How to smash your university interview

You’ve sent off your personal statement and landed yourself an interview at one of your top-choice universities. The first thing you should be saying to yourself is ‘congratulations.’ Getting to this stage is an achievement in itself, as the universities and courses that run interviews tend to be some of the most competitive.

You might be applying to study at the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge or want to do a degree in Medicine, Surgery or Midwifery. Either way, performing your best at the interview could help you secure a place, even if you don’t get the grades you’re expecting.

Remember, university interviews are as much an opportunity for you to see if the place and course you’re applying for suits you as it is for them to assess your abilities. Keeping this in mind as you prepare for a university interview will help you stay calm and confident.

Are university interviews hard?

University interviews are designed to assess your subject area knowledge and skills. Based on your answers, the interviewers will decide whether you’re suitable for the course you’re applying for. The questions should challenge you but not feel completely out of your reach. If they do, this course might not be right for you.

If you’re applying for Oxford or Cambridge, the teachers at your school or college should be able to help you prepare with sample questions and tips. There is also guidance as to what to expect on each university’s website.

For those applying to do a medical degree, the NHS has some advice on how an interview will be run and what types of questions to expect.

When are university interviews?

Each university runs interviews at different times of the year. They can be scheduled anywhere from November (of the academic year before the one you’re applying for) to April (of the academic year you’re applying for). Most institutions schedule their interviews between December and March.

You should receive an invitation with a suggested date and time through UCAS. If you can’t make the allocated slot, you need to let the institution know as quickly as possible, as it can be difficult to change scheduled times. The times might also be on weekdays, so you’ll need to let your school or college know of any absence in advance.

How long are university interviews?

The length of interviews differs between each university. Some will invite you for a whole day of seminars, activities and one-to-one chats, while others will arrange ten-minute online interviews. This is because some departments will need more time to assess your skills than others. Again, the length of the interview will be detailed in your UCAS invitation.

What to wear to a university interview

When choosing your university interview outfit, focus on being both smart and comfortable. Just like applying for a job, wearing formal office wear will show you’re taking the occasion seriously and help you feel more confident. Avoid any items that could cause offence or be considered inappropriate (i.e. leave your clubbing outfits at home).

At the same time, it’s important that you feel relaxed, so make sure you dress appropriately for the weather. Try on any outfit beforehand so you know it’s not going to be too tight or distracting. Don’t be afraid to add pops of colour or personality to your look by adding accessories or wearing jewellery that has a special meaning to you.

Here are some example outfits you could try:

• A blazer, shirt and smart trousers or skirt
• A formal or smart, casual dress and jacket
• Chino trousers or shorts and a smart shirt
• A jumper or polo shirt and smart trousers
• Formal, closed-toe shoes

Avoid wearing jeans, casual tops or bottoms and trainers. Tracksuits and sportswear are also best avoided unless you know there’ll be an active part of the interview. In this case, take a smarter outfit to change into for the more formal activities.

Preparation

As with any other university task, doing thorough research is key to succeeding in a course interview. The admissions tutors should inform you of any tasks you need to prepare for in advance, so make sure you put enough time aside to look closely at these.

As a minimum, you should reread your personal statement, Google the university and course and search for any subject-specific questions. Make notes on any questions you’d like to ask the interviewer. You can take these into the room with you if that makes you feel more comfortable.

If possible, do a mock interview with another student or teacher before your scheduled appointment. This will help you get used to the process and mean you can practise and test out your responses.

During the interview

On the day of your interview, make sure you leave plenty of time to get to the location early. This will prevent you from being rushed and help you stay relaxed before you enter the room. Take a bag with you that has a snack, a bottle of water and any documents or notes you might need.

While you’re in the interview itself, keep the following tips in mind:

• Don’t feel like you have to answer the questions straight away. Taking time to think will help you create a more effective response, so don’t be afraid of sitting in silence as you gather your thoughts
• Use neutral body language to ensure you come across as relaxed and confident. Sit back, keep your arms on your lap (avoid folding them) and make plenty of eye contact with your interviewer
• Try to stay in the moment. Turn your phone off and give the interviewer your complete attention. This will help you focus on the questions being asked and give the best responses
• If you don’t understand a question, don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to refresh or clarify it. This won’t make you look stupid but shows you’re thinking seriously about your response
• Remember that it’s a two-way street. The interviewer wants to see you’re genuinely interested in the course and university, so don’t be afraid to ask questions of them

Getting feedback

After your interview, make sure you take some time to relax and reflect on what happened. Maybe make some notes on what you felt went well and what you could improve on. This will help you prepare more effectively for any future interviews.

It also means that, whether you get a place on the course or not, you can use the interview as a learning opportunity. You may or may not get feedback straight away, but always ask if this is available. If you do get some, don’t take it personally but use it as a constructive base to improve your skills and perform even better in your next meeting.