How to Prepare for a University Interview Workshop for Year 13 Source: UCAS and Which?

Plan ahead Check where and when – sort out any travel and accommodation you need – check their website for maps and directions. Be ready for questions – some about your application, as well as your chance to ask about the course and the uni/college. Know your stuff – show you know the latest in your subject area, and keep up to date with the news – they might ask to hear your views. Practice – have mock interviews with a teacher or adviser – cover why you chose that course and what you enjoy most about your current studies. Sleep well! Check where and when – sort out any travel and accommodation you need – check their website for maps and directions. Be ready for questions – some about your application, as well as your chance to ask about the course and the uni/college. Know your stuff – show you know the latest in your subject area, and keep up to date with the news – they might ask to hear your views. Practice – have mock interviews with a teacher or adviser – cover why you chose that course and what you enjoy most about your current studies. Sleep well! Source: application/interview-invitationshttps:// application/interview-invitations

The interview Dress smartly – you might not need a suit, but smart trousers/skirt and a shirt/blouse will show you're taking it seriously. Get there early – have their phone number handy so you can let them know just in case you're delayed. Good body language – don't slouch, yawn or fold your arms – stay calm and alert, sit up straight and make eye contact. Don't worry if you don't understand – ask them to repeat or rephrase the question, make a good guess, or relate it to something you know better. Expect the unexpected – they might do a surprise test to see how you react under pressure – just do your best. Ask them questions too – this shows enthusiasm and gives you chance to get answers you haven't found yet. Dress smartly – you might not need a suit, but smart trousers/skirt and a shirt/blouse will show you're taking it seriously. Get there early – have their phone number handy so you can let them know just in case you're delayed. Good body language – don't slouch, yawn or fold your arms – stay calm and alert, sit up straight and make eye contact. Don't worry if you don't understand – ask them to repeat or rephrase the question, make a good guess, or relate it to something you know better. Expect the unexpected – they might do a surprise test to see how you react under pressure – just do your best. Ask them questions too – this shows enthusiasm and gives you chance to get answers you haven't found yet. Source: application/interview-invitationshttps:// application/interview-invitations

Afterwards Make notes – if you have more interviews coming up, it might be handy preparation to write down the questions and answers you've already had. Reflect on how you did – decide what worked well and think of new answers for areas you want to improve in. Then sit back and wait – once we've heard from the university or college, we'll let you know in Track if they're making you an offer. Make notes – if you have more interviews coming up, it might be handy preparation to write down the questions and answers you've already had. Reflect on how you did – decide what worked well and think of new answers for areas you want to improve in. Then sit back and wait – once we've heard from the university or college, we'll let you know in Track if they're making you an offer. Source: application/interview-invitationshttps:// application/interview-invitations

pply-and-track/track-your- application/interview-invitations pply-and-track/track-your- application/interview-invitations Source: application/interview-invitationshttps:// application/interview-invitations

What are interviewers looking for? 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.’ 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.’ Source:

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 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 Source:

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. 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. Source:

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Student Experiences… Each of the five interviews I had was different. Some of the interviewers preferred to talk to find out more about you and your interests in the subject, others tested your knowledge with questions, some blatantly testing A-level knowledge and some more abstract testing our logical abilities. I would advise going in with an open mind’. First Year Astrophysics Student | Lancaster University Each of the five interviews I had was different. Some of the interviewers preferred to talk to find out more about you and your interests in the subject, others tested your knowledge with questions, some blatantly testing A-level knowledge and some more abstract testing our logical abilities. I would advise going in with an open mind’. First Year Astrophysics Student | Lancaster University Source:

Student Experiences… The professors start off with a few casual questions to break the ice. My interview was immediately after completing an admissions test, so a lot of the questions were based on my answers to the test. Second Year Physics Student | University Of Nottingham The professors start off with a few casual questions to break the ice. My interview was immediately after completing an admissions test, so a lot of the questions were based on my answers to the test. Second Year Physics Student | University Of Nottingham Source:

Student Experiences… The process was fairly informal and relaxed, with a brief discussion of why you'd like to attend, talking through your personal statement and some practical questions on bits you'll have learnt from your studies. Nothing to really worry about with the questions, as you'll get hints to nudge you in the right direction if you get stuck. Fourth Year Computer Science Student | University Of York The process was fairly informal and relaxed, with a brief discussion of why you'd like to attend, talking through your personal statement and some practical questions on bits you'll have learnt from your studies. Nothing to really worry about with the questions, as you'll get hints to nudge you in the right direction if you get stuck. Fourth Year Computer Science Student | University Of York Source:

Student Experiences… The interview was classed as informal but the majority of people were dressed semi-smart (trousers and a shirt / top). Otherwise the interview was relatively relaxed. Do be prepared for the usual type of questions - 'why this course?', 'will you be able to cope with the placement / academic workload?' - and have a couple of questions of your own. There was also some very nice cake at the end! First Year Radiography Student | University Of Exeter The interview was classed as informal but the majority of people were dressed semi-smart (trousers and a shirt / top). Otherwise the interview was relatively relaxed. Do be prepared for the usual type of questions - 'why this course?', 'will you be able to cope with the placement / academic workload?' - and have a couple of questions of your own. There was also some very nice cake at the end! First Year Radiography Student | University Of Exeter Source:

Student Experiences… It was two-part interview - group and individual. The group interview was a new experience and it was a bit difficult to know how to play it. I would advise people to be themselves, to listen to others' contributions as well as contributing yourself. Third Year Occupational Therapy Student | Cardiff University It was two-part interview - group and individual. The group interview was a new experience and it was a bit difficult to know how to play it. I would advise people to be themselves, to listen to others' contributions as well as contributing yourself. Third Year Occupational Therapy Student | Cardiff University Source:

Student Experiences… My interviewer was very approachable and easy to talk to. The interview allowed me to decide whether I liked the university, whether it was the right uni and course for me. It was very useful overall. A positive experience rather than anything to get too stressed or worried about. Second Year English Literature Student | University Of Warwick My interviewer was very approachable and easy to talk to. The interview allowed me to decide whether I liked the university, whether it was the right uni and course for me. It was very useful overall. A positive experience rather than anything to get too stressed or worried about. Second Year English Literature Student | University Of Warwick Source: