Preparing for a university interview

Despite impressing with your application, the undergraduate admissions team may still want to meet you before making an offer. Give yourself the best chance of securing your place by discovering how to prepare for a university interview

Admissions staff sometimes use interviews and auditions towards the end of the university application process to compare applicants who have a good chance of being offered places on their courses.

Finding out about a university interview

Will I have an interview?

No, not all undergraduate candidates are invited to an interview for entry onto their preferred course. Whether an interview is required or not depends on the university and course you apply to. Discover how to apply for university.

For instance, an interview is highly unlikely for those planning to study a humanities or social sciences subject, such as:

Instead, they're more likely to be held for professional and vocational training courses in:

An interview is also common for creative and talent-based degrees, such as:

To find out more about the audition process for performing arts courses, see conservatoires.

Finally, they're used by top universities to select candidates for highly competitive courses, while the universities of Oxford and Cambridge interview all applicants who make their shortlists.

Where do I find out about an interview?

This will usually be through UCAS Hub, although universities may contact students directly to provide information on what will happen on the day.

When accessing UCAS Hub, you'll be given the option of accepting, declining or requesting to change the time or date of the interview.

Can I change the date of my interview?

Yes. As mentioned above, this option is available via UCAS Hub. However, as universities are extremely busy during this time, it might not be easy to reschedule the interview, so try your best to attend on the original date.

If this isn't possible, you can propose a new date through UCAS. The invitation will then either be updated, or you'll be notified of the rescheduling via email, phone, or post.

After the interview, you'll need to wait for the decision to be confirmed in the UCAS Hub.

Will my university interview be online?

A number of institutions hold their admissions interviews online.

In this instance, you'd need:

access to your laptop or computer
a video platform such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams
a strong Wi-Fi connection.

The format of the interview and anything you need to keep in mind should be made clear to you in the UCAS Hub or through direct contact with the university.

For more advice relevant to university interviews held online, read our video interview tips.

What to expect from a university interview

While the form and length of the interview will vary between universities and departments, most are based on a discussion with the course tutor.

For some courses, you may need to bring along a portfolio showing examples of your best work. This usually only applies to courses in the arts, but those wishing to study English are often asked to discuss a poem or essay they've written, while maths applicants may have to solve an equation.

The interviewer will want to maintain an element of surprise during the interview, but they should at least let you know in advance if you'll be expected to complete a task.

How to prepare for a university interview

sort out your travel and accommodation arrangements - if the interview is held in person
discover where the interview will take place
check that your laptop and webcam are all set up and working correctly - if your interview is being held online
think about why you've chosen this course, make notes from your application and read through your personal statement
plan questions to ask the university interviewer
thoroughly research the course and university
ensure you're up to date with current affairs relating to your subject
conduct a mock interview with a careers adviser or teacher to assess your performance under pressure and ensure you adopt the correct body language.

What to wear to the interview

You're not being assessed on your appearance or the clothes you wear, so dress comfortably. There's no need for a suit, but you'll still need to look professional - aim for a smart casual look, as this will help you make a good first impression and show the interviewer that you take your studies seriously.

This advice also applies if the interview is being conducted online, as you still need to show admissions tutors that you've made an effort.

If it's an audition for a drama or dance course, you may need to wear something appropriate but comfortable for moving around in.

Prepare your interview questions and answers

Knowing what you could be asked and planning your answers in advance can help ease the stress of an interview.

What general course questions will I be asked?

Why do you want to study this subject?
Why did you choose this university?
What did you enjoy about your A-levels?
How would you describe yourself?
What are your main interests?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What achievement are you most proud of?
What are your career plans?
Why should we offer you a place?

What about specific questions on the subject?

You'll also have to consider the types of questions that relate to your specific subject and acquire some background knowledge of the field. For example:

A biochemistry student might need to solve a problem involving the differences between various recognisable compounds.
For courses in English literature, the interviewer may ask you to tell them about a piece of literary work mentioned in your personal statement or expect you to discuss what you're reading at the moment.

Remember, if you don't understand the question, ask them to repeat or rephrase it rather than guess what is being asked.

What questions can I ask the course tutor?

Interviews are a two-way process, so use this opportunity to find out what you want to know about the course.

You could ask the course tutor about:

the programme's range of teaching methods
expectations for each year of the degree
the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the course
the main characteristics looked for in a student
what alumni who've completed this degree have gone on to do
any advice on how to succeed when taking this particular course.

By showing passion for your subject and outside interests, while having a genuine understanding of and knowledge about the course and university, you'll come across as a well-rounded individual with the potential to thrive in this environment.

You can also raise any concerns you have about studying at the university or enquire about its provision of services. This can help you narrow down your choices of which place would be the best fit for you. For instance, you could ask:

Are there any internships or work placements available to students?
Can I study abroad for part of my degree?
Do you offer financial support, such as scholarship opportunities, to undergraduate students?
How does the university support student mental health and wellbeing?
What kind of student jobs are available on campus?
What sustainability initiatives has your university adopted?

What to take with you

A notepad may come in handy to jot down the most important points, especially if you have several interviews lined up.

For music courses, you may need to take your instrument.

If you're choosing to study art and design or another practice-based course, the university is likely to want to see a portfolio of your work when you attend your interview. You'll usually be expected to display it and discuss what it contains.

This well-organised collection of work should highlight your particular interests as well as how your skills and ideas have been developing.

Your portfolio will typically consist of research examples, work in progress and completed pieces - but these don't just have to be related to your college work.

Depending on the content, it can be housed within a size-appropriate folder, such as A3 or A4. Provide photos of any particularly large pieces you've done, rather than trying to take them along.

Discover more about putting together a creative portfolio.

University interview tips

If you're wondering how to get the most out of the interview experience, Joanna Haran, head of admissions at the University of Salford, offers the following pointers:

Decide if this is where you want to study - 'Applicants should consider these interviews as an opportunity to make an informed decision about their future, as well as a chance to demonstrate skills for their chosen course. It's important to get a feel as to whether the university is the right place for you by seeing the campus and where you'll be taught. Indeed, meeting our applicants is one of the best parts of an admissions tutor's role, as it gives us the opportunity to give a tour of our facilities.'
Be prepared for group discussions - 'We only interview for courses where we feel there's a real benefit, or where it's a professional requirement for our healthcare-related courses. Group interviews are often used with discussion topics demonstrating some of the relevant skills required. Applicants should make sure they participate as much as possible.'
Showcase your skills and enthusiasm - 'Tutors will look for study commitment, organisational ability, motivation, and passion for their particular subject area, but we also strive to make this an enjoyable experience where applicants are able to meet their peers and start to build relationships.'

Find out more

Once you've secured your place, prepare for university life.
Discover what you need to know about student accommodation.
Tick off these 10 things to do before starting university.