MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW GUIDE — MEDICAL SCHOOLS — INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL SCHOOLS

University of Exeter Medical School Interview

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WRITTEN BY
MEDISTUDENTS TEAM
December 15, 2022

Teaching Overview

The University of Exeter Medical School delivers a patient-centred curriculum. During the first two years, the curriculum is centred around small group learning, in which you’ll use problem-based learning (PBL) to explore a series of clinical cases.

A variety of teaching formats are also used to support learning across the curriculum, including:

  • Lectures
  • Community placements
  • Life Science Resource Centre (LSRC)  – to explore anatomy and physiology in greater depth
  • Clinical Skills Resource Centre (CRSC) – to learn and practice medical skills
  • Professional Practice Groups – to develop “personal and professional skills essential for being a doctor”

The teaching of anatomy is delivered within the LSRC using “medical imaging, including x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound, coupled with the study of plastinates, models, living anatomy and virtual multimedia methods”.

At Exeter Medical School you’ll experience early contact with patients, usually within the first few weeks of the course, and undertake the following clinical attachments:

  • Year 1 & 2: Experience within the community and hospital setting.
  • Year 3: A series of hospital and community placements across either Devon or Cornwall.
  • Year 4: 'Extensive experience' of a wide range of clinical settings throughout either Devon or Cornwall, with a focus on an increasing range of clinical specialities.
  • Year 5: A series of ‘apprenticeship attachments’ in hospitals across the South West.

More information about the course content, teaching and assessment can be found here.

Extracurricular / Additional Opportunities

At the beginning of your final year, you’ll undertake a student selected elective, involving clinical or research placements, or a combination of both, with the option to complete this abroad.

Exeter Medical School offers an optional intercalated degree, between Years 4 & 5 of your medical degree; this allows you to complete one additional year of study to gain a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree from a wide range of options. You’ll find more information about the intercalated degree and the programme options available here.

Selling Points

As part of the University of Exeter’s Internationalisation Strategy, you will have the opportunity to undertake clinical placements in partner organisations overseas, giving you a “wider global view of how health and education systems operate”.

The University of Exeter has scholarships and financial support available for students from 'disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and underrepresented groups'. You can find out more here.

Interview Information

The University of Exeter Medical School uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format for its interview.

Information on the structure and content of their MMI is limited. However, our ‘Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)’ section provides a general overview of MMIs and the types of tasks you’re likely to encounter.

For 2023 entry, the interview may take place ‘either in person or online’. For more information, check out Exeter's website here.

Admissions Exam

As part of their entry criteria, most medical schools require you to pass an admissions exam before you’ll be invited for interview.

Admissions exam for Exeter: University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)*

The UCAT is designed to assess the skills, characteristics, attitudes and professional behaviours required for medical school. This exam includes 5 sections: Abstract Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Situational Judgement (SJT) and Verbal Reasoning.

Your overall UCAT score will be used alongside your academic profile to rank you against other candidates and determine whether you’ll be invited to interview at Exeter Medical School. Therefore, to secure your interview place, it’s essential that you prepare well for all areas of the UCAT to help you achieve the best overall score possible.

Our adaptive UCAT question bank will support you to prepare effectively for all sections of the exam. Using our AI-powered algorithm to identify your strengths and weaknesses within the syllabus, you’ll be given individually selected questions targeted at the areas which you need to improve to increase your UCAT.

You can also use the question bank dashboard (below) to quickly see how you’re performing in each section. With information like your calculated skill level, your response time and the number of questions you’ve answered correctly for each section, it’s easy to identify the areas that you’ve “mastered” and the ones which you need to dedicate more time to.

You’ll find everything you need to know about the UCAT in our Complete Guide, as well as preparation tips on our website.

*For Graduate entry applicants or for those who completed their A Levels more than two full academic years ago, the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is required.

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