SIAN Barber, student recruitment officer from the University of Nottingham, visited Bosworth Independent College to provide mock interviews to A2 students and to give a presentation to AS students entitled Medical Admissions.
In the presentation, Sian presented a useful timeline for students outlining the process they will follow: sourcing relevant work experience and extracurricular activities, UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) prep and test, UCAS application, BMAT test (alternative to UKCAT), interviews for Medicine (traditional or MMI), hearing back from interviews by 3 May and then finally receiving their A-level exam results.
She then set expectations on entry requirements; grades A*A*A to AAA at A-level and six to eight As in a wide range of GCSEs. Biology and Chemistry A-level subjects are a must and then Maths or Physics can be the third option. She followed up by highlighting to students the need to research each individual university, as they will all differ in their specific entry requirements and it is important to know their unique application scoring process, i.e. personal statement, work experience, grades, subjects etc.
As an example, the Medical Admissions team at Nottingham will firstly look at: predicted grades and subject choices (must have Biology and Chemistry A-level), then they will look at those with the highest eight GCSEs, and UKCAT score. Only candidates with the highest scores will progress, from there they review the personal statement and references. From 2,500 applications only the top 1,000 will be invited to interview. So 60 per cent (1,500) are cut prior to that stage.
Sian provided example questions in each of the five areas, she also advised there are two practice papers on the website that students should utilise and that they should be prepared to prep 25-30 hours for the exam. While it is a test of aptitude not knowledge, practice will inevitably help.
Moving into ‘What are they looking for in your personal statement?’ she said they are looking for what you have understood from your work experience or shadowing, any wider reading, taster events, extracurricular activities and so on. They want to see knowledge and insight about the demands of a career in medicine, both positive and negative, and that you can show empathy, leadership, have clear communication skills, are motivated and have lots of initiative.
So, if you get to interview, how will this work? Nottingham runs multiple mini interviews (MMI), it consists of eight stations, and students will be at each station for five minutes. Two stations will involve role play and six will be scenario and instruction based. At each they will look to see if you possess the essential personal qualities for medicine.
All in all, Sian provided a very thorough insight into what is expected of any future medics during the application stage. It seems preparation and hard work are essential!
To find out more about Bosworth Independent College, call 01604 235090 or email