GuidesUpdated 1 November 2026
The Imperial College London interview
Most Imperial departments interview applicants who show potential in their UCAS application and any admissions test. Interviews usually take place between November and February, virtually or in person, and are either a panel with one or two people from the department or a recruitment day that can include a group task, discussion or written test.
Medicine is different: Imperial uses Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) in January and February, with five minutes per station, marked out of 6 for content and 4 for communication. Below are both formats, what Imperial says it assesses, a worked example and how to prepare.
How Imperial interviews work
| Most departments | Medicine (MBBS/BSc) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is interviewed | Applicants who show potential in their UCAS application and admissions test, where one applies | Applicants who meet that year's UCAT cut-off score and academic requirements |
| Format | A panel with one or two people from the department, or a recruitment day (possibly with a group task, discussion or written test) | Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) |
| When | Usually November to February | Typically throughout January and February |
| Where | Virtual or in person, depending on your circumstances and course | See the Faculty of Medicine's MMI page for this year's arrangements |
| How you hear | The department emails you at the address on your UCAS application | The Faculty of Medicine's timeline page sets out each step |
What happens in a department interview?
Imperial doesn't publish one format for every course: each department contacts its own applicants and says whether it's a panel interview or a recruitment day. Because the format varies, prepare both sides: why this course at Imperial, and working through a problem in your subject out loud.
How the Imperial Medicine MMI is marked
Imperial's Faculty of Medicine says you have 5 minutes to answer the questions in each station, and each answer is marked out of 6 for content (what you say) and out of 4 for communication (how you say it). The stations assess:
- teamwork and leadership
- motivation to study medicine
- understanding the role of a doctor
- empathy and breaking bad news
- ethics and values-related scenarios
- data interpretation
Imperial also lists your ability to explain your thinking, your ability to reflect, and your friendly approach and level of professionalism. Since 2025 it has shortlisted using the UCAT plus academic eligibility, with a cut-off score that varies year to year.
A worked example: an ethics station
A typical prompt in the style Imperial describes: "A patient refuses a treatment that would very likely help them. What would you do as their junior doctor?"
- What a strong answer does: names the core tension (the patient's right to decide versus doing them good), says what you'd find out first (do they understand the risks? why are they refusing?), then gives a clear course of action.
- On communication: short sentences, a calm tone, and checking you've understood the patient before advising.
- Weak answer: "I'd convince them to have it," which scores low on both content and communication.
- Five minutes goes fast: aim to reach a decision by minute three, leaving time for the examiner's follow-up.
A worked example: an engineering panel
A typical technical prompt: "A footbridge wobbles when a crowd walks across it. What might be going on?" What a strong answer does: sketches the forces, suggests a cause (people's steps matching the bridge's natural sway), and proposes a fix and how to test it, talking throughout.
How to prepare for an Imperial interview
- Read your invitation closely. Panel or recruitment day, online or in person, any task in advance: departments differ.
- Prepare "why this course at Imperial". Name modules, labs or projects specific to your department.
- For Medicine, practise five-minute answers. Time yourself on ethics, teamwork, data and motivation prompts, and aim for a clear structure.
- Practise explaining your thinking. It's an explicit criterion in the MMI and how panels judge technical questions.
- Reflect on your experience. Imperial assesses your ability to reflect, so for each experience, prepare what you learned, not just what you did.
AdmitMock is an AI mock interview app for Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and US college alumni interviews: an AI interviewer asks the questions out loud, follows up, and shows you what to fix.
Frequently asked questions
Does Imperial interview every applicant?
No. Most departments interview applicants who show potential in their UCAS application and any admissions test. Medicine interviews those who meet the UCAT cut-off and academic requirements.
When are Imperial interviews?
Usually between November and February. Medicine MMIs are typically held throughout January and February.
Are Imperial interviews online?
They can be virtual or in person, depending on your circumstances and the course. Your department will tell you.
How is the Imperial Medicine MMI scored?
Each station gives you 5 minutes to answer, marked out of 6 for content and out of 4 for communication.
What does the Imperial MMI assess?
Teamwork and leadership, motivation for medicine, understanding the role of a doctor, empathy and breaking bad news, ethics and values, and data interpretation.
Related guides
Sources
Checked 1 November 2026.
AdmitMock is not affiliated with Imperial College London. We use Imperial's published guidance and formats, not insider information.
