mmiprep
Cambridge collegePanel

St John's College Medicine Interview

Medicine at University of Cambridge is interviewed at college level, but the selection criteria are common to every college and a central shortlist is used — so this page covers the shared format and what is genuinely specific to St John's College.

How your college affects the interview

  • You attend at least two college interviews of about 20–45 minutes — one leaning on scientific reasoning, the other on motivation, ethics and broader thinking.
  • Whether an interview is online or in person is decided by the college, not you: UK applicants are usually invited in person to Cambridge, applicants outside the UK online. Your college tells you which.
  • One interview is normally at your preference college and one at another college (allocated, or via the pool).
  • Some colleges send material to read beforehand that you then discuss in the interview — the college advises you if this applies.
  • The winter pool reallocates strong applicants a college cannot offer to other colleges in January, so your outcome may not come from the college you applied to.

The University of Cambridge interview format

  • At least two interviews — normally at your chosen or allocated college plus one other
  • About 20–45 minutes each, with two or three interviewers
  • Questions draw on A-level Biology, Chemistry and Maths/Statistics content
  • Some colleges set short pre-reading or a data task on the day
  • Delivery (online or in person) is decided by each college

Assessed

  • Understanding of your subject and readiness to study it at a high level
  • Critical thinking and scientific reasoning under pressure
  • Openness to new ideas and willingness to be corrected
  • Enthusiasm for and motivation towards medicine
  • Ethical awareness

Full timeline, offer model, preparation guidance and FAQ on the University of Cambridge interview guide.

Practise Cambridge-style questions now

Reason aloud through science and ethics prompts with an adaptive AI interviewer. One free run, no card required.

Try the Oxbridge Panel

Sources

Compiled from University of Cambridge’s central Medicine admissions pages and St John's College’s own admissions information, reviewed September 2026 for the 2027 entry cycle. College-level details change — confirm with St John's College directly before your interview.

Other Cambridge colleges

University of Cambridge interview guide · All medical school interview guides