Top 6 Medical TV Shows From House to Scrubs, here’s our list of top 6 medical TV shows to watch over the Christmas holidays! Top 6 Medical TV Shows to Watch Over Christmas From House to Scrubs, here’s our list of top 6 medical TV shows to watch over the Christmas holidays! We hope you’re looking forward to the festive break! Christmas is the perfect time to spend time with your family, eat lots of good food and catch up on your TV – here are our top choices of medical TV shows to watch over the holidays!

1. House

Who doesn’t love a sarcastic, mean genius accusing all of his patients and staff of being liars?  What isn’t to love about a show that always gives you a wacky and weird diagnosis, or a differential diagnosis so wide it could include everything from breast cancer to the plague?

House is the rude and brilliant head of the department of diagnostic medicine. His three juniors, Foreman, Chase and Cameron, get to try and help him to diagnose and treat patients from all over the US (and in one case, Haiti), that have all sorts of strange symptoms.

Loosely based on Sherlock Holmes, this show has just about everything, including murders, theft, strange ex-partners – and even a stint in prison.

Whether it was the romances between some of his underlings, House’s single minded pursuit of Cuddy or his need to browbeat poor Wilson, House was one of the most loved shows on FOX whilst it aired.

With eight seasons and spin-off books, video games and all sorts of merchandise, House becomes a fully immersive experience that actually does force you to think outside of the box – and hey, there’s always the chance you’ll get the diagnosis right and feel like a genius. That is, until you miss the fact the next patient has a common cold…

2. Scrubs

With a hilarious and loveable cast, cameos from all sorts of famous people, random musical numbers and some of the longest running jokes in American TV show history, Scrubs is the medical drama-comedy to watch.

At only twenty minutes an episode, they can easily be used as revision breaks or marathoned all in one day! Based around the junior doctors at Sacred Heart hospital as they progress through their careers, Scrubs is often cited as the most accurate of medical dramas – whether that’s for how they handle doctor-patient relationships or the actual medicine remains to be seen.

This show is both funny and heartwarming, and will definitely psych you up ready for a new term.

3. The Good Doctor

If you liked House, but are in the mood for something newer and different, The Good Doctor recently finished its seventh (and final!) season and revolves around Sean, an autistic surgical intern trying his best to navigate his first job and a hospital that comes with a lot of personal attachment.

The episodes have included some really interesting ethical dilemmas and highlight the difference between the US and UK healthcare systems, as well as being delivered in ways that make them easy enough to follow along and attempt to guess the final diagnoses!

  Turn Interviews into Offers Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1000s every year Interview Course https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/medical-school-interview-courses/ MMI Circuits https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/mmi-courses/

4. Grey’s Anatomy

Who hasn’t heard of Meredith Grey? Following Meredith, the daughter of an esteemed surgeon, as she starts her surgical internship and later residency, this show is one of the most dramatic medical shows to have aired (and is still, miraculously, ongoing).

The scenarios Grey and her fellow interns (and later, residents) find themselves get more and more outlandish without seeming ridiculous. You’ll become emotionally invested in no time – but don’t get attached, this show has become the Game of Thrones of the medical TV shows…

5. Chicago Med

Following the success of the Chicago Fire and Chicago PD series, this latest series from the creators of Law and Order focuses on the team of doctors and surgeons working in an ED and trauma centre in central Chicago.

With plenty of crossovers between PD and Fire, this show is a fast moving one that gives you plenty of patients per episode, each with heartwarming and heartbreaking stories. If you like sassy nurses and struggles that accurately reflect the state of healthcare, this is the show for you.

6. 24 Hours in A&E

The only factual/documentary style programme on this medical TV shows list, 24 hours in A&E is as it says on the tin – a snapshot of a variety of cases that come into a London A&E over 24 hours, filmed in a fly-on-the-wall manner.

You get to follow up on the patients at the end of the episode and over time get to know the members of staff working there, with each episode themed around something new.

Not for the faint hearted, 24 hours in A&E covers everything – from the traumas flown in by helicopter to the children showing up with beads in their nose, just as A&E would see on a normal day.

It’ll make you think about your own life and those of the people nearest and dearest to you – and then it’ll make you wish you were there, getting to help out. HELP

What Every Aspiring Medic Should Do Over the Christmas Break Not sure how to make the most of your free time this Christmas? Check out one student’s tips for a relaxing and productive holiday break… What Every Aspiring Medic Should Do Over the Christmas Break Not sure how to make the most of your free time this Christmas? Check out student tips for a relaxing and productive holiday break… If you’re entering the beloved (and well-needed) Christmas break feeling unsure of how to use your precious free time, you’re not alone. Maybe your to-do list includes both “buy present for cat” and “get into medicine”, and you just don’t know where to start.

Words by Katie Burrell

Relax

Relaxing may seem like a flimsy choice for first on the list, but take this seriously because academic burnout is real! The worst thing you can do is allow the pressure of a medicine application to take over your life and holiday.

One of my A-level teachers always told us to have the first week completely ‘off’ and then revise/work/prepare for the remaining time. If you need longer to relax, that’s ok! Think of it as taking time out to rest so you’re recharged for 2026.

Make time to sit in your fluffy pyjamas watching films, or see family and have fun. Depending on which tier you’re in, you might be able to meet a few friends outside to enjoy some outdoor activities. Specialist Application Advice Want expert advice to navigate the Medicine application process? Get Application Advice https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/application-advice/

Prioritise

Prioritising is the key this holiday:

• Write down a list of everything that you need to do
• If you have to juggle many commitments, it might be best to compartmentalise your lists. For example, create a medicine list, revision list, personal list, social list, etc
• Make sure you give your time to other commitments too

If You’re Preparing for An Interview…

One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is knowing the Med School and its interview process inside out. The more confident you feel walking into that interview, the better!

I would also prioritise practising common interview questions, brushing up on topics like medical ethics, health hot topics and being aware of GMC guidance.

Lighter tasks include ensuring you have something appropriate to wear and you know what to expect from your online interview.

If You’re Waiting for Invitations to Interview…

It may feel like everyone else has an invite and you don’t – but remember that many invites are sent out after Christmas. Your medicine priority should be to keep on top of recent medical news and keep ‘in the medicine loop’. This way you will easily be able to prepare when you finally get that invite!

Maybe most importantly – resist the urge to constantly refresh your emails and don’t panic!

If You’re Waiting to Apply in the Next Academic Year…

If you’re waiting to apply to medicine, this Christmas is the perfect time to organise your plans for the next nine months! The more you organise yourself now, the easier the application process. Your medicine priorities should include:

• Researching Medical Schools, their requirements and teaching style
• Researching and organising work experience and COVID-19-safe alternatives
• Identifying your weaknesses (e.g. not much experience, grades, little research into the career, no positions of responsibility) and making plans to strengthen them in time for next October!

Read

If you like to read, this is conveniently a form of productive relaxation! There are a wealth of medicine-related books out there to get your hands on, whether you’re looking for the best books to read before writing your Personal Statement of the best books to read while you prepare for interview.

Some books that are worth a read include:

• This is Going to Hurt, Adam Kay
• Your Life in My Hands, Rachel Clarke
• Being Mortal, Atul Gawande
• The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Oliver Sacks
• When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi
• Making a Medic, David Brill

These books give different accounts of life as a doctor and lessons learnt! They are a great talking point, especially if you can be critical of them. A few doctors have disagreed with some points in these books, and if you can argue that your own experience of healthcare differs or is similar to that of the books, it shows real initiative!

Revise

This is probably the last thing you want to hear, but revising a little over Christmas should be on your list! All this medicine prep is essential, but ensuring you get the grades/predicted grades is paramount. If you have exams (mocks or not) coming up in the New Year, don’t neglect them! More

What Makes a ‘Good’ Medical School Abroad? 7 Signs to Look For Discover 7 key factors to look for when choosing a medical school abroad, from accreditation to clinical experience and graduate outcomes. What Makes a ‘Good’ Medical School Abroad? 7 Signs to Look For Discover 7 key factors to look for when choosing a medical school abroad, from accreditation to clinical experience and graduate outcomes. Choosing a medical school that is right for you is challenging, and when studying abroad there are additional factors to consider. With the time, cost and effort involved, it is crucial that it is a worthwhile experience and that you are well prepared for a career in medicine as a graduate. Below we have compiled a list of 7 important things to look out for when searching for a ‘good’ medical school abroad.

1) Accreditation and recognition

This is probably the most important factor for any medical student. Regardless of where you wish to study, it is imperative that you confirm the validity of the medical course you are considering, to ensure you are subsequently able to practice in the location you choose.

Firstly, always check if a medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), which is collated by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). The WFME holds information on accredited medical schools worldwide. For example, the MD programme at the University of Nicosia is accredited both in Cyprus and is recognised by the WFME.

To practice in the UK, doctors need to register with the GMC regardless of where a qualification was obtained, and there are different requirements for each stage of training. Qualifications obtained in the EEA/Switzerland may be classified by the GMC as a ‘relevant European qualification’, meaning they will be accepted and further checks are not required to register from F2 onwards. Check here for relevant qualifications in the EEA/Switzerland, and here for more information on returning to the UK after studying in Europe. For other countries, you may need to take the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test, which assesses if you meet the same requirements as an F2 doctor. Then you will be able to apply for registration.

2) Modern, integrated curriculum

This is another important consideration when studying medicine overseas. The WFME outlines standards for high-quality medical education. This describes a high-quality medical curriculum as one that is outcomes-based, integrated, and continuously evaluated. It should connect biomedical science with clinical experience early in training, helping students apply theory to patient care. Teaching is expected to be active and student-centred, using approaches such as case-based learning, small-group work, and supervised clinical practice rather than relying solely on lectures.

The WFME also emphasises the importance of trained, supported educators and fair, competency-based assessment covering knowledge, clinical skills, communication, and professionalism. They also state that regular curriculum review and feedback are essential to ensure that graduates are competent, ethical, and ready to meet the evolving needs of healthcare.

3) Early clinical exposure

As mentioned above, it is vital that any medical training incorporates teaching with early clinical exposure, in order that theory can be applied to patient care. In the GMC’s Guidance on undergraduate clinical placements, medical schools should provide placements with genuine educational value, with opportunities to build on knowledge and clinical skills in a way that is safe for both students and patients. Students should also feel prepared, supported and safe in clinical environments. Discover University Of Nicosia Medical School Graduates have been offered positions at over 350 medical centres around the world! Apply Direct Now https://www.unic.ac.cy/med/education/6-year-md-degree/?utm_source=The+Medic+Portal+CTA+Banner+&utm_medium=The+Medic+Portal+CTA+Banner+Study+Abroad&utm_campaign=The+Medic+Portal+CTA+Banner+Study+Abroad&utm_id=TMP+CTA+Banner

4) Research and evidence-based practice

The WFME and the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) both emphasise that research and evidence-based practice are essential components of a high-quality medical curriculum. The WFME’s global standards call for medical schools to encourage scientific inquiry, teach students how to evaluate research, and apply evidence to clinical decision-making. 

This approach ensures future doctors can practise medicine grounded in science and adapt to new developments in healthcare. Similarly, AMEE promotes the use of educational research to inform teaching through its Best Evidence in Medical Education (BEME) initiative. It encourages curricula designed around proven learning methods and opportunities for students to engage in research themselves. Both organisations view research literacy and evidence-based thinking as central to producing competent, reflective, and forward-looking medical graduates.

5) Experienced faculty and supportive environment

Experienced faculty and a supportive learning environment are key to effective medical education. Skilled, clinically active teachers bring current medical knowledge and real-world insight into their teaching, helping students connect theory with clinical practice. They model professionalism, guide critical thinking, and adapt teaching to individual learning needs.

Equally important, a supportive environment fosters motivation, confidence, and wellbeing. When students feel respected and encouraged, they are more engaged and better able to cope with the demands of medical training. Mentorship, constructive feedback, and open communication all contribute to professional growth. Together, experienced educators and a positive educational culture ensure that medical graduates develop strong clinical skills, ethical awareness, and the ability to learn throughout their careers. 

6) Financial support

When choosing a medical school abroad, it’s important to check the range and reliability of financial support available. Reputable schools are transparent about tuition fees, living costs, and payment schedules, allowing students to plan ahead. Look for merit- or need-based scholarships, bursaries for international students, and loan eligibility in your home country. Schools that offer instalment plans or financial counselling demonstrate genuine commitment to student wellbeing.

It’s also worth checking whether funding continues throughout all study years or only in the first. Strong institutions often have partnerships with charities, governments, or foundations to support students in hardship. Overall, a good medical school recognises that financial stability enables students to focus fully on their studies and clinical training.

7) Graduate prospects

Finally, it is important to note whether a medical school has good graduate prospects. When choosing a school abroad, applicants should confirm that the medical qualification is accredited or recognised (as discussed previously), and that its graduates are eligible to sit licensing exams in the UK, US, or other target countries. For example, graduates from the University of Nicosia medical school have secured placements in over 20 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Schools with high licensing exam pass rates, structured career guidance, and opportunities for clinical experience in reputable hospitals tend to produce better-prepared doctors. Links with international universities, access to research or electives, and strong alumni networks also improve prospects. 

Ultimately, if this information for each medical school cannot be found online, you can contact the school directly to enquire. You could also contact current students or graduates to gain a more thorough understanding of the medical school and others’ experiences. HELP

UCAS Application Stats For 2026 Entry Medicine UCAS has published its data on applications for 2026 entry Medicine. Find out all the key information here. UCAS Application Stats For 2026 Entry Medicine UCAS has published its data on applications for 2026 entry Medicine. Find out all the key information here. Simon Pedley, our Head of Product, sums up the most important findings from this year’s UCAS application data for Medicine.

Application Numbers Increased Sharply

For 2026 entry, there were 25,770 applicants to study Medicine. The downward trend of the last few years has halted: there were 23,350 applicants for 2025 entry, 24,150 for 2024 entry and 26,820 applicants for 2023 entry.

This shows that the post-Covid decline in medical applications has reversed this year.

Reapplication Numbers are Similar to Last Year

The number of people reapplying for Medical School this year is 3,380 – roughly the same as last year’s 3,340.

There are fewer reapplicants than in the years 2022 and 2023, but the presence of reapplicants can put pressure on first-time applicants. Reapplicants might have taken measures to boost their application during their year out, e.g. by doing extra work experience, improving their Personal Statement and resitting the UCAT. Turn Interviews into Offers Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1000s every year Interview Course https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/medical-school-interview-courses/ MMI Circuits https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/mmi-courses/

Increasing Numbers of Places

While there has been an increase in the number of applications, there has also been an increase in the number of places available, in line with the NHS workforce plan.

For 2025 entry, there were 7,830 places available to study medicine, and for 2026 entry there will be 8,126 places available. This is a 4% increase in the number of places. Bear in mind the number of applications is up by 10%, so there will be increased competition for places.

What Does This Mean For Your Interviews?

With the number of applications increasing, despite the increase in places, competition for 2026 entry Medicine is going to be fierce.

At this point in the application cycle, you should be doing everything you can to prepare for Medical School interviews. To make sure you stand out, get to grips with the interview format of your chosen university, try lots of practice questions, and make sure you understand NHS hot topics and medical ethics.

If you’re feeling worried about interviews, you might want to attend an interview course, take part in an MMI Circuit, or arrange a mock interview. HELP Private Consultation

Interview Tips: How To Discuss Your Work Experience Work experience is very likely to come up at your Medical School interview, so these tips will help you to discuss and reflect on it. Interview Tips: How To Discuss Your Work Experience These tips will help you to discuss and reflect on your work experience at Medical School interviews. It’s very likely you will be asked to talk about your work experience during your Medical School interview, so this is something that you should include in your interview prep. Here are some top tips to help you discuss your work experience at interview.

Review Your Work Experience

Your work experience might have been a while ago, so it’s important that you remember exactly what you did. Hopefully you made some notes or kept a work experience diary at the time. If you didn’t make any notes at the time, try to make some now to cover as much as you can remember.

Revisit your notes to remind yourself of key things you did/observed and lessons you learned. If you have a lot of notes, condense these to make sure you highlight the most significant things at your interview and don’t ramble.

Prepare Your Reflections Beforehand

Remember that Medical Schools are far more interested in what you learned from your work experience than in what you actually did. When it comes to work experience, quality is more important than quantity!

To ensure your discussion of work experience is focused, think about it in advance and decide on the most important points to make. For example, you might want to choose some memorable cases or incidents that you observed. You should also think about the Doctors and other medical professionals you saw in action. What qualities and attributes did you notice? Did you observe someone breaking bad news, explaining test results, dealing with an angry patient, demonstrating empathy, etc?

You should also show that your work experience gave you a better understanding of how the NHS functions and what a medical career is really like. Turn Interviews into Offers Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1000s every year Interview Course MMI Circuits

Revisit Your Personal Statement

Go through your Personal Statement before the interview to check that you remember everything you mentioned. Interviewers might use your Personal Statement as a basis to ask you questions about your work experience, so it won’t look good if they bring something up and you aren’t sure what they’re talking about.

Also consider if there’s anything else you would add to your Personal Statement if you wrote it now. Have you done any additional medical work experience since it was submitted? If this is the case, make sure you mention your new experience in the interview, because the Medical School won’t know about it already from your Personal Statement.

Be Genuine – Don’t Script Answers

Your work experience is like any other interview topic – the more you practise answering Medical School interview questions, the better you will get at talking about it.

Make a list of key points that you aim to cover and use this to structure your answers. However, you should avoid scripting answers and learning them off by heart, because this will stop you from sounding genuine and Medical Schools won’t be impressed by this.

Practise Interview Questions

Check out our guide to common work experience interview questions, with model answers you can adapt to reflect your own experience. More interviews https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/online-medicine-mock-interview/ Mock Medicine Interview https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/medical-school-interview-tutoring/ Medicine Interview Tutoring Interviews

Top 10 MMI Interview Tips Use these top 10 MMI tips to ace your interview and boost your chances of getting into Medical School. Top 10 MMI Interview Tips Use these top 10 MMI tips to ace your interview and boost your chances of getting into Medical School. If you’ve got an MMI interview coming up, you’re probably feeling nervous. Follow our top 10 MMI tips to overcome those nerves and maximise your interview performance.

1. Know What To Expect

MMI is a specific type of interview that you’re very unlikely to have ever faced before.

Start your Medical School interview preparation by familiarising yourself with the MMI format. Then, work your way through lots of practice questions. It’s also wise to try an MMI Circuit if you want to get an idea of what the real thing will be like.

The aim of your MMI prep is to ultimately feel confident enough that you can tackle any type of question or scenario that comes your way.

2. Practise Your Timings

Each MMI station has a time limit, which is typically 10 minutes or less. It’s vital that you practise answering questions with the time limit in mind.

For example, if you’re given 8 minutes to talk about your work experience, your motivation for pursuing Medicine or your knowledge of the Medical School, do you have enough to say that will fill this time? Or if you find during prep that you have too much say and keep running out of time, practise being more concise and focus on the key information.

3. Understand Discussion Topics

During your interview, you could be asked to discuss a current ‘hot topic’ in the world of Medicine. Therefore, you need to read about NHS hot topics and medical ethics in the run-up to your interview. If you’re asked to discuss an important topic that you’ve never heard of or thought about before, it will make this particular station very difficult.

It’s also a good idea to follow medical news, e.g. the Health section of the BBC News website, because a familiarity with up-to-date issues will demonstrate your enthusiasm for Medicine. Turn Interviews into Offers Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1000s every year MMI Circuits Interview Course

4. Don’t Rehearse Specific Answers

MMI preparation is less about knowing what to say word-for-word in response to a particular question, and more about being able to think on your feet. So although it’s vital to practise answering common MMI questions, make sure you don’t learn answers off-by-heart. 

Interviewers won’t be impressed if you answer questions in a robotic or overly rehearsed way. This advice applies to panel interviews too.

5. Make Sure You’re Ready For Interview Day

A crucial part of your MMI prep is understanding the logistics of interview day. If the information is available, find out how many stations you will face, how long each station lasts, and what the themes are likely to be.

You should feel a lot more confident at your interview if you arrive knowing what to expect.

In the run-up to your MMI interview, check that you have everything you need, e.g. a suitable outfit, plus any documents or ID that the Medical School has requested to see. If it’s an online interview, make sure you have the necessary software set up and know how it works.

The logistics are more predictable than the content of the questions, so try to make this part of the day as stress-free as possible. 

6. Stay Calm

On the day of your MMI, it can be easy to let anxiety build up, so actively focus on remaining calm. You know yourself best, so try to think of any strategies that have helped you stay calm in the past.

Last-minute cramming for the interview is unlikely to help and will probably just make you feel more stressed!

7. Take Your Time

At the interview, you might be tempted to rush straight into answering every question due to the time limit you have for each station. To improve your performance, try to think about your answer for a few seconds before you start to say it aloud.

This brief pause will allow you to collect your thoughts and decide on your first point, ensuring that your answer follows a logical structure. There is no rush, so don’t jump into an answer without thinking about it first. Save 20% on Interview Prep Combine Doctor-delivered strategy with MMI Circuits & more Interview & MMI Packages

8. Don’t Be Phased By Roleplay Stations

In one of your MMI stations, you may be asked to interact with an actor and roleplay a scenario with them, such as breaking bad news. The actor is required to test you, so they are likely  to get upset and/or angry, and they could even cry. It’s important that you don’t let this phase you.

When you’re breaking bad news in a roleplay station, take your time and speak as calmly as possible. Give the actor time to talk, pay attention to what they are saying, and don’t be afraid of a little silence.

9. Use The Rest Time To Reset

You will likely have some rest time between each MMI station, even if it’s just a minute. Ensure you use this time to your advantage and prepare yourself for the next station.

It can be easy to dwell on your performance in the last station, but you need to avoid doing this. Treat every station as a blank slate, because each interviewer will have no idea how you’ve done in other stations.

If a station doesn’t go as well as you wanted, just try to forget about it and clear your mind for the next one.

10. Stay Positive

Don’t underestimate the power of staying positive and keeping a smile on your face. Remember that you’ve been invited to interview for a reason (because the Medical School thinks you’re a good candidate!) so you should go into your MMI feeling confident in your own abilities.

Tackle your MMI interview with the right mindset, having done a good amount of preparation, and you will boost your chances of success! More interviews https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/online-medicine-mock-interview/ Mock Medicine Interview https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/medical-school-interview-tutoring/ Medicine Interview Tutoring Interviews

4 Tips To Get Ahead With Med School Interview Prep Follow these tips to start practising for your Medical School interviews and get ahead with your preparation. 4 Tips To Get Ahead With Med School Interview Prep Follow these tips to start practising for your Medical School interviews and get ahead with your preparation. Getting ahead with Medical School interview prep is crucial, because there might be very little time between receiving your invitation and the date of your actual interview! Here are four ways to kickstart your interview preparation.

Get To Know The NHS And Current Affairs

At every Medical School interview, you’re expected to have some knowledge of current news and hot topics in the world of Medicine. Even if you aren’t directly asked about them, you can use this knowledge in your answers to a lot of common interview questions to show interviewers that you know what you are talking about.

Since it is likely that you will be working in the National Health Service (NHS) after completing the medical degree, the interviewers will want to see that you have done some research and know what you are getting yourself into.

You can start by looking into the NHS constitution. Within the constitution, there are seven principles which are deemed to be the core values of the NHS. Some universities may test you on your understanding of these values.

Then, make sure you have read all about NHS Hot Topics. If you want to give your wider reading a boost, check out our Science Hot Topics too. In the run-up to your interview, keep up-to-date with current medical news via, for example, the Health section of the BBC News website.

Get Comfortable Discussing Ethics

In your Medical School interview, there is a high chance that you will be tested on your understanding of medical ethics. 

After you have familiarised yourself with the four pillars of ethics, read plenty of medical case studies. Then, to prepare for your interview, it’s a good idea to practise discussing these case studies.

If you know other candidates who are applying to study Medicine, consider creating a group where you meet to have ethical discussions and debates once a week. Taking part in such discussions will allow everyone to gain new ideas and perspectives, helping you to reach more balanced ethical arguments in an interview scenario. Turn Interviews into Offers Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1000s every year Interview Course https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/medical-school-interview-courses/ MMI Circuits https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/mmi-courses/

Reflect On Your Experiences

Think about the work experience, volunteering and extracurricular activities that you have done in the lead-up to your Medical School application. Interviewers will be observing how you can reflect on your experiences. Remember that what you have learned is more important than what you actually did.

Take time to think about the skills you have gained from your experiences, and how they have been beneficial to you in terms of pursuing Medicine. Some key skills for medical students and Doctors are communication, teamwork, leadership and time management – how have you developed these skills and when did you see these skills in action during your work experience/volunteering?

When you’re talking about skills, always relate them back to Medicine. By making these links early on in your preparation, you’ll be able to speak more naturally about each skill in your real interview.

Practise Speaking Aloud

By now, you should have submitted your Personal Statement and probably feel comfortable writing about why you want to do Medicine. However, speaking about it aloud is completely different, and will require a lot of practice if it doesn’t come naturally to you.

Don’t just practise answering questions in your head – speak your answers aloud to make sure you can be articulate and concise. You shouldn’t practise to a point where your answers seem too rehearsed or robotic during your interview, but you need to get used to speaking about common interview topics.

It might be a good idea to record yourself and listen back, or you could practise with someone like a friend, family member or teacher. You might also want to arrange a mock interview so that you can get some expert feedback. More interviews https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/online-medicine-mock-interview/ Online Mock Interviews https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/medical-school-interview-tutoring/ Medicine Interview Tutoring Interviews

Medicine Interviews: Ethics Follow these tips to ace ethics questions at your Medical School interview – and avoid falling into common traps! Interview Tips: Ethics Follow these tips on how to answer medical ethics questions at your Medical School interview – and avoid falling into common traps! It’s very likely that you will be asked ethical questions in your Medicine interview. You might be presented with a hypothetical scenario, or you might need to give your views on a topic – but don’t make the mistake of jumping to express your personal opinion. Follow these interview prep tips to learn a framework that you can use to answer any ethics question.

Don’t Express Your Opinion Straight Away

Although it might be tempting to launch straight into your personal opinions about a topic like abortion or euthanasia, this is not what your Medical School interviewers are looking for.

When discussing medical ethics, the best thing to do is: pause, fully process the question and think about why they have asked this.

Think About Ethical Principles

Remember the four pillars of medical ethics:

• Autonomy
• Beneficence
• Non-maleficence
• Justice

Think about which of these principles apply to the ethical dilemma – and how. Do any other principles apply, like consent and capacity? Turn Interviews into Offers Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1000s every year Interview Course https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/medical-school-interview-courses/ MMI Circuits https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/mmi-courses/

Summarise The Key Issues

Once you’ve thought about the ethical principles and the scenario given, it’s important to summarise what you think the key issues are. It’s a good idea to focus on the two or three most important arguments to keep your summary concise.

By showing your thinking, you can help the interviewer understand how you’ve approached the question.

Think About Wider Implications

Once you’ve outlined the key arguments, you should also discuss the wider implications.

For example, if you’re asked to analyse a situation in which you consider that a Doctor lying to a patient may be justified, then think about what would happen if you applied this rule to other scenarios. This is always a good way to test out the validity of your ethical viewpoint – and you can explain this to the interviewer.

Where questions have been asked in a seemingly abstract way, try to think about healthcare-related implications.

Stay Calm

Ethical scenarios can be some of the trickier questions you face in your Medical School interview.

Try to remember that interviewers aren’t looking for you to understand every possible viewpoint and legal aspect of the scenario. But by showing that you have considered more than one point of view and can weigh them up, e.g. by using the ethical pillars, you can show your interviewer that you are able to think critically and understand complex issues.

Stay calm, speak slowly, and allow yourself to take pauses. This shows that you’re processing your thoughts, so you can answer to the best of your ability and impress your interviewer. Don’t feel pressured to fill the silence by saying things that don’t have any real meaning.

Prepare For Common Questions In Advance

Some interview questions are more likely to be asked than others, so have a look at common ethics questions and familiarise yourself with current hot topics. Also try to keep up with medical/health-related news, because something topical could come up in your Medical School interview.

If you practise applying the four pillars to different ethical scenarios, it will begin to feel more natural. It’s a good idea to practise saying your answers aloud and with other people if you can.

To get some expert feedback on how you answer ethics questions, book a mock interview or some interview tutoring. More Interviews interviews Interviews

When Are Med School Interview Invites Being Sent Out? See a list of when we expect each Med School to send their interview invites – updated regularly! When Are Med School Interview Invites Being Sent Out? Here’s a list of when we expect each Med School to send their interview invites. Discover who has and hasn’t started sending out invites already – we’ll be updating the list regularly! If you’re applying for 2026 entry Medicine, you might start getting your Medicine interview invites soon – if you haven’t already! Here’s a guide to when Med Schools are likely to send out their interview invites, plus whether they’re doing MMIs or panel interviews, so you can effectively plan your interview prep.

Planned Interview Schedules For UK Medical Schools

Below we list when each university is running their Medicine interviews for 2026 entry. For those where information is known, we also mention when that university will be sending out their invites to interview for this season.

• Aberdeen University – They’re holding in-person MMIs at Foresterhill between the 15th and 19th of December.
• Anglia Ruskin University – MMIs are held at their School of Medicine building between 6–16 January 2026. Interviews must be booked within 14 days of receiving the email invitation.
• Aston University – The MMIs are online and normally take place between December and March in your year of application. Applicants will receive an invitation with dates to select from.
• Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry – Online or in-person interviews planned for January and March.
• Birmingham University – Invitations will be sent between December and January. Interviews will take place in January and February.
• Brighton and Sussex Medical School – Admission interviews will take place from December 2025 through to February 2026. Applicants may choose whether to attend their interview in person (early December or early January) or virtually via Zoom (late January or early February).
• Bristol University – Online MMIs are held between December and February.
• Brunel University – Invitations to interview are expected to begin around November or December 2025. The MMIs will be conducted online between December 2025 and July 2026.
• University of Buckingham – MMIs held between October and December.
• Cambridge University – Expect an interview invite in November; some may be sent in early December. Interviews may be online or in-person, depending on the college. The main interview period is 1 December to 19 December 2025 and winter pool interviews are held from mid to late January 2026.
• Cardiff University – They expect to have communicated with all applicants by mid-December. The interviews for entry 2026 will be in person for home (fee status) applicants and online for overseas (fee status) applicants.
• University of Central Lancashire – The interviews are usually held at their Preston Campus between December and April. For international students, they may interview in other locations across the world.
• Dundee University – They hold in-person and online interviews in December and January. They state that where possible, they try to give at least two weeks’ notice.
• Edge Hill – Expect MMIs in January.
• Edinburgh University – Applicants who apply prior to 15 October 2025 and are invited to their Assessment Days should receive the outcome of their application by the following March. Those with a Scottish and RUK/ROI fee rate will be required to attend in person.
• Exeter University – Interviews will be either in-person or online, and will take place between December and January.
• Glasgow University – Interviews for 2026 entry will be held online via Zoom. Interviews will be between late November 2025 and March 2026.
• Hull York Medical School – For 2026 entry, Home fee status candidates attend interviews in-person at the University of Hull and University of York campuses, and overseas tuition fee status applicants attend interviews online.
• Imperial College London – It is not clear whether interviews are online or in-person. They take place between January and February.
• Keele University – Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams, between December 2025 and March 2026.
• Kent and Medway Medical School – They’re holding in-person from mid December for Home applicants. International interviews will take place on 12th January 2026.
• King’s College London – Interviews are held between November and May and you must be available for interview in order to be considered for admission.

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• Lancaster University – They interview between January and February.
• Leicester University – Interview invitations are sent out by email in late November. Interviews are held in-person for Home students between 9 – 18 December 2025 and 8 – 16 January 2026. International students will be interviewed online between 8 – 16 January 2026.
• Leeds University – MMIs happen in person on 5th, 6th and 7th January 2026. Overseas interviews will take place online.
• Liverpool University – Interviews are currently expected to run on weekdays from the 26th January 2026 to 13th February 2026 for home students. The online interviews for international students are potentially scheduled for the 12th and 13th February 2026, but this may be subject to change.
• Manchester University – Interviews will usually be held between December and early March, with the option of participating online or in-person.
• Newcastle University – Interviews could take the form of an MMI or a panel interview. Their MMIs usually run between December and January.
• Norwich Medical School, UEA – Interviews are held in-person in an MMI format. Interview invites will be sent between November and December onwards, and interviews held between November and March.
• Nottingham University – For 2026 entry, interviews will be held online. Their MMIs usually take place between December and February.
• Oxford University – You will be informed if you have been shortlisted to interview by early December. Interviews will be held online on Monday 15 December and Tuesday 16 December.
• Plymouth University – Interviews will take place online, and are typically held between December and February.
• Queen’s University Belfast – Queen’s medical interviews can take place between mid-December to March; international students will take place online, while home applicants complete them in person.
• University of St Andrews – Interview invites will be sent to applicants from November up to March. Home students will be invited to interview in-person, all other fee status students will be invited to attend online. Interviews usually take place in early December, then January to March.
• St George’s, University of London – Their MMIs happen between November and December, usually in person, but this has not been confirmed for 2026 entry.
• Sheffield University – Home applicants attend in-person, while International applicants are invited to an online panel interview. MMIs will take place between 19 January and 6 February 2026. Online interviews will take place on 8, 9, 12 and 13 January 2026
• Sunderland University – MMIs will take place in person during December.
• Cambridge University and Oxford University – For both of these Medical Schools, you should expect to face a traditional panel interview in December, but check your college for specifics.
• UCL – Expect MMIs in person for home students and online for international students between December and March. There will be a week’s notice for the interview – students must confirm attendance within 5 days.
• University of Worcester – They’re planning to hold interviews in the week commencing 4th March.
• University of Chester – Interviews are held either online or remotely. The website states that more information will be available upon shortlisting.
• Ulster University – Medicine interviews for Ulster University usually start in December and run until February
• Swansea – Interviews generally happen between January and March.
• Warwick University – In December, shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an MMI. Which will be held in person from December 16–19, 2025. For International applicants, MMIs will take place online on the 14th of January 2026.
• University of Southampton – selection day dates become available in October. Interviews will be held in person at the Southampton campus between January and March. They aim to provide the Home/UK applicants with 2–3 weeks notice and international applicants with 5–6 weeks notice.
• University of Worcester – They’re planning to hold interviews in the week commencing 4th March. (Updated information could not be obtained – this is for 2025 entry)

What Can You Do To Prepare Right Now?

To prepare for your Medical School interviews, make sure you:

• Read our Interview Guide 
• Know what MMI and panel interviews are
• Understand how to prepare for interviews
• Familiarise yourself with NHS hot topics and medical ethics
• Look at example interview questions
• Check out school-by-school interview tips

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How To Plan Your Medicine Interview Prep Find out how to make the most of your time preparing for interviews – with tips from a medical student at Imperial College London. How To Plan Your Medicine Interview Prep Find out how to make the most of your time preparing for interviews – with tips from a medical student at Imperial College London. There’s a lot you can do to prepare for your Med School interviews, like planning your time wisely and getting organised. In this blog, Sharon shares some tips to help you make the most of the time you now have for interview preparation.

Get To Know The Medical School

For each of the Medical Schools you’re applying to, you need to check whether they use MMIs or panel interviews. You should be able to find this information by looking at the university websites or checking our interview guide.

To prepare for some common interview questions, you should also think about why you wanted to apply to each of your chosen Med Schools. Do some research into the university, the course and the opportunities available (as part of the course and at the university in general, e.g. extracurricular activities).

It’s likely that you will be asked a Knowledge of Med School question, so it’s important to be prepared. Turn Interviews into Offers Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1000s every year INTERVIEW COURSE MMI CIRCUITS

Read Up On Ethics And Professionalism

You should read the GMC guide to good medical practice before your interview. You don’t necessarily need to read the whole thing, but you should certainly look at relevant parts. This guide will help you to understand the qualities you’ll need to uphold as a Doctor.

When you understand ethical principles such as the four pillars (beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, justice) and the three Cs (consent, capacity, confidentiality), you can use them to answer ethics questions.

Practise Articulating Your Answers

While you may be doing a lot of reading about NHS hot topics to prepare for your interview, it is important that you also practise speaking about these topics aloud as it’s very different. 

One method I used was: after reading about a topic, I would then try to summarise what I had learnt aloud to check that I was able to articulate my thoughts clearly. 

Note Down Your Experiences

By the time you start preparing for your interviews, you should already have a lot of different experiences under your belt such as work experience, volunteering and extracurricular activities. 

I recommend noting down everything relevant that you’ve done in the last few years, organised by what type of activity it was. It’s important that you reflect on your work experience and prepare some key points about what you learned from it.

Reviewing your experiences will help to refresh your mind on everything you’ve done. You can also use your notes to prepare answers to Teamwork questions like “Tell me about a time you used leadership skills?” Save 20% on Interview Prep Combine Doctor-delivered strategy with MMI Circuits & more INTERVIEW & MMI PACKAGES

Make A Timetable

It’s vital to start preparing for interviews early, even if you haven’t received any invites yet, because you won’t always get a lot of notice when an invite does arrive. Alongside your interview prep, you will also need to keep on top of your A-Level studies, so time management and good scheduling is key.

It might be wise to start your prep by spending just a few hours per week on it – then, when you actually get an interview date, you can increase this time.

Look for periods in your calendar when you’ll be free for interview prep and decide what you’re going to learn during this time. Try to tackle something different in each of your prep sessions, e.g. if you do ethics one day, the next session could be about NHS hot topics.

If you need support, consider doing an interview course so that you can learn strategies in just one day, or get some practice with MMI Circuits or mock interviews.  More interviews