glasgow personal statement medicine

The Aspiring Medics

Glasgow university medicine interview questions (2023 entry), about glasgow medical school (2023 edition).

The University of Glasgow is innovative, lively and friendly.

The campus is made up of beautiful Harry Potter-esque architecture as well as new state of the art buildings filled with the latest technology.

The course involves lectures which complement PBL learning alongside placements for early practical exposure. The clinical aspect of the course is mainly based in surrounding hospitals including the Queen Elizabeth University hospital which is one of the largest hospitals in Europe.

Glasgow University Interview Information

🔍 How does Glasgow University select candidates for interviews?

GCSEs/ A-levels/ Highers: Applicants must have GCSE English and biology at Grade 6/B . Glasgow university requires A-levels in chemistry and biology or physics or mathematics . These exams must result in AAA . Theses however are not used in short listing applicants , instead just set as a minimum requirement. For those sitting SQA examinations, you are required to have national 5 English at grade B. Furthermore you are expected to achieve AAAAA in higher sat in S5 these must include chemistry, biology and physics or maths . Furthermore conditions of achieve BB at advanced higher are given.

Personal statement: Glasgow university require a personal statement from each applicant. Your personal statement is an opportunity for you to emphasise why you should get an interview . Your personal statement is u sed in the screening process of application. However only has to be “satisfactory”

UCAT: All applicants have to sit the UCAT. Glasgow university sets cut off scores for the UCAT, under which they won’t accept applications. For Scottish applicants the cut off is 2690 and for the rest of the UK it is set at 2830 . There is no cut off score for the SJT . It’s important to bear this in mind when deciding where to apply. The UCAT is one of the most influencing factors on wether applications are successful or not.

Glasgow university collate all the various aspects of the application process; your personal statement, academic results, UCAT and your reference . This is then used in the screening process to narrow down applications and give out interview invitations.

🧬 What is the interview format?

Glasgow university uses traditional panel interviews . For now, interviews are being conducted online via zoom . The interview lasts around 30 minutes . There are two separate interviewers. Panel A discusses your motivation to study medicine and your knowledge of the role as a doctor . Panel B questions your skills and qualities that make you suitable to be a doctor . Panel B also involves an ethical situation, you are giving allocated time to read two scenarios and then decide which one to discuss.

📆 When will you get interview invitations?

Usually Glasgow send out invitations between November and February . You will be sent an invitation to interview via UCAS track and email therefore it is important to keep a look out in your emails for this, including junk mail. Due to the large number of applicants to interview in a short period of time, interviews are not able to be rescheduled . If you do not attend interview you will be considered further.

👩‍💼 When are the interviews usually held?

Interviews usually take place in December for home and EU applicants or between December and February for non-EU applicants.

📝 What are the main topics I will be asked at the interview?

Panel 1 focuses on being a doctor and what this means.

Panel 2 focuses on your skills and qualities and will contain an ethical scenario.

Motivation to study medicine

Future plans

Medical ethics

NHS hot topics

☑️ How will my interview be marked?

Both panels are scored and the results are combined . Then those who qualify will be given offers.

🏠 How many applicants are there per interview? (Home)

2.2 home applicants per interview .

🌎 How many applicants are there per interview? (International)

3.3 international applicants per interview

✨ How likely is it that I will be given an offer after an interview?

Scottish students: Out of the 494 interviewees, 348 applicants were successful in receiving an offer. This is 70% of those who were interviewed.

Rest of the UK: Those from within the rest of the UK , 244 interviews were conducted and 111 received offers. 46% of applicants interviewed received an offer .

International: Out of all interviews, 161 were for international students. 65 international students were given an offer. 40% of applicants received an offer after interview.

Prepare: Know the university course insight and out and be able to tell them the structure and specifically what you like about it.

Know about the hospitals you will be sent to on placements aswell.

Keep calm and arrive on time- the interview is sometimes based in a hospital so it may take you some time to find the location etc.

Read GMC good medical practice and know the medical ethics pillars.

Know your personal statement well and have examples ready of times when you worked in a team etc.

Remember to talk about the ethical pillars of medicine in your interview, particularly the ethical scenarios in the second part of the interview.

Think of examples of your achievements and skills

Consider your personal characteristics

Check out our Medicine Interview Course!

Example interview questions

🔥 Motivation Interview Questions

Why do you want to study medicine?

Why do you want to attend the University of Glasgow?

Tell us about the course at this university.

The MBChB programme is organised into 4 phases, explain each.

Why problem-based learning?

Why this area of Scotland?

🤯 Values and Skills Interview Questions

How are you suited to being a doctor?

What are your personal strengths?

What hobbies do you have outside of your studies?

Tell us about your hobbies and/or charity work

Tell us about a time that you worked as part of a team.

How would your colleagues/peers describe you?

What are the key qualities necessary to be a doctor?

What makes a good doctor?

📰 NHS Interview Questions

Describe the training pathway for doctors

💉 Science/Medical Based Interview Questions

Evidence of interest in medicine (current topical issues)

Latest medical issue and how it will affect your practice.

What are the health issues Glasgow is facing compared to other areas?

Why does Glasgow have such high rates of heart disease?

🏥 Work Experience Interview Questions

What was the most important thing you’ve learned about Medicine during past work experience and why?

Tell us about your experience of hospital attachment

Tell me about your voluntary work experience

❤️ Medical Ethics Interview Questions

Talk about the ethics surrounding organ donation

Clinical exposure from week one as well as weekly full body dissection sessions allows you to see how the lecture content can be applied to real life situations. Throughout the course you get opportunities to choose what you learn during SSCs . There is also opportunity to undertake an intercalated degree . Glasgow is also unique in offering two electives to explore healthcare abroad . Small group teaching allows you to get to know your peers really well and one-to-one opportunity with tutors. During placements you also experience hospital accommodation which allows you to become fully immersed in that environment.

Since the medical course is taught on the main campus , medical students have a great opportunity to join any university society of which there is over 300. There is always festivals or fairs on throughout the city of Glasgow, the university is based around 15 minutes away from the city centre . The University of Glasgow also has two student unions which have events going on all the time . Aswell as the main university societies, there are medical societies for every sport and speciality. There is also medical societies for racial and LGBTQ+ representation. The MedChir society at the University of Glasgow puts on events throughout the year for medics to mingle through balls, pub crawls and quizzes

The social life at the University of Glasgow is rife. Medical students benefit from being able to join medical and non-medical societies aswell as use all the facilities including the t wo student unions . There are also events throughout the year organised by the two unions, 300 societies and the medchir society. The University has its own nightclub, HIVE, which has themed nights every week . There is also many events available for the non- party goers. Medics can join the main university sport teams or the medical sport teams. The brand new James McCune Smith Learning hub is a massive space with restaurants, cafes and study spaces that has just been built across the road from the medical building.

The MedChir society hosts social events throughout the year. These include quizzes, pub crawls (scrub crawl), Christmas balls, year balls, the halfway ball and many other events. The society also allocates new first years to a medfamily to allow the first year to settle in. There is a year club for every year which is a subset of MedChir and organises specific social events for the year. They also organise book clubs, other media discussions and have their own podcast. MedChir also organise talks by clinicians to give us an insight into different medical career options aswell. There are many medical societies at the University covering a range of specialties, sports and other categories. There are medical societies present which aim to increase awareness for LGBTQ+ patients and racial inequalities.

https://www.glasgowstudent.net/clubs/

To see what MedChir gets up to you can visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MedChirGlasgow/

Click on the icons below to learn more about interviews!

• 🏛️ Interview Questions

Related Posts

Barts and the London (Queen Mary) Medicine Interview Questions (2023 entry)

Edinburgh University Medicine Interview Questions (2023 entry)

Lancaster University Medicine Interview Questions (2023 entry)

• [email protected]
• +44 (0) 333 050 7764 (Mon-Fri (9AM-5PM)
• Award-Winning Medicine Application Support
• +44 (0) 333 050 7764 (Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM)

All UCAT Support

All Interview Support

• Medical School Reviews
• PS Free Resources
• UCAT Free Resources
• Interview Free Resources
• Book A Free Consultation

Glasgow Medical School Review

Home » Application Guide » Glasgow Medical School Review

Application Guide Menu

A great starter bundle which includes some tutoring and resources.

Our most common bundle with 20 hours of tutoring, a live course and resources., the most comprehensive ucat bundle which has tons of tutoring and all of our resources..

Welcome to our UK Medical School Review series . In this series, we work with current students to produce an in-depth overview of each UK Medical School, covering what it is like to study there, how the course looks and what you need to get in.

Today we are exploring Glasgow Medical School, one of the highest ranking Medical Schools in Scotland and the UK as a whole. Khalid, a Glasgow Medic, will share his experiences and insights as a current student throughout.

Let’s start with some history of Glasgow Medical School…

Overview Of Glasgow Medical School

About glasgow medical school .

Glasgow Medical School has a rich history dating back to 1751 when William Cullen was appointed Professor of Medicine. Since then, the School has moved a number of times and produced notable alumni such as Joseph Lister (surgeon), multiple Chief Medical Officers of Scotland (Ernest Macalpine Armstrong, Harry Burns and Sir Kenneth Calman), Emeli Sandé (singer and songwriter) and politicians including Liam Fox.

Glasgow offers one A100 Medicine Degree which is the MBChB course. It lasts 5 years and the curriculum is delivered through a range of teaching styles which include small-group teaching, problem-based learning, lectures, vocational and clinical studies, labs and e-learning. 

Glasgow Medical School

• University Age: 573
• UK Ranking: 3rd
• Pint Price: £3.50
• Alumni Notability: 7/10
• A-level Requirements: AAA
• Places Available: 230
• Applicant Success Rate: 20%
• Teaching Style: PBL and CBL
• Interview Style: Panel
• Admissions Test: UCAT

Why did you choose to study at Glasgow?

“The university was highly rated at my time of entry and was also free for EU. Furthermore, the Problem-Based Learning style and the spiral curriculum seemed to fit my style of learning. The city of Glasgow is incredibly friendly and was the perfect middle ground between a city and a campus university. Glasgow University also offered a wide range of intercalation options, which intrigued me. The city of Glasgow is also more affordable than cities like Edinburgh or London too.”

What is the best thing and worst thing about your Medical School?

“The best thing about Glasgow Medical School for me is the biweekly PBL schedule. It helps provide a focus to the week’s lectures and necessitates further self-directed learning to explore finer details of the topic, as well as allow for a social discussion of the content with peers.

The worst thing about the University can be the lack of dissections. I’m not sure if this was due to the coronavirus pandemic, but as a 2nd year, I am yet to experience a dissection, and all the anatomy labs I have had were prosections. These feel sufficient for the content we are learning, however, the comparative lack of dissections to other medical schools can be a deterrent for some applicants.”

Medical School Rankings

The following link will take you to the Complete University Guide Medicine League Table . Here, you can see that the Glasgow Medical School takes 3rd position with an overall score of 98%:

Rankings will, of course, differ between other tables; the Guardian includes different aspects to the Complete University Guide . When making your own decision on which table to look at, think about what you place more importance on, such as spending per student or career prospects. Keep in mind that all Medical Schools are highly ranked with excellent ratings across the board.

Glasgow Medical School Fees And Financial Support

The annual tuition fee for students from Scotland is £1,820 and for the rest of the UK, it is £9,250. For international students, it is £56,520 per year. Tuition fee loans are offered to all UK students by the Government and cover the course fees in full. Fees do not have to be paid upfront.

Glasgow University offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries to help with funding. There is a range of bursaries and scholarships including the RUK Access Bursary and the Undergraduate Talent Scholarships. 

What are the living costs like?

“Here is a summary of the general costs of things for a Glasgow student: 

• Cost of a pint: £3-5
• Accommodation per week: £100-130
• Public Transport: Not needed due to hall locations, but approx £3 for a day ticket
• Weekly grocery shop: £20-40 depending on the store. There is a Lidl near the Murano student halls and one in finnieston somewhat close to the university, which is significantly cheaper than the Tesco and Co-Ops in the region.
• Lunch at the Uni: £4.50 University Union hot lunches, £6 James McCune Smith Hot lunches, £2-4 cold sandwiches from a variety of shops or stands in/near the uni, £3 Tesco meal deal close to the Uni, £3 Student Subway meal deal near the Uni.
• Eating Out/Delivery: £6-12 per meal depending on the store.”

Not sure where to start with your Medical School application?

Our Complete Bundle provides support for your Personal Statement, UCAT and Interview and guides you to a successful application.

With our Complete Bundle, we guarantee that you will get at least one offer to study Medicine, or your money back.

MEDICINE MASTERY BUNDLE

Get full, comprehensive support for your medical school application with 6med’s Medicine Mastery Bundle . Access everything you need for success as soon as you sign up. 

What Is Studying at Glasgow Medical School Like?

Glasgow delivers their learning through a range of teaching styles including small-group teaching, problem-based learning, lectures, vocational and clinical studies, labs and e-learning. Students gain experience in a clinical environment from year 1. The MBChB follows a “spiral curriculum” where subject material is revisited at different stages of the curriculum with increasing depth and clinical focus.

Students undertake two periods of elective study and can select from over 20 intercalated degree options, allowing flexibility to study areas of personal interest in more depth. 

What is a week in first year like for Glasgow Medics?

“Here is how a standard week would look for me:

• Monday Morning: Problem Based Learning – Scenario Monday Afternoon: Lecture (online or in person)
• Tuesday: Lectures (online or in person)
• Wednesday morning: Vocational studies Wednesday evening: No classes as a university policy to allow time for sports
• Thursday morning: Problem based learning
• Friday: Feedback sessions online or Labs in person.”

Glasgow Medical School Degree Content

Medicine mbchb course, summary of the curriculum:.

Phase 1 makes up the first half of first year. The phase provides students with a basic biomedical sciences overview which is needed to engage in the rest of the undergraduate programme. Students undertake vocational & professional studies, and have their first Clinical skills sessions with visits to A&E wards or general practices.

Phase 2 makes up the second half of first year and the entirety of second year. The phase covers the anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry (and related biomedical sciences) of the major clinical systems, as well as continuing vocational studies. Professional studies, Communication skills and Clinical skills are a big part of phase 2. 

Phase 3 covers the first half of third year and is all about clinical systems with a focus on pathophysiology. Content covered in phase 3 includes pathology, microbiology, haematology, clinical biochemistry and clinical pharmacology, and the small-group teaching focuses on clinical cases, using case-based learning, with a clinical tutor. Students will be in a hospital or general practice for one day a week and will also receive clinical procedural skills teaching.

Phase 4 makes up the second half of third year, the entirety of fourth year and most of fifth year. The phase is based in hospitals or GPs with some academic days. The teaching itself is scheduled around 5-10 week clinical attachments and students work through general medicine and surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, child health, general practice, psychiatry and a variety of hospital sub-specialties. The final part of fifth year is the preparation for practice which follows final exams and it involves shadowing foundation-year doctors in hospitals with lectures too. 

Glasgow Dentistry Course

The Dentistry course is also split up into multiple phases (five in total) and like Medicine, students have the opportunity to develop their clinical skills through exposure to patients in all the different dental disciplines. 

What Makes Glasgow Medical School Unique?

What makes your medical school unique.

“Glasgow Medical School features a bi-weekly Problem-Based Learning structure, supplemented with lectures and labs. This encourages self-directed learning past the synchronised content. The Medical School places an emphasis on developing research and communication skills, in order to allow for effective learning in different styles at one’s own pace.

The School also features a spiral curriculum, meaning that content is revisited multiple times over the course of weeks, months and years, adding more detail each time, allowing knowledge to be consolidated and built on.”

Glasgow Medical School Entry Requirements

Dentistry BDS Course

Deferred entry is not available. 

Craft an application worthy of Glasgow with 6med!

Our Complete Bundle provides support for your Personal Statement, UCAT, BMAT and Interview and guides you to a successful application.

6med’s Medicine Mastery Bundle provides you with the best support for your Personal Statement, UCAT and Interview, ensuring you will earn your offer.

Personal Statement Crash Course

Glasgow Medical School Personal Statement

Your personal statement is likely to be used at some point in the application process to Glasgow Medical School. Work experience is expected to be undertaken by applicants so that students have a more realistic understanding of what a career in medicine entails and are aware of current issues facing the profession.

Students are also expected to show commitment to caring for others which can be demonstrated during voluntary or paid work in a community setting. All of this must be included in your personal statement.

Glasgow mention some of the key characteristics to demonstrate , aside from a commitment to caring. This is for the Dental students but will also be applicable if you are applying for Medicine:

• Be diligent and ethical
• Demonstrate having a caring nature, being empathetic and respectful of the views of others
• Demonstrate good communication skills
• Work in a team and have the capacity to act as a leader
• Be self-critical and self-motivating
• Be capable of independent thinking
• Plan and think on the spot, enjoy problem-solving and analysing information
• Show strong evidence of manual dexterity, creativity and spatial awareness.

Show you have the core values and skills of a good doctor.

Glasgow Medical School Admissions Tests

All applicants applying to the Medicine or Dentistry course need to undertake the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). Historically, the minimum UCAT score or threshold score to get an interview offer has been around 2600-2680 and the highest-scoring applicants achieve up to 3600. 

Glasgow Medical School Interview

Panel interview style.

Interviews at Glasgow take the form of panel interviews . Glasgow normally interviews approximately 850 applicants from December onwards. Once the interview process is complete, all scores are accumulated and all applications are checked before offers are made. This stage runs until the end of March.

The interview session will last around 30 minutes in total , divided into two sections – a panel A and a panel B. Panel A will explore what being a doctor means and related topics around this. The panel B section will focus more on the applicant as a future doctor and will include a discussion of an ethical scenario – applicants choose one from two given scenarios.

Example Glasgow Medical School Interview Questions:

• Why this area of Scotland? (2020)
• The MBChB programme is organised into 4 phases, explain each. (2021)
• Why problem-based learning? (2018)
• What are the health issues Glasgow is facing compared to other areas? (2020)
• Why does Glasgow have such high rates of heart disease? (2019)
• Why do you want to come to the University of Glasgow? (2019)
• How are you suited to being a doctor? (2021)
• What are your personal strengths? (2018)
• Discuss your thoughts on organ donation. (2020)
• What hobbies do you have outside of your studies? (2021)
• Which qualities does a doctor need? (2021)
• What was the most important thing you’ve learned about Medicine during past work experience and why? (2019)
• Why are you choosing to study Medicine? (2018)

Extra-Curriculars at Glasgow Medical School

Outside of study time, what do most people get up to.

“Glasgow University Sports Association offers a variety of sports and activities in the Stevenson building and further at the Garscube sports complex. There is a gym as well with 15 platforms and a 100 person capacity. Byres Road is a busy street running perpendicular to University Avenue, containing many grocery shops, cafes, fast food and sit down restaurants. Ashton lane is a small lane near the university which contains some restaurants and pubs, although it can be quite expensive.

The Kelvingrove museum is situated in close proximity to the University, and entry is free. Kelvingrove park is located right next to the university, and it is a very big green space for activities, picnics etc. It is very lively on warm weather days.”

What is the Glasgow accommodation like?

“There are a wide variety of accommodation options such as Murano Street Student Village: This is the largest of the accommodations, housing around 1300 students every year. Flats are either 11-12 person flats, or 5-6 person flats, and applicants can choose which one they prefer. The accommodation is situated near Ruchill Park, and is a 5 minute walk from a Tesco Extra, and a 10 minute walk from a Lidl. The walk to the University takes approx. 15-20 minutes. This accommodation is very social and lively, so it should be avoided if you prefer quiet accommodations with less noise and parties. The rooms are a good size and feature a double bed, a desk and a sink, however, it does not include en suite bathrooms. The rent is approx £120 per week.

Queen Margaret Residences: The second most popular halls in Glasgow university. They feature larger rooms and kitchens, with ensuite bathrooms. It is also about 15-20 minutes from the university, but the rent is more expensive, at around £140 per week.”

Glasgow Medical School Contact

Telephone: +44 (0)141 330 6216

Email: [email protected]

Postal address: Medical School Office University of Glasgow Glasgow G12 8QQ

Advice for prospective Glasgow medical school students

What advice would you give to a first-year student starting at glasgow medical school.

“Here are some of my top tips! 

• Engage fully with the problem based learning.
• Find an arsenal of core textbooks to use for your self directed learning.
• Use the Glasgow University library as a study space.
• Do not worry about every single detail in first year, as it will all be revisited and consolidated and built on in the coming years due to the spiral curriculum. 

Best of luck and have a great time! I’ll probably see you soon. :)”

Check out our other UK Medical School Reviews:

Cambridge Medical School Review

King’s college london medical school review, cardiff medical school review, edinburgh medical school review, imperial college london medical school review, leeds medical school review, newcastle medical school review, barts and the london (queen mary) medical school review, ucl medical school review, oxford medical school review, bristol medical school review, southampton medical school review, birmingham medical school review, exeter medical school review, hull york medical school review, leicester medical school review, liverpool medical school review, manchester medical school review, nottingham medical school review, sheffield medical school review, st george’s medical school review, dundee medical school review, warwick medical school review, aberdeen medical school review, brighton and sussex medical school review, lancaster medical school review, queen’s university belfast medical school review, swansea medical school review.

MMI Crash Course

Robert Needleman

unlock infinite medical wisdom

Just leave your email in the box and you’ll receive weekly updates and the best tips for your medical application!

Application Support

• Personal Statement
• Crash Courses
• 1-1 Tutoring

Free Resources

• Personal Statement Free Resources
• Medicine Application Guides

Other Stuff

• UCAT.Ninja™
• Exams.Ninja
• School Support
• Tutor With Us
• Medical School Success Calculator
• Help Centre

Pay with confidence

Alex | Founder of Medfully

Ultimate guide to glasgow medicine interview (2023) - questions & tips, glasgow medical school: overview.

The history of Glasgow Medical School dates back to the 17th century when it was established in 1637. Since then, researchers and academics under the wing of Glasgow Medical School have immensely contributed to medicine - Glasgow’s notable alumni include Joseph Lister, who was the first to recommend hand-washing, a renowned anatomist William Hinter or John Macintyre, who set up the world’s first radiology department in none other but Glasgow.

Ranked first in the Complete University Guide 2021 (alongside Dundee), Glasgow Medical School is a great place for any aspiring medic with high aspirations. Clinical teaching at Glasgow Medical School is carried out in over 25 hospitals across Scottland, including Queen Elisabeth University Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Europe, and the state-of-the-art Glasgow Royal Infirmary at the very heart of Glasgow.

Selection for Medicine Interviews at Glasgow: 🔢 How does Glasgow selects for interviews?

GCSEs + Predicted Grades: GCSEs and Predicted Grades are not used by Glasgow Medical School in the selection process, beyond checking if you meet minimum entry requirements (which you can find here ).

Personal Statement: According to Glasgow’s official website, the personal statement is not a significant element in the selection for interviews and only has to be “satisfactory.” Most likely it means that any personal statement that is medicine-related and includes basic elements (some form of insight into medicine, commitment, extracurriculars, academic involvements etc.) will suffice.

UCAT: Glasgow places the highest emphasis on the UCAT score. All students are ranked according to the obtained UCAT score. Each year a cut-off score (depending on the scores of candidates applying to Glasgow in a given year) is set by Glasgow for each of the groups (Scots. Dom., RUK, International/EU) separately. The SJT is not taken into account as of 2022. You can read more about how Glasgow uses the UCAT score here .

📊 What is the lowest required UCAT score to get an interview at Glasgow?

🏴 󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottland: For 2022 entry, the UCAT cut-off score at Glasgow Medical School for Scottish students was 2690.

🇬🇧  RUK: For 2022 entry, the UCAT cut-off score at Glasgow for RUK students was 2830.

🌍  International Students: For 2022 entry, the UCAT cut-off score at Glasgow for International students was 2700.

You can find Glasgow’s admissions data for the Medicine course under this link .

📈 Want to save yourself some  time, stress and money  preparing for the interview at Glasgow Medical School? Be a top achiever and prepare with  Medfully ; the best interview preparation tool for self-paced interview preparation.

📤 When does Glasgow send out interview invitations?

Historically, Glasgow has been sending out invitations for medicine interviews between November and February of the application cycle.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 How many candidates get interviewed for Medicine at Glasgow?

🏴 󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottland: For 2022 entry, 961 Scottish students applied to Glasgow Medical School, and 494 of them (51%) have been interviewed.

🇬🇧  RUK: For 2022 entry, 848 RUK students applied to Glasgow Medical School, and 244 of them (28%) have been interviewed.

🌍  International Students: **For 2022 entry, 631 international students applied to Glasgow Medical School, and 161 of them (26%) have been interviewed.

Interviews at Glasgow Medical School (2024 Entry): 🗓️ Glasgow Medicine Interview dates (2023):

Medicine interviews at Glasgow will most likely take place between December 2023 and February 2024.

💬 What’s the interview format at Glasgow?

In the past years, the medicine interview at Glasgow was a 30-minute panel interview with 2 interviewers. It was divided into 2 sections - section A and section B - where section A revolved around your motivations for medicine and your insight into the field, while section B revolved around medical ethics and the person’s future as a doctor.

During section B of the panel interview, students had the opportunity to read through two ethical scenarios and decide which one they’d like to discuss. Both of the scenarios were brief, but there was nonetheless extra time allocated for reading and decision-making.

💡 How To Prepare for Medicine Interviews at Glasgow?

Preparing for medical school interviews requires more than just reading an article or doing a mock interview. It requires intentionality, structure and commitment. Luckily, with  Medfully  it is simpler and more efficient than ever:

🏆 How likely is it I’ll be given an offer after an interview at Glasgow Medical School?

🏴 󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottland: Following 494 interviews for 2022 entry medicine, 348 students were offered a place at Glasgow (70% of all Scottish students interviewed).

🇬🇧  RUK: Following 244 interviews for 2022 entry medicine, 111 RUK students were offered a place at Glasgow (46% of all RUK students interviewed).

🌍  International Students: Following 161 interviews for 2022 entry medicine, 65 international students were offered a place at Glasgow (40%).

💅 What to do before the interview at Glasgow Medical School?

• revisit your personal statement
• boost your confidence and improve interview knowledge by preparing using   Medfully
• prepare a formal outfit
• plan your journey (if you are invited to an in-person interview at Glasgow)

⏳ How long does it take to hear back from Glasgow?

Glasgow usually replies on a rolling basis, within a few weeks of the interview.

🧠 Glasgow Medicine Interview Questions:

Motivations To Study Medicine:

• What would you do if you didn’t get in this year?
• Why would you like to study medicine at Glasgow? What makes Glasgow special in your view?
• How are you suited to the medical course here at Glasgow?
• Has anyone ever tried to dissuade you from going into medicine? If so, what convinced you to apply anyway?

Insight Into Medicine:

• What steps have you taken to gain some more insight into medicine and find out if it’s the right field for you?
• What are the three most important qualities of a physician?
• What appeals to you the least in being a doctor?
• What is the importance of teaching in medicine and what forms does teaching take?

Future Plans:

• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
• What speciality would you like to pursue once you finish your foundation training?
• How do you see the future of the NHS? What challenges will the NHS face in 10 years that aren’t as significant now?
• How will your passion for insert the name of an extracurricular  help you become a better doctor?

Medical Ethics:

• A 14-year old boy is rushed into A&E after a car crash. The patient is unconscious and has sustained huge blood loss as a result of the accident. Together with your team, you decide the boy requires an urgent blood transfusion. As you are about to take the boy into the OR, his parents arrive and forbid you to carry on with the blood transfusion on religious grounds. How would you proceed, and what factors should you consider?
• A  19-year old patient comes to your GP practice and discloses they regularly engage in the use of illicit drugs. They ask you not to tell anyone, including the police. What factors should you consider in such a scenario, and who would you inform about the situation?
• Imagine you are the head of the surgical department in a hospital. There are two patients, A and B, both requiring an urgent liver transplant, but there is only one viable liver. Patient A is a 32-year old social activist, with a drug abuse history. Patient B is a 78-year old woman, who takes care of 3 children, whose parents died in a car accident. How would you allocate the liver and why?

NHS Hot Topics:

• What are the differences and similarities between the healthcare systems in the US and the UK?
• The UK has one of the highest rates of obese adults in the world. If you could introduce new measures to tackle obesity in the UK, what would those be?
• Why is it important that doctors (and those around them) take care of their mental health?
• Do you think that the NHS Scottland has to grapple with different challenges than NHS England? How are the challenges these two systems face similar and different to each other?

🚀  TOP Tip: Have a hard time answering any of the above questions? You’ll find insider tactics to tackle all of the above questions and formulate convincing and structured answers at   Medfully - The Best Medicine Interview Preparation Resource.

Please note that these aren’t questions that have been asked at Glasgow in past years. Publishing such information would be against Glasgow’s policy. The above questions are adjusted for the interview style at Glasgow and are meant to give you a broad sense of the questions you may face.

✅  Glasgow Medical School Interviews: 3 Tips

Stay Up-To-Date With Latest Events in Medicine:

Admissions people at Glasgow Medical School expect you to be. One way of assessing your passion for medicine is checking if you are informed about the latest, major events in the world of science and medicine.

Therefore, to prepare for questions about the so-called Hot Topics, make sure to get into the habit of following healthcare news regularly before your interviews. If your interview is fast approaching and you haven’t done that, don’t worry, you can easily catch up.

What kind of events should you look out for? Here are some examples: during the 2021/22 medicine interview cycle, the Covid-19 vaccine rollout started in the UK and as you may expect interviewers were keen to ask about it. Or just before the 2017/18 interview cycle, Junior Doctors' strikes were a big thing in the news. No need to pay too much attention to tabloid articles with headlines about wine being a miraculous cure for cancer or a new herbal treatment for arthritis.

Review Your Medicine Personal Statement:

Your medicine personal statement is a wealth of knowledge about your motivations to study medicine, your achievements and your personality. Scan through your personal statement before your Glasgow Medicine Interview to refresh this information. Highlight all the individual points you’ve made and try to come up with example interview questions about them.

Let’s say you mentioned that your work experience showed you how challenging the work of a doctor can be. Based on that, interviewers at Glasgow could ask you about particular challenges you could face as a doctor, or ways you’d want to deal with such challenges.

Learn About NHS Scottland:

Although not stated explicitly on the website, questions revolving around NHS Scotland may pop up in your Aberdeen medicine interview. Make sure you understand how it differs from NHS England and the NHS overall, what it means that the NHS is devolved, as well as the pros and cons of the devolved system.

All of that information you can find in Medfully Interview Knowledge Bank   written by doctors and medical students from top UK universities.

Related Blogs

Ultimate Guide to UCLan Medicine Interview: Questions & Tips (2023)

Ultimate Guide: Nottingham Medicine Interview | Questions & Tips (2023)

Ultimate Guide: Edinburgh Medicine Interview | Questions & Tips (2023)

Make your interview preparation structured ,fun & affordable, prepare to ace your interviews with medfully, the best all-in-one interview preparation tool.

Copyright ©Medfully 2024. All rights reserved.

✨ Early-Bird Discount! Get 50% Off 12-Months ✨

Choose your plan below:.

Guides & Info

Medicine Personal Statement Examples

Last updated: 29/6/2023

• Is Medicine Right for Me?
• What do Doctors do?
• The Daily Life of a Doctor
• How to apply to medical school
• Different Routes into Medicine
• Factors to Consider
• Medicine at Oxford and Cambridge
• Your Fifth UCAS Choice
• Getting Your Grades
• Extra-curricular Activities
• What is the UCAT?
• Preparing for Your UCAT Test Day
• After Your UCAT
• BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
• Work Experience and Dental Schools
• NHS Work Experience
• Personal Statement
• Medicine PS Examples
• Dentistry PS Examples
• UCAS References
• Medical and Dental School Interviews
• Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)
• Medical School Interview Questions
• Dental School Interview Questions
• Graduate Entry Courses
• Foundation and Access Courses
• International students
• Taking a Gap Year
• Medicine in Australia and NZ
• Medicine in Ireland Medicine in Eastern Europe
• Other Roles in Healthcare
• What Our "Plan B" Looked Like

The personal statement is changing to a series of free text questions for 2026 entry onwards, however it remains unchanged for 2025 entry. Keep an eye on our live updates page for guidance on these changes.

Your UCAS personal statement is a chance to showcase the skills, attributes, and experiences which make you suited to studying medicine. This can be quite a daunting prospect, especially when you have to boil all that down to just 4,000 characters, or 47 lines. 

In this article, we will:

• Examine examples of strong and weak medicine personal statements (interested in dentistry? Check out dentistry personal statement examples )
• Help you learn what you should and shouldn't include in your medicine personal statement

Want to explore more examples? Our Personal Statement Course has over 100 personal statement examples to help you find your voice.

What you'll find in this article:

Personal statement example 1 – introduction

Personal statement example 2 – introduction, personal statement example 1 – main body, personal statement example 2 – main body, personal statement example 1 – conclusion, personal statement example 2 – conclusion, strong personal statement example, weak personal statement example, what should your personal statement include.

To get into medical school , your personal statement should:

• Demonstrate meaningful insight into the profession, in the form of work experience or independent research. This could be partly based on medical books or podcasts when medical work experience is not possible
• Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and experiences
• Mention your extracurricular activities
• Discuss your academic interests and achievements

'At the moment I am working towards A-Level Chemistry, Biology and Maths. I achieved my AS-Level in Spanish but decided to drop it to focus on my more medically relevant subjects. I’ve been dreaming of studying medicine since I was a young child, and this was only reinforced when I contracted measles during my primary school exams. This affected my performance, but I found that this motivated me rather than discouraged me. A particularly inspiring doctor was heavily involved in helping me deal with the pressure. I was inspired by her to become a doctor myself and help others in a similar way. I am particularly interested in science and as such the practical side of medicine interested me. I’ve always enjoyed chemistry and biology the most, and have best learned when trying to link the pure science I learn in school back to it's practical and useful real-world applications. This is what is particularly interesting about medicine to me - you can apply pure, evidence-based science in a clinical and practical setting to have an obvious positive effect. Inspired by this interest, I invested in a subscription to the New Scientist magazine. I’ve read about a huge number of fascinating discoveries and how they’ve been applied in medical settings.'

This introductory section has some promising features, but there are areas the author could improve:

• The introductory sentence doesn’t catch the reader’s attention or hold much relevance for a medical personal statement. This sentence would be better suited to a subsequent section on the author’s academic achievements, and it would need to be supplemented with a suitable explanation as to why the chosen subjects are relevant for medicine. 
• The author uses an anecdote to illustrate why they first developed an interest in medicine. This is a good idea, but the anecdote they've chosen is not the most suitable. It references ‘primary school exams’, which uses the cliché of wanting to do medicine from a young age. This is not only overused, but is also underdeveloped. 
• The applicant mentions feeling under pressure for these primary school exams. This won’t fill the reader with confidence that the author will be able to cope with the demands of medical school and a career as a doctor. 
• The introduction should open with the anecdote rather than academic achievements. A strong and memorable opening line will catch the admission tutor’s attention, and gives the student an opportunity to summarise why they want to study medicine.
• It is far too long. A good introduction should be around 4-6 lines.

There are some parts of the introduction that are more effective:

• The part discussing why they enjoy chemistry and biology is useful – it links their love for pure science back to the passion they mentioned earlier for helping people. This demonstrates the blend of empathy and interest in science that medical schools will be looking for. 
• The same part also introduces the candidate’s reading of medical literature, which they could choose to discuss in more depth later in the statement, or which might be something that interviewers could choose to examine in more detail.

'From a young age, my real fascination in life has been science - in particular, the incredible intricacy of the human body. My passion to discover more about its inner workings fuelled my motivation to study medicine, and the challenging yet rewarding nature of the job leaves me certain that I want to pursue it as a career. I think that my chosen A-Levels have only made me more determined to become a doctor, while simultaneously allowing me to develop and improve my skills. I have become a better problem-solver by studying physics and maths, while also learning the importance of accuracy and attention to detail. I’ve particularly enjoyed chemistry, which has again helped me improve my problem solving skills and my ability to think rationally and logically. Throughout my chemistry and biology A-Levels, I’ve been required to engage in practical work which has taught me how to design and construct an experiment. I’ve also become better at communicating with other members of my team, something I witnessed the importance of during my work experience in A&E. During recent months, I’ve started reading more medical publications such as the Lancet and the British Medical Journal. I’ve been particularly interested in how this evidence-based science can be applied to clinical practice to really make an impact on patients.'

This introduction contains some useful reflection and demonstrates some insight, but is quite jumbled. The main areas of weakness are as follows:

• The content is good but much of it would be better suited to a later section and should be explored in more detail while being linked back to medicine (for example, the whole second half could be included in a longer segment on academia). 
• The applicant mentions that they improved their problem-solving skills. How did they do this? Why is this important in medicine? 
• They say that medicine is demanding but that this attracts them to the job. What experiences have they had to show the demanding nature of it? Why does this attract them to it? 
• The author also briefly mentions a stint of work experience in A&E, but the rushed nature of the introduction means that they can’t go into detail about the experience or reflect on what exactly they learned from it. 
• Similar to example 1, this introduction includes some clichés which detract from the author’s overall message. For example, that they have wanted to do medicine from a young age or that they love science (with no further explanation as to why). 
• It is far too long. Again, an introduction should be a succinct summary of why you're interested in medicine, and not a brief account of all of your experiences.

The stronger parts of this introduction include the following:

• The author does demonstrate that they can reflect on the skills they’ve improved through experience. For example, the analytical and problem-solving skills they gained from chemistry.
• The candidate shows an understanding of the link between evidence-based science and clinical application when discussing how they did further research around their physics course. This shows a good level of curiosity and insight.

'I first became interested in studying medicine when I carried out a work experience placement with my father an elderly care specialist. I really enjoyed the experience and it gave me a deeper insight into the challenges doctors face. I now believe that I better understand the resilience - both mental and physical - that doctors need to cope with the heavy workload and emotional challenges. A few months ago I was given the opportunity to attend work experience in St Mary’s hospital in Manchester where I visited and observed many different specialties and areas of the hospital like A&E and the labs and witnessed how doctors carried out their jobs. For the past year I’ve been doing some other volunteering work too, such as, taking meals around to patients on the ward, asking them about their experience in the hospital and just chatting with them about how they’re feeling. They’re often delighted to have someone to talk to especially during Covid when they weren’t allowed to receive visitors. I saw how my communication and empathy made a real impact on the mood of the lonelier patients. I spent a few days working in the same hospital, shadowing doctors and Allied Health professionals in the stroke ward. I became much more familiar with the process doctors used for treating stroke patients, and developed an understanding of the role that physiotherapists and occupational therapists have in their rehabilitation. On top of that I organised a placement with the emergency medicine doctors and spent time in the haemapheresis unit at St Mary’s.'

This example does contain some of the features we look for in a complete main body section but could definitely be improved: 

• The main issue with this is the list-like presentation, which goes hand-in-hand with a general lack of reflection or insight. Although it is good to discuss your work experience in your personal statement, it would be far better if the candidate focused on just one or two of the experiences mentioned, but went into far more detail about what they learned and the insight they gained. For example, after mentioning the role of Allied Health Professionals in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, they could go on to discuss how they came to appreciate the importance of these healthcare workers, and how the contribution of all these individuals within the multidisciplinary team is so important to achieving good outcomes.
• Statements like ‘I [...] witnessed how doctors carry out their jobs’ make it seem as if the candidate really wasn’t paying attention. They need to explain what they mean by this. Were they impressed by the doctors’ effective teamwork and communication skills, or perhaps by their positive attitude and morale? Did they seem well-trained and effective? What did they learn from this that might help them in the future?  ‍
• Similarly, the student simply states that they saw the effect of empathy on patients: ‘I saw how my communication and empathy made a real impact on the mood of the lonelier patients.’ This adopts a ‘telling’ approach, when the student needs to adopt a ‘showing’ approach. Simply telling us that they saw something does not adequately demonstrate an understanding of why those qualities are important, or what they actually mean. What does it mean to have empathy? What does that look like in real terms? How did they use it? What was the effect? Showing the tutor that you are empathetic is important, but simply saying it is disingenuous and shows a lack of understanding.
• The candidate spends a number of characters name-dropping the exact hospital they visited and its location, which isn’t the best use of valuable space, as it has no real impact on the message they’re trying to convey.
• Generally, it isn’t a good idea to talk about work experience with family members. Of course, this might be the reality, but try to have some other placements that you’ve organised yourself so that it doesn’t appear as if your family are doing all the hard work for you. At the very least, you could simply leave this information out.
• There are a few grammatical errors here, especially regarding the use of commas. It’s important to use a spell checker or to ask an English teacher to check your work for you before submitting your statement.

The better features of this example are:

• The candidate does show some insight into the role of a doctor when they talk about the resilience required by doctors to cope with the hard hours and challenging conditions. They just need to reflect in this way in other parts of the section, too.
• The author has clearly done a lot of work experience and is right to discuss this in their personal statement. Just remember that you don’t need to squeeze in every single little placement.

'I was pleased to be appointed as head boy in my last year of school, and as part of this role I headed up the school safety office. I carried out inspections of the dormitories, roll calls and helped in the running of school festivals and activity days. The office I was in charge of needed to ensure the safety of every student in the school and I helped plan and lead drills to prepare the students for storms, floods and fires. This role has made me a far better leader, and I also believe that I am now far more calm and logical when working under pressure or in uncertain situations. I’ve been an editor on the online school blog for over 2 years now and the experience has taught me how to work effectively in a team when under time pressure. In order to meet my deadlines I needed to remain motivated even when working independently, and I think that the diligence and work ethic I’ve developed as a result will be incredibly useful to me as a medical student. I took on the role of financial director for both the table tennis club and Model United Nations at my school. At first I struggled with the weight of responsibility as I was in charge of all of the clubs’ money and expenditures. However, I am now a far more organised individual as I came to appreciate the value of concise paperwork and of keeping a record of my actions. I not only manage the funds of the table tennis club but am also a regular member of it. I often play independently, and the lack of a specific coach means that I have to identify my own strengths and weaknesses. I am now far better at being honest about my weaknesses and then devising strategies for working on them. The sport has also allowed me to demonstrate my ability to work well in a team, but also to get my head down and work independently when necessary.'

This example is generally well written and showcases some of the features of a good main body section. However, there are some areas that can be improved:

• This section would benefit from the ‘show, don’t tell’ approach. Instead of explaining specific situations or events through which the candidate demonstrated certain attributes, they simply state them and then link them vaguely to a more general role or activity.
• The bigger problem, however, is that the author mentions a wide range of skills but falls short in linking these back to medicine.  ‍ For example, after reflecting on their role in the school safety office and the leadership skills they developed as a result, the author could talk about the senior role that doctors have within the multidisciplinary team and the importance of good leadership in a medical setting.  Similarly, the author mentions their ability to work independently but should really round this off by describing how this would benefit them in medical school, as the ability to progress your learning independently is crucial to success there. The student mentions an understanding of and proficiency with paperwork and recording their actions. Doctors must constantly do this when writing notes for each patient, so the candidate should really try to mention this in their statement to explain why their skills would be useful. The mention of teamwork could be followed by an explanation of why it is important in a medical setting and how the applicant witnessed this during their medical work experience. Finally, when the student talks about being able to identify and work on their weaknesses, they could use this as an opportunity to demonstrate further insight into the medical profession by discussing the importance of revalidation and audit in the modern NHS, or talking about how important it is for doctors to be able to work on their areas of weakness. 

Better aspects of this example:

• The applicant doesn’t simply list the activities they have been a part of, but also explains what they learned from these and the skills and attributes they developed as a result. This reflective ability is exactly what assessors will be looking for.
• The tone of the section is appropriate. The applicant doesn’t appear arrogant or over-confident, but at the same time, they manage to paint themselves in a good light, highlighting their range of skills relevant to medicine.
• This example uses the character count effectively. Unlike the earlier examples, almost all of the sentences serve a purpose and are succinct.
• They demonstrate a wide range of skills, most of which are very relevant to medicine.

' I am a resilient and empathetic individual and I think that I have the qualities to thrive despite the social and academic challenges of university. Through my work experience I’ve gained an insight into the difficulties doctors face but this has not dampened my enthusiasm. My placements and voluntary work have only strengthened my commitment and dedication to studying medicine.'

The effectiveness of a conclusion depends on the rest of the statement before it, so it is hard to judge how good a conclusion is without seeing what the candidate has mentioned in the rest of their statement. Assuming this follows on logically from the statement, however, we can say that this conclusion is generally good for the following reasons:

• It is brief, to the point, and highlights that the student holds some of the skills doctors need (this would of course need to be backed up with examples in the rest of the statement). 
• The author doesn’t introduce any new ideas here, as that would be inappropriate, but rather reiterates their determination, which is exactly what admissions tutors want to see. 
• The author demonstrates a balanced understanding of the demands of a medical career, illustrating this is a decision they have made rationally while considering the implications of their choice. 

As is always the case, this conclusion could still be improved:

• The mention of the social challenges of university is a bit too honest, even though these exist for everyone. Mentioning them could give the impression that the student struggles socially (which is not something they would want to highlight), or that they intend to dive into the social side of university at the expense of their studies. 
• If the candidate really insists on mentioning the social side, they should at least do this after discussing academics, and they should do it in the body of the statement, where they have space to explain what exactly they mean.
• The student describes themselves as empathetic. This should be avoided, as it should be evident from the statement itself.

'Over the years I have built up a large and extensive set of medical work experiences and volunteering opportunities. These have allowed me to demonstrate my ability to communicate effectively and work in a team, and they will allow me to become a more diligent student and effective doctor. I think that this, alongside my ability and strength of character mean that I should be considered for this course. I am excited to get started and begin to put my skills to good use.'

This is a reasonably strong conclusion. It provides a to-the-point summary of why the author believes they should be selected to study medicine and shows their excitement for starting this journey. However, there are some parts of this example that could be improved: 

• The author mentions 'ability' and 'strength of character.' These are nebulous terms and not specific to medicine or a medical degree in any way.
• The mention of a 'large and extensive range of medical work experiences' indicates overconfidence. Medical applicants are not expected to have any medical ability or any 'large and extensive range' of medical experience, nor is it probable that this candidate actually does (otherwise they wouldn’t need to go to medical school in the first place). Rather, medical students need a suitable set of skills and attributes in order to make the most of their medical education and become an effective doctor.
• On a similar note, the applicant says that their range of medical work experience will make them a better student and doctor, but this is only true if they can reflect on their experience and learn from it. Impassively watching an operation or clinic without properly engaging with it won’t make you a better doctor in the future.

We’ll now go on to look at an example of a strong personal statement. No personal statement is perfect, but this example demonstrates a good level of reflection, engagement and suitability to study medicine (we know this because the writer of this statement went on to receive four offers). 

It goes without saying that plagiarism of any of these examples is a bad idea. They are known to medical schools and will be flagged up when run through plagiarism detection software. 

Use these as examples of ways you could structure your own statement, how to reflect on experiences, and how to link them back to medicine and demonstrate suitable insight and motivation. 

'It is the coupling of patient-centred care with evidence-based science that draws me to medicine. The depth of medical science enthrals me, but seeing complex pathology affecting a real person is what drives home my captivation. As a doctor, you are not only there for people during their most vulnerable moments but are empowered by science to offer them help, and this capacity for doing good alongside the prospect of lifelong learning intrigues me. In recent years I have stayed busy academically - despite my medical focus I have kept a range of interests, studying Spanish and German to grow my social and cultural awareness and playing the violin and drums in groups to improve my confidence when working in teams and performing. This is similar to the team-working environment that dominates in medical settings, and I have found that my awareness of other cultures is a great help when interacting with the hugely diverse range of patients I meet during my volunteering work. The independent projects I am undertaking for my A-levels teach me how to rigorously construct and perform experiments, process data and present findings, developing my written communication. My work experience showed me the importance of these skills when making patients’ notes, and of course, medical academia must be concisely written and well constructed and communicated. Maths teaches me to problem-solve and recognise patterns, vital skills in diagnosis. Over the past two years, I have actively sought out and planned work experience and volunteering opportunities. My time last year in Critical Care showed me the importance of communication in healthcare to ensure patients understand their diagnosis and feel comfortable making decisions. I saw the value of empathy and patience when a doctor talked to a patient refusing to take her insulin and suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis. They tried to understand her position and remain compassionate despite her refusal. My experience deepened my insight into the realities of a medical career, as we were at the hospital for more than ten hours a day with breaks and lunches cut short by bleeps or calls from the ward. This helped me understand the physical resilience required by staff as I also came to appreciate the immense emotional burden they often had to bear. Despite this, the brilliant staff remained motivated and compassionate which I found inspirational. The Brighton and Sussex Medical School work experience and Observe GP courses I completed put emphasis on the value of holistic, patient-centred care, introducing me to specialities I had not previously considered such as geriatrics and oncology. Inspired by my experience I explored a variety of specialisms, reading memoirs (Do no harm) and textbooks (Oxford handbook of clinical medicine) alike. I investigated medical politics with my English persuasive piece, discussing the ethics behind the junior doctor strikes of 2016. I have been volunteering in a hospital ward since January, which helps improve my confidence and communication skills when talking to patients and relatives. I showed my ability to deal with unexpected situations when I found a patient smoking whilst on oxygen, and acted quickly to tell nurses. Over lockdown I felt privileged offering lonely patients some tea and a chat and seeing their mood change - it taught me that medicine is about treating patients as individuals, not a diagnosis. My work on the hospital door taught me to stay calm and interact assuredly with visitors, vital skills in public-service jobs like medicine. I coach tennis at a local club, planning and running sessions for younger children. I am responsible for players' safety and must manage risk while showing leadership qualities by making the sessions fun and inclusive. As a player, I am part of the self-run performance team, which forces me to better my ability without coaching. This means developing self-reflection and insight into my weaknesses, which I know to be integral skills for medics. One of the doctors I shadowed during my work experience was just starting her revalidation process and I saw the importance of self-awareness and honest reflection in meeting her targets and becoming a better doctor. I achieved my Gold Duke of Edinburgh certificate of achievement (and the Bronze and Silver awards), exhibiting my commitment and ability to self-reflect and improve. On our Silver expedition, we experienced severe rain, showing resilience by continuing when our kit was wet from day one. My diligence and academic ability will allow me to thrive in medical school, and I have the prerequisite qualities to become a compassionate and effective doctor. Despite the obstacles, I am determined to earn the privilege of being able to improve peoples' health. This is something that excites me and a career I would happily dedicate my life to.'

Strong personal statement example analysis

Introduction.

This statement is a good example of how a personal statement should be constructed and presented. The introduction is short and to the point, only dealing with the candidate’s motivations to study medicine while also demonstrating an insight into what the career involves. 

They demonstrate their insight briefly by mentioning that medicine involves lifelong learning. This is often seen as one of the challenges associated with the career but here they present it as an advantage which makes them seem more suited to the career. It also show they're a curious and interested individual who enjoys learning. 

The introduction's final sentence offers an opportunity for interviewers to probe the candidate further, to explore their curiosity, and ask them to explain what exactly attracts them to lifelong learning. An astute candidate would recognise this and try to think of a suitable answer in advance.

Paragraph 2 

The second paragraph opens the body of the statement by exploring the author’s academic interests. As with some of the previous example body paragraphs, the writer shows their reflective ability by explaining what each of their subjects taught them, and the skills they developed and demonstrated as a result. They improve upon this further by linking these skills back to medicine and explaining why they are important for doctors. 

This paragraph demonstrates the author’s work-life balance by showing their varied interests in languages and music, all without wasting characters by saying this directly. They also mention the diverse range of patients they encountered during their volunteering, which again implies an empathetic and conscientious nature while showing an insight into a medical career (particularly regarding the vast diversity of the patient cohort treated by the NHS). 

Their explanation of the relevance of maths could be more detailed, but again this could be something the applicant is hoping to be questioned on at interview. The candidate comes across as thoughtful and multi-talented, with the ability to reflect on their decisions and experiences, and with a suitable insight into how their strengths would play well into a medical career. 

In this particular paragraph, there isn’t much explanation as to how they drew their inferences about what a medical career entails from their volunteering and work experience (and what exactly these entailed), but these are explored in more detail later in the statement.

P aragraphs 3 and 4 

The next two paragraphs discuss the candidate’s work experience, beginning with a single work experience placement in detail. This is a better approach than the large lists of placements seen in the previous example body paragraphs. The author talks about a specific scenario and shows that they paid attention during their shadowing while also illustrating their ability to reflect on these experiences and the precise skills involved. 

The skills they mention here – communication, empathy, resilience – are skills that they specifically talk about developing and demonstrating through their activities in other parts of the statement. This shows that they have taken their learning and used it to inform the focus of their personal development. They also not only state that these skills are important for medics, but also explain why this is. For example, they explain that communication is important in helping patients relax and engage with their healthcare, and that resilience is required to deal with the antisocial hours.

In this section, the applicant briefly mentions a specific medical condition. This shows that they were engaging with the science during their placement and also provides interviewers with an opportunity to test the applicant’s scientific knowledge. Knowing this, the candidate would likely research diabetic ketoacidosis in order to be able to impress the panel. 

The author mentions some other virtual work experience opportunities they’ve been involved with and sets themselves up to discuss what these placements taught them. They then go on to explain the actions they took as a result of this, showing that they really engaged with the virtual placements and could identify what they learned and their areas of weakness. This is linked well to further reading and research they carried out, which illustrates their curiosity and engagement with medical science and literature. 

The reference to the junior doctor strikes at the end shows that they have engaged with medical news as well as the ethical side of medicine, which is something that many medical schools place a lot of emphasis on at interviews. Ideally, this section would explain how exactly they explored these different specialties and illustrate what they learned and how they developed their learning from the books mentioned.

Paragraphs 5 and 6 

These paragraphs discuss the applicant’s hospital volunteering and other extracurricular activities. The applicant doesn’t just state that they’ve volunteered in a hospital but goes into depth about the precise skills they developed as a result. They include an anecdote to illustrate their ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations, which is a great way to show that they’ve been paying attention (though this should really be backed up with an explanation as to why this is important in medicine). 

The candidate also shows their patient-centred approach when discussing how they cared for demoralised patients (again illustrating empathy and compassion). This style of healthcare is something that the modern NHS is really trying to promote, so showing an awareness of this and an aptitude for applying it practically will really impress your assessors. 

The author demonstrates another core attribute for medical students when talking about how their work on the front door of the hospital improved their confidence in communication, and they once more link this back to medicine. This last section could benefit from further explanation regarding the nature of their work on the hospital door and exactly how they developed these skills. 

In the second of these sections, the candidate simultaneously reflects on the skills they learnt from their tennis and explains how these apply to medicine, showing insight into the profession by mentioning and showing awareness of the process of revalidation. This will show assessors that the candidate paid attention during their work experience, reflected on what they learned, and then identified a way they could work on these skills in their own life.

The author name-checks the Duke of Edinburgh Award but then goes on to explain how exactly this helped them grow as a person. They link back to resilience, a skill they mentioned in an earlier section as being important for medics.

The conclusion is succinct and direct. Although clichéd in parts, it does a good job of summarising the points the candidate has made throughout the statement. They demonstrate confidence and dedication, not by introducing any confusing new information, but rather by remaking and reinforcing some of the author’s original claims from the introduction.

The following example illustrates how not to approach your personal statement. Now that you’ve read through the analysis of previous example passages and a complete example statement, try going through this statement yourself to identify the main recurring weaknesses and points for improvement. We’ve pointed out a few of the main ones at the end. You can even redraft it as a practice exercise.

' ‍ The combination of science with empathy and compassion is what attracts me most to a career in medicine. However, I wanted to ensure that the career was right for me so I attended a Medic Insight course in my local hospital. I enjoyed the course and it gave me new insight - the lectures and accounts from medical students and doctors helped me realise that medicine was the career for me. I was also introduced to the concept of the diagnostic puzzle which now particularly interests me. This is the challenge doctors face when trying to make a diagnosis, as they have to avoid differential diagnoses and use their skills and past experiences to come to a decision and produce the right prognosis. In order to gain further insight into both the positives and downsides of being a doctor, I organised some work experience in my local GP’s surgery. I managed to see consultations for chest pain, headaches, contraception and some chronic conditions which was very interesting. I also sat in on and observed the asthma clinic, which proved to be a very educational experience. During my experience, I tried to chat to as many doctors as possible about their jobs and what they enjoyed. I recently took up some work volunteering in a local elderly care home. Many of the residents had quite complex needs making it arduous work, but I learned a lot about caring for different people and some appropriate techniques for making them feel comfortable and at home. I became a better communicator as a result of my experience Nevertheless I really enjoyed my time there and I found it fulfilling when the patients managed to have fun or see their family. I appreciated how doctors often have high job satisfaction, as when I managed to facilitate a resident to do something not otherwise available to them I felt like I was making a real difference. My academic interests have also been very useful in developing skills that will be crucial as a doctor. I chose to study Physics and business at a-level and these have helped me develop more of an interest in scientific research and understanding; I’ve also become a more logical thinker as a result of the challenging questions we receive in physics exams. I know how important communication is as a doctor so I chose to study Mandarin, a language I know to be spoken widely around the globe. I was the lead violin in my school orchestra and also took part in the wind band, showing that I was willing to throw myself into school life. I really enjoyed our school’s concert, in which I had to perform a solo and demonstrate that I could stay calm under pressure and cope with great responsibility and i think that I’m now a better leader. This skill has also been improved in roles within my school on the pupil council and as form captain, which have improved my self-confidence. I needed to work hard in order to achieve my bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards, and have dedicated much of my time outside school to this endeavour over the past few years. I endured weekly sessions of Taekwondo, worked voluntarily in the charity shop Barnardo’s and took part in violin lessons.  As I’ve demonstrated throughout this statement I have an affinity for music, and so at university I plan to get involved with orchestras and bands. I also want to widen my horizons and discover new interests and hobbies, while trying to make new friends and cultivate a good work-life balance. I’m also keen to hike in the university’s surrounding territories. If I were allowed to study medicine, it would not only allow me to achieve one of my life goals, but to prove to you that I can become an effective, and successful doctor. I am absolutely dedicated to the study of medicine and know that I have the prerequisite skils and qualities to thrive in medical school and become a credit to your institution.”

Weak personal statement example analysis

• This personal statement does have some promising features, but overall it isn’t well structured and lacks appropriate reflection and insight. You can see this by comparing it to the strong example above. The author in this weak example very rarely describes what exactly they learned or gained from an experience and rarely links this back to medicine. 
• It reads quite like a list, with the candidate reeling off the experiences they’ve had or activities they’ve taken part in, without going into any real depth. They also use some vocabulary that implies that they really weren’t enjoying these experiences, such as when they speak of ‘enduring’ their time doing taekwondo, or of caring for residents being ‘arduous’ work. You don’t have to enjoy every activity you take part in, but implying that caring for people (a huge part of the job you are applying for and claiming to enjoy) is something you consider a chore isn’t a great start. This statement also has some questionable grammar and punctuation errors, which raises a red flag. Don’t forget to proofread your statement carefully before you submit it.
• The candidate often starts off their sections in a promising way. For example, by stating that they started volunteering in a local GP practice to gain more insight into the profession, but they rarely actually follow through on this. You never find out what insight the candidate actually gained or how they used this to inform their decision to apply for medicine. 
• Such lack of explanation and specificity is a theme throughout the statement. In the introduction, they say that personal accounts and lectures confirmed their wish to become a doctor, but they don’t actually explain how or why. They mention that their school subjects have helped them think more logically or improved their communication skills (which is good), but then they never go on to explain why this is relevant to medicine. They talk about leadership and self-confidence but again don’t link this back to the importance of self-confidence and the prominence of leadership in a medical setting.

To create an effective medicine personal statement, you need to provide plenty of detail. This includes concrete experiences demonstrating qualities that make a good doctor. If you can do this authentically, humbly and without selling yourself short, your personal statement will be in very good shape.

‍ ‍ If you're looking for more inspiration to craft a compelling medicine personal statement, check out our Personal Statement Online Course . It has over 100 personal statement examples, in-depth tutorials, and guidance from admissions experts, to help you create a ready-to-submit personal statement in just three days.

Lost for words?

Need a helping hand?

Create a ready-to-submit PS in 3 days

Find your voice with medify’s ps course.

Personal Statement for Medical and Dental Schools

Personal Statement Examples for Dentistry

—Get into Medical School

online courses

Guides & information, useful links & resources.

• Bespoke UCAT Tuition
• Online UCAT Course
• UCAT Question Bank
• Bespoke Personal Statement Support
• Personal Statement Portal
• Example Personal Statements
• Personal Statement Review
• Medicine Application Packages
• Medicine Interview Preparation
• MMI Interview Course

MMI Question Bank

• Interview Preparation
• Mock Interviews
• Interview Question Bank
• Example Questions
• 100+ Questions & Answers
• Practice Interviews
• SFP Question Bank
• Online CASPer Course
• CASPer Question Bank
• Private CASPer Tutoring
• Articles & Resources
• CASPer: Complete Guide
• OET Question Bank
• 500+ Practice Questions
• Bespoke OET Tutoring
• Online OET Course
• Online OET Tutoring
• Dentistry Interview Preparation
• UCAT Prep Packages
• Dentistry Mock Interviews
• UK Dental School Questions
• US Dental School Questions
• 200+ Questions & Answers
• DFT SJT Question Bank
• DFT SJT Tutors
• 200+ DFT SJT Questions
• CASPer Complete Guide
• Oriel Question Bank
• Oriel Tutoring
• Situational Judgement Guide
• Numeracy Guide
• Practice Questions
• Online Course & Question Bank
• Private Tutoring
• Sample Paper
• Pharmacy Interview Preparation
• Pharmacy Mock Interviews
• Pharmacy Interview Question Bank
• Interview Tutoring
• UK Law School Interview Questions
• US/Canada Interview Questions
• Example Questions & Answers
• Application Support
• Articles & Free Resources
• 100+ Interview Questions & Answers
• Application & Interview Preparation
• Application Question Bank
• Free Articles & Resources
• Interview Tutoring & Mocks
• Interview Tuition & Mocks
• Dentistry Question Bank
• Nursing Question Bank
• PA Question Bank
• Medicine Interview Tips & Articles
• UK Medical School Interview Questions
• US & Canada
• Australia & NZ
• Interview Questions & Answers
• Nursing Questions & Answers
• PA Questions & Answers
• Physio Questions & Answers
• 11+ Exam Question Bank
• 11+ Exam Tutors
• 2,000+ Questions & Answers
• Bespoke 11+ Support
• 11+ Maths Practice Test
• 11+ English Practice Test
• 11+ NVR Practice Test
• 11+ VR Practice Test
• 11+ Interview Question Bank
• 200+ Interview Questions & Answers
• 16+ Interview Question Bank
• Interview Preparation & Mocks
• GCSE Biology Tutors
• GCSE Chemistry Tutors
• GCSE Physics Tutors
• GCSE Maths Tutors
• Biology Past Papers
• Chemistry Past Papers
• Physics Past Papers
• Online TSA Course
• Private TSA Tutoring
• Key Information
• TSA Past Papers
• TSA Essay Tips
• 200+ Questions & Answers
• Physio Questions & Answers

University of Glasgow Medicine Interview Questions

Past interview questions & tips, select section, glasgow medicine interview format.

The University of Glasgow uses two panel interviews to make its selection. The entire interview session lasts around 30 minutes with candidates swapping panels at mid-point. There are two interviewers on each panel and are usually a combination of medical school staff, consultants and honorary members of the university.  Candidates are divided into two groups, A and B depending on the panel that they will be meeting first. One panel’s questions are based on one of two scenarios in which the candidate choose (reading time is provided prior to meeting the panel). The other panel focuses on general/personal statement questions. 

Glasgow Medicine Key Application & Interview Statistics

Overall success rate (total applicants : total spaces), percentage of candidates interviewed, interviewee success rate, before the interview.

• Revisit your personal statement, ensure that you know it thoroughly and can talk at length about its contents.
• Consider your personal characteristics, especially those which lend themselves to a career in medicine.
• Think of examples of your achievements and experiences and more importantly the skills that you have gained from these.
• Explore what being a doctor means and the related themes or topics around this. You need to be able to articulate why you wish to study medicine.
• Download and read the Glasgow Medical School MBChB handbook so that you are familiar with the four phases of their curriculum and well as their problem-based approach to learning.
• Remain up-to-date with any medical “hot topics” and those issues affecting the NHS.

Interview Focal Points

The interview has two main parts:

• Personal Statement and Typical Medical School Questions (12-15 minutes) –  This part of the interview will allow you to generally dictate which parts of your personal statement that you would like to showcase. Ensuring that you can discuss the curriculum in-depth and current issues affecting both Scotland and the rest of the UK is also paramount to your success in front of this panel.
• Problem-solving  in a Scenario Setting (12-15 minutes) –  You will be given the option to select one of two scenarios prior to their interview. You will discuss the issues around the scenario with the panel. 

Optimise Your Interview Performance

Learn the best interview strategies and practice with past interview questions & model answers.

University of Glasgow Medicine Past MMI Stations & Interview Questions

Why Medicine/Glasgow?

• Why do you want to study Medicine?
• Why do you want to become a doctor?
• Why Glasgow Medical School?
• The MBChB programme is organised into 4 phases, explain each.
• Why problem-based learning?
• Why this area of Scotland?

Background/Personal Statement

• Tell us about your hobbies and/or charity work
• Tell us about a time that you worked as part of a team.
• How would your colleagues/peers describe you?

Work Experience

• Tell us about your experience of hospital attachment
• Tell me about your voluntary work experience

Attributes of a Good Doctor

• What are the key qualities necessary to be a doctor?
• What makes a good doctor?

Science/Medical Based Questions

• Evidence of interest in medicine (current topical issues)
• Latest medical issue and how it will affect your practice.
• What are the health issues Glasgow is facing compared to other areas?
• Why does Glasgow have such high rates of heart disease?

Glasgow Medicine Interview Questions and Answers

Why do you want to study medicine at the university of glasgow.

My desire to study Medicine at the University of Glasgow is inspired by its prestigious history and innovative approach to medical education. Glasgow’s medical program, known for its emphasis on research-based learning and early clinical exposure, aligns with my aspirations to become a clinically adept and research-informed doctor. The university’s commitment to global health and its extensive network of teaching hospitals across the city offer diverse clinical experiences, which I find crucial for a comprehensive medical education. Additionally, the supportive learning environment and the vibrant, culturally rich city of Glasgow provide an ideal backdrop for both personal and professional growth. The opportunity to be part of a community that has produced numerous renowned medical professionals is a driving factor in my decision to pursue my medical studies at Glasgow.

What do you know about the Medicine course structure at the University of Glasgow?

The Medicine course at the University of Glasgow is structured to provide an in-depth and dynamic medical education. The program starts with foundational biomedical sciences, integrating this with practical skills and patient contact from the first year. Glasgow’s case-based learning approach, coupled with simulation training, enhances the understanding of medical concepts in a practical context. The later years of the course focus on extensive clinical placements across various specialties, providing a broad spectrum of medical experiences. Glasgow also places a strong emphasis on developing professional and interpersonal skills, preparing students to be not only knowledgeable but also empathetic practitioners. This comprehensive approach to medical education is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in medicine.

How does the University of Glasgow support student research and innovation?

The University of Glasgow strongly supports student research and innovation, recognizing their importance in the advancement of medical science. The medical program offers opportunities for students to engage in research projects, often alongside world-renowned researchers. Students can also opt to take an additional intercalated year to pursue in-depth research in a specific field of interest. Glasgow’s state-of-the-art research facilities and its collaboration with leading healthcare providers and research institutes provide a rich environment for student-led innovation. This focus on research and innovation not only enhances the educational experience but also prepares students to contribute to the future of medical science.

Discuss the importance of social and community medicine in Glasgow's curriculum.

Social and community medicine is a fundamental aspect of the curriculum at the University of Glasgow Medical School. The program emphasizes the importance of understanding medicine within the broader context of society, focusing on public health, health inequalities, and the social determinants of health. Students are encouraged to engage with diverse communities, gaining insights into the challenges faced in different social settings. This approach is vital for developing a holistic view of healthcare and equips students to address a wide range of health issues effectively. As a prospective medical student, I value Glasgow’s commitment to integrating social and community medicine into its curriculum, as it aligns with my ambition to become a socially responsible healthcare professional.

What opportunities does Glasgow offer for global health experiences?

The University of Glasgow offers a wealth of opportunities for global health experiences, reflecting its commitment to international perspectives in medical education. The medical program includes modules on global health challenges, providing students with an understanding of health issues beyond the UK context. Additionally, Glasgow offers elective placements abroad, allowing students to gain first-hand experience in diverse healthcare settings around the world. These global health opportunities are invaluable for developing a broader understanding of medicine and for preparing students to work in an increasingly interconnected world. My interest in global health makes the University of Glasgow an ideal choice, as it provides the tools and experiences to engage effectively with health issues on a global scale.

Medicine Interview Mark Schemes

Click Here  (Available to MMI Interview Course Attendees)

500+ Questions, Model Answers with Expert Techniques & Simulated Interview Circuits

Past Interview Questions

Free Past Medical School Interview Questions & University Specific Techniques

MMI Interview Courses

20+ Interview Stations & Expert Feedback. The Leading MMI Interview Preparation Course, Taught By Medical School Interviewers & Interview Specialists.

Medical School Interview Articles

Need help? Email: [email protected]

Preparation

Useful links, contact us / opening hours.

• Monday - Friday: 9am - 8pm
• Saturday: 10am - 4pm
• [email protected]
• (020) 3393 8934
• Blackstone Tutors Ltd International House 142 Cromwell Road Kensington London SW7 4ET

Intensive BMAT Course

Bmat timetable.

• 10:00 - 11:00: BMAT Section 1 Techniques & Practice Questions
• 11:00 - 11:15: BMAT Section 1 Mock Exam
• 11:15 - 11:30: BMAT Section 1 Feedback
• 11:30 - 11:45: Morning Break
• 11:45 - 12:45: BMAT Section 2 Key Content & Practice Questions
• 12:45 - 13:00: BMAT Section 2 Mock Exam
• 13:00 - 13:15: BMAT Section 2 Feedback
• 13:15 - 14:00: Lunch Break
• 14:00 - 15:00: BMAT Section 3 Techniques & Implementation
• 15:00 - 16:00: BMAT Section 3 Mock Exam, Feedback & Further Discussion
• 16:00 - 16:30: Exclusive Interview Insight

The BMAT Course

Sample questions, please select your exam:.

• USMLE Step 1

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Clearing Guide

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

• Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

• Postgraduate Personal Statements
• International Student Personal Statements
• Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

• Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

• Mature Student Personal Statements
• Aberystwyth
• Anglia Polytechnic University
• Bath Spa University College
• Bournemouth University
• British College of Osteopathic Medicine
• British School of Osteopathy
• Canterbury Christ Church University College
• Central School of Speech and Drama
• Chester A College of The University of Liverpool
• City College Manchester
• Coventry University
• De Montfort University
• Edge Hill College of Higher Education
• Falmouth University
• Farnborough College of Technology
• Glamorgan Centre for Art and Design Technology
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• Goldsmiths College
• Heriot-watt
• Heythrop College
• King's College
• Kingston University
• Leeds Metropolitan University
• Liverpool Hope
• Liverpool John Moores University
• London Metropolitan University
• London South Bank University
• Loughborough
• Loughborough College
• Middlesex University
• Napier University, Edinburgh
• Newcastle College
• Northumbria University
• Nottingham Trent
• Oxford Brookes
• Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
• Queen's, Belfast
• Regents Business School London
• Roehampton University of Surrey
• Royal Holloway
• Royal Veterinary College
• Sheffield Hallam University
• Southampton
• Southampton Institute
• St George's Hospital Medical School
• St Mary's University College
• Staffordshire University
• Strathclyde
• Swansea Institute of Higher Education
• Thames Valley University
• The Arts Institute At Bournemouth
• The Glasgow School of Art
• The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
• The London Institute
• The Manchester Metropolitan University
• The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education
• The Robert Gordon University
• The Surrey Institute of Art and Design
• The University of Bradford
• The University of Buckingham
• The University of Gloucestershire
• The University of Huddersfield
• The University of Salford
• University College Northampton
• University College Worcester
• University of Abertay Dundee
• University of Brighton
• University of Central Lancashire
• University of Derby
• University of East London
• University of Glamorgan
• University of Greenwich
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Lincoln
• University of Plymouth
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Sunderland
• University of Teesside
• University of The West of England, Bristol
• University of Ulster
• University of Wales College, Newport
• University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
• University of Wales, Bangor
• University of Westminster
• University of Wolverhampton
• Writtle College
• York St John College
• Personal Statements By Subject
• Personal Statement Editing Service
• Personal Statement Writing Guide
• Submit Your Personal Statement
• Personal Statement Questions 2025

Glasgow University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to University of Glasgow. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

Psychology Personal Statement Example 2 Psychology surrounds us. I often observe my class mates and ask myself why they are so different, struggling with attention or eating disorders. While looking for reasons, I also want to find ways to help them and I am confident that psychology will give me the means to do so...

Environmental Science and Geography Personal Statement Example I am aware of a Native American proverb which perfectly summarises my passion for studying Environmental Geography: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children". The idea of preserving this wonderful world for future generations inspires and motivates me to learn as much as I can about the earth...

Mechanical Engineering Personal Statement Example 1 Understanding and discovering how mechanical products work has always been an interest of mine. When I was younger, I would spend hours building complex structures using Lego or K-Nex which is where my passion for engineering began...

Astrophysics Personal Statement Example As a child, I would often read books about space and astronomy and wonder what made it possible. This has developed into a much deeper, scientific interest in the subject. Studying Physics at GCSE and A-Level, along with Chemistry and Mathematics, has helped me further develop my interest...

Spanish and Economics Personal Statement Example My aspiration to study Spanish and Economics has not only been influenced by my curricular education but also from experiences I have had throughout life. I am intrigued in the effects caused by the failing Euro zone, and I consider communication among speakers of different languages essential in progressing forward...

Scottish History Personal Statement Example “Swap Access to Degree Studies” Whenever I walk through the village where I live in Polmont, and look just beyond the Westquarter valley where the tree line of the Callendar woods are visible, I close my eyes, and I am transported back to one of the most fateful days in Scotland’s history...

Plant Biotechnology Personal Statement Example I have became fascinated with Science in my early childhood. It came from the first glance through the microscope at Paramecium. Since that time I have shown a pertinacity to learn about the world imperceptible by human eyes...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 3 When I was seven years old, I first read 'Twist of Gold' by Michael Morpurgo. When reading the book I was captivated by the absorbing plot, beguiling characters and incredibly vivid imagery. Since that time, I have been a passionate reader, particularly admiring the fluidity and profound depth of character and emotion that can be found in work by authors such as Sylvia Plath and Doris Lessing...

Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Example 12 The time I first saw an aircraft fly over our house, I was three. Out of curiosity I asked my father about it. To avoid complexity he simply explained that it was like a gigantic flying bus. I was awed...

Psychology Personal statement Example 46 Marathon, madness or pleasure? What motivates a person to run 42 195 meters under a burning sun, on a hot summer’s day with a temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius? Well, it is a justified question if you’re not a fan of long distance running or if you are a student in the field of psychology...

Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Example 14 For as long as I can remember, aircraft have always been a primary interest of mine. Being a typical young boy my early interests and aspirations were to become a fighter pilot or an astronaut. However, as I grew older and my eyes were opened to the wonders of physics, my interests were turned to the engineering behind the machines themselves, from the 11 ton Eurofighter Typhoon to the 2000 ton Space shuttle...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 46 My fascination with the innermost workings of the human body began at the age of twelve when my excellent, if somewhat eccentric, science teacher dissected a pig's heart in front of the class. From that point onwards my interest in human physiology has only increased, and from the common cold to coronary heart disease I have always queried their possible causes and solutions...

Languages/Linguistics Personal Statement Example My decision to study languages at University stems from a fascination of the complexity of language and the changes which languages go through. As I am Scottish, I often speak in a regional dialect and I find myself engrossed as to why people speak in dialects and why speakers of the same language can have difficulties understanding each other...

Physics Personal Statement Example 10 My fascination for how things work is something that has always been a part of me. Why am I pulled back towards the ground when I jump? How can an airplane that weighs so much fly? In later years I learned that these questions, these as I thought to be unexplainable phenomena, could all be answered through Physics...

Economics and Management Personal Statement Example 1 The theoretical aspects of economics and business management have for the past years been one of my greatest interests and developing as an entrepreneur has been my goal. I am fascinated by strategies in management and the behaviour of companies in the theory of the firm...

English Literature and Personal Statement Example At the war cemeteries of El Alamein in Egypt, I spent an hour or two combing through the British Commonwealth cemetery for Royal Dragoons from my Grandpa’s division and found myself struggling, from the sheer number of headstones, to choose between condemning our capacity for violence and admiring the extent of our sacrifice...

Creative Writing Personal Statement Example 2 To me, fiction is like the magic carpet of Aladdin. It takes me to travel through time and space and explore the slices of human experience. In the wonderful trips, I am guided by the author and accompanied by the characters...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 57 My enthusiasm for the advances of medical science, understanding and technology drive me towards medicine. I yearn to discover further the wonder and complexities of science, and have a greater understanding of the illness' and diseases we face...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 62 When two, I suffered a large third degree burn on my chest. Living in a small town in Romania, I was not able to get appropriate treatment, so I grew up with complexes about the aesthetical appearance of the scar...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 63 My passionate interest in the sciences has been a major influence upon the choices I have made in terms of my academic studies. From a young age I wanted to understand how and why everything worked. In particular, I became fascinated with the sheer complexity of the human body and the way the different body systems work together seamlessly...

Medieval History/History Personal Statement Example My grandmother’s maiden name is Marx. Her uncle, the world-renowned landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, was Karl Marx’s great-nephew. This fact, while seemingly trivial, has worked to strengthen the spark history has ignited within me since I was old enough to read...

Dentistry Personal Statement Example 10 My interest in Dentistry initially arose from my own experiences with Dentists. When I was younger, I suffered from cyclic neutropenia which led to many dental problems, and was always grateful to my dentist and dental hygienist for all their help...

Postgraduate Psychology Personal Statement Example 1 My enthusiasm to study psychology began as a child due to living with an alcoholic. Through observing and being around someone with such a social problem I was gaining first hand experience of what it was like to live with someone with an addiction...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 67 I first became interested in psychology whilst discussing the underlying causes of criminal behaviour and non-conformity with my father. The nature-nurture debate gave me a huge desire to increase my knowledge and understanding of the human condition...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 68 For me human beings have always been fascinating, and even mysterious, because, though we are all humans, we all think differently and behave so differently. I wonder why those impoverished people who live with little can have a happy life, whereas some millionaires who have status, reputation and money choose to commit suicide...

Mathematics & Physics Personal Statement Example 2 My enthusiasm for Mathematics and Physics comes from the fact that they are both used to further our understanding of the universe and have applications in all other areas of science. My main area of interest in Physics is particle physics as this tells us how fundamental parts of our universe interact with each other...

German Personal Statement Example 8 Studying German at an advanced level strikes me as a very natural choice due to my cultural heritage and my strong interest in the subject. I have been brought up in the French-speaking part of Switzerland in a very multicultural family with an Italian father and a German-Iranian mother...

• University specific personal statements
• All personal statements

Username or email  *

Password  *

Forgotten password?

[email protected]

+44 (0)20 8834 4579

Glasgow University Medicine Interview Questions

This guide explains Medicine interviews at Glasgow University - including the shortlisting process, interview dates, common interview questions, and tips to answer interview questions.

Glasgow Medicine Interviews

• Discover when Glasgow interviews take place
• See the interview format for 2024 entry
• Find out common interview topics
• Get tips to answer Glasgow questions

Jump to Section

• Deciding on Medicine
• Work Experience
• Choosing a Medical School
• Personal Statement
• Online Interviews
• Traditional/Panel
• Role Play Stations
• Professional Judgement Stations
• Communication Stations
• Prioritisation Stations
• Calculation and Data Stations
• PBL Stations
• MMI Interview Questions
• Oxford Medicine Interviews
• Cambridge Medicine Interviews
• When Are Interview Invites Being Sent Out?
• School-by-School Tips
• Interview Tips
• Prepare For Medicine Interviews
• Replay Medicine Interview Webinars
• Interview Questions
• NHS Hot Topics
• Medical Ethics
• Graduate Entry
• Studying Abroad
• Study Medicine Abroad In Europe
• Studying Abroad in the USA
• Study Abroad in Ireland
• Study Medicine In The Caribbean
• Study Medicine in Australia
• Study Abroad in Hong Kong
• How To Survive Your First Year Of Med School
• Science Hot Topics
• Veterinary Medicine
• Allied Health
• Physician Associate
• The NHS Guide
• Parents’ Guide

If you’re preparing for a Glasgow University Medicine interview , check out this guide to the common interview questions you can expect.

Glasgow University Medical Interviews

Medicine interviews for Glasgow University usually start in December and run through to March. This has been confirmed as the date range for 2024 entry.

To shortlist candidates for interview, all applications are checked to ensure that they meet the minimum academic, Personal Statement and reference requirements. Those who pass this initial academic screening are ranked based on their UCAT score .

The UCAT cut-off score for 2022 entry was 2640. This cut-off varies each year, depending on the competition.

The highest-ranking candidates will be invited for an interview. Glasgow aims to interview around 1000 candidates for 2023 entry.

For 2021 entry into the A100 course, there were 2440 applications for 325 places. Of those, there were 899 interviews and 524 offers were made post-interview.

Glasgow begins to send interview invitations on a rolling basis from December onwards.

Turn Interviews into Offers

Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1000s every year

How Is Glasgow Interviewing For 2024 Entry Medicine?

Glasgow University uses the panel interview format for its Medicine interviews. There will be two interviewers. There are usually two panels (Panel A and Panel B), and the whole interview process lasts for around 30 minutes. Panel A questions focus on being a Doctor and your ideas about this, whereas Panel B questions focus on ethical scenarios and discussion.

As exceptions, for 2022 and 2023 entry, the interviews were adapted and held online. Interviews will continue to be held online via Zoom for 2024 entry too.

International applicants should also be prepared to attend an interview.

Common Medicine Interview Question Topics At Glasgow Medical School

At Glasgow University, the following topics are typically covered in Medicine interview questions:

• Interest and understanding of a medical career
• Personal qualities
• Experiences to explore interest in Medicine
• Your Personal Statement
• The undergraduate medical curriculum at Glasgow

Sample questions might include:

• Has anything put you off from studying Medicine?
• What did you learn from your work experience ?
• What have you done to explore your interest in Medicine?
• Why do you want to study at Glasgow University?
• Do you think teamwork or leadership is more important in Medicine?

Save 20% on Interview Prep

Combine Doctor-delivered strategy with MMI Circuits & more

Tips For Answering Glasgow Interview Questions

Impress both panels

Glasgow’s interview process is a little different from other Medical Schools, so it’s a good idea to be prepared. At Glasgow, you’ll be interviewed by two panels, with two interviewers on each panel.

From the applicant waiting area, candidates will be divided into two groups – A and B. One of the groups will use the waiting time to read and select one from two scenarios to discuss. The other group will wait.

Candidate groups A and B will go into their respective rooms for interview. Those who have just selected a scenario will be expected to discuss it at some point during this interview panel.

After the first panel has finished, candidate groups A and B will again wait. One of the groups will use the waiting time to read and select one from two scenarios to discuss. The other group (who have already discussed the scenario they chose) will wait.

Candidate groups A and B will go into their respective rooms for their second panel interview. Those who have just selected a scenario will be expected to discuss it at some point during this interview panel.

Read the scenario carefully

It can be hard to concentrate when you’re so nervous, but make sure you read the scenario you are given carefully, as you’ll be speaking about this with your interviewers. You could use the reading time to consider some of the questions they may ask you about the scenario.

A good way to practise for this is to read and then discuss a news article or ethical scenario with a family member or friend, asking them to ask you questions about it during the discussion.

To keep up-to-date with medical news at the same time, the article you pick could be a recent development in Medicine or health, or an ethical debate.

You will have been told this time and time again, but practice makes perfect for panel interviews.

You can use our Interview Question Bank and get someone like a friend, family member or teacher to ask you questions. Practise until you are comfortable with any question and your answers come naturally.

Make sure you practise the typical panel interview favourites, such as:

• Why Medicine?
• Why this Medical School?
• Medical ethics

How Are Interviews At Glasgow Assessed?

Being interviewed does not guarantee an offer of a place to study at Glasgow. The decision of an offer of a place will be based on performance at interview. No other factors will be considered at this stage.

Glasgow usually makes offers by late March each year.

Popular Interview Prep

Explore all of our Doctor-created interview prep in one place.

Interview Course

Stand out with our one-day Medical School Interview Course - delivered by Doctors. Get proven strategies and a real mock interview.

MMI Circuits

The most popular way to prepare! Our Doctor-created MMI Prep Course is trusted by thousands of students every year.

Medicine Interview Tutoring

Turn Medical School interviews into offers. Get Doctor-designed strategies, delivered by top Medical School Interview Tutors.

Exeter University Medicine Interview Questions

Hull york medicine interview questions.

Loading More Content

Life of a Medic

Sharing my journey through medical school + dropping nuggets of advice along the way…

What’s it Really Like To Study Medicine at Glasgow Medical School?

Welcome to the 6th week of the Virtual Medicine Open Day : giving you an insight into each of the UK medical schools and the opportunity to ask current medical students about the realities of studying there!

This post is written by Jodie Stewart, a 3rd year medical student at Glasgow.

Glasgow was my first choice medical school and I am so thankful I got the opportunity to study here! It’s fair to say these three years of medical school have been a rollercoaster but I wouldn’t change it at all. I am going to go into a lot of depth about medicine at Glasgow to ensure you get a clearer understanding of what it is like studying here!

• An Overview of Teaching Methods
• Typical Timetable of a 1st year Medical Student at Glasgow

The Non-Medical Stuff

3 top tips for applying to glasgow.

• Your turn to ask questions!

An Overview of How We Are Taught

Lectures 

There is a LOT of information to learn in medical school so lectures are still the main teaching method used within the degree. In phase 1 most lectures are delivered by university staff however, in the rest of the phases, lectures are typically delivered by NHS staff and so incorporate a clinical aspect. Phase 1-3 are pretty lecture heavy, so students get a foundation of knowledge before ‘clinical’ years. At Glasgow lectures are made available beforehand and remain on our online platform for the rest of university. The majority of lectures are also recorded so they can be re-watched if you got a bit lost!

Problem-based learning (PBL) is used in phase 1 and 2 and is composed of 2 one hour sessions a week. In the first session early in the week, the group is presented with a scenario and an hour is spent brainstorming knowledge the group already has and setting questions to research. Over the next few days, the student researches the questions and composes answers to feedback to the group later in the week. This is meant to be a way to learn from each other and share helpful resources. PBL groups are usually around 8-11 students and are changed three times a year.

In phase 3 PBL is replaced with case-based learning (CBL) and this is usually 2 90 minute sessions per week. In each session, there are 2 cases based on the weeks topic and these are worked through in the session. There is no work to be done outside of the sessions. 

The ‘practical’ stuff

Vocational studies are where we learn ethics, communication skills, examinations and practical procedures in phase 1 and 2. VS groups are usually around 9 students and these remain the same for the whole of 1 st  year and then a new group is allocated in 2 nd  year. Each year VS is led by a doctor who acts as the tutor and any GP visits are to the tutors’ practice. This is usually around 4 visits per year. 

To complement learning in pre-clinical years there are also labs which can take a variety of different routes. The main one to mention is anatomy labs which are composed of dissection on donated cadavers, and pro-section where students analyse samples that have already been dissected and set in a mould. Some labs can also be physiology based or set around improving laboratory skills (similar to high school science). 

So, bear with me in this section, the Glasgow curriculum can be a bit complicated to explain and I want to do my best to lay it out! Also, if you do consider applying to Glasgow and do interview it is quite important to understand the curriculum. I think the first thing to say is that Glasgow is a ‘spiral curriculum’ so themes are revisited with increasing complexity each year. 

The degree structure can be broken down into 4 sections. Phase 1 runs from September to December of 1 st  year. Here basic biomedical sciences are introduced (anatomy, physiology, pathology) to prepare you for the rest of medical school. Along with lectures, there are 2 hours of PBL a week; 1 session (3 hours) of vocational studies per week and 2 clinical visits (A&E ward and GP visit).

Phase 2 runs from January of 1 st  year to May of 2 nd  year. It is system-based learning covering anatomy and physiology with some teaching on diseases. On top of the knowledge gained from phase one, biochemistry and pharmacology are introduced. Again, there are 2 hours of PBL a week, 1 session (3 hours) of vocational studies per week, visits to your VS tutors’ practice and a 5 week SSC.

Phase 3 runs from September to February of 3 rd  year. Here there is again a system-based approach where pathology is added on to information taught in the first two years of university. There is 3 hours of case-based learning (CBL) per week, 3 days at either QEUH or GRI and every fortnight you have a visit to your GP tutor’s practice. 

Phase 4 runs February of 3 rd  year until final exams in 5 th  year and these are the ‘clinical’ years. There are another 2 SSCs in this block.

A Typical Timetable of a 1st Year Medic

At Glasgow 1 st  year is really varied! As mentioned above in the first term you work through phase 1, I have attached a timetable from a week in phase 1 below. 

After phase one is complete, you move into the systems-based phase 2. In first year, the systems covered are limbs and back, cardiology and respiratory and keeping people healthy. I have attached timetables from each block, so you can see the difference in timetabled hours and teaching methods!

Limbs and back 

Cardiology and respiratory

Keeping people healthy 

There is SO much more to Glasgow medical school than just the ‘medical stuff’. There are hundreds of societies at Glasgow uni and basically anything you can think of there is a society for it! This includes societies for music, sport, politics, volunteering, charity work and generally anything. What I really love is there are tonnes of societies just for medical students, ones for each speciality, widening education and again volunteering but in a more direct manner. There are also medic sports teams too so if you can’t commit to the hours needed by university wide sports teams then this is another option. Another thing I couldn’t forget is MedChir, this is the medics society that runs a wide, wide variety of events throughout the year. This includes educational events, social events and scrubby (what’s scrubby you ask? A pub crawl where everyone wears scrubs and travels around Glasgow’s famous circular subway…). 

You have probably picked up by now that I absolutely love the city of Glasgow. It is an amazing mix of busy with pubs, restaurants and a well-known nightlife. But, travel 30 minutes west and you will reach Loch Lomond, or get a ferry and travel to the Isle of Aarran!

Glasgow is a ‘campus university’ however this campus is huge! What I absolutely love is that the medical school is on campus and not miles away at a the main hospital. This is personally something that was important to me as it means you can integrate with other students. There are plenty of accommodation options for 1 st  year, both en-suite/shared bathroom, self-catered/catered so there is something for everyone. The furthest accommodation from campus is only a 30 minute walk so you are still well connected. 

Glasgow university has a huge library that is accessible to all students and has a good range of solo study spaces and group study spaces, along with chatty floors and silent floors. Each department also has its own smaller library for their students. The medical school has a three floor library for medical student use only and this is open 24 hours 365 days a year. With all these libraries it is easy to find a place that you find the most productive! There are also public libraries in Glasgow that are lovely to use if you don’t want distracted by uni students (the Mitchell library is gorgeous!). 

The university gym is on campus and I have to say its one of the best university gyms I have seen! If you are in halls of residence in first year then membership is free and after that its around £150 for an academic year and I would say it is more than worth it! There are two floors (cardio and weights) along with studios (judo, yoga, kettlebells) and a spin studio. 

Something I thought I would mention as it is usually covered at the open day is the fact that Glasgow has four student unions! These are the student representative council (SRC), Glasgow university union (GUU), Queen Margaret union (QMU) and the Glasgow university sports association union (GUSA). The SRC are in charge of the societies, student welfare and student satisfaction while GUU and QMU are the more ‘social’ unions and they both put on a variety of events. QMU is known for its music events and GUU has a highly respected debates society if that is something you are interested in! all sport societies are affiliated with GUSA and they are also run the campus gym. 

Pros of Studying at Glasgow

• I absolutely LOVE Glasgow as a  city ! For me it has a perfect mix of restaurants, pubs and outside spaces/tourist hotspots giving it an amazing personality (people make Glasgow!)

• One of my favourite things about Glasgow as a university is the social aspect! There are hundreds of societies you can join, and if you can’t find the one you’re after you can make one! Every sport has a team, and there are even specific medic sport teams to accommodate for the work load and placement 

• Option of an  intercalated (BSc) degree : at Glasgow this is something you can apply for if you are interested! Also, if you are interested they have a good number of places so those who are eligible are likely to be accepted. 

• Something that makes Glasgow very unique is the fact that it was  TWO electives ! One is completed at the end of third year and the other at the end of fourth. This allows us to have two chances to organise experience in a subject we are passionate about! Since the elective has no assessment it is truly the only chance in medical school to do something just because you enjoy it!

• At Glasgow there are  3 student selected components  (SSCs) where you can pick from a wide variety of options based on your own interests in medicine. This gives an opportunity to study something you are interested in more in depth and to get some unique experiences in clinical settings. 

• All lecture slides go online beforehand and 99% are recorded so you can watch them back 

• Glasgow does  care about feedback  and there have been a lot of cases where feedback about a specific teaching method/lecture/lab/tutor has been poor and the medical school does make changes

Cons of Studying at Glasgow

• A lot of self-directed learning – although there are plenty lectures, in phase 1 and 2 especially, there is a lot of self-directed learning which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea

• Anatomy teaching – I’m putting this in my con list but for others this would be a big pro! For me I don’t really like the way anatomy is taught and personally I don’t feel dissection added much to my learning but this is a very individual point 

• Large year group – This is something I don’t mind, but the year group at Glasgow is around 300 students, increasing to 360 in third year when students from Malaysia and St Andrews join the year.

• Distance for clinical placements – In clinical years placements can be anywhere in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS board, for those that don’t know how big the board is, that’s Dumfries to Ayr, to east Kilbride to some of the villages north of the centre. 

1. Have a good understanding of the Glasgow curriculum : this is something the university like to see you have researched and that you have chosen the university because you like the way they teach!

2. Be yourself!  I know it sounds so generic and cliché, but Glasgow really do care about the personality of those they accept into the medical school and they don’t expect you to be the perfect doctor already (that’s what medical school is for!)

3. Don’t make your personal statement a list  of work experience or achievements. It is much better to only have a couple days of work experience but expand on them and what you learnt from it than it is to have a list of 20 things you have done with no reflection! Consider what skills you want doctors/medical students to have and consider in what ways you have developed these. 

A huge thank you to Jodie for an amazing and comprehensive insight into Glasgow! Find out more about her on Instagram . She’s also happy to be contacted via email for any further advice.

Your Turn To Ask Any Questions!

Thank you for submitting your questions, they’ve now been answered by a current student – click below to read the answers!

Make sure you subscribe to this website to have the overview for the rest of the medical schools delivered straight to your inbox!

Type your email…

• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Posted by: Life of a Medic

One thought on “ what’s it really like to study medicine at glasgow medical school ”.

• Pingback: Welcome To The Virtual Medicine Open Day! – Life of a Medic

Leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

• UCAS Guide >
• Interview >
• Dental Interviews

University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview

This article was updated in December 2023 with the latest information, and we will continue to regularly update it! 

Table of Contents

The University of Glasgow School of Dental Sciences interviewed 194 students in 2020/21 entry and gave out 131 offers. This means that 1 in 1.5 people who took the Glasgow Dentistry interview received an offer!

To find out more about the Dental School at Glasgow, check out this page: Glasgow Dental School  

The University of Glasgow interview for 2024 entry is an MMI that consists of 7 stations. In this guide we provide an expert insight into past University of Glasgow MMI stations, the Glasgow interview day and tips for converting your University of Glasgow Dentistry interview into an offer! 

2023/24 University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview in a Nutshell

What is the glasgow interview style.

For 2023/24 entry University of Glasgow Dental School will be conducting MMIs. The interview will involve 7 stations that last for 6 minutes each, including 1 minute reading time. Overall the interview lasts for around 45 minutes. Each station looks at a different competency. There are three different types of station including role-play, discussion and practical.

What are the Glasgow MMI Dates?

February. The exact dates for 2023/24 entry haven’t yet been released.

What are the common topics covered at the Glasgow Dentistry interview?

• Ethical dilemmas
• Self-criticism and self-motivation
• Manual dexterity
• Teamwork skills
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills

How many people were interviewed in 2020/21 at Glasgow?

194 candidates.

How many interviewed applicants received an offer from Glasgow?

131 offers were given out, out of 194 people interviewed, so around 1 in 1.5 people interviewed received an offer.

List of Recent University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview Topics

If you wish to practice Glasgow MMI mocks, here are some sample questions:

• What were the 2 most important things you learned when volunteering and how will these things help you in the future?
• Explain to this (annoyed) patient why their prescription is not yet ready for collection.
• How would you tell your friend that you were uncomfortable with their behaviour at a party last weekend.
• What would you do if you caught a colleague drunk at work?
• Why do you think that volunteering is important?
• You are at a staff meeting and one member of staff accuses you of treating them badly. Speak to them to resolve the situation. Think about if you’d like to have a conversation in front of everyone, or take it somewhere private to start with.
• Chat to this patient about his worries about the operation that you will be performing on her tomorrow.
• Which 3 skills do you think you need to improve for the future and why?
• How have you developed manual dexterity skills?
• How would you bend this wire into the shape of a heart?

Have a look at Glasgow’s official course page, to make sure you know what Dentistry involves: Glasgow’s official course page

Insider Guide: University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview Day

How did the glasgow interview day work.

I arrived at the university and waited at the cafeteria area as I was early. I was then taken into a room and my documents were checked for verification. After the checks, I was put into a group and taken to the place where the MMI took place. At the end of the MMI, you were allowed to leave. 

What do you have to wear for the Glasgow Interview?

The dress code is ‘smart’ (e.g. suit). 

What is the setting for the University of Glasgow Dentistry interview?

Each Glasgow Dentistry MMI station was done in an individual small room. In my group, we were each allocated to different rooms to start with and waited outside until the timer started. Then we could read the question until another timer went off, which indicated that we could enter the MMI station.

How do you receive information for the Glasgow MMI questions?

The instructions for each station were pasted on the door outside each mini room for each MMI station. For some stations such as ethical scenarios, they displayed a brief description of what the scenario was about. For other stations such as the manual dexterity, there was very minimal instruction until you actually entered the room. I would recommend spending time to think about specific points you want to bring up such as the four pillars and work experience examples, when you’re waiting outside the stations.

For more MMI information from the University of Glasgow itself, have a look at this page: University of Glasgow

What were the University of Glasgow MMI interviewers like?

Some of the examiners were really quiet and would not really prompt you if you didn’t have much else to say. However some others were more chatty and would prompt you with questions to direct you in the right direction. Also, the examiners did not cut me off or give me any indication of how much time I had left. I would say don’t be put off by examiners who seem cold as they do this on purpose and instead focus on what you are saying and think about your answers carefully. 

Did the University of Glasgow MMI interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?

There were not many follow up questions in each station. Some follow up questions were asked about work experience when I mentioned something specific, so they would sometimes want me to expand on what I had already said.

How long is the actual Glasgow interview?

The MMI itself lasted for about 1 hour.

Kickstart your Dentistry Interview Prep

What do you advise for the day? (Accommodation, Travelling)

I would suggest staying in Glasgow the night before so that you can plan your time adequately on the day of your interview. I would also suggest giving extra time for your travelling to take into account any possible delays. 

How long did it take you to hear back after your Glasgow interview?

About 2-3 weeks, but this varies between candidates. Applicants should have received a response by 31 March. Here’s a link to the Glasgow Dental School applications page, to help you get a better idea of what the whole application process involves: Glasgow Application Page

Top Tips for the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview 

1. Practise quick fire questions with family and friends so that you know how it feels to be put on the spot.

2. Practise role play questions with family and friends, because this is a new type of skill which you probably haven’t practised much, and Glasgow has quite a lot of role play stations compared to other universities.

3. Think about things you’ve learned from work experience or volunteering so that you have plenty of examples to give if you are asked a question related to this. This should help you answer related questions without too much panic.

4. Go through ethical scenarios and problem solving questions to think about how you would answer these. The UCAT SJT questions are a great place to start. To help you get started, here are some of our example answers for ethics questions: Medical Ethics

5. Go through the 4 pillars, read around NHS topics and focus on relevant dental news. You might not be asked a direct question about any of these, but integrating this knowledge into questions where it fits will be impressive and show your interest in this degree.

Frequently Asked Question

→what is the university of glasgow dentistry interview.

The University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview is an integral part of the selection process for candidates seeking admission to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program at the University of Glasgow. The interview assesses the candidate’s suitability for the program and evaluates their communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and motivation for pursuing a career in dentistry.

→What is the format of the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview?

The University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview is a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. The interview consists of several stations, each with a different scenario or question designed to evaluate a specific skill or attribute. Each station has a set time limit, usually around six minutes, and candidates move between stations in a predetermined order.

→How can I prepare for the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview?

To prepare for the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview, candidates should research the program and the profession thoroughly, develop their communication skills, and practice problem-solving techniques. Candidates should also familiarize themselves with the MMI format and practice answering common interview questions.

→What types of questions can I expect in the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview?

The questions in the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview are designed to assess a candidate’s communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and motivation for pursuing a career in dentistry. The questions may cover a variety of topics, such as ethical dilemmas, patient care scenarios, or current issues in dentistry.

→Is it hard to get into the University of Glasgow School of Dentistry?

Admission to the University of Glasgow School of Dentistry is competitive, and it can be challenging to secure a place in the program. The admissions committee considers several factors when evaluating applicants, including academic achievements, personal statement, work experience, and performance in the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview. The competition for places in the program can be intense, and applicants must have a strong academic record and demonstrate a genuine passion for the field of dentistry. However, with thorough preparation, including research on the program, practice for the MMI format, and a well-crafted application, candidates can increase their chances of success.

→What happens after the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview?

After the University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview, the admissions committee evaluates each candidate’s performance and considers their academic achievements, personal statement, and other application materials. Successful candidates will receive an offer of admission to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program at the University of Glasgow.

Cancel reply

• Glasgow University
• Interview Online Course
• Medicine Interview Tutors
• MMI Interview Questions

Related links

• FREE Applying to Medicine Course
• FREE UCAT Past Papers

5-day medical work experience with hands-on medical experience

5-day dental work placement with hands-on dental experience

Personalised private lessons, tailored to your UCAT needs

Please provide the mobile number of a guardian/parent

If you're ready and keen to get started click the button below to book your first 2 hour 1-1 tutoring lesson with us. Connect with a tutor from a university of your choice in minutes. (Use FAST5 to get 5% Off!)

Get the Reddit app

A subreddit for those studying or wanting to study medicine in the UK.

Personal Statement for Medicine

Hello! Currently, I'm in junior year in highschool (IB DP) and I started thinking about ideas for my personal statement. I have applied for several practices in hospitals and clinics for this summer, because in May I'm turning 18 and only then I can actually do practices in my country. Because of the COVID-19 situation I'm extremely worried that I won't be able to actually do the work during the summer and the application deadlines are in the middle of October for medicine in the UK. What would you suggest doing in this situation? What should I mention in my personal statement? If any of you had any experiences with interviews, what is important during them? As I am not from the UK, it's difficult for me to understand the whole admission process. Also, do you have any advice about scholarships or student debts?

My grades are pretty good. I finished the first semester with 7s (the highest grade) from Chemistry HL, English B HL, Maths SL and Psychology SL and with 6s from Biology HL and Lithuanian SL. I'm writing EE in Biology on the digestion of proteins.

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

• Ask a question Ask
• go advanced Search
• Please enter a title
• Please enter a message
• Your discussion will live here... (Start typing, we will pick a forum for you) Please select a forum Change forum View more forums... View less forums... GCSEs A-levels Applications, Clearing and UCAS University Life Student Finance England Part-time and temporary employment Chat Everyday issues Friends, family and work Relationships Health News Student Surveys and Research
• post anonymously
• All study help
• Uni applications
• University and HE colleges
• University help and courses
• University student life

Postgraduate

• Careers and jobs
• Teacher training
• Finance and accountancy
• Relationships
• Sexual health
• Give feedback or report a problem
• University and university courses
• Universities and HE colleges
• Life and style
• Entertainment
• Debate and current affairs
• Careers and Jobs
• Scottish qualifications
• Foreign languages
• GCSE articles
• A-level articles
• Exam and revision articles
• What to do after GCSEs
• What to do after A-levels
• When is A-level results day 2024?
• When is GCSE results day 2024?
• Studying, revision and exam support
• Grow your Grades

Exam results articles and chat

• Exam results homepage
• A guide to GCSE and A-level grade boundaries
• Year 13 chat
• Year 12 chat
• Year 11 chat

A-level results

• Guide to A-level results day
• Get help preparing for results day
• A-level retakes and resits
• Exam reviews and remarks
• Here’s what to expect on A-level results day
• Six ways to help results day nerves
• Understanding your A-level results slip

GCSE results

• Guide to GCSE results day
• How GCSE combined science grades work
• Stressed about GCSE results day?
• Understanding your GCSE results slip

Finding a uni in Clearing

• Clearing articles and chat
• UK university contact details
• Guide to Clearing
• Seven things people get wrong about Clearing
• How to make a great Clearing call
• Finding accommodation after Clearing
• How Clearing can help you prepare for results day
• All universities
• Applying through Ucas
• Student finance
• Personal statement
• Postgraduate study
• Uni accommodation
• University life
• All uni courses
• Apprenticeships
• Arts and humanities courses
• Stem courses
• Social science courses

Universities by region

• North of England
• South of England
• Greater London
• Distance learning
• International study

University guides and articles

• All university articles
• Applying to uni articles
• Personal statements
• Personal statement examples
• University open days
• Studying law at university
• Student life at university
• Careers and jobs discussion
• Apprenticeships discussion
• Part-time and temp jobs
• Career forums by sector
• Armed forces careers
• Consultancy careers
• Finance careers
• Legal careers
• Marketing careers
• Medicine and healthcare careers
• Public sector careers
• Stem careers
• Teaching careers
• General chat
• Relationships chat
• Friends, family and colleagues
• Advice on everyday issues
• General health
• Mental health
• UK and world politics
• Educational debate

Undergraduate

• Postgraduate Master’s Loan
• Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
• Disabled Students’ Allowances
• Taking a break or withdrawing from your course

Further information

• Parents and partners
• Advanced Learner Loan
• Medicine personal statements

Personal Statement:MBChB Medicine

Medicine Personal Statement

My home on the Island of (?) is served by a small cottage hospital and GP surgeries. My mother, a public health nurse, can remember a time when a large area was covered by one GP and one district nurse. I have always been aware that in an island setting medical services are crucial and as I grew older the more I learned, the more I wanted a career in the medical field. Working as a doctor gives a person a direct say in diagnosis and treatment and I am determined to make this my goal.

I recently achieved a place on the UNIQ Oxford Summer School for Chemistry. This allowed me to learn more about some of my favourite chemistry topics, and gave an introduction to many of the subjects covered in my Advanced Higher course. I am taking the Scottish Baccalaureate of Science and to further my interest in medicine I am doing an Open University YASS course in “Human Genetics and Health Issues”.

Since my third year in school I have actively pursued medical related work experience. Spending a week with nurses in the local hospital taught me the importance of patience, understanding and empathy when dealing with patients and how even a conversation over a cup of tea can make someone feel better. Shadowing a GP in (?) Surgery allowed me to understand the relationship built between a patient and their doctor and I have had opportunities to discuss how this affects the treatment of the patient. I also spent time at (?)Surgery, whose GP’s provide medical cover to the local hospital. This taught me about the necessity of good communication and teamwork to ensure the successful running of a very busy surgery. Arranging work experience with a Consultant General Surgeon allowed me to compare a city hospital to a rural practice. I spent time on the ward, observed at outpatient clinics for general and colorectal conditions and I was fortunate enough to attend theatre a number of times during the week. Besides highlighting to me the importance of cooperation between different specialists and medical staff the experience raised my awareness of the difference modern techniques make on a patient’s post-operative recovery.

Outwith School I have had a range of experiences which have helped me to develop my communication and confidence. In 2011, I was selected to perform in a Gaelic youth band that was to perform at the Hebridean Celtic Festival. This included singing in a group and playing the fiddle and mandolin. It involved much dedication, planning and hard work but good teamwork made a huge difference to the final performance.

In the role of a Youth Ambassador for the Children’s Parliament I had to create and organise a workshop on the theme of Health and Happiness and to then deliver it to school children. As well as this I helped to arrange a “Festival of Rights” which involved devising workshops and presenting them to the general public. This allowed me to develop my interpersonal skills. As I live on a rural island I have always been aware of the importance of the environment. This is what motivated me to achieve a John Muir Discovery award.

As a committed member of the Uist Youth Theatre I have been involved in many productions and I am therefore comfortable and confident speaking in front of audiences. This year I have been given the lead role in our annual pantomime. I am also a member of the school choir. My part time job in a cafe helped me to raise over one thousand pounds to fund my “World Challenge Expedition” to Morocco, where I improved my team work skills and demonstrated my leadership capabilities as elected group leader for the final part of the project of refurbishing a local primary school.

I always aim for academic excellence and enjoy the research and study required. I feel my experiences and achievements have prepared me for the challenges of studying medicine.

Universities Applied to:

University of Edinburgh (MBChB) - Offer (unconditional) - Firm University of Saint Andrews (MBChB) - Offer (unconditional) - Insurance University of Dundee (MBChB) -Rejection (Post interview) University of Aberdeen (MBChB) - Rejection (Post interview) University of Glasgow(Anatomy) - Offer

Grades Achieved:

Biology (AH) - A Chemistry (AH) - A

English (H) - A Maths (H) -A Physics (H) - A Chemistry (H) - A Biology (H) - A Modern Studies (H) - A Mental Health Care (H) - A

General Comments:

Comments on the statement:.

• Share this story :
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Google+
• Share on Pinterest
• Latest Latest
• Trending Trending
• create my feed
• Edit my feed
• 0 new posts
• Started by: hugsandxoxs
• Forum: Brunel University London
• Replies: 15
• Last post: 11 minutes ago
• Started by: dhaldhdsn
• Forum: A-levels
• Last post: 18 minutes ago
• Started by: Syed998
• Forum: BTEC and other vocational qualifications
• Last post: 22 minutes ago
• Started by: _katie1234
• Forum: Postgraduate Applications
• Last post: 23 minutes ago
• Started by: Yinbeemie
• Last post: 27 minutes ago
• Started by: fvrttv
• Last post: 28 minutes ago
• Started by: W_Mac744
• Forum: Scottish Qualifications
• Started by: heeyin__
• Forum: University of Leicester
• Last post: 30 minutes ago
• Started by: Melanie152
• Forum: Medicine Community Discussion
• Last post: 35 minutes ago
• Started by: rewdfrrom
• Last post: 36 minutes ago
• Started by: raised-clover
• Forum: Studying, revision and exam support
• Last post: 37 minutes ago
• Started by: sdfj
• Forum: Forum games
• Replies: 3868
• Last post: 39 minutes ago
• Started by: Ode8Martin
• Forum: International Baccalaureate
• Last post: 40 minutes ago
• Started by: alexsmith0
• Last post: 43 minutes ago
• Started by: elisimoz
• Started by: 04MR17
• Replies: 36
• Last post: 49 minutes ago
• Forum: Dentistry
• Replies: 3393
• Last post: 51 minutes ago
• Started by: Anonymous
• Forum: Relationships
• Replies: 66
• Started by: Moonlight:)
• Forum: Grow your Grades
• Replies: 25
• Last post: 52 minutes ago
• Started by: kellytiglao
• Forum: Nursing and Midwifery
• Replies: 13
• Last post: 53 minutes ago
• Started by: Saracen's Fez
• Forum: UK and World Politics
• Replies: 863
• Last post: 2 hours ago
• Started by: Miss.fcxxx
• Forum: Civil service, public sector and public services
• Replies: 315
• Last post: 3 hours ago
• Forum: University of Manchester
• Replies: 624
• Started by: Blinkr
• Forum: GCSEs
• Replies: 386
• Last post: 4 hours ago
• Started by: Durham University
• Forum: Durham University
• Replies: 1579
• Last post: 5 hours ago
• Started by: ma_they
• Forum: University of Bristol
• Replies: 120
• Last post: 6 hours ago
• Started by: Scotland Yard
• Forum: Medicine
• Replies: 547
• Started by: Adam Woodbridge
• Forum: Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
• Replies: 811
• Last post: 7 hours ago
• Started by: Lazlay
• Replies: 835
• Last post: 8 hours ago
• Started by: Chi chi5
• Replies: 934
• Started by: Lc627183
• Replies: 281
• Last post: 12 hours ago
• Started by: maiarhysdavies
• Forum: King's College London
• Replies: 796
• Last post: 15 hours ago
• Forum: Advice on everyday issues
• Replies: 190
• Last post: 22 hours ago
• Started by: PileaP
• Replies: 209
• Last post: 1 day ago
• Started by: Sandtrooper
• Forum: Cambridge Postgraduate
• Replies: 8246
• Started by: MOZSH
• Forum: Medical Schools
• Replies: 497
• Last post: 2 days ago
• Started by: KA_P
• Replies: 1125
• Last post: 4 days ago
• Started by: emm4nuella
• Replies: 973
• Last post: 5 days ago
• Started by: aishaslm
• Forum: Legal careers and training
• Replies: 176
• Last post: 6 days ago
• Started by: shooks
• Forum: Secondary school, sixth form and FE college
• Great! I exceeded my expectations
• Good, I got what I expected
• Not so good, I didn't get everything I expected
• Terrible, I didn't get any of the grades I wanted
• Tell us more about your answer in the thread

The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group.

• Main topics
• GCSE and A-level
• Exam results
• Life and relationships

Get Started

• Today's posts
• Unanswered posts
• Community guidelines
• TSR help centre
• Cookies & online safety
• Terms & conditions
• Privacy notice

Connect with TSR

© Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved

The Student Room and The Uni Guide are trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd.

Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. 806 8067 22 Registered Office: Imperial House, 2nd Floor, 40-42 Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XB

Log in using your username and password

• Search More Search for this keyword Advanced search
• Latest content
• Current issue
• For authors
• New editors
• BMJ Journals

You are here

• Online First
• IOC consensus statement on elite youth athletes competing at the Olympic Games: essentials to a healthy, safe and sustainable paradigm
• Article Text
• Article info
• Citation Tools
• Rapid Responses
• Article metrics

• http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1377-0234 Michael F Bergeron 1 , 2 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3242-599X Jean Côté 3 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1705-9642 Sean P Cumming 4 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7912-6073 Rosemary Purcell 5 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3086-629X Neil Armstrong 6 ,
• Luca Basilico 7 ,
• Kirsty Burrows 8 ,
• http://orcid.org/0009-0003-6918-7387 Jean-Benoit Charrin 9 ,
• Allyson Felix 10 ,
• Heike Groesswang 11 ,
• Yasunobu Iwasaki 12 , 13 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7938-7820 Mininder S Kocher 14 , 15 ,
• Magali Martowicz 9 ,
• Kit McConnell 16 ,
• Jane Moran 17 , 18 ,
• Christine Holm Moseid 19 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8604-2014 Margo Mountjoy 20 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8863-4574 Torbjørn Soligard 8 ,
• Evgenia Tetelbaum 16 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9217-0442 Ansgar Thiel 21 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9304-3741 Tine Vertommen 8 , 22 ,
• Gloria Viseras 8 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7474-8842 Richard Budgett 8 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2294-921X Lars Engebretsen 8 ,
• Uğur Erdener 23
• 1 Performance Health , WTA Women’s Tennis Association , St. Petersburg , Florida , USA
• 2 Health Sciences , University of Hartford , West Hartford , Connecticut , USA
• 3 School of Kinesiology and Health Studies , Queen's University , Kingston , Jamaica , Canada
• 4 Department of Health , University of Bath , Bath , UK
• 5 Centre for Youth Mental Health , The University of Melbourne , Parkville , Victoria , Australia
• 6 Childrens Health and Exercise Research Centre , University of Exeter , Exeter , UK
• 7 World Skate, Maison du Sport International , Lausanne , Switzerland
• 8 Medical and Scientific Department , International Olympic Committee , Lausanne , Switzerland
• 9 Corporate and Sustainable Development Department , International Olympic Committee , Lausanne , Switzerland
• 10 Athletes’ Commission , International Olympic Committee , Lausanne , Switzerland
• 11 International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) , Salzburg , Austria
• 12 Anti-Doping, Medical and Scientific Commission , Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique , Lausanne , Switzerland
• 13 Anshinkai Anshin Hospital , Kobe , Hyogo , Japan
• 14 Division of Sports Medicine , Boston Children's Hospital , Boston , Massachusetts , USA
• 15 Orthopaedic Surgery , Harvard Medical School , Boston , Massachusetts , USA
• 16 Sports Department , International Olympic Committee , Lausanne , Switzerland
• 17 Medical Commission , International Skating Union , Lausanne , Switzerland
• 18 Faculty of Medicine , The University of British Columbia - Vancouver Campus , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
• 19 Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Institute of Sports Medicine , Norwegian School of Sports Sciences , Oslo , Norway
• 20 Department of Family Medicine , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada
• 21 President , German Sport University , Cologne , Germany
• 22 Expertise Center People and Well-being , Thomas More University of Applied Sciences , Antwerp , Belgium
• 23 Medical and Scientific Commission , International Olympic Committee , Lausanne , Switzerland
• Correspondence to Professor Michael F Bergeron; mbergeron{at}wtatennis.com

With the pronounced ongoing growth of global youth sports, opportunities for and participation of youth athletes on the world sports stage, including the Olympic Games, are expected to escalate. Yet, adolescence is a vulnerable period of development and inherently dynamic, with non-linear and asynchronous progression of physical, physiological, psychological and social attributes. These non-concurrent changes within and between individuals are accompanied by irregular and unpredictable threats and impediments. Likewise, the evident age-based criteria and conventional path for those youth athletes deemed eligible candidates for the Olympic Games are not well or consistently defined. Furthermore, the unstructured and largely varying policies and practices across the sporting International Federations specific to youth participation underscore the need to establish a contemporary universal paradigm that would enable elite youth athletes to navigate an individualised healthy pathway to personal, athletic and sport success. First, we reviewed and summarised key challenges facing elite youth athletes and the relevant evidence fundamental to facilitating and supporting central aspects of health and well-being, while empowering safe, sustainable and positive engagement during athletic and personal advancement and competition. Second, we developed and present a modern elite youth athlete model that emphasises a child-centred, practical framework with corresponding guidelines and recommendations to protect health and well-being while safely and favourably managing international sport competition. Our proposed evidence-informed paradigm will enable and support individualised pathways for healthy, well-rounded and sustainable positive engagement while achieving sport success for youth contending or aiming to compete at world-class international sporting events.

• Athletic Injuries
• Child Health

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108186

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request permissions.

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.

X @DrMBergeron_01, @lucabasilico, @Kirsty_Burrows1, @margo.mountjoy, @TSoligard, @TineVertommen, @larsengebretsen

Contributors All authors were part of the consensus meeting; and all authors participated in the Delphi voting process for the recommendations. All authors contributed to reviewing, editing and approving the final version of the consensus statement. MFB is guarantor.

Funding The consensus meeting and scoping reviews completed for this consensus statement were financially supported by the IOC.

Competing interests MM is a Deputy Editor of the British Journal of Sports Medicine and a member of the Editorial Board of the Injury Prevention and Health Promotion editions.

Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer-reviewed.

Read the full text or download the PDF:

• Skip to main content

We use cookies

Necessary cookies.

Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.

Analytics cookies

Analytical cookies help us improve our website. We use Google Analytics. All data is anonymised.

Clarity helps us to understand our users’ behaviour by visually representing their clicks, taps and scrolling. All data is anonymised.

Privacy policy

• School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing

Undergraduate Medical School

• New students 2024-2025
• Year 1 MBChB enrolment information
• Becoming a Medical Student Course
• Integration week timetable
• University of Glasgow information for new students
• Student transitions (Resources guides)

School of Medicine: Year 1 MBChB Information 2024-25

Dear Students

The first thing we would like to do is to offer our sincerest welcome to the University of Glasgow School of Medicine, the first stop on your training pathway to becoming a doctor. You have reached the high academic standards required for entry to medical school and have impressed us with your motivation, enthusiasm and commitment to the values of medicine.

We are sure that you will find the course both exciting and challenging. Medicine is a rewarding career but remains, above all, a privileged vocation. Embodied in this vocation is the need for commitment, service, and dedication. Patients and your teachers will dedicate their time and energy to train you. From your first day as a medical student, you will be regarded by all staff as a junior member of the profession and with this will come added responsibilities, expectations and privileges. Patients and colleagues will entrust themselves to you. Through your Student Agreement and in your conduct, you will undertake to repay and to be worthy of this trust. This is the covenant with the patients we serve.

This site and Moodle (our virtual learning environment) will provide much of your required information, including a programme for integration week which will begin on Monday 16 th September.

In addition, there will soon be information for a short online induction course called Becoming A Medical Student or ‘BAMS’. This will introduce you to the layout and processes around the medical school and will remain an invaluable resource that you can revisit across the year. You are required to complete this course before starting in September. For more information on how to access and complete the course, click on the 'Becoming a Medical Student Course' course tab.

There is also a link to a suggested book list that are commonly used during both year 1 and year 2. However, we will provide access to many textbooks electronically, so we do not recommend that you buy any books yet! Other links will appear giving information on various clubs, societies and professional bodies, many of whom will have special offers and will no doubt be of interest to you.

The other important link which will be available in August is for enrolment, giving instructions on what you need to do in advance of teaching commencing. When you begin to enrol, please do so ONLY on the courses listed. Your final group allocations will be given to you during integration events and in due course timetables will be available for the first day of formal teaching on Monday 23 rd September.

The next 5 years will draw on your reserves and challenge you. This is in keeping with the demands of the career you have chosen. You will at times make mistakes - reflective learning and resilience are vital - but with dedication, stamina, and hard work your career in medicine has the potential to be truly fulfilling, both personally and professionally.

The Year 1 team look forward to meeting you all in Integration Week when you will learn more about the programme for first year, meet some of the senior staff to officially say “hello”, and most importantly to meet your future peers and fellow students.

Best wishes

Dr Genevieve Stapleton, MBChB1 Director & the MBChB1 Team

Professor Malcolm Shepherd, Head of Undergraduate Medicine

Prof Matthew Walters, Head of School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing