Interview tips
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Before the interview
- Find out what form the interview will take – If you know how many people will be interviewing you, and whether it will be formal or not you’ll know what to expect
- Read the prospectus – Have an idea about the course and university to show you’re committed to studying there.
- Look over your Ucas form – it’s often the basis for interview questions so make sure you can talk about the things you’ve said on it in detail
- Read over your A-Level subject notes – you may be asked why you took a particular A-Level or what parts of your A-Levels you enjoy
- Read a quality newspaper or magazine related to your subject – Interviewers may ask for your opinions on current affairs or developments in your field
- Have a mock interview – Get a teacher you’re not familiar
with to prepare a formal interview to give you an idea of what it will be
like
Speak to students who’ve already had an interview – ask them what to expect or if they have any tips - Think of points you may want to make in the interview – prepare specific things you want to say or subject you want to discuss if you get the chance
- Prepare answers for common questions – why do you want to study this course or at this university?
- Think of some questions to ask in return – How is the course assessed? What teaching methods are used? Make sure they’re not already answered in the prospectus
- Plan your journey – take into account rush hour traffic and finding the room/building so you arrive on time
On the day
- Get a good nights sleep – Be ready for your interview and don’t stay up all night drinking or worrying about it
- Arrive early – allow 20 minutes for traffic and finding the place. If you have extra time have a look round the uni or talk to other applicants
- Contact the uni if there’s a problem – If you’re going to be late or unavailable due to circumstances beyond your control you should be able to rearrange the interview
- Dress smart but comfortably – Formal clothing may be a pain if you’re at the uni all day and dressing scruffily may give a bad first impression
- Turn off your mobile – You don’t want any distractions in
the interview and it will not impress the interviewer
During the interview
- Be aware of your body language – Look at the interviewer, make eye contact and try to smile from time to time
- Be enthusiastic about your course – Make sure you get your interest in the course across to the interviewer
- Take your time with questions – Don’t feel pressured to answer immediately, take a little while to develop your answers to avoid saying the first thing that comes into your head
- Say if you don’t understand a question – Interviews don’t expect you to know everything and will often prompt you or rephrase a question if you ask
- Give full answers – The interviewer is trying to find out about you, so make sure you tell them something. Don’t waffle just to make your answers longer though
- Don’t try to bluff questions – Admissions tutors will know a lot more about their subject than you will. If you don’t know the answer to a question be honest and admit it
- Listen to the interviewer – Answer the questions asked rather than the ones you’ve prepared for
- Ask questions – Use ones you prepared earlier or new ones you’ve thought of. It shows you’re enthusiastic and help you get more out of the interview
- Try to relax – Interviews will expect you to be nervous and try and make you feel comfortable
- Be yourself – Interviewers want to know about you, not just what tips you’ve read of the internet!
After the interview
- Don’t worry if you found it hard – Some interviews are designed to stretch candidates
- Make the most of being at the university – Talk to students, have a look round the city or sample the local pubs
- Think about what you’ve learned – The interview also allows you to find out more about the university and course. How have your opinions changed?
- Write down your answers to questions – This will come in handy for other interviews you may have
- Discuss your interview with other people – They can give you feed back on how they think you did and give you advice for other interviews
- Don’t worry about the result – Prepare for your next interview or just enjoy yourself as you can’t do anything to change the result.
Comments
Let me know what you think about the interview tips so I can make some improvements. I should be able to reply any questions within 24 hours.
Comment on the interview tips.
Interviews by guest at 15:56:22 06/11/2005
Maybe having agood meal can also boost your system for the interview!
Very good website!
Comment by guest at 19:43:33 24/12/2005
so far so good...but do you know what questions they might ask on a nursing interwiev
Comment by guest at 22:04:37 30/01/2006
some really good information.. thankyou!! please elaborate on types of questions asked!!
Comment by guest at 10:56:44 09/02/2006
Dont eat too much before a interview, a piece of fruit about a hour before is sufficent. You will find a large meal can make you very lethargic.
Brilliant site by guest at 12:51:20 02/03/2006
Our Granddaughter has just attended a Uni interview & this site helped her very much. Many thanks.
cheers! by guest at 13:30:40 03/03/2006
my interview is in three days time and this has really helped me feel more confident knowing what to expect.x.stacey.
Comment by guest at 27/09/2006 15:23:26
great tips but do you know what questions they might ask on a social work interview :)
Comment by guest at 04/10/2006 16:30:23
jees thankyou for your fab tips..!it's the simple thing's like turning off the mobile fone that i would forget..!..cheers..?
Comment by guest at 27/11/2006 01:57:42
I have an interview for a massage interview in a couple of days, do you know what types of questions are asked in a massage interview?
Comment by guest at 12/12/2006 19:27:30
Thank you very much for the tips. Very good advice.
thnxx by guest at 15/01/2007 16:10:31
thnx alot 4 the tips...ive got an interview at Queen Mary's in 2 days time 4 English and im really nervous! this has helped me feel more at ease...all i have 2 do is be prepared...
hoefully it will go well and they'll have a good impression of me (",)
questions by guest at 21/01/2007 02:47:02
my questions where about a couple of things I had in my personal statement,
why im doing the a levels that i am and what i enjoy about them,
what experience i had with nursing,
why i want 2 study it,
asked what i knew about the NMC (i checked their website before i went) and if they asked my friends/collegues for my good and bad points what would they say,
hope you find this useful and good luck.
Product design interview by guest at 21/01/2007 15:38:24
what tips have you got for a product design interview i m nervous and do not know how i should prepare ??
Speech Science/Speech & Language Therapy interview by guest at 29/01/2007 12:23:50
My 17 yr old daughter has an interview at Sheffield later this week and one at UCL next month. She's done a few work-experience sessions with Speech Therapists in preparation, but she's not feeling confident because she thinks that there will be more experienced candidates on this type of course. Are they likely to interview far more candidates than they have places for? Any ideas what sort of questions they may ask? She's the first person in our family to apply to university, so it's all new to us and any advice will be appreciate.
Comment by guest at 16/02/2007 14:23:52
i have just been for a nursing interview at demonfort uni, was the first of four and i was very nervous and unfortunately was not offered a place. however i am in no dispair as it has helped me to prepare better for future interviews. possible questions which they will ask include: tell us about yourself and your family, what do you know about the course, why do you want to study this course or at this university, what do you think nursing is, what skills and qualities do you think are needed for nursing and can you give me an example of a resent NHS campaign in the media. hope this will help anyone whose applied for nursing as it is scary being put on the spot in front of two people who know a lot more about nursing and the course than you do, many thanks for the advice and interview tips steph
Comment by guest at 20/02/2007 11:29:06
Thanx 4the great advice on interviews!
S.A
Need further tips by guest at 24/02/2007 13:49:57
Hi, i have an interview on Monday for a Social Work course...can you give me any tips on questions i might expect from them thank you.
My email is sweet_attitudey2k@hotmail.com
Comment by guest at 25/02/2007 18:16:19
Hi like the person previous i've got a group interview for social work fairly soon. Could someone tell me what to expect from a group interview ?
Comment by guest at 27/02/2007 12:57:56
this is an excellent page.. ive got an interview tomorrow and this stuff is really helping me prepair
international school of tourisme by guest at 23/07/2007 01:13:15
HI, i've got an interview at a school of tourism in 4 days, and i don't know what to wear, should i wear an elegant suit? what kinda shoes should i wear? i'm girl!
thxs for the tips, i'll not forget them!
here's my email so u help me out!
unckognito@hotmail.com
nice page
thanks again
Quite informative by guest at 27/08/2007 16:59:51
Good guidance provided.
Useful information.
Tips seem benefecial.
I will say more about the importance of these tips based on my result after my interview.
Thanks anyway.
Comment by guest at 22/09/2007 14:52:30
I have an interview for edicine tmrw,wt kind of questions can they ask(isuri_kavisinghe@yahoo.com)
Comment by guest at 02/10/2007 13:44:10
thank you for this, it helped me alot and following your tips i got a job
... by guest at 28/11/2007 13:22:02
this site really is of great help, but i would still like to know what kind of questions could be asked on an economics and management interview at oxford? :)
(simply_bw@yahoo.com)
Really helped by guest at 30/11/2007 20:37:41
Hi, Im a mature student and have an interview for social work studies, im really nervous and dont know much about what im going to be asked etc. I know I need to be prepared. It is a group interview and dont want to mess up. Any tips for social work? This site has helped and i feel more confident. slrrochford@yahoo.co.uk
Comment by guest at 04/12/2007 14:05:03
Thanks really helpful tips i feel a lot more relaxed after reading it and now have more of an idea of what to expect. Thanks as well for other people's comments, the kind of questions to expect were a great help especially for nursing.
Comment by guest at 04/12/2007 14:18:13
i noticed every1 kept asking you for specific questions on courses, can you give them that?
im sure your aware that im as nervous as everyone else, but i have an occupational therapy one, if you dont have any for that i can understand, but what about for social work or nursing or things like that, cos i can substitute the career in and it might give me a bit of a head start?
thanks, small_stephy@hotmail.co.uk
nervous by guest at 09/12/2007 13:45:33
oxford (new college) interview tomorrow for biological sciences , v. nervous but this is helping build confidence.
Comment by guest at 07/01/2008 17:25:34
Thank you for the advice i have an interview in 2 days time and i feel underprepared! Im applying for a QTS course with ICT if you have any extra information or questions i may be asked i'd appriciate the help!
melissa_cox2@msn.com
helped but more info by guest at 12/01/2008 23:10:29
hey this website has really helped build my confidience..i have got an interview on monday @ oxford brookes apllied for social work..i would like to kno more about the question i would be asked i need an answer desperatiely asaap..interview is on monday 14.01.08. i kno i left it a bit l8. bt any one got any guidienace would be ready to take it email abbi_o_89@hotmail.co.uk or 07878533061!!plssss
thank u
Comment by guest at 14/01/2008 00:34:23
Thanks for the tips. They've come in realy handy at the last minute when i've needed them. thanks.
Comment by guest at 16/01/2008 20:01:24
Thanks for the tips on this website. Like most people I'm nervous for my interview, but even though you think you can be well prepared it's the little things that can throw you. It's helped me feel more confident about taking my time with the questions so cheers!
Nursing by guest at 20/01/2008 22:58:28
I hope to do adult nursing, would you be able to tell me what type of questions are involved.i would be very grateful
Thanks for everything by guest at 31/01/2008 12:33:39
I've got an interview in three days for adult nurse. I am really nervious about it, because I have never had any interview in my life, so no exprience what so ever, but when I visited this site, i have clamed down and it really helped thanks. I have got some tips and also what to do, so i hope everything goes well.
Help (",) by guest at 06/02/2008 15:25:34
I'm actually applying for
Media Production (Film and Television)
Journalism and Practical Media
Art and Design (textiles)
Art and Design (graphic deisgn)
I'm applying for a week experiencing them all, so i can choose the perfect path to carry.
I need some help on how i can prepare for my interview on these subjects.
Many Thanks.
Emmasingy@hotmail.com
AAaaaahhhhhhhhhhh by guest at 10/02/2008 20:54:41
Got my first interview tomorow at University of Kent....
I feel sick...!
Any tips on Social Work Degree questions anyone???
I did hear of a good tip.... Don't chew gum in your interview.....!
Good luck to everyone else...
Comment by guest at 13/02/2008 17:42:22
Arghhhh!! having my first interview in 2 days time and i'm still NOT ready for it! Anybody has ideas of what kind of questions they might ask for Architecture? i'm soooo nervous
Nursing by guest at 25/02/2008 10:08:47
I have an interview tommorow for adult nursing and i wanted to know what type of questions they will ask and what to do till prepare for it.
thanks
ashi15@hotmail.co.uk
Extras by guest at 25/02/2008 17:41:54
Apllicants should also be aware that depending on the type of course they applying for they may need to partake in a practicle. An example of this is anything to do with hair and beauty.
Mainly thhe applicant should be theirselves. Your personality could just swing it for you.
k_zalmai@yahoo.co.uk by guest at 28/02/2008 13:38:49
hi ihave an interview on 26/03/08 for adult nursing, but im really really really nervious about it, because this is my first nterview ever, so please can anyone give me some advice and tips thnaks alot.
k_zalmai@yahoo.co.uk
Nursing by guest at 03/03/2008 16:02:54
Hi i have a gropu interview for children's nursing on wednesday and was wonderin if u cud give me tips on how to be gd at a group interview and questions that they may ask for children's nursing
nursing by guest at 03/03/2008 16:46:35
Hi i have a gropu interview for children's nursing on wednesday and was wonderin if u cud give me tips on how to be gd at a group interview and questions that they may ask for children's nursing
thanks
il-angel@hotmail.co.uk
Comment by guest at 05/03/2008 12:33:22
Hi
Iv Got An Interview at de mont tomorrow for adult nursing!!!
Just wondering if any body else is going?
Email is laurasykes253@hotmail.com
Bye Bye :) xx
Nursing, Glasgow Caledonian Uni by guest at 06/03/2008 16:49:45
Hi there...has anyone ever had an interview for Adult Nursing at Glasgow Caley?...I've got one coming up and want to be prepared for any unexpected questions
If anyone can help, email at peaheid@hotmail.com
Cheers!
Comment by leannehill at 12/03/2008 13:08:46
Hi, I have two interviews one at de montfort and one at the uni of nottingham for adult nursing and I was just wondering if any one could tell me what questions they ask you and what types of situations they put you in. If it's easier my email is icklelele_16@msn.com
thanks alot
Comment by purplekim9 at 08/04/2008 12:10:05
please could you elaborate on the questions asked. my interview is for teacher training and i'm a mature studennt (23) with not great alevel results but lots experience working with kids. thanks