SUMMARYA trial of problem‐based learning (PBL) was conducted with first‐year undergraduate medical students who had no background knowledge of behavioural science and who included a substantial proportion with a first language other than English. Responses to standardized and open‐ended evaluation questions showed greater variability and there was no clear preference for PBL over traditional methods. Students found the PBL exercise time‐consuming and felt they needed more guidance. Feedback from clinicians and working in groups were seen as positive aspects of the exercise. Students with a first language other than English reported that language, but not cultural background, was an impediment to effective participation. It is recommended that this group of students be offered extra support for PBL in a subject‐based setting, and that all students would benefit from a formal inductio