Brighton and Sussex medicine interview and selection guide
BSMS selects for interview on UCAT, after checking academic requirements and filtering on the Situational Judgement band. It reserves 30% of interviews for applicants with contextual flags, never reads personal statements, and lets you choose whether to interview in person or on Zoom. For 2027 entry it has also relaxed its A-level subject rule. This guide covers each step and the five-station MMI.
Facts checked against BSMS's official pages on .
Independent service: Key2MD is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Everything below is general guidance drawn from publicly available information, may change between cycles, and is not official advice. Always confirm current requirements, fees and program details on BSMS's official pages.
Read facts and coaching advice separately. Facts on this page are taken from BSMS's published pages and linked in the sources list. Preparation advice is Dan's independent guidance. This page does not reproduce confidential interview questions, and your invitation from Brighton and Sussex Medical School takes precedence over anything here.
On this page
Published selection and interview guidance
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Academic check
Meet, or be predicted to meet, the minimum requirements.
- BSMS says scoring above the minimum gives no advantage: once you meet it, you move to the next stage.
- Only English and Maths are checked at GCSE.
- Qualifications must be achieved within 10 years of the course start (from September 2017 for 2027 entry).
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Interview selection
SJT Band 1, 2 or 3, then ranked on UCAT score.
- Applicants with an SJT Band 4 are not ranked for interview.
- Applicants eligible for an adjusted offer are ranked separately, and BSMS aims to give them 30% of interviews.
- Guaranteed interviews: care leavers who meet the academic criteria, and students at Sussex sixth forms and colleges who meet the academic requirements and achieve SJT Band 1 to 3.
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Interview and offers
December 2026 to February 2027. Offers from January to April.
- Home applicants choose in person (early December or early January) or Zoom (late January or early February). International applicants interview in person, or online if circumstances prevent travel.
- MMI results are considered by the Admissions Review Group, which decides on offers.
- Pathway covered
- Five-year BM BS Medicine (A100), UK and international applicants
- Entry cycle / source status
- 2027 entry
- Published format
- Multiple Mini Interview: five 10-minute stations, about an hour in total. Home applicants choose in person (early December or early January) or Zoom (late January or early February)
- Interview selection
- Meet the academic requirements and SJT Band 1 to 3, then ranked on UCAT score; adjusted-offer applicants ranked separately
- Personal statement
- Not used at any point
Official sources: BSMS: admissions process; BSMS: entry requirements.
Selection facts checked: . This check covers the pathway and interview summary above. Fees, eligibility exceptions and course details must be checked separately. Your university invitation takes precedence for your assessment.
The MMI
| Structure | Five stations of 10 minutes each, with a short break between them. A full circuit takes about an hour. |
|---|---|
| In person or online | The format, questions and mark schemes are the same either way, and BSMS says neither gives an advantage. You choose. |
| Online set-up | A device that can join Zoom, with a working camera and microphone. You may be asked to show interviewers around your room. Schools and colleges often provide a space. |
| ID | Photo ID showing your name in English, checked at the start. Without it you will not be interviewed. |
| Preparation BSMS suggests | Reflect on your work experience against the Medical Schools Council's statement of core values and attributes, and read its guidance on relevant experience. |
| Illness | Contact admissions as soon as possible; a doctor's note may be requested. Outcomes are not reconsidered afterwards on grounds that you were unwell on the day. |
Published by BSMS
- Station number and length
- In-person and online interview windows
- The SJT and UCAT selection rules
- The 30% reservation for adjusted-offer applicants
- Places for 2027
Not published
- The UCAT score that earned an interview last cycle
- Station topics
- How MMI scores convert into offers
Entry requirements for 2027
New for 2027: you need Biology or Chemistry plus one more of Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. For 2026 entry, both Biology and Chemistry were required.
| A-levels | AAA including Biology or Chemistry and one further subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. The EPQ is welcomed but not part of offers. |
|---|---|
| Adjusted offer | AAB with the same subject rule, for applicants who meet one criterion from each of three sections (geographical, educational, household, individual, care leavers). |
| IB | 36 points with grade 6 in HL Biology or Chemistry and grade 6 in one further HL subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Adjusted: 35 points with grades 5 and 6 at HL. |
| Scottish | Advanced Highers AAA including Biology or Chemistry and one of Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics (or two Advanced Highers at A plus two further Highers at A). National 5 English and Maths at B. |
| GCSE | English (Language or Literature) and Maths at grade 5 or above. No other GCSEs are considered. |
| UCAT | Sat in summer 2026 for 2027 entry. SJT Band 1 to 3 needed. |
Adjusted offer criteria
Home applicants qualify for an adjusted offer by meeting at least one criterion from three different sections:
| Geographical | POLAR4 or TUNDRA LSOA quintile 1 or 2, or an area in the lowest 20% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation. |
|---|---|
| Educational | An 11 to 16 state school below the national Attainment 8 average, or no parent or carer with a UK degree. |
| Household | A means-tested benefit, free school meals during secondary or post-16 education, or the UCAT bursary. |
| Individual | An Education, Health and Care Plan, Personal Independence Payment eligibility, or being a young carer (validated by your head teacher or local authority). |
| Care leavers | At least three months in local authority care during secondary or post-16 education: an automatic interview if you meet the academic criteria. |
Evidence is uploaded after you apply, when BSMS invites you to its applicant area.
Dan's preparation advice for BSMS
The following is independent coaching advice, not BSMS's rubric.
- Ten minutes is long. Stations at BSMS give room for follow-up questions. Plan to go two or three layers deep on each answer, not just give a first response.
- Use the MSC core values document. BSMS points to it. Map each of your experiences to two or three of the values before the day.
- Choose the format that suits you. If you will be calmer at home, Zoom is equal. If you choose Zoom, set up a clear, tidy room you are happy to show.
- Your SJT band matters before you ever interview. If you are still planning, a Band 4 removes you from BSMS selection entirely.
Fees and funding
| Home students | The government maximum tuition fee in England is £10,050 for 2027/28 (for universities with a TEF award and access plan). Check BSMS's fees page for its fee. |
|---|---|
| International students | 10 places for 2027. Check BSMS's fees page for the international fee. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the BSMS medicine interview like?
A Multiple Mini Interview of five 10-minute stations, taking about an hour. Home applicants can choose to interview in person or on Zoom; both use the same questions and mark schemes.
How does BSMS select for interview?
Applicants who meet the academic requirements and score SJT Band 1, 2 or 3 are ranked on their UCAT score. Adjusted-offer applicants are ranked separately and receive about 30% of interviews.
Does BSMS read personal statements?
No. BSMS does not use personal statements at any point in its admissions process.
What A-levels do I need for BSMS in 2027?
AAA including Biology or Chemistry and one more from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. The adjusted offer is AAB.
Can I do my BSMS interview online?
Yes. Home applicants can choose Zoom (late January or early February) or in person (early December or early January).
Does BSMS offer guaranteed interviews?
Yes, for care leavers who meet the academic criteria and for students at Sussex sixth forms and colleges who meet the academic requirements and achieve SJT Band 1 to 3.
How many places does BSMS have?
It expects 197 places for new UK entrants and 10 for international entrants in September 2027.
How Key2MD fits
Key2MD is independent practice for the skills an interview rewards, not a copy of BSMS's interview.
- 255 MMI stations and 100 CASPer scenarios across ethics, teamwork, communication, professionalism and current health topics.
- Ten-minute stations with follow-up questions, like BSMS's format.
- On-camera practice if you choose BSMS's Zoom option.
- Feedback on six criteria, including communication, reasoning and empathy, with your progress tracked over time. Your first AI-marked review is free.
Sources
Facts on this page come from the sources below, checked on .
- BSMS: admissions process: places, steps, interview windows, personal statement
- BSMS: entry requirements: 2027 A-level, IB, GCSE, adjusted offers, SJT rule, guaranteed interviews
- BSMS: FAQs: MMI format, online interviews
- Medical Schools Council: core values and attributes: recommended preparation
- GOV.UK: tuition fee changes: 2027/28 maximum fee in England
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