Interviews

Most students fear university intetviews and find this experience very nervy. Remember that receiving an interview invitation means that admissions  department is happy with your application and you are about to receive an offer. It is actually a good news rather than a worry.
 
We have some university interview related tips and information for students and applies to online interviews too.  Interviews can range from a formal questioning to an informal chat designed to encourage you to choose that course. Interviews can last anything from ten minutes to an hour and are usually conducted by one interviewer. They can also vary depending on the subject you are applying to study. For example, English students may need to discuss a poem with their interviewer, while maths applicants might be asked to solve a question related to maths.
 
University Tutors are interested to see that students are enthusiastic about their subjects. Your application has done sufficient enough to encourage them so far, therefore now is the time to just be yourself. Tutors may ask you to expand on any claims you made in your personal statement which demonstrates your particular interest in the subject.
 
Universitys advise that among other things, they will ask students about their reason for wanting to study a particular subject and make sure students are aware of what the course involves and what the career options are. They will also assess your communication skills and whether you can manage stress.  
 
Universitys also advise that Interviewers will expect students to provce that they possess sufficient knowledge of the course and the university. 
 
University of Oxford: ‘They are looking for evidence that you are thinking independently, that you are willing to engage with new ideas beyond the scope of your school or college syllabus, and that you are committed to your subject.’  Questions you might be asked in a university interview are hard to predict, so here are some pointers on what questions you may face in a uni interview:
 
Revisit the university prospectus and course details, thinking about how you would answer questions such as  ‘why this course?’ and ‘why this university?’.
Familiarise yourself with your personal statement and be prepared to elaborate on anything you’ve said.
Try mock interviews with your friends or fellow students. Having some interview practice helps boost your confidence.
Make sure you are aware of the current issues relevant to your subject. Interviewer may ask you about it.
Have some questions ready for tutors. Make them intersted and genuine and do not ask quesiton as a formalilty. Students surely have many questions on their minds relating to subjects or universities.
To help you prepare we've also asked students to share their stories on what a uni interview is really like, as well as some of the more unusual interview questions you may be asked. What questions should you ask in a university interview? Asking good question will impress your interviewer just as much as good answers. Careers coaching experts Eyes Wide Opened explain more in this short video, which gives you two easy ideas to stand out - with the help of a former Scotland Yard hostage negotiator... Watch now: University interview questions to ask      University interview tips and preparation - including what to wear Look carefully through any material that is sent to you before the interview, so you know what to expect when you arrive. Choose something suitable to wear. The university may offer dress code recommendations, but if not, dress in something you feel comfortable in that won't distract the interviewer from the points you want to make.
Plan your journey ahead. If an overnight stay is involved, plan for this as well. To avoid extra stress, give yourself plenty of time on the day. Plan to get there 15 minutes early and have contact details available in case you need to phone. Take a look at what other tips students shared with us about how best to prepare for a university interview.  Interview techniques for on the day It's not just what you say that's important – body language is key to the impression you'll make.
Sit straight and make eye contact and look interested. It's important to engage with the interviewer right from the start.
Let your interviewer take the lead when it comes to handshakes, sitting down, starting to talk, and so on. Listen carefully to the question and don't be afraid to take some time to think about your answer or ask them to repeat it – you won't be penalised! Remember, an interview is a two-way process. Make the most of it by finding out as much as you can about the course (including teaching methods) and getting a feel for whether the course and the university are right for you. Whatever the format of your interview, try to contribute to the discussion as well as responding to what your interviewer asks you.
​​​​No interview is a perfect interview. Just feel relaxed and take it as an opportunity to discuss common interests.