Preparing for

University Interviews
You should remember that
receiving an interview invite
means that the admissions
tutors are impressed with your
application so far and you are
in the running for an offer of a
place at that university. It is an
opportunity for you to discuss
a subject that you and the
interviewer share an
interest in.

Why do universities ask applicants to There can be some flexibility around attending these days – not all interviews
attend an interview? are compulsory. However some are and students will only be made an offer if
they attend. Where possible you should attend a university interview, but if
Interviews are one of the ways that universities assess your suitability to you are unable please contact the academic school or department and see
study your chosen academic course. Universities ask applicants to attend an whether it is compulsory or whether you can change the time and date.
interview so that they can gather more information about them. Universities
want to:
What are Admissions Tutors looking for?
• Check the information on your UCAS form
Admissions tutors are looking to see whether you have met the selection
• See if you have realistic expectations and a genuine interest in the subject criteria set for your chosen course. Selection criteria are the required
• Assess whether you can successfully complete the course qualifications, skills, characteristics, abilities or knowledge which are relevant to
the successful completion of the academic course. Interviewers will be looking
• Give you information about the course and university for you to demonstrate how you met the criteria advertised in the prospectus
• Allow you to ask questions and UCAS entry profiles, but will not always ask you about them directly.

• Assess which applicants are best matched to the programme – which Some examples of criteria used by Admissions Tutors include:
students will benefit and contribute most.
• Interest, motivation and commitment to the subject
Different types of interviews • The ability to study independently
• One to one (standard) • The ability to work with others

• Panel (being interviewed by several people) • The ability to manage TOP TIP
form,
Review your UCAS
time effectively
• Group (being assessed whilst you complete a group task)
the
the entry profile and
• An interest in the university.
• Assessment (numeracy/literacy)
university prospect us
Some interviews are more selective than others such as Medicine and
before attending a
university interview
Dentistry. At Manchester, students for some courses will often be invited to a
Visit Day, where they will get a tour and a talk about the course, with a short
interview as part of the day.
Interview Questions
University interview questions are usually derived from the following sources:
• Your UCAS form
STAR Method
• The selection criteria as specified in the prospectus
and entry profiles – see activity 1
• Current developments in the field of study – see activity 2
• Professional standards (for some courses).
TOP TI P
erview
Activity 1: STAR Method When answering an int
ld try
The STAR method can be a good way of answering questions, allowing you to evidence situations question, you shou
gh
that have enabled you to develop the skills and experiences relevant to your chosen course. to respond with enou
et th
Situation: What was the situation? Give the interviewer a brief outline of the situation faced detail so that you me
an d try
and your role. admissions criteria
e’
Task: What were the main issues involved with the situation? to include a ‘real lif
What needed to be done? example.
Action: What task/s needed to be achieved and what was the desired outcome?
What obstacles had to be overcome?
Result: What was the outcome?
Why not try for yourself? We have given an example to help. The student below is applying for English and Drama.

Question Can you tell us something about how you organise your time when you are studying?

Situation Attending Sixth Form College and having a weekend job in a clothes shop.
Complete my A’ level coursework on time and attend my weekend job where I am responsible for
Task ordering stock and serving customers.
Manage my time effectively to leave enough time to complete my school work, whilst also
Action working hard at my weekend job ensuring I complete the tasks I am responsible for.

By doing this part time job I have developed good communication skills, the ability to manage my
Result time well and have taken on levels of responsibility. This will help with my English and Drama
degree, as I have experience of managing my workload successfully and will work well with my
fellow students in the team work activities that are required as part of the degree.

Have you completed a project or some other study by yourself?

Question What was good and bad about this?
Situation
Task
Action
Result
Can you give an example of a time when you have worked with others to complete an activity?
Question What did you like the most/least about this?
Situation
Task
Action
Result
TOP TIP
Can you give us an example of when you had to have something ready for a certain
Question Practise spe
date? How did you organise your time to make sure you met the deadline? aking
clearly and c
oncisely
Situation practise talk
ing abou
Task yourself in
a
professiona
Action l manner.
Result
 Current developments in field of study
Whatever your chosen course it is important to keep as up to date as you can on developments in that field.
For example, if you are applying for a healthcare related course you may wish to consider what new treatments
are being developed?

w
Activity 2: Mind Map
We recommend that you use a mind map to brainstorm everything you know about the current developments in your
he chosen field of study.
y

Step 1: In the centre box write the subject area you It is important that you only talk about what you know.
are applying to.
If it’s a subject like English or History for example, list
Step 2: In the circles list: some of the activities you have done to learn about
this subject area outside of college, for example: read
• Any new research that is being done in this area.
books that are not on the
• Any related news stories that are relevant to this syllabus; visited museums etc. TOP TIP
field of study.
ly to
Listen really careful
Step 3: Use the lines off
• Topics in your subject area that go beyond your e
the question, and tak
the circles to record your
course syllabus. thoughts on these issues/ t yo ur
time to think abou
developments. one
• What have you read in journals or on relevant answer. Answer the
d, not
you have been aske
websites?
u
the one you wish yo
gle d
had. If you get tan
again.
up, say so and start

TOP TIP
If you don’t know
how to answer a
question, try
brainstorming out
aloud!

y, Extension activity: Can you answer the following questions?

ut - Can you give me an example of a recent ‘topical’ development in this field of study that you may have seen in the
media recently and do you have a view on this?
- What are you reading at the moment that is of interest?
 TOP TI P
ortly after
Make some notes sh
can remember
the interview so you
ct on what
what happened. Refle
could have
went well, and what
el pressured
gone better. Don’t fe
ened with
to share what happ
Commonly asked questions other people. The int
erview is
interviewers.
between you and your
General questions to forget
Finally relax and try
s over!
• Tell me about yourself? about this one – it’
• How would you describe yourself?

• What are your main interests?

• What are your strengths and your weaknesses?

Interest in specific university

Interest, motivation and commitment to
the subject • What has attracted you to studying (degree course) at (University)?

• Given that (degree course) is offered by lots of different universities,

• What have you enjoyed most about your current studies?
what is it about studying at (university) that appeals to you?
• Why have you chosen to study (degree course)?
• What contribution do you feel you would make to the student community
• What aspects of the course interests you most? at (university)?

• What skills do you have that will make you a successful student on
(degree course?)

• What do you hope to accomplish by studying (degree course)?

Where to find out more:

Working with others The University of Manchester
For information on how to apply and courses offered
• Do you belong to any teams, clubs or groups?
www.manchester.ac.uk
- If yes, what do you like the most/least about this?
- If no, can you give an example of working alongside others? UMASS University of Manchester Aspiring Students’
• When you make decisions, what importance do you give to the opinions of Society interview advice
others? www.umass.manchester.ac.uk
• As part of university study, students often attend seminars. This is an UCAS Course search function and advice for
opportunity for you to discuss your current work in small groups. What preparing for university interviews www.ucas.com
would you hope to gain from such discussions?

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL

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