How to prepare for a university interview

When applying to a university you may be invited to attend the interview by the admissions team. These are typically used towards the end of the application process to compare candidates whose applications are considered the strongest. Oxford and Cambridge use interviews to determine places for every course. However, other universities only use interviews for certain courses such as medicine, dentistry, nursing or arts.

Being invited to attend an interview means you will be competing against other candidates so it’s important to be well-prepared. This article will share some tips and guidance to help you prepare for a university interview.

Sort out the logistics

Applicants we have been invited to interview will be notified of the date, time and location on UCAS. Some universities may contact applicants directly to provide more information about what to expect. However, this is not always the case so don’t be worried if you do not hear from the University personally.

Sort out your travel (and if necessary accommodation) within plenty of time. Try to visit the campus beforehand to find out exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there. Familiarise yourself with the campus and identify which building your interview will take place. Work out how long it takes to travel to the campus and plan how you will travel there. 

If your interview is taking place virtually ensure you have the joining link ready and familiarise yourself with the platform. Beforehand and show your laptop and WebCam or working properly and that you have a strong Wi-Fi connection.

What to wear 

Just like a job interview, you should dress professionally. Look clean and tidy in order to create the right impression. There is no need to wear a formal suit – smart or business casual will be fine. This applies even if your interview is being conducted virtually. Even though you aren’t meeting in person you should still show the admissions team you’re taking it seriously.

Research the course and the university 

Thoroughly research the university and the course to ensure you fully know why you want to study there. After all, the university will want to know why you are interested in studying there to determine if you would be a good fit. Read over the university website and course prospectus and ask yourself why are you interested in both the course and the university. Find out about the teaching methods, available facilities, accreditations and career prospects.

You should also brush up on your knowledge of the industry by reviewing current research, reading academic papers and updating yourself on current news and trends. This will show the interviewer that you are seriously interested and eager to build your knowledge of the subject.

Lastly, familiarise yourself with your personal statement as you may wish to elaborate on this. Plus the interviewer may ask you questions about any claims made in your statement. Be prepared to talk about what you have said and provide examples. 

Practice 

Don’t forget that practice makes perfect. Ask a careers advisor, teacher, friend, parent or family member to carry out a mock interview with you.

Get a list of questions and ask this person to ask you them under interview conditions. This will help you practice answering questions and ensure you show the right body language and perform well under pressure. Mock interviews can help you perfect your answers and become more comfortable under interview conditions.

Prepare some questions

At the end of the interview, you are likely to be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer. Have a couple of questions prepared – you don’t need to ask them all but it’s best to have a few ready in case one comes up during the interview. Asking questions shows that you are interested and want to learn more. Read more about questions to ask at a university interview here.

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