Leeds Medicine Interview Questions | Leeds Dentistry Interviews
- The Medic Life
- 7 days ago
- 6 min read
Message from the Founder -> "Welcome! I’m Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad, founder of The Medic Life and a practising UK doctor. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to succeed in your Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews - from format, sample stations, to strategy and real applicant insights. Let’s begin!"
PS: This expert Leeds 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. 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.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews: Intro
Leeds University uses Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) for its Medicine and Dentistry admissions. In 2026 entry, Medicine interviews were scheduled in person (5–7 January 2026) and Dentistry interviews online.
In both cases, applicants move through a series of stations asking about motivation, ethics, teamwork, role-play scenarios, communication and current affairs. Each station is a short task designed to assess non-academic qualities; performance at each station is scored separately. Leeds’ admissions team interviews roughly 1,000 Medicine candidates per year in MMI format and about 500 Dentistry candidates for ~72 Dental Surgery places.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> MMI format
All Leeds Medicine interviews take the form of MMIs. Applicants rotate through several brief interview stations (typically 6–8 stations) covering different topics. Each station might involve answering an ethical dilemma, discussing a personal experience, or a role-playing task. Leeds Dentistry likewise uses MMIs in its selection.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Delivery
For 2026 entry, Leeds Medicine interviews were held face-to-face on campus. Dentistry interviews were conducted online via video link. (Overseas Medicine applicants interviewed online.)
Regardless of format, Leeds notes that “the structure and format will be similar” for in-person or online MMIs.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Interviewers
A diverse panel (clinicians, academics, and patient representatives) assess each station. Candidates may spend a morning or afternoon at interview day, and can tour the Leeds Dental Institute or meet staff before or after.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Offers
Offers are made solely on interview performance – not on UCAT or grades – once candidates pass initial screening. The decision to offer is “entirely dependent on performance at interview”, and Leeds typically maintains a post-interview waitlist for closely ranked applicants.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews: Selection Process & UCAT Shortlisting
Applicants are first shortlisted by combining academic records (grades/predictions) with UCAT scores. Leeds requires UCAT for both Medicine and Dentistry (in fact UCAT is used by Leeds from 2024 onward).
There is no fixed UCAT cutoff – shortlisting thresholds vary each year. In 2024–25, Leeds published guidance on its lowest UCAT scores for interview as a moving target (high academics can offset a lower UCAT). In short, students must do UCAT in the year of application and score well enough combined with their grades to be invited to interview.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Requirements
All Medicine and Dentistry applicants must take the UCAT. Interview invitations are then issued after UCAS closing, typically on a rolling basis. Leeds Medicine received about 2,489 applications for 240 home places in 2018–19 (≈10.4 applicants per place).
Dental Surgery saw over 500 applications for 72 places (~7 per place). Both courses are highly competitive, so meeting the minimum grades/UCAT isn’t enough – interview performance is crucial.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Scoring
Leeds explains that academic grades and UCAT “combine to form a total score” for shortlisting. The holistic process means applicants are ranked on overall merit – a high academic record can compensate for a slightly lower UCAT, and vice versa. Applicants meeting minimum entry criteria are invited to interview; about 1000 Medicine and hundreds of Dentistry applicants reach this stage each year.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews: What to Expect at the Interview
Leeds interviews emphasise non-academic qualities: commitment, ethical reasoning, communication, and insight into healthcare. For 2026 entry, interview performance – rather than grades or UCAT – determined offers. Students often face questions like “Why Medicine/Dentistry?”, scenarios testing empathy or ethics, and tasks (e.g. role-playing a patient conversation).
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews: Common stations
Leeds has MMI stations on motivation/why Leeds, personal experiences (e.g. a typical day in healthcare, volunteering or work experience), and ethics/safety scenarios. For example, a Leeds dentistry student notes “medical ethics is a typical station” in MMIs, and recommends familiarising yourself with current dental news. Another student (The Medic Life's cohort) advises practising questions from your personal statement and work experience, since interviewers may ask about anything you submitted.
Leeds’ official outreach videos confirm these themes: they include practice MMIs on ethics, communication, and scenarios.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews: Preparation
Leeds provides video guides and mock questions. The Health Sciences Outreach team has an “Interview Preparation” section with student videos, practice MMI questions, and top tips.
For example, final-year students give examples of MMI questions and interview advice. Applicants should review ethics principles, recent medical/dental news (as recommended by Leeds students and The Medic Life), and be ready to discuss their personal statement.
Practicing with timed mock stations can boost confidence.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews: During the day
Expect to have a few minutes to read the prompt at each station. Leeds students say MMIs can feel fast-paced but stress staying calm and focusing on each question in turn.
Interviewers are usually faculty or clinicians doing their job – the outreach tips emphasise they are evaluating your suitability, not trying to “trick” you. Remember to show clarity, confidence, and sincerity.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Competition and Offers
Leeds Medicine and Dentistry are very competitive programs. The official admissions policy notes most applicants have “excellent academic records”. Meeting grades/UCAT means you only enter the interview round. Success is then largely determined by interview performance.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Competitive field
In recent cycles, Leeds Medicine saw over 2,400 applicants for 240 home places (~10:1). Dental Surgery had 500+ applicants for 72 spots. The admissions documentation explicitly says “admission is highly competitive” and most offers go to candidates well above the minimum requirements.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Interview to offer
Leeds does not publicize an exact interview-to-offer ratio, but roughly speaking about 1 in 4 Medicine interviewees receives an offer (240 places vs. ~1000 interviews). In Dentistry, the ratio is also selective. After interviews, successful candidates are given conditional offers; unsuccessful ones are rarely given detailed feedback due to volume. Leeds typically holds a waitlist each year for near-miss candidates.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Offers criteria
Importantly, Leeds states that the decision to make an offer is based entirely on interview performance, not UCAT or grades. In fact, one page underlines “the interview depends entirely on performance at interview, not on predicted or achieved academic performance, or UCAT scores”. Thus it’s vital to prepare thoroughly for the interview itself.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Interview Preparation Resources
Leeds encourages candidates to use its official prep materials. The Health Sciences Outreach site has videos and examples:
Videos & example questions: Leeds provides an “Introduction to MMIs” video and “Practice MMI Questions” video featuring Dentistry students explaining station content. These cover the structure (station format, timing) and sample questions on ethics, communication, and motivation.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Student tips
The Outreach team also posted student interview tips. For example, a 5th-year dentistry student suggests reading British Dental Journal news and highlights the importance of practicing ethics scenarios. Another student (The Medic Life's coghort) emphasised familiarising with your own personal statement and practicing answers aloud.
You can quote top tips like “practice as much as you can” and “give yourself a moment to gather your thoughts before answering” to stay calm under pressure.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews -> Technical checks
For online interviews (as in 2026 Dentistry), ensure your computer and environment are ready. Leeds recommends testing your video link beforehand and choosing a quiet, uncluttered background. The same student tips apply: speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and treat the online panel as you would face-to-face.
Leeds Medicine/Dentistry Interviews: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Leeds medicine interview style?
Leeds Medicine uses Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). Applicants rotate through several short stations (typically 6–8), each scored separately on communication and ethical reasoning.
Is Leeds medicine hard to get into?
Yes - entry is highly competitive. In recent years Leeds had ~10 applicants per place for Medicine, so you need excellent grades/UCAT and strong interview performance. Most successful applicants greatly exceed the minimum requirements.
Does Leeds University do interviews?
Yes. For Medicine and Dentistry, Leeds shortlists applications and invites candidates to interviews. Medicine interviews are in person (for UK applicants) or online (for international applicants); Dentistry interviews (2026 entry) were online. All interviews use the MMI format.
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