Queen's University Belfast (QUB) Medicine Interview

Why Queen's, and have you visited Belfast?

Specific reasons — curriculum, clinical placements across NI Trusts, the integrated MBChB. Visiting is helpful but not essential; if you have not, show you have researched the city.

If you are from outside Northern Ireland, why study here rather than closer to home?

Honest engagement with the move. Reference the small cohort feel within a large intake, the quality of placements, and a genuine desire to experience NI healthcare.

A patient does not speak English well. How do you ensure they understand a treatment plan?

Trained interpreter (not family by default), Plain English, check-back questions, written information in their language, cultural sensitivity.

Should patients be allowed to refuse treatment that would save their child's life on religious grounds?

Capacity of parents, child's best interests, court involvement where necessary. Reference specific cases sensitively (e.g. Jehovah's Witness blood transfusion). Avoid black-and-white answers.

You are working in a charity shop. A volunteer reports that another volunteer has been taking small items home. Speak with the volunteer.

Open with curiosity, not accusation. Listen. Be clear about boundaries. Escalate if needed.

Here is a graph showing NI mental health admissions over time. What do you notice?

Describe trends, identify possible drivers (pandemic, service availability, demographic change), acknowledge limits of the data.

Tell me about a time you advocated for someone.

Specific example. Show insight into when advocacy is appropriate and how to balance it with respecting autonomy.

A friend asks for a sick note for an exam they did not study for. What do you do?

Refuse clearly but kindly. This is dishonest, harms others, and undermines trust. Explore why they are struggling and signpost real support.

What do you know about healthcare challenges specific to Northern Ireland?

Workforce shortages, waiting lists, integrated health and social care, the legacy of the Troubles on mental health, rural access. Show informed awareness.

Describe something you read recently that challenged your thinking.

Specifics. What changed in your view and why. Engagement, not citation-dropping.

A new student in your group is struggling to settle in. Speak with them.

Warmth, open questions, practical offers (study group, coffee, signposting). Avoid being patronising.

What do you do when you fail at something?

Honest example. Show reflection and a concrete behavioural change rather than a "lesson learned" platitude.

Is it ethical for doctors to strike?

Engage with the tension between professional duty and labour rights. Reference recent UK doctor industrial action. Acknowledge both sides.

Explain to me why you would make a good team member.

Concrete examples. Reliability, listening, offering and accepting help. Avoid empty self-praise.

What might make you leave medical school?

Honest reflection on stresses (workload, financial pressure, personal circumstances) and the support you would seek. Shows insight, not weakness.