Leicester Medical School Interview Tips

We have uploaded a video from the Get Into Medicine conference in which admission to Leicester medical school and what the admissions tutors are looking for is discussed. A discussion of the pathways to apply, entry requirements, application process, UCAT scores and cut-offs and medical school interview process. We summarise the main points for entry to medicine at Leicester below. Please note the information on this page is provided in good faith but you must consult with the medical school directly before making any decisions.

Leicester University MBBS Summary Notes from the Get Into Medicine Live Conference

Introduction to Leicester Medical School Application

Over a period of time, all students will have to come towards a mature judgement of what medical university they should apply for.

Leicester is ranked: 20th in the world + 5th in the UK

What is Leicester medical school looking for?

Applicants are being chosen with regards to a holistic approach - meaning their characteristics and beliefs will be taken into accounts – for example ethics and the treatment of patients whilst also considering social factors rather than just the disease of the patient.

• Applicants should learn how to apply the following skills professionally when applying to pursue a career in medicine:
• Capability to empathise and infer treatment of patients with respect, care and responsibility.
• Teamwork skills including responsibility; leadership; uncertainty.
• Levels of resilience when being faced with a situation which affects the patient’s wellbeing.
• Interest in the sciences including aptitude and problem-solving skills in context.

What are the pathways to study medicine at Leicester Medical School?

• Medicine MBChB (UCAS CODE A100) (5 Years)
• Medicine MBChB with a Foundation Year (UCAS CODE A199) (6 Years) *(MUST fulfil widening participation to access) *
• Transferring from a relevant STEM/Science degree programme then onto the main Medicine A100 course. Leicester has over 16 courses for this! For example, this includes BSc Biological Sciences, BSc Natural Sciences, BSc Chemistry). *changes on yearly basis*

What is the application timeline to study medicine ? (2021)

• Open days (visit www.le.ac.uk/open-days)
• UCAS Medicine Deadline (15th October 2020)
• UCAT Scores added by November*
• Multi Mini Interviews (MMI) which takes place from December to February. *NOT FINALISED on how this will take place. Could be online?
• Ranking students based on scores.
• Students receive offers by February to March.
• Students with offers visit from March to April.

What are the entry requirements for Medicine (A100) 2021?

GCSE

• English Language grade B or 6 (first language applicants).Maths grade B or 6.
• Two sciences (including Chemistry and Biology) at grade B or 6.
• Students taking Methods and Applications in Maths must achieve a B or a 6 in both. Only the Methods in Maths is scored.

A-Levels

• AAA at A Level including Chemistry OR Biology plus 1 from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
• A*AB with A in Chemistry or Biology accepted

BTEC

• Single Level 3 BTEC Subsidiary Diploma or National Award considered additionally in combination with A-Levels at AA in Chemistry OR Biology and one of Biology, Chemistry Physics, Maths or Psychology.

What are the requirements for Graduate Entry Medicine at Leicester medical school?

• Grade B in A-Level Chemistry OR Biology
• Predicted / Obtained 2:1 or above honours degree in any subject

What are the requirements for entry to medicine for International students?

• An assessment of equivalent qualifications will be taken. This could include internal school transcripts.
• If unsure, check website or contact email at medadmis@le.ac.uk

What are the requirements for Medicine with Foundation Year (A199) 2021 at Leicester medical school?

• This course is only open to those who meet widening access requirements, more details can be identified on the Medical School Website*
• 25 Places for applicants’ resident for at least 2 years prior in the East Midlands whilst studying A-Levels or BTEC. *
• 10 Further places from anywhere else in the UK resident.

GCSE

• English Language grade 5 OR C
• Maths grade 5 or C
• Double Science or Chemistry and Biology at 5 or (C) or above

A-Levels

• BBB in Chemistry OR Biology and one other science from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
• ABC considered only if grade C is in the third subject

Other accepted qualifications

• IB (International Baccalaureate)
• Scottish Advanced Highers
• BTEC Extended National Diploma in Applied Science

Is there any admissions tests that I need to take when applying to Leicester medical school?

• UCAT
• A points system based on GCSE’s and UCAT
• Situational Judgement Band 4 Automatically Rejected
• Bursary Available
• MUST PRACTICE
• UCAT sat at home or test centre

Additionally, scoring done on 8 GCSEs including English Language, Maths* and double science (or Chemistry and Biology). Max points available 32.

• A* or 8/9 = 4
• A or 7 = 3
• B or 6 = 1
• C or 5 = 0

How is the UCAS Personal Statement assessed at Leicester Medical School?

This isn’t routinely viewed pre-interview at Leicester Medical School. However, this can be used for a tie-breaker situation at interview. Some points to consider on your personal statement:

• No plagiarism* Immediate disqualification.
• Conciseness and to the point.
• Reflection on life experience
• Be prepared to talk about what you have done in the interview.
• Motivation and Commitment
• Challenges as associated being a medical professional.
• Work experience. Volunteering. Community Work. Wider Interests.
• Extracurricular activities.
• Contribution to school/college life and the wider community.
• Written communication skills.
• Insight into your own strengths and weakness including reflection on your own work.
• Organisation and Problem solving
• Uncertainty about a scenario and taking your own responsibility.
• Health insight.
• Teamwork with respectability and resilience with difficult situations.
• Empathic behaviour
• Honesty.
• Motivation to study medicine.

Note: Everyone’s work experience has been affected this year. No disadvantage due to mitigating circumstances.

Ensure you understand the qualities desirable in a doctor and how you can share these traits. Never write your skills as a list try a different approach such as where you did your work experience e.g., care home and what you learned from it

What Work Experience do I need to apply for medicine at Leicester?

You can try the following in the current climate, but the key idea to consider is that all applicants are in the same situation. Try not to worry about what you have done but try to reflect on NHS values and interview topics.

You may try the following:

• Online GP Work Experience
• NHS Careers and Volunteering
• Leicester Medical School offers its own work experience project
• Educational experience and social activities

The medical school Multiple Mini Interview at Leicester

Do not be afraid of this interview! There are a lot of chances to correct your mistakes and success isn’t dependent on your first impression. Every opportunity is fair and is a chance to fix your mistakes and learn! Face to face is preferred however studies prove that online MMI works just as well.

You will be assessed on some of the skills that a doctor has:

• Listening (the patient tells you what is wrong)
• Speaking (does the patient understand me and my advice?)
• Non-verbal (gestures)
• Written (referral letters)
• Skills assessed:
• Intelligence in emotion.
• Problem-solving.
• Motivation and Ethical Judgements.
• NHS foundation and value. Including compassion, respect and dignity.
• Communication

How does the Leicester medical school decide who to call for interview?

The University of Leicester ranks students based on a scoring system which uses your GCSE and UCAT scores. A cut of will be determined at the top 1200+ applications are invited for interview. Interviews are held between December and February.

What further skills are assessed at interviews?

There is a mixture of people interviewing and talking to you including clinicians, academics, patients and actors. All interviews require communication skills including listening, speaking, non-verbal and written skills.

Some example Leicester medical school interview questions

• Explain without gesture or mine, how to click your fingers…
• Which of the following NHS values listed means the most to you? Give an example of where you have shown this value (Respect and dignity, improving lives, everyone counts etc.)

What if I don’t get a place at Leicester medical school?

• If you don’t get the offer grade you can always try again
• Are you eligible for medicine with a foundation year?
• Consider taking another degree with a view of transfer to medicine. Some programmes at Leicester allow transfer to medicine after Year 1 at university.

Professor Christopher Mee gives an excellent overview of the UCAS Personal Statement and how it is used at Leicester Medical School. Discussion of the the MM.

Come and practice your medical school interview skills on our Medical School Interview Course. Learn with doctors who teach at UK medical schools, practice role play and practical tasks and get expert feedback on your performance!

The Blue Peanut Medical team comprises NHS General Practitioners who teach and supervise medical students from three UK medical schools, Foundation Year (FY) and GP Specialist Trainee Doctors (GPST3). We have helped over 5000 students get into medicine and dentistry.