Exeter Medicine Interview Questions: Exeter University Medicine Interview Guide
- The Medic Life
- Oct 7
- 6 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Landing an interview at Exeter is a major step. This guide walks you through the likely format, question themes, tips, and FAQs so you go in confident and prepared.
PS: This expert Exeter 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.
Exeter Medicine Interview: Format & Process
Exeter uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format - a circuit of short, structured stations assessing non-academic traits.
Recent cycles have used 4 stations (for 2024 entry), though most guides expect 5 stations, each ~5 minutes + short breaks between.
The interview may be in person or online (via Zoom), depending on circumstances.
You’ll typically be briefed collectively (with other candidates) before starting the MMI.
After all stations, your performance is scored; decisions are communicated by mid-May (or earlier) for BMBS applicants.
Smashing Your Exeter Medicine Interview: What Exeter Is Looking For
In each station, assessors are not testing your scientific knowledge - instead, they seek evidence of personal qualities. Look out for:
Communication & empathy – clarity, listening, compassion
Self-insight / reflectiveness – strengths, weaknesses, learning from failure
Motivation & realism – why medicine, why Exeter
Ethical reasoning & professionalism – scenarios requiring judgment
Teamwork, decision making, prioritisation, resilience
Because each station is independent, a weak answer in one doesn’t ruin your whole interview - stay composed and reset each time.
Exeter Medicine Interview: Sample Questions to Practice
Use these to build your confidence (note: these are not guaranteed, but representative):
Theme | Sample Questions |
Motivation & university fit | Why medicine? Why Exeter in particular? How will you contribute to Exeter’s medical community? |
Personal insight & experience | What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? Describe a failure and what you learnt. Give an example of teamwork under pressure. |
Ethics & professionalism | When is breaking confidentiality justified? A colleague reports misconduct: what do you do? How would you break difficult news (e.g. IVF failure)? |
NHS / system awareness | How is the NHS funded? What challenges is the NHS currently facing? How might COVID impact long-term health services? |
Explain a health concept to a child. Speak to a patient who is anxious. Prioritise tasks in a clinical dilemma. |
Exeter Medicine Interview: Top 8 Tips to Stand Out
Do your Exeter homework - know the curriculum, research themes (e.g. environment & health, neuroscience etc.)
Structure your responses - use frameworks (e.g. STAR, “Point → Example → Reflection”).
Reflect, don’t boast - humility and self-awareness matter.
Stay calm & reset - leave negatives behind before the next station.
Stay current - read NHS policy changes, health news, debates.
Mock it up - timed practice with different interviewers will boost fluency.
Check tech & setting (if online) - good mic, neutral background, reliable internet.
Dress smart and have photo ID ready.
Exeter Medicine Interview Frameworks You Can Practise With
Exeter’s MMI rewards structure and reflection. Having a clear framework helps you speak calmly, logically, and confidently - even under time pressure. Try these interview structures and practise them out loud before your MMI.
1. The STAR Method for Exeter Medicine Interview
Use this for experience-based questions such as “Describe a time when you worked in a team” or “When have you shown empathy?”
Step | What to Say | Example Prompt |
S – Situation | Set the scene briefly. What was happening? | “During my hospital volunteering, a patient became upset after receiving difficult news…” |
T – Task | Explain your role and responsibility. | “…my role was to comfort them and alert the nurse in charge.” |
A – Action | Describe what you actually did — focus on your behaviour, not just the outcome. | “I listened actively, maintained calm eye contact, and reassured them while staying within my role’s boundaries.” |
R – Result / Reflection | End with what you learnt or how you’d approach it differently. | “The experience taught me the importance of empathy and understanding emotional boundaries in healthcare.” |
The Medic Life Expert Exeter Medicine Interview Tip:
Before your interview, prepare 3–5 STAR stories that show different skills (e.g. teamwork, resilience, leadership, empathy, communication). You can reuse them across different stations.
2. The “Point → Example → Reflection” Framework for Exeter Medicine Interview
Ideal for opinion or motivation questions, such as “Why medicine?” or “What makes you a good doctor?”
Step | What to Include | Example |
Point | Clearly state your answer in one sentence. | “I want to study medicine because it combines human connection with scientific problem-solving.” |
Example | Back it up with an example, story, or experience. | “When volunteering at a dementia care home, I realised how meaningful it felt to support patients and families.” |
Reflection | Link it back to medicine and your growth. | “It confirmed that medicine isn’t just about clinical skill — it’s about compassion, patience, and teamwork.” |
Why The “Point → Example → Reflection” Framework for Exeter Medicine Interview works?
Exeter assessors look for authenticity and self-awareness - not rehearsed perfection. This framework keeps your answer honest but structured.
3. The “SPIES” Model for Ethical Scenarios for Exeter Medicine Interview
For ethical dilemmas and professionalism questions such as “What would you do if a peer cheated on a test?”
Step | What it Stands For | Example Action |
S – Seek Information | Ask clarifying questions to fully understand the situation. | “I’d gather all the facts before making assumptions.” |
P – Patient Safety | Always prioritise patient safety or wellbeing. | “If safety is at risk, I would act immediately and escalate.” |
I – Initiative | Take action appropriate to your role. | “I’d speak to a senior or supervisor discreetly.” |
E – Escalate | Follow protocols and seek guidance. | “If unsure, I’d consult a mentor or line manager.” |
S – Support | Ensure emotional or professional support for all involved. | “I’d also check in with my colleague to understand their situation.” |
The Medic Life Expert Exeter Medicine Interview Tip:
When practising ethics questions, verbalise your thought process - assessors want to hear how you reason, not just the “correct” answer.
4. The “ABCDE” Approach for MMI Role-Play Stations for Exeter Medicine Interview
Useful when you’re asked to explain something or comfort someone, such as “Explain a medical concept to a patient” or “Talk to a nervous applicant.”
Step | What to Do | Example |
A – Acknowledge | Greet the person, acknowledge their feelings. | “I understand this can feel overwhelming — I’m here to help.” |
B – Build Rapport | Be friendly, maintain calm tone and eye contact. | “Let’s go through this step-by-step.” |
C – Communicate Clearly | Use simple, jargon-free language. | “Your blood pressure tells us how hard your heart is working to pump blood.” |
D – Double Check Understanding | Ask questions to ensure clarity. | “Does that explanation make sense to you?” |
E – Empathise & Encourage | Close on a supportive note. | “You’re doing the right thing by asking questions — it shows you care about your health.” |
The Medic Life Expert Exeter Medicine Interview Tip
Record yourself doing one MMI role-play daily. Focus on voice tone, pacing, and body language.
How to Use The Medic Life's Exeter Medicine Interview Frameworks Effectively?
Write 2-3 practice answers per framework.
Rehearse them aloud in under 2 minutes per answer.
Ask a teacher, friend, or tutor to act as an interviewer.
Reflect after each practice: Was my answer structured, clear, and authentic?
Exeter Medicine Interview FAQs
What is the interview for Exeter medicine?
It’s an MMI assessing non‐academic qualities like empathy, decision-making, communication, reflection, and motivation.
How does Exeter score their medicine applicants?
Before interview: a composite based on academic credentials and UCAT (or GAMSAT) is used to rank. After interview: performance in each MMI station is evaluated to form a decision.
What percentage of medicine applicants get an interview?
Past cycles suggest ~ 38% of UK applicants were invited (e.g. 654 of 1,777) in one year.
Is Exeter hard to get into for medicine?
Yes - entry is competitive. You must excel academically, score well on the UCAT, and impress at interview. Many strong applicants will not be offered a place.
