the UK?
4. Teamwork & Leadership
Give an example of when you worked effectively in a team.
Describe a time you showed resilience in a challenging situation.
How would you motivate a healthcare team under pressure?
What makes a good leader in medicine?
5. NHS & Local Healthcare Knowledge
What are the biggest challenges facing the NHS today?
How has COVID-19 changed NHS operations long-term?
What do you know about healthcare provision in Cheshire and North Wales?
How would you improve the local A&E department in Chester?
6. Personal Insight & Reflection
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
How do you manage stress and workload?
Tell us about an article you’ve recently read related to healthcare.
Why should patients trust you?
How Competitive is the Chester Graduate Entry Medicine Interview?
Based on the 2024 admissions cycle (for 2025 entry):
690 applicants
229 interviews
136 offers
Success rate from application → interview: 33%
Success rate from interview → offer: 59%
Compared with established medical schools, Chester offers a favourable chance for well-prepared applicants, particularly for graduates who meet admissions test thresholds.
How to Prepare for the Chester Medicine Interview?
Before the Interview
Review GMC’s Good Medical Practice framework
Practise MMI stations under timed conditions
Keep up with NHS hot topics and healthcare news
Reflect on personal experiences that demonstrate teamwork, leadership, and ethics
On the Day
Arrive early, calm, and prepared
Listen carefully to station instructions
Keep answers structured (Situation – Task – Action – Result: STAR technique)
Show empathy, reflection, and adaptability
Why Choose The Medic Life for Chester Interview Prep?
Tailored MMI preparation aligned with Chester’s selection process
500+ MMI practice questions with model answers
1-to-1 interview tutoring with feedback from medical admissions specialists
Mock interviews replicating Chester’s 6-station format
Course bundles covering ethics, NHS, and communication skills
Your Chester medicine interview could define your medical career - The Medic Life ensures you enter the interview room confident, knowledgeable, and ready to stand out.
FAQs – Chester Graduate Entry Medicine Interviews
What is the interview style for Chester medical school?
Chester uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, with 6 stations lasting around 1.5 hours.
What percentage of medicine applicants get an interview at Chester?
In the 2024 admissions cycle, 229 out of 690 applicants were interviewed (~33%).
How many offers were made for Chester medicine?
136 offers were issued for 2024 entry.
Can I get into medicine at Chester with AAB A-levels?
Chester is graduate-entry only, so A-level grades are not considered. Applicants need a 2:1 degree or above (2:2 with postgraduate qualifications accepted).
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