1. Hannah Pollard- Admissions Progression Officer
Interview Skills

2. Today’s presentation will answer the following questions:
Introduction
Today’s presentation will answer the following questions:
Which universities interview and why?
Who will my interviewer be?
What will they be looking for?
What format will my interview take?
What sort of questions will I be asked?
How should I present myself?
How will universities assess my interview?

3. Who interviews? Who interviews and why? Oxford and Cambridge
Some competitive courses
Who interviews?
Care-related courses:
e.g. Medicine, Veterinary Medicine,
Nursing, Social Work,
Pharmacy ‘Informal’ interviews

4. Why do some universities interview students?
Who interviews and why?
Why do some universities interview students?
Benefit for us:
Help differentiate between lots of strong students
- Check suitability for the course
Benefit for you:
Visit the university and department
Meet members of staff at the university
Ask any questions you might have
Help you decide if this is somewhere you
want to study

5. Who will my interviewer be & what are they looking for?
The mind-set of the Admissions Tutor!
Good understanding of course
Enthusiastic
Self-motivated and hardworking
Able to work and think independently
Intellectually flexible
Able to show clarity of expression

6. What format will my interview take?
Type of Interview
What is being tested?
What skills will be required?
Individual interview
(in person, telephone or skype)
Technical/ subject specific knowledge
Motivation
Competency
Academic skills
Independent thinking and working skills
Communication skills

7. What format will my interview take?
Type of Interview
What is being tested?
What skills will be required?
2) Group interview
Ability to work well with others
Ability to contribute constructively to group discussions
Listening skills
Communication skills
Self-awareness

8. What format will my interview take?
Type of Interview
What is being tested?
What skills will be required?
3) Multiple mini interviews
Ability to think on your feet
Ability to deal with a wide range of scenarios
Different ‘stations’ may require different qualities-
empathy, maturity, creativity, initiative

9. What sort of questions will I be asked?
Your interview may include questions based on:
- Your chosen subject
- Your personal statement
- Any writing samples you have provided
- Any portfolios you have provided
- An article or academic paper you are asked to read
You may also be asked to complete:
- A short test
- A short presentation

10. Sample questions Why do you want to study X at university?
Why not Y or Z (similar subjects)?
Why is the study of X important?
Why did you apply to X university?
What do you feel will be the most challenging aspects of studying at university?
What skills do you think are required by a student studying X?
Tell me about a recent news article linked to X that you have read.
Given that we receive thousands of applications for X, why should we offer you a place?

11. Sample answers
‘What do you feel will be the most challenging aspects of studying at university?’
‘I don’t know really. Making new friends I guess. Moving away from home. All that sort of stuff.’
‘The most challenging part of going to university will be getting used to a new style of learning and working.’
‘For me, the most challenging aspect of studying at university will be adjusting to the different working style required by university compared with A levels. I know that university study will require a lot more independent research, reading and written work than I am used to at school. However, I think that I am ready to make the transition from school to university and I am excited about the prospect of being able to manage my own learning a bit more. I have very strong time management skills demonstrated by the amount of extra-curricular activities I have balanced alongside my A level studies, and I think that these skills will help me to manage my time and workload effectively to overcome this challenge.’

12. Activity 1- preparing questions and answers
Find a partner
Think of an interview question to ask your partner
Swap questions
Plan the perfect answer to your partner’s question
Be prepared to share your questions and answers with everyone!

13. Activity 2- thinking on your feet
Find a partner
Think of 3 interview questions to ask your partner (don’t let them see the questions this time)
Take it in turns to interview your partner using your questions
Give your partner some constructive feedback
Be prepared to share your feedback with everyone!

14. Tips for how to prepare- answering questions
1) Research the course and university you have applied to
What made the university stand out to you?
What makes the course different to others offered elsewhere?
2) Re-read your personal statement
Be ready to talk positively about your achievements, motivation and future goals.
3) Read over any key notes/revision notes for your chosen subject
Be prepared to answer academic questions on topics relevant to your chosen course.
4) Do some wider reading and be aware of relevant current affairs
This will help you to show an interest and awareness of your subject-area beyond what’s covered at school.

15. Tips for how to prepare- answering questions
5) Plan answers to some standard interview questions & speak to others
This will help you to feel more prepared, even if your experience is slightly different.
6) Plan what questions you would like to ask on the day
Remember, the interview is as much about your decision as the university’s!
7) Arrange a mock interview
This will help give you practise of answering questions under pressure.
8) Read the interview information sent to you carefully so that you know what to expect on the day
Do you need to take anything with you? How long will the interview take?

16. How should I present myself?
What type of interviewee are you?
Quiet, rambling, generalising, overconfident…?
Do you have any interview ‘habits’?
What does your body language say about you?

17. Activity 3- being self aware
Find you previous partner and 3 questions
Decide on an interviewee type but don’t tell your partner
Take it in turns to interview each other again using the same questions, but this time with the interviewee adopting their new persona!
Guess which interviewee type your partner was adopting
Be prepared to share comments on your partner’s interviewee persona!

18. Tips for how to prepare- presenting yourself
Arrive on time
Wear something smart but comfortable
Be positive and enthusiastic
Be self aware!
Think before you speak
Ask for clarification if you don’t understand the question
Make your answers as clear, concise and structured as possible
Expect the unexpected
RELAX- remember that the interviewer wants you to do your best!

19. How will universities assess my interview?
Communication Skills A
Excellent communicator; full, structured and considered responses to questions; engaged confidently with interviewers; very articulate; enthusiastic B
Very good and interesting communicator; engaged with interviewers; responded well to questions; articulate; able to argue a point C
Good communicator; responded satisfactorily to questions; reasonably articulate D
Limited communicator; poor engagement with interviewers; limited responses to questions; limited vocabulary E
Poor communicator; little or no engagement with interviewers; very limited vocabulary; significant difficulties.

20. How will universities assess my interview?
Communication Skills A B C D E
Motivation to study at HE level
Motivation to study this subject
Motivation to study at Bath
Written Communication Skills
Critical review of paper

21. Summary
Remember who is interviewing you and what they might be looking for.
Be aware of the different types of interviews and what skills they might require.
Be prepared for the logistics of the day and the interview itself.
Be self aware and understand how to present yourself successfully.
Try to relax: be calm, confident and considered in your approach.
Remember that practise is often the best way to improve.

22. Any questions?