Medical school interview questions only matter for one of the four countries on this list. Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Germany all handle admissions differently, and only Germany actually interviews applicants. Here’s what each one asks for instead.
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Poland
Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski University in Krakow, see the full breakdown here, doesn’t interview applicants, and it doesn’t set an entrance exam either. Admission is based on your secondary school results, a pass of 30% or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Maths on your leaving exam, plus English proficiency at B2 level.
Slovakia
Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, full details here, also skips the interview. Admission comes down to a written exam: 200 multiple-choice questions split evenly between Biology and Chemistry, completed in one 2.5-hour sitting. Each question is worth up to 4 points, for a maximum score of 800, and the usual pass mark sits around 75%.
Since this is a knowledge test rather than a conversation, structured preparation matters here. MedConnect Synapse has a question bank built specifically for UPJŠ’s format, with mock exams and answer explanations.
Bulgaria
Plovdiv Medical University follows the same pattern: no interview, an entrance exam in Biology and Chemistry, with an English diagnostic test added for some applicants. The exam fee runs €270 plus a €30 admin fee, with a €400 retake fee if needed. Exam dates run from April through August, so there’s more flexibility on timing here than at most universities on this list.
MedConnect Synapse covers Plovdiv too, alongside Sofia and Varna, if Bulgaria is on your shortlist.
Germany
UMCH Hamburg is the one exception. Admission includes a 20-minute motivation-based interview, usually conducted online, alongside a separate 90-minute written knowledge test covering Biology, Chemistry, and general knowledge. The interview assesses your motivation, communication skills, and English proficiency, and it factors directly into the admission decision. This isn’t a formality.
What this means for your preparation
If you’re applying to UAFM, UPJŠ, or Plovdiv, your time is better spent on grades and exam content than on rehearsing interview answers you won’t be asked. If UMCH Hamburg is on your list, the interview is real and worth taking seriously.
What UMCH’s interview covers
- Why medicine, and why UMCH specifically. Generic answers are noticeable, be ready to explain your actual reasoning.
- Communication in English. Part of what’s being assessed is how clearly you can express yourself, not only the content of your answer.
- Basic awareness of what studying medicine abroad involves. You don’t need deep clinical knowledge at this stage, but you should be able to speak to what you’re taking on.
Common medical school interview questions, if you do need to prepare
Only one of these four universities interviews applicants, but the shape of medical school interview questions generally is worth knowing, since UMCH’s format follows patterns common across medical admissions worldwide:
- Why do you want to study medicine, specifically, beyond “helping people”
- Why this university, rather than a generic answer about location or cost
- Describe a time you worked through a difficult situation or setback
- What do you understand about the realities of a medical career, beyond the idealised version
- How would you handle disagreeing with a colleague or supervisor
None of these expect a rehearsed, perfect answer. They’re testing clear thinking and honest communication under a bit of pressure, which is what UMCH’s format is built to assess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all medical schools abroad require an interview?
No. Of MedConnect’s most popular destinations, only Germany’s UMCH Hamburg does. Poland’s UAFM, Slovakia’s UPJŠ, and Bulgaria’s Plovdiv all admit without an interview.
If there’s no interview, is admission easier?
Not easier, just different. UAFM relies entirely on your existing grades. UPJŠ and Plovdiv both replace the interview with a demanding written exam. Each route tests something, just not the same thing.
How do I prepare for UPJŠ or Plovdiv’s written exams specifically?
Focus on Biology and Chemistry at the depth expected in a UK A-level curriculum. MedConnect Synapse has question banks built for both universities.
Can I prepare for UMCH’s interview in advance?
Yes, and you should. It factors directly into admission, so treating it as a formality is a mistake. Practising clear, honest answers about your motivation is worth the time.
How MedConnect Europe can help
Not sure which of these routes fits you? Book a free consultation and we’ll walk through what each university actually requires, not what people assume it requires.
Sources: Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Medicine, official entrance examination page. Plovdiv Medical University entry requirements, 2026 cycle. University-specific admission details via MedConnect Europe’s own partner pages. Requirements can change year to year, always confirm current details before applying.
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