MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW GUIDE — MEDICAL SCHOOLS — INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL SCHOOLS

Lancaster University Medical School Interview

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WRITTEN BY
MEDISTUDENTS TEAM
december 15, 2022

Teaching Overview

Lancaster University Medical School uses problem-based learning (PBL) for the delivery of its core curriculum. Many medical schools include some PBL within their programme, but it’s unusual for it to be used to this extent.

HINT: make sure you’re aware of how Lancaster uses PBL for its modules, as well as the positives and limitations of learning using PBL, so you’re able to discuss this rare learning opportunity within your interview.

Learning is also supported using the following teaching methods:

  • Lectures
  • Anatomy lessons
  • Clinical skills training sessions
  • Communication skills training

The programme at Lancaster Medical School also includes the following clinical experience:

  • Year 2: You’ll undertake a hospital placement for two days per week and complete three blocks of community teaching.
  • Year 3: You’ll undertake five clinical rotations which will be supported by PBL, tutorials and lectures.
  • Year 4: You will spend a minimum of three days per week in a hospital setting, in two fifteen-week blocks: one block will focus on acute adult care and one on the specialities.
  • Year 5: You will undertake five clinical placements, each seven weeks of “intensive clinical experience”.

You can find more information about the programme structure and content on their website and within the course guide for 2022.

Teaching Hospitals / Clinical Partnerships

Lancaster University Medical School has partnerships with the following:

  • Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI)
  • Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow
  • Royal Blackburn Hospital
  • Blackpool Victoria Hospital
  • Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust

Extracurricular / Additional Opportunities

Following your finals in fourth year, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake an elective, allowing you to explore a speciality of interest within a different setting or to observe healthcare in another country.

Lancaster University also offers medical students the option of carrying out an intercalated degree. This gives you the opportunity to suspend your MBChB studies for one year to undertake an additional BSc, MSc, MRes or MPhil intercalated degree. You can find more information about the intercalated degree options within the ‘Year 4’ section on the course details page.

Selling Points

Lancaster Medical School also offers Medicine and Surgery with a Gateway Year. During the Gateway Year you’ll undertake a range of modules designed to prepare you for progression onto the MBChB Medical degree. Find out more information about this programme here.

Interview Information

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

Their website specifies that you will undertake twelve to fifteen different ‘stations’, most of which will last five minutes. These stations may include short interviews about your work experience or your suitability to study medicine, or involve reading or viewing information and discussing it.

Lancaster Medical School also includes an additional twenty-minute group work activity to assess your suitability for the problem-based learning curriculum that they employ.

For 2023 entry, interviews will be held in January and February 2023. More information about Lancaster’s MMI process can be found here.

Admissions Exam

Most medical schools require you to pass an admissions exam before you’ll be invited for interview.

Admissions exam for Lancaster: BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

The BMAT aims to assess your scientific and mathematical knowledge, and your problem solving, critical thinking and written communication skills.

For more information about the BMAT entry exam, visit our Medicine Entry Requirements blog.

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