Oxford University Medicine Interview Questions

Oxford University Medical Interviews

Each candidate for Medicine at Oxford can be interviewed by two colleges of either their own preference, or by random allocation if an open application has been made.

All applicants will be assessed based on their academic record and they must meet the following entry requirements:

• A*AA in three A-Levels (with grade A achieved in Chemistry and one of Biology/ Maths/ Physics/ Further Maths). All three A-Levels must be taken in the same academic year.
• All applicants must sit the UCAT. There is no information on minimum scores for the UCAT as Oxford has only recently switched from the BMAT.

In 2023, Oxford received 1,713 applications, and of these, approximately 27.3%  of applicants were shortlisted.

How Is Oxford Interviewing For 2025 Entry Medicine?

For 2025 entry Medicine, Oxford interviews will be held in December 2024, and successful candidates will be sent an offer by January 2025. Interviews will be taking place online as a panel-style interview.

The interview panel consists of two academics, with at least one being a practising clinician. Both interviewers will ask a series of questions with the interview lasting from 20 to 40 minutes.

Following the interview, each college ranks all candidates with regards to their interview score, UCAT Score and academic achievements. A final ranking is submitted once both colleges (applied to or randomly allocated) have made a decision. On this basis, top-scoring candidates are given a conditional offer from either college.

The exact scoring method has not been revealed by Oxford, though it has released a video of what a typical Medicine panel interview may be like.

Common Medicine Interview Question Topics At Oxford University

Oxford interviews test for various characteristics and personality traits, and the panel looks for qualities that make a person well-rounded. Interviewers will ask questions on candidates’ motivation to study Medicine, their personality and core values, with an additional emphasis on an individual’s academic potential and scientific knowledge.

As Oxford is a huge research institute, candidates can expect some unique questions in their interview alongside science-based questions.

Questions that could come up in an Oxford Medicine interview may include:

• Why do you want to study at the University of Oxford?
• How could you contribute to the Medical School at Oxford?
• What research currently interests you?
• What did you gain from your work experience?
• If you had to choose any two people, alive or dead, to invite to a dinner party, who would they be and why?
• Why is it a disadvantage for humans to have only two legs?
• What is the purpose of red blood cells?
• How would you design a better brain?
• Why does heart rate increase when we exercise?
• What are the main issues the NHS is currently facing and how would you improve it?
• Should patients be allowed to sell their organs?

Tips For Answering Oxford Interview Questions

Oxford expects students to be able to think critically and have an analytical approach when posed with a question. Therefore it is important to brush up on basic scientific A-Level and GCSE knowledge, especially around Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

They also look for candidates who have an intellectual curiosity and a keenness to learn and understand why things work the way they do. Read up on current scientific research, in the general medical field as well as Oxford research, and make sure you understand why certain research is being carried out.

Do not panic if you don’t know the answer to a certain scientific question. They are testing you on how you approach complex questions rather than always having the correct answer. Be honest if you don’t know the answer, and you could ask for the answer at the end of the interview to show curiosity.