University Interview

How to prepare for a university interview

Being asked to attend an interview is the mark of an excellent application but remember that you’ll be competing against other strong candidates. So, it's important to prepare well. These university interview tips listed below will help increase your chances of success.

Practice answers to common questions

Most universities will want to know your answers to 'Why do you want to study the subject?' and 'Why do you want to go to this university?'. Have your responses to these questions polished and memorised, but balance this with sounding natural in your interview and not scripted. This can be a good chance to touch on what you mentioned in your personal statement.

Re-read your personal statement

You might be asked about some of the things you included, so make sure you familiarise yourself with what you wrote. Ask your school/college to see your UCAS reference too – some questions may be in the context of your reference from your teachers or head of sixth form.

Make sure you can attend

You are very unlikely to be given a place if you don't show up. If for some reason you can't make the date, contact the university to rearrange. This is important as interview places are limited – it’s bad form to cancel at the last minute (unless you have an emergency) or not show up.

Dress smartly and comfortably

Looking clean and tidy will ensure that you leave a good impression. But be comfortable too, as you’ll be more at ease. Some universities expect you to wear office smart/casual clothing.

Prepare your own questions in advance

You may get the chance to ask some questions of your own. Make sure you’re prepared so you can show you’re engaged in the course and interested in the university. Try to be original where possible and challenge the interviewer, to further emphasise your interest in the subject.

You could ask about:

A specific module and the topics that are covered
The type of learning you’ll do each year and how you’ll be assessed
What different roles graduates move into
Relax, you'll interview better this wa

You've earned this interview based on merit, so with proper preparation and honest answers, there’s nothing to worry about. Nerves are a good sign but remember to take some deep breaths before you begin. Admissions teams have asked you for an interview because they want to get to know you – that’s something to be proud of.