MPharm Selection Interview - Candidate Information
An Introduction to the Selection Interview
As explained in the Admission Policy Statement for Pharmacy, should you be selected for Stage 2 of the admissions process for the MPharm programme at Queen's University, you will be invited to attend an interview which aims to objectively evaluate your suitability for the programme.
The interview will take place online and will be comprised of a circuit containing six stations, with each station involving a different situational or behavioural scenario. This means that you will be given information about a scenario and asked a question in relation to it, which you will respond to during that station.
You must agree to keep the content and nature of the interview stations confidential; any breach of this will be treated extremely seriously, and may jeopardise your place on the programme. This includes sharing information about the interview via social media and messaging apps, talking to other people about the interview so as to provide them with information about the questions, etc.
Our interviews have been designed to assess your possession of the key professional values and attributes which a student undertaking a Pharmacy degree programme would be expected to have:
- Person-centred
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Self-motivated learning
- Effective communication
- Professionalism and integrity
- Resilience and adaptability
The information within this page explains what you can expect from your interview. Please also refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section for additional information that you may find helpful.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE SELECTION INTERVIEW PROCESS
Step 1
Receive Your Interview Invitation via Email
Should you be selected to undertake an interview you'll receive an invitation to attend, via email, approximately one week before your interview is due to take place. More information on how our candidates are selected for interview is available within our Admissions Policy.
Step 2
Undertake Your Interview
A number of interview sessions will operate across selected days from December to March (Monday to Friday) inclusive.
Step 3
Ranked Against Other Candidates
Unless you fail the interview outright, your interview score will be ranked along with the scores achieved by other candidates. Offers will then be made to the candidates who have passed the interview and rank highest. The final ranking cannot be completed until all interviews have taken place.
Step 4
Receive Your Offer
Should you be in a position to receive an offer for entry onto the programme, this will be communicated to you by mid to late-April.
You'll be able to find more detailed information and guidance in relation to our selection interview process within the content below - should you have any any questions about any of these aspects, make sure to explore the frequently-asked questions section, or get in touch with us via MPharmAdmissions@qub.ac.uk.
Pre-Interview Information and Guidance
If you are invited to attend an interview for the Pharmacy degree programme at Queen's, this will be communicated to you via email (to the same address which you've used for the purposes of your UCAS application, etc.). This email will note important information about your interview, including the date(s) on which your interview will take place.
Interviews will take place from December to March (inclusive), and will be scheduled to commence throughout interview days (Monday to Friday) between 09:00 and 17:00 (UK time).
You will need to confirm your attendance before attending your interview - details of how to do this, including the deadline by which you should respond, will be included in the interview invitation email. If you do not confirm your attendance by the deadline noted, you will be removed from the interview process, and your application for the course will not be progressed. Confirmation of your interview date and time, and a link to join the online interview will be provided after you have confirmed your attendance. Normally, it will not be possible to offer you an alternative interview session to that which is initially provided to you (for more information, please refer to the "What happens if I can’t or don’t attend the interview session that I have been assigned to because of an exceptional circumstance?" information below).
THE INTERVIEW PROCESS
Interviews will take place online via the Zoom web conferencing platform. During the interview, all applicants are required to complete six stations. At each station, an assessor (who is highly trained and experienced within the area of pharmacy) will describe a scenario and ask you a question about that scenario. The scenarios will take one of two formats, namely situational or behavioural.
The assessor can repeat information about the station scenario and question if requested, but cannot provide additional information or prompt you in relation to the answer that you should give. This is to ensure that all applicants are given the same information, and that the process is fully fair and transparent.
At each station, you will have five minutes in total to listen to the assessor, think about your answer, and provide a verbal response. You might find it helpful to make some written notes while you are thinking about your answer – you can also take some time to consider your response before providing it, but remember that thinking time is included in the five minutes station time. You will be provided with a prompt to inform you when there is one minute of time left within each station. Please note that all stations will end after the allotted five minutes, even if you have not yet provided an answer, or have not completed your answer.
You may notice that the assessor is writing or typing while you are talking - this is because each assessor will be scoring you as you complete the station. This is totally normal, so don’t let this distract you.
Technology Requirements
A fast and stable internet connection along with a working camera, microphone, and speakers are required to allow you to undertake your interview, so please ensure that you have made plans to access these resources in advance of attending the interview session. Your school or college may be able to help if you don’t have a reliable internet connection, etc. at home. Ahead of attending your interview session, please ensure your device is fully charged (or preferably, is connected to a charger) if required, and that the latest version of the Zoom client is installed. The web/browser-based version of the platform should not be used, as this does not offer the full functionality required.
Install the latest version of Zoom
PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW
You should ensure that you have adequately tested your equipment before your interview session takes place. You should ensure that your camera is working - if it's not, you'll not be able to complete the interview, even if your microphone is working properly, as it will not be possible to identify you.
You should not blur your background and you should ensure that your background is appropriate for sharing on camera. If your background is blurred or considered inappropriate, you will not be permitted to complete the interview.
You MUST not have anyone else in the room and/or interact with any other person in any way (including speaking/communicating with them or looking to them) apart from your assessors during your interview. Interacting with another person within the room that you are in, or via an electronic device, etc. will raise concerns that the responses provided are not your own and may put your offer for a place on the MPharm degree programme at risk. Further, the use of any form of artificial intelligence (AI) tool to assist you in any way during your interview is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
You should also ensure that you are undertaking your interview in a quiet space, free of distractions, such that you can hear and be heard clearly, and so that you can effectively think about each of the questions – this is something which you should consider as you plan for the interview. Your school or college may be able to help if you don’t have a quiet space, etc. at home. Regardless of the location you’ll use to undertake your interview, you should take steps to ensure that you are not interrupted during your interview session – this could include asking friends/family/classmates/teachers not to disturb you, or placing a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door of the room where you will be located, etc.
You will need to complete an ID check on joining the online interview session, and during each interview station. You will be asked to hold your ID up to the camera on your device such that your identity can be verified. Only the following forms of photographic identification will be accepted, and you should ensure that you have one of these with you at all times during your interview:
- Driving licence/provisional driving licence
- Passport
- Current student card
- National identity card
Please note that your identification document does not need to be current, and that expired documents are acceptable - however, the photograph provided within your form of identification must be of a good likeness to you, allowing your identity to be confirmed. Please ensure that the lighting in the room in which you will carry out the interview is appropriate so that you can be seen clearly for your ID checks, as well as during the interview itself.
Should you not be in possession of one of the forms of identification listed above, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing MPharmAdmissions@qub.ac.uk.
PRE-INTERVIEW CHECKLIST
✓ Confirm your attendance
✓ Be ready to deal with situational and behavioural scenarios (see the sample interview stations for more guidance and advice)
✓ Ensure you have access to the required technological resources
✓ Test your equipment before the interview
✓ Ensure you have an appropriate form of photographic identification with you during the interview
During the Interview
INTERVIEW FORMAT
Initially, you will join a Zoom meeting, where you will be checked in by the School of Pharmacy Administration Team. If you do not join your interview session at the required time, you will be removed from the interview session. Normally it will not be possible to offer you another interview session (refer to the "What happens if I can’t or don’t attend the interview session that I have been assigned to because of an exceptional circumstance?" and "What if I’m unwell or something happens which might affect my performance on the interview day?" sections below for further guidance).
Once check in is complete, you will be moved into a breakout room within the Zoom meeting, and you will then remain in that breakout room for the duration of your interview. You will meet six separate assessors, one for each station, in your breakout room. Each assessor will check your ID, describe the scenario and ask a question about it. Each station will be timed, and both you and your assessor will be notified when there is one minute of time remaining via a text-based message which will be broadcast into your breakout room – should you need to, you can ask your assessor how much time you have remaining at any point during each station. Once the five minutes is complete, the assessor will leave your breakout room, and a new assessor will enter soon after. This process will continue until you have completed all six stations, at which point the interview will be complete - you will then be able to leave your interview by leaving the call, or by closing the Zoom application on your device.
IF YOU EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES
You will be given an emergency phone number to contact should you experience any technical difficulties during your interview. This number will be emailed to you before your interview session takes place. Please ensure that you take a note of this number in case you need to contact us during your interview.
BEHAVIOURAL SCENARIOS
In these examples of a behavioural scenario, the applicant tells the assessor what they did in a situation which is related to this statement:
“Pharmacists often come across new situations with patients and their medications. Give me an example of a time when you had to deal with something that made you feel uncomfortable or was new to you. How did you approach it and what would you do differently the next time something similar happens?”
The professional values and attributes being assessed in this scenario are (seen by the assessor only):
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Self-motivated learning
- Resilience and adaptability
In a good answer, the applicant might tell the assessor about a situation that made them feel uncomfortable or a situation that was new and address the professional values and attributes being assessed. For example, this situation could be giving an oral presentation, performing in front of an audience, taking part in a competition, a situation arising in a job. In addition, the following aspects might be included in relation to each of the values/attributes being assessed:
- Problem-solving and decision-making: The applicant might tell the assessor what options they had to gain new information or skills and what steps they took to deal with a specific situation at the time or afterwards.
- Self-motivated learning: The applicant might tell the assessor that they needed support or help and give an example that shows their enthusiasm for learning and development.
- Resilience and adaptability: The applicant might also tell the assessor that dealing with uncomfortable or new situations can be difficult or stressful and emotions experienced may affect their decision-making or behaviour. They might tell the assessor what they would do differently next time.
In a poor answer, the applicant might not tell the assessor about a situation that made them feel uncomfortable or a situation that was new to them nor address the professional values and attributes being assessed. Further, in relation to the speific values or attributes:
- Problem-solving and decision-making: The applicant might not tell the assessor how they gained new information or skills to deal with a specific problem.
- Self-motivated learning: The applicant might not tell the assessor about an example that clearly shows how they are motivated to learn and ask for help.
- Resilience and adaptability: The applicant might not tell the assessor that this is a difficult and stressful situation nor describe what they would do differently if they met the problem again
In the videos below, you'll be able to watch two versions of a simulated interview with an applicant giving a high scoring answer and a very high scoring answer during this station. The answers given by the applicant are of a similar standard. However, in the ‘very high scoring answer’ example, the applicant gains more points for giving some additional specific information e.g., explaining how the situation may affect their behaviour, giving examples of what they learnt from the sources of help/information, explaining the rationale for doing something differently next time. Remember that you will be required to show appropriate photographic identification to the assessor during each interview station.
Click on the images below to watch the videos.
Text transcripts of these videos can be downloaded in PDF format using the links below:
SITUATIONAL SCENARIOS
The format of this example is a situational scenario. The applicant tells the assessor how they would react in the following situation:
“You are working in a group to complete an important project with a deadline in the next few weeks. One of the group is not contributing to the project and it is causing problems with relationships within the group. How would you manage this situation?”
Professional values and attributes being assessed (seen by the assessor only):
- Effective communication
- Professionalism and integrity
- Person-centred
A good answer might include the following aspects in relation to the values and attributes which are being assessed:
- Effective communication: The applicant might tell the assessor about a clear plan which involves communicating with all group members to find out and understand what is happening
- Professionalism and integrity: The applicant might tell the assessor that a professional approach is to speak to the group member first to find out what is going on. The applicant might tell the assessor that this issue could impact everyone’s work
- Person-centred: The applicant might tell the assessor that there could be a reason why the group member is not contributing to the project.
A poor answer might include the following which relate to the specific values or attributes:
- Effective communication: The applicant might struggle to tell the assessor their plan, which would demonstrate a poor understanding of the question
- Professionalism and integrity: The applicant might ignore the situation and not try to find out what is going on with the group member. The applicant might not fully acknowledge the impact this is having on everyone’s work
- Person-centred: The applicant might tell the assessor that the issue is with the group member being, for example, lazy or badly organised and suggest an approach around reporting the group member to someone
Click the images below to watch two versions of a simulated interview with an applicant giving a very high scoring answer and a low scoring answer during this station. In the ‘low scoring answer’ example, the applicant demonstrates poor use of non-verbal methods of communication in addition to giving a poor verbal answer. The applicant is also wearing casual attire rather than professional attire as recommended (see the "How should I dress for the interview?" section below for more information). Remember that you will be required to show appropriate photographic identification to the assessor during each interview station.
Text transcripts of these videos can be downloaded in PDF format using the links below:
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What happens if I can’t or don’t attend the interview session that I have been assigned to because of an exceptional circumstance?
If you are unable to attend your interview session because of an evidenced exceptional circumstance, a request should be made for an alternative interview session and this will be accommodated, if possible. It is unfortunately not possible to guarantee that an alternative interview session will be available in these cases. You should report your evidenced exceptional circumstance to MPharmAdmissions@qub.ac.uk within 24 hours of your interview session.
- Will the interview assess my experience in healthcare?
No. The interview is designed to identify those who can appropriately demonstrate an understanding of the values and attributes associated with a student undertaking a Pharmacy degree programme, as described at the top of this page.
- How should I prepare for the interview?
The stations will take the format of either a situational scenario or a behavioural scenario. At each station, a scenario is described, and a question is asked e.g., "how would you manage this situation?", "how did you approach this situation?", etc. In a situational scenario station, applicants should tell the assessor how they would react in that situation. In a behavioural scenario station, applicants should tell the assessor what they did in a situation.
In preparation for the interview, look at the key professional values and attributes being assessed, which are noted at the start of this page, and think about your own background and experience which has, or would allow you to demonstrate these qualities. The interview is an opportunity for you to show your individuality and own thoughts.
When you begin the interview station, think carefully about what the station is testing - ask yourself what professional values and attributes might the station be trying to test. So for example, if you think that a station is testing ‘problem-solving and decision-making’ then ask yourself what steps you would take to solve the problem, and what options you might have to do this. Consider this with the assessor so that they can appreciate your problem-solving and decision-making processes – it’s a great idea to talk through your decision-making process. Each station will test multiple professional values and attributes.
- I have a disability/require reasonable adjustments for the interview, what support is available for me?
As described in the Admission Policy Statement for Pharmacy, you should declare any health issues such as a disability or long-term condition at the point of application. Should you be selected for Stage 2 of the admissions process, and should you accept your invitation to undertake an interview, you will be asked to let us know, before your interview, if you require reasonable adjustments for the online interview with evidenced details of your requirements by a deadline which will noted in our subsequent communications with you. Reasonable adjustments will be accommodated, if required, and appropriate.
- How should I dress for the interview?
It is recommended that you dress appropriately for the interview, as this reflects your level of professionalism, for example, smart casual attire. You should wear an outfit that is professional, but also something that you feel comfortable in. Please note that a school uniform is acceptable and can be worn during your interview.
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Who will score my answers to the questions?
Your responses during the interview will be scored by assessors highly trained and experienced within the area of pharmacy.
- What happens if I perform poorly in one interview station?
Within the interview, each of the stations are of equal importance – this means that if you do not perform well in one station, doing well in the remaining stations will allow you to score well overall.
- What if I’m unwell or something happens which might affect my performance on the interview day?
Retrospective adjustment for a weak performance will not be made.
If you present for interview, it is assumed that you are fit to undertake the assessment. If you are unwell on the day and are unable to present for interview, a request should be made for an alternative interview date and this will be accommodated, if possible. Unfortunately, it is not possible to guarantee that an alternative interview session will be available. Issues should be reported to MPharmAdmissions@qub.ac.uk in advance of your interview session.
Any aspects of the interview that an applicant feels may have not been fairly or properly applied must be reported to MPharmAdmissions@qub.ac.uk within 24 hours of completing your interview.
- What happens after the interview?
Unless you fail the interview outright, your interview score will be ranked along with the scores achieved by other candidates. Offers will then be made to the candidates who have passed the interview and rank highest. The final ranking cannot be done until all interviews have taken place.
Should you be in a position to receive an offer for entry onto the programme, this will be communicated to you by mid to late April.
- I’ve been made an offer, how is my place on the Pharmacy degree programme confirmed?
Places will only be confirmed to students who meet all the academic entry and professional entry requirements, good character checks, and any other requirements as appropriate, and which are described in the Admission Policy Statement for Pharmacy.
Final decisions will be communicated via UCAS.
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If I haven’t been made an offer to study the Pharmacy degree programme after the interview, can I reapply?
In view of the competition for places, it is the policy of the School of Pharmacy to restrict the number of attempts an applicant can make to gain admission to the Pharmacy degree programme. A maximum of four attempts (i.e., applications in four different UCAS admissions cycles) overall are permitted with not more than two at either A-level (or equivalent) or at graduate level.
- I haven’t been ranked after the interview, what does that mean?
Normally, an applicant’s score (based on their performance within the interview), will be ranked along with the scores achieved by other applicants, and offers will then be made to the applicants who rank highest. However, some applicants may fail the interview outright – these applicants will not be ranked, and will not receive an offer. The decision to fail an applicant is based on the repeated identification of concerns about that applicant’s performance during their interview.
- What happens if I experience technical issues during one or more of my interview stations?
If you experience a technical issue and you feel that this adversely affected your performance, please contact MPharmAdmissions@qub.ac.uk within 24 hours and report your evidenced exceptional circumstance.
If you do not contact us within this timeframe, you will be provided with an interview score as normal based on your response to the questions asked during your interview session/stations completed.
Prior to your interview, you should ensure that you have the technology requirements (described elsewhere within this page) and that you have tested your equipment to minimise the chance that you will experience technical issues during your interview session.
- If I've been shortlisted for an MPharm Selection Interview at QUB, how will I be informed?
The email address that you provided in your UCAS application etc. will be used to communicate with you if you have been shortlisted for an MPharm Selection Interview at QUB. Interview sessions will take place between December and March.
To prevent the situation where your application for the MPharm degree programme at QUB is withdrawn due to non-response to your interview invitation by the deadline provided etc., you should:
- Ensure that you check your inbox (and junk mailbox) on a regular basis.
- Ensure that MPharmAdmissions@qub.ac.uk is in your trusted/safe sender list.
- Ensure that your mailbox can accept emails (i.e., your mailbox is not full).
- Use this email communications test form to ensure that your current email account settings will allow you to receive potential email communications from the School of Pharmacy at QUB.
Candidates who still wish to attend the QUB MPharm Selection Interview after their application has been withdrawn will, normally, not be offered another interview session.
- Can I select my interview date and time?
No. If you are shortlisted for an MPharm Selection Interview at QUB, your interview date and time will be provided after you have confirmed your attendance. Normally, it will not be possible to offer you an alternative interview session.
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Which time zone is used for QUB MPharm Selection Interviews?
All MPharm Selection Interviews at QUB are scheduled to commence throughout the interview days (Monday to Friday) between 09:00 to 17:00 in the United Kingdom (UK).
Please ensure that you check your allocated interview time very carefully - If you do not join your interview session at the required time, you will be removed from the interview session. Normally, it will not be possible to offer you another interview session.
- Are the QUB MPharm Selection Interview questions accessible?
Our interview questions have been co-designed and reviewed for their clarity. They are suitable for readers of maximum 14-15 years of age.
- What should I do if my question isn’t answered here?
If you cannot find the information you need within this guide, please email MPharmAdmissions@qub.ac.uk, giving full details of your question.
Your Personal Data
No identifiable data will be shared with others who don’t routinely handle it as part of the interview process. Anonymised data of all candidates who complete the QUB MPharm Selection Interview will be used as part of projects that analyse interview performance. This may involve sharing an anonymised dataset with people who will participate in the evaluations including final year MPharm undergraduate students. The findings may be shared with pharmacy regulators or presented at research and/or education-related meetings, conferences and published in academic journals. Individuals will not be identified in any report or publication.
For more information about how we look after your information, how to access your rights and who to contact if you have any queries or concerns about data protection please visit this page.
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