Queen’s University Medical School adopts an integrated system-based approach, using case-based learning within the first four years to support learning. The following teaching methods also support the delivery of the curriculum:
From your first year onwards, you’ll undertake clinical placements within a range of hospitals, general practices and healthcare settings throughout Northern Ireland. Within your final year, you’ll undertake a nine-week ‘assistantship programme’ to prepare you for transition to a Foundation Year role.
You can find out more information about the course structure and content here.
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Throughout the programme you’ll have a wide range of choice, in the form of student selected components, as well as a final year elective placement, allowing you to explore areas of interest.
In addition to your elective, which you can carry out abroad, Queen’s University also offers the opportunity an exchange programme, which allows you to take a clinical module in a European institution.
Queen’s University also offers students the opportunity to complete an intercalated degree, which allows you a one year break in your medical study, to complete a Bachelor or master’s level, in addition to your medical qualification. You can find out more about intercalation at Queen’s University here.
As Queen’s University is the only medical school within Northern Ireland, clinical placements are available in hospitals throughout the region and in over one-hundred-and-fifty general practices.
Queen’s University Medical School uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format for its interview. On their website they identify the following ‘key non-cognitive competencies for medicine which will be assessed:
For 2025 entry, the interview will be conducted in person between December and March. You can find more information about the MMI, including sample interview stations, on their website here.
Most medical schools require you to pass an admissions exam before you’ll be invited for interview.
Admissions exam for Queen’s University Belfast: University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
The UCAT assesses your characteristics, attitudes and professional behaviours against those required for medical school. The exam is divided into 5 sections: Abstract Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Situational Judgement (SJT) and Verbal Reasoning.
Queen’s University Belfast specifies that applicants will be ranked based on their UCAT score and only a certain number will be invited to interview.
To help you to successfully prepare for all sections, the free Medibuddy AI-powered, adaptive question bank carefully selects questions based on your strengths and weaknesses within the syllabus, to ensure that you’re focusing on areas which will have the biggest impact on your UCAT score.
You can also clearly see in the question bank dashboard the areas you have “mastered” and those which you need to focus more time on.
It’s crucial that you prepare well for all areas to ensure that you get the best UCAT score possible and secure your interview place!
For more information and guidance, see our complete guide to the UCAT and our UCAT preparation tips.
