What Universities are looking for in interviews

Why Universities Interview:

University Interviews are a key part of the selection process: put in place to distinguish between top applicants, universities use interviews to assess an applicant’s suitability not only for the course for which they are applying, but also for study at the top academic levels. They have become an essential part of the process for both parties- applicants should remember that, although they are being assessed for suitability, they are also provide a wonderful opportunity to shine.

Interviews were the practice solely of elite universities but, as applicant numbers have risen, so has the necessity to add in an extra step for many of the competitive courses at a wider range of universities to ensure the correct applicants are offered places. Competitive courses such as Medicine now commonly use interviews- but there has also been uptake by universities that see a lot of applicants for their places; for example, Imperial and UCL alongside the traditional Oxford and Cambridge. This means that more applicants are finding that they have an interview step in the application process, and they are required to prepare for a new arena.

What Questions are asked:

To truly engage with the quality of an applicant, university interviews include questions that test relevant subject knowledge and understanding of theory. They also engage with experience in the subject area beyond the curriculum to gauge an applicant’s passion and interest in the subject for which they are applying.

The assessment of an applicant, however, does not stop there. Also assessed is an applicant’s capability of studying at university level- to ascertain this a university will look for flexibility of thinking, creativity, deep understanding, debating skills and an applicant’s ability to learn.

To assess these skills, universities use complex problems that may have ambiguous solutions that can be arrived at through application of logic, connected thinking and a resilient approach. Applicants can be handed a problem, a statement or a text with an open question and asked to simply solve it or break it down; it is the way that this is done which can show the potential of the applicant.

Where to get help:

If you are looking for preparation and practice for university interviews, contact one of our specialist advisors at Norton Alexander:

We are happy to help and have consultants who use cutting-edge research methods to ensure that an applicant can feel confident in presenting themselves at interview.