Advice & Insight From Nursing Interview Specialists
The United Kingdom is home to some of the world’s leading nursing schools, offering a range of programmes that prepare students for a fulfilling career in healthcare. One of the key aspects of the admissions process for these programmes is the interview. This article delves into the interview processes at fifteen of the top nursing schools in the UK: King’s College London, University of Manchester, University of Sheffield, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, Liverpool, QUB, Leeds, York, Southampton, and more.
The journey to becoming a nursing student in the UK involves a multi-faceted application and interview process. The initial step is usually submitting an application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), where candidates provide academic qualifications, a personal statement, and references. Some universities may also require additional tests or assessments to gauge aptitude and skills relevant to nursing.
The interview stage is a critical component of the admissions process, and its format varies across universities. Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) are a popular choice, designed to assess a range of skills such as communication, problem-solving, and ethical reasoning. Some universities opt for traditional panel interviews, often comprising faculty members and healthcare professionals. Online interviews and assessments have also become more common, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These interviews usually focus on the applicant’s understanding of the NHS values, the role of a nurse, and may include scenario-based questions.
The aim of these interviews and assessments is to gauge not just academic prowess but also the values, interpersonal skills, and commitment required for a successful and fulfilling career in nursing.
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Interview Format: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Interview Dates: January to March
Interview Information & Further Details:
King’s College London conducts Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) as part of its nursing school admissions process. These interviews are generally held from January to March. The MMIs assess various skills such as communication, problem-solving, and ethical reasoning. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate their understanding of the nursing profession and the NHS values.
King’s College London Nursing Interview Questions
Interview Format: Online Panel Interview
Interview Dates: February to April
Interview Information & Further Details:
The University of Manchester opts for a traditional panel interview format. Interviews are usually scheduled between February and April. The panel typically consists of faculty members and healthcare professionals. Candidates are assessed on their understanding of the nursing role, ethical scenarios, and teamwork skills.
Manchester Nursing Interview Questions
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Interview Format: Online Assessment and Interview
Interview Dates: March to May
Interview Information & Further Details:
The University of Sheffield has a two-step process that includes an online assessment followed by an interview. The interviews are generally held from March to May. The online assessment tests numeracy and literacy skills, while the interview focuses on values-based questions and situational judgement tests.
Interview Format: In-person Interview
Interview Dates: January to March
Interview Information & Further Details:
Interviews at the University of Glasgow are individual and last approximately 20 minutes. They are usually carried out by a member of the lecturing team, a senior BN student, and either a clinical nurse or service user. The aim is to discuss the candidate’s reasons for pursuing a career in nursing and to assess their understanding of contemporary healthcare issues.
Glasgow Nursing Interview Questions
Interview Format: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Interview Dates: Not specified
Interview Information & Further Details:
The University of Edinburgh also employs the MMI format for its nursing interviews. While specific dates are not provided, the MMIs are designed to assess a range of skills and attributes necessary for a career in nursing. Candidates are expected to be familiar with current healthcare issues and the role of a nurse.
Edinburgh Nursing Interview Questions
Interview Format: Selection Day
Interview Dates: January to March
Interview Information & Further Details: The University of Liverpool conducts Selection Days as part of their nursing school admissions process. These interviews usually take place between January and March. The days are designed to assess a range of skills, including communication, problem-solving, and ethical reasoning. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate their understanding of the NHS values. You should expect a team activity as well as an individual interview.
Liverpool Nursing Interview Questions
Interview Format: Online Panel Interview
Interview Dates: February to April
Interview Information & Further Details: QUB typically holds panel interviews from February to April. The panel usually consists of faculty members and healthcare professionals. Candidates are assessed on their understanding of the nursing profession, ethical scenarios, and are often asked to elaborate on their personal statements.
QUB Nursing Interview Questions
Interview Format: Online Assessment and Interview
Interview Dates: November to March
Interview Information & Further Details: Leeds has moved to an online assessment and interview format, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The assessments are designed to evaluate candidates’ suitability for the nursing profession, including numeracy and literacy skills. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis and may include scenario-based questions.
Leeds Nursing Interview Questions
Interview Format: Group Exercise and MMIs
Interview Dates: Not specified
Interview Information & Further Details: York offers personal interviews to prospective nursing students. The interviews aim to assess both academic and personal qualities, focusing on candidates’ understanding of the nursing role and the healthcare environment. The Department of Health Sciences at York is renowned for its cutting-edge research into health and wellbeing.
York Nursing Interview Questions
Interview Format: Panel Interview with a Lecturer
Interview Dates: Not specified
Interview Information & Further Details: Southampton conducts panel interviews where interviewers pick out certain aspects of your Personal Statement that interest them and ask you about it. They are keen on hearing about how candidates demonstrate the values of the NHS. The interview may also include questions about candidates’ understanding of the course and their future roles.
Southampton Nursing Interview Questions
Interview Format: Individual Structured Interview
Interview Dates: Not specified
Interview Information & Further Details: Ulster University’s nursing program uses structured panel interviews as part of their selection process. These interviews are designed to assess a range of skills and attributes, including communication, problem-solving, and ethical reasoning. Your interview panel will constitute two people – a member of the university’s academic staff and a practising registered nurse.
Interview Format: Online interviews
Interview Dates: Not specified
Interview Information & Further Details: The University of Nottingham conducts online interviews for their nursing program. These interviews are designed to assess the applicant’s suitability for the nursing profession, focusing on their understanding of the NHS values and the role of a nurse. The interview also includes scenario-based questions to evaluate problem-solving and ethical reasoning skills.
Interview Format: Telephone interviews or Online Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)
Interview Dates: Not specified
Interview Information & Further Details: Kingston University offers either telephone interviews (for international students) or MMIs for their nursing program. The telephone interviews are generally for international applicants and focus on the applicant’s knowledge about the course and their English language level. MMIs involve scenario questions aimed at assessing certain characteristics.
Interview Format: MMI
Interview Dates: Not specified
Interview Information & Further Details: Cardiff University’s nursing program uses the MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) format. Key skills include the ability to think on one’s feet, appraise information, and communicate ideas and demonstrate that one has thought about the career.
Cardiff Nursing Interview Questions
