Above all, tutors want to see that you’re genuinely enthusiastic about your subject. Your application has done enough to persuade them so far, so try to just be yourself.
Tutors may ask you to expand on any claims you made in your personal statement which demonstrate your particular interest in the subject – any extra research or work experience you’ve done, for example – so make sure your statement stands up to scrutiny.
Here are some tips from universities on what else interviewers want to see:
University of Bristol: ‘Among other things, they will ask you about your reasons for wanting to study that particular subject and make sure you are aware of what the course involves and what the career options are. They will also assess your ability to communicate and to cope with stress.’
University of Kent: ‘Interviewers will expect you to show some knowledge of the course and university, and have the ability to present your ideas and arguments well.’
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.’
Interview tips: what you might get asked about
Revisit the university prospectus and course details, thinking about how you’d answer questions such as ‘why this course?’ and ‘why this university?’.
Re-familiarise yourself with your personal statement and be prepared to elaborate on anything you’ve said.
Get someone (who hopefully knows a bit about your subject) to give you a mock interview. Having some interview practice beforehand will help to boost your confidence and expose areas you need to work on.
Make sure you’re aware of the latest issues in current affairs relevant to your subject – tutors may bring these into the discussion.
Prepare some questions to ask tutors – just make sure that they haven’t already been answered in information you’ve been sent by the university.
Interview tips: the practical prep
Look carefully through any material that is sent to you before the interview, so you know what to expect when you arrive.
Make sure you have 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. If an overnight stay is involved, plan for this as well. To avoid extra stress, give yourself plenty of time on the day.
