How students are selected

• Identification

  In advance of your interview, you will be asked to scan and send one form of photographic identification to the admissions team, and you will also be asked to bring this same ID document to the interview itself. If you do not provide an acceptable identity document, you will not be allowed to sit the interview.

  The full name and date of birth on your identity document should match the name and date of birth you provided on your application through UCAS. If you applied using a name which does not exactly match your identity document, please contact the School as soon as possible after receiving your invitation to interview by emailing medical.admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.

  Acceptable identification documents:

  • a current (non-expired) original signed passport
  • a current (non-expired) signed government-issued photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
  • a current (non-expired) government-issued identity card that carries your photograph and signature.

  Identification must be signed. If your passport ID is not signed, you must bring an alternative ID.

  If your passport was issued before your 16th birthday, it is likely to be a child’s passport. As these are not usually signed by the passport holder, a child’s passport will not be accepted as a valid ID on its own; you will need to bring another form of identification to the interview.

  If you cannot obtain one of these forms of identification above, ask your school or college to attach your photograph to its headed notepaper (original, not a photocopy), confirming your date of birth and identity. The letter should be signed by a head teacher or a senior member of staff and bear the school stamp (across the photograph). You must also sign this document.

  The following are not acceptable forms of identification:

  • bus passes, transport passes, library cards, student or school identification cards
  • copies or facsimiles of identification (only original identity documents will be accepted)
  • expired identification documents. 

• The interview

  Interviews for entry to the School of Medicine are in the format of multiple mini interviews: these usually consist of six 'mini' interviews held at stations which last about six minutes each.

  At the interview, you will be expected to demonstrate that you have an understanding of medicine as a career and that you appreciate the realities of working in a caring profession. Your communication and interpersonal skills will be assessed at each station, and at least one station will involve role-play and interaction with an actor. You may also be assessed on such things such as critical thinking, reflection and your ability to discuss ethical issues.

  If you have any additional support needs, including for temporary injuries or medical conditions, please let the medical admissions team know about these well in advance of the interview so that they can consider what special adjustments might be put in place.

• If you are unable to attend the interview

  There is a large number of applicants to interview, so applicants are expected to accept the date offered for interview. The School will try to offer another date if there is an exceptional reason for an applicant not being able to attend; for example, attending another interview or sitting an examination or due to ill health.

  If an applicant becomes ill near to or on the interview date, they should let the School know as soon as possible. The School will endeavour to offer another date, but will only be able to do so if they have spaces on other interview dates that have been scheduled.