Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry (Queen Mary University of London) uses a traditional panel interview for its MBBS (A100) — one of only a few UK medical schools still using a full panel for 2026. Conducted online in recent cycles by around two staff, it lasts 15–20 minutes and includes an article to research, analyse and discuss. Barts typically requires at least the 4th UCAT decile to interview.
| UCATScore expertise — Barts / Queen Mary Medicine This guide is prepared by the UCATScore admissions team, verified against official university sources for 2026/2027 entry. Practise the Barts / Queen Mary stations in our online Medicine Interview question bank and book a Barts / Queen Mary-specific mock to walk in ready. |
Barts / Queen Mary Medicine Interview at a Glance (2026/2027)
| Interview format | Traditional/structured panel interview (NOT MMI) |
| Length | ~15–20 minutes |
| Delivery | Often online (2026) |
| Interviewers | Typically 2 staff, sometimes a medical student or lay member |
| Distinctive | Includes an article to research/analyse and discuss during the interview |
| UCAT | Candidates typically need at least the 4th decile to be considered; UCAT, SJT and interview combined to rank |
| Key focus | Motivation, resilience & maturity, teamwork, problem-solving, contribution to university life, communication |
| Admissions test | UCAT (required; SJT considered) |
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle)
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle): Per-university interview prep modules covering the exact format, question style and selection focus of individual UK medical and dental schools — in one bundle.
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – What Is the Barts / Queen Mary Medicine Interview Format?
Barts / Queen Mary uses a traditional, structured panel interview for MBBS Medicine — not an MMI. The interview lasts around 15–20 minutes and, in recent cycles, has been online (2026). The panel is typically two staff members, sometimes with a medical student or lay member.
A distinctive feature: the interview includes an article that you research and analyse and then discuss during the interview — testing your reading, comprehension, critical thinking and communication in real time.
To reach interview, candidates typically need at least the 4th UCAT decile; UCAT, SJT and interview scores are combined to rank applicants. The panel focuses on motivation, resilience and maturity, teamwork, problem-solving, contribution to university life, and communication.
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle)
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle): Per-university interview prep modules covering the exact format, question style and selection focus of individual UK medical and dental schools — in one bundle.
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – What Barts / Queen Mary Assesses — Key Traits
Barts / Queen Mary’s panel looks for the qualities of a future doctor. Expect the assessors to evaluate:
| Attribute | What it means at Barts / Queen Mary |
| Motivation & realism | A genuine, realistic approach to medicine as a career, and to Barts/Queen Mary specifically. |
| Initiative, resilience & maturity | The maturity and resilience to handle a demanding degree and profession. |
| Teamwork & problem-solving | The ability to work with others and reason through problems. |
| Communication & article analysis | Clear communication, including discussing the pre-interview article. |
| Contribution to university life | How you’ll contribute to life at Barts beyond academics. |
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – How Barts / Queen Mary Selects and Shortlists Applicants
Barts requires the UCAT — candidates typically need at least the 4th decile to be considered for interview — and combines UCAT, SJT and interview scores to rank applicants. The personal statement is reviewed by the panel but not scored.
At the panel interview, the pre-interview article is central: practise reading unfamiliar material quickly, forming a balanced view, and discussing it thoughtfully.
Barts values people-focused experience (shadowing, care-home volunteering, local charity work) and awareness of healthcare in East London / Whitechapel — prepare to discuss both.
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Barts / Queen Mary Medicine Interview Timeline & Key Dates
Use this timeline to plan your preparation. Dates are for 2026 entry (2027-entry dates follow a similar pattern — always confirm against your invitation and the official page).
| When | What happens |
| 15 October 2025 | UCAS deadline (6pm) for 2026 entry |
| Autumn – winter 2025/26 | UCAT (4th decile) + academic shortlisting; interview invitations |
| Winter 2025/26 | Online panel interviews (with pre-interview article) |
| Spring 2026 | Decisions released |
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle)
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle): Per-university interview prep modules covering the exact format, question style and selection focus of individual UK medical and dental schools — in one bundle.
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – How to Prepare for the Barts / Queen Mary Medicine Interview
| Focus area | What to do |
| Practise article discussion | The interview includes an article to research, analyse and discuss. Practise summarising unfamiliar material, forming a balanced view and responding to questions on it. |
| Prepare for a panel, not a circuit | This is a 15–20-minute panel, not an MMI. Rehearse sustained, conversational answers rather than rapid stations. |
| Aim for at least the 4th UCAT decile | Barts typically requires at least the 4th decile to interview, and combines UCAT, SJT and interview scores — prepare the UCAT thoroughly, including the SJT. |
| Know East London healthcare | Barts values awareness of Whitechapel’s community health challenges and NHS priorities in East London. |
| Set up for an online interview | Recent cycles are online — test your setup and keep your display name matching your UCAS name. |
| Prepare contribution examples | The panel considers your likely contribution to university life — prepare examples of teamwork, leadership and involvement. |
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Reflecting on Experience — the STARR Framework
Whatever the station, strong answers reflect rather than list. Use STARR to turn any experience into genuine insight — the quality that separates offers from rejections.
| STARR step | What to include |
| Situation | Briefly set the scene — where you were and what was happening. One sentence is often enough. |
| Task | The challenge or focus of the moment — what needed to be done or decided. |
| Action | What you (or the professional you observed) actually did — the specific behaviour or decision. |
| Result | The outcome — what happened as a result of that action. |
| Reflection | The most important step: what it taught you about the profession, patients or yourself — and how it shapes your suitability. |
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle)
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle): Per-university interview prep modules covering the exact format, question style and selection focus of individual UK medical and dental schools — in one bundle.
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Barts / Queen Mary Medicine Interview Questions (Practice Bank)
Barts / Queen Mary’s panel spans motivation, resilience, teamwork, problem-solving, contribution to university life and discussion of a pre-interview article. Use the bank below to rehearse sustained answers — and practise discussing an unfamiliar article aloud.
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Motivation & Suitability
- Why do you want to study medicine?
- Why do you want to study medicine at Barts and The London (Queen Mary University of London) specifically?
- What experiences (work, volunteering, caring roles) influenced your decision, and what did you learn?
- What makes a good doctor beyond clinical knowledge?
- What are you most looking forward to, and most apprehensive about, in a medical career?
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Understanding Medicine & the NHS
- What are the biggest challenges facing the NHS today?
- What does the NHS Constitution mean to you, and why do its values matter?
- What do you understand about the working life of a junior doctor?
- How does the multidisciplinary team work together, and why does it matter for patients?
- What is a current ‘hot topic’ in medicine, and what are the arguments on each side?
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Communication & Empathy (incl. role-play)
- A patient is anxious about a procedure. How would you reassure them and build trust?
- How would you explain a complex diagnosis to a patient with no medical background?
- Role-play: break some difficult news to a patient or relative (a simulated scenario).
- Describe a time you communicated with someone who was upset or difficult.
- How would you respond to a patient who refuses recommended treatment?
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Ethics & Professionalism
- A patient asks you to keep information from their family. How do you handle confidentiality?
- You notice a colleague making a mistake. What would you do?
- Explain the four pillars of medical ethics with an example of each.
- Should patients who don’t follow medical advice be deprioritised for treatment? Discuss.
- How would you approach a situation involving consent and a patient’s capacity?
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Scenario, Teamwork & Reflection
- Describe a time you worked in a team under pressure. What was your role and what did you learn?
- Describe a time you failed or received difficult feedback. How did you respond?
- How do you manage stress, workload and your own wellbeing under demanding circumstances?
- Tell us about a time you showed leadership.
- How would you support a peer who was clearly struggling?
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Data, Public Health & Awareness
- You’re shown data on a health inequality. What does it suggest, and what would you do with it?
- Should unhealthy foods be taxed to improve public health? Argue both sides.
- What are the arguments for and against a sugar tax / minimum alcohol pricing?
- Why do health inequalities exist, and how might they be addressed?
- Interpret this graph/trend and explain your reasoning (a data-interpretation task).
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle)
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle): Per-university interview prep modules covering the exact format, question style and selection focus of individual UK medical and dental schools — in one bundle.
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Model Answer Outline: “Why medicine, and why Barts / Queen Mary?”
What they assess: genuine, informed motivation; realistic understanding of medicine; specific reasons for choosing Barts / Queen Mary.
Structure your answer in three moves:
- Open with what genuinely draws you to medicine — the blend of science, human connection and lifelong responsibility — anchored in a specific experience rather than a cliché.
- Connect to Barts / Queen Mary specifically — the course structure, clinical exposure, ethos or values that fit how you want to learn. Be concrete; avoid generic praise that could apply to any school.
- Close with realistic insight — acknowledge the challenges (workload, emotional demands) and show you’re committed to developing the empathy, resilience and teamwork the profession needs.
| UCATScore tip Interviewers can tell a memorised script from genuine reflection in seconds. Prepare the shape of your answer, then let your real experiences carry it. Practise this exact question in a Barts / Queen Mary-format mock with a UCATScore tutor. |
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle)
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle): Per-university interview prep modules covering the exact format, question style and selection focus of individual UK medical and dental schools — in one bundle.
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Barts / Queen Mary Medicine Interview — FAQs
What interview format does Barts / Queen Mary Medicine use?
A traditional/structured panel interview (not MMI), around 15–20 minutes, conducted online in recent cycles by typically two staff, sometimes with a student or lay member.
Is there a pre-interview task at Barts Medicine?
Yes — the interview includes an article you research, analyse and discuss during the interview.
Is the Barts Medicine interview online or in person?
Often online for 2026. Confirm the delivery method in your invitation.
What UCAT score do I need for Barts Medicine?
Candidates typically need at least the 4th decile to be considered for interview; UCAT, SJT and interview scores are combined to rank applicants.
Is my personal statement scored at Barts?
No — the personal statement is reviewed by the panel but not scored. Expect questions based on your experiences and interests.
What does the Barts panel assess?
Motivation and realism, initiative, resilience and maturity, teamwork, problem-solving, communication (including article analysis), and likely contribution to university life.
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle)
University-Specific Interview Prep (bundle): Per-university interview prep modules covering the exact format, question style and selection focus of individual UK medical and dental schools — in one bundle.
Barts (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions 2026/2027 – Prepare for Your Barts / Queen Mary Medicine Interview with UCATScore
UCATScore helps you turn a Barts / Queen Mary interview invitation into an offer with a medicine-specific question bank, Barts / Queen Mary-format mock interviews, and expert feedback from people who know exactly how UK medicine schools select.
- Medicine Interview Course (MMI & Panel) — technique for every format
- Mock MMI Circuit — a realistic, timed rehearsal
- MMI Station Bank — ethics, role-play, data and communication stations
- 1-2-1 Interview Tutoring — a Barts / Queen Mary-format mock with a practising doctor
Prepared by the UCATScore admissions team. Verified against official University sources and the Medical/Dental Schools Council for 2026/2027 entry. University processes are reviewed annually — always confirm the latest details in your interview invitation and on the official Barts and The London (Queen Mary University of London) website before your interview.