Preparing for the UCLan School of Medicine & Dentistry interview

Securing a spot at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) School of Medicine & Dentistry requires more than academic excellence—it demands a nuanced understanding of the UK’s healthcare landscape, Lancashire’s unique challenges, and global health contexts. 

This guide equips you with hyper-local insights and strategic tips to excel in your interview while showcasing your alignment with UCLan’s mission.

1. UCLan’s Interview Process: Structure, Themes, and Hidden Expectations

UCLan employs a Multi-Mini Interview (MMI) format, designed to assess core NHS values, ethical reasoning, and community-oriented problem-solving. 

Key details:

• Stations: 6-8 timed stations (8-10 minutes each) covering role-play, teamwork, and policy analysis. Example: “Prioritize patients in an A&E backlog while adhering to NHS equity principles.”

• Panel Interview: A faculty/student discussion probing your understanding of UCLan’s curriculum, which emphasizes primary care and community health partnerships (e.g., East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust).

• Themes: NHS sustainability, health inequalities in Northern England, and interdisciplinary collaboration (reflecting UCLan’s focus on dental-medical integration).

Insider Tip: UCLan’s MMIs often simulate rural healthcare scenarios. Practice articulating how you’d navigate resource limitations—a daily reality in Lancashire’s underserved areas.

2. UK Healthcare Policy: Lancashire’s Role in a System Under Strain

The NHS remains the cornerstone of UK healthcare, but regional disparities are stark. Key policies shaping UCLan’s training priorities:

1. Health and Care Act 2022: Integrated Care Systems (ICS)

• Lancashire and South Cumbria ICS aims to streamline primary and hospital care, tackling waitlists (e.g., 7.8 million awaiting elective surgeries nationally).

• UCLan Link: The school partners with ICS to train students in population health—mention their Community Engagement Module when discussing preventative care.

2. Workforce Crisis and Strikes

• Junior doctors and nurses have staged historic strikes over pay and conditions. Lancashire faces a 12% GP shortage vs. national average.

• Tip: Highlight UCLan’s Rural Clinical Placement Program as a model for retaining talent in underserved areas like Burnley.

3. Health Inequalities in the North

• Men in Blackpool die 8 years earlier than those in affluent Surrey. UCLan’s research on “left behind” coastal towns (e.g., Fleetwood) could be a discussion point.

3. Current Events: Lancashire’s Frontline Challenges

Local Flashpoints

• Mental Health Crisis: 1 in 5 Lancashire youths face anxiety/depression. UCLan’s Mental Health First Aid Training for students addresses this gap.

• Dental Access: Only 33% of Lancashire adults saw an NHS dentist in 2023. UCLan’s dental students run clinics in Preston—tie this to your interest in service.

• Cost-of-Living Health Impacts: Food insecurity in Blackburn (20% child poverty) drives diabetes rates. Discuss UCLan’s Food as Medicine initiatives.

National/Global Context

• US Abortion Bans vs. UK Access: Contrast Texas’ restrictions with NHS abortion rights, but note UK’s “pregnancy visa” barriers for refugees.

• Climate Health: Lancashire’s 2023 floods displaced 500+ households. Link to UCLan’s Climate Resilience in Healthcare electives.

Tip: Reference UCLan’s Institute of Citizenship and Society when addressing social determinants of health.

4. The 5 Questions UCLan School of Medicine & Dentistry is most likely to ask during your medical school interview

1. “How would you improve dental access in a low-income area like Preston?”

2. “A patient refuses a COVID-19 vaccine due to misinformation. How do you respond?”

3. “Describe a time you advocated for someone. What barriers did you face?”

4. “Why does Lancashire have higher COPD rates than London? Propose a solution.”

5. “How should the NHS balance AI innovation with patient trust?”