Interviews

Preparation for interviews

All Oxbridge applicants will be interviewed, as will all applicants for medicine. Interviews are becoming much less common on other courses simply because the number of applicants has increased so markedly. Heap - Degree Course Offers indicates which courses are likely to call you for interview. If you are called, assume it is a critical part of the selection process, even if ends up as little more than a pleasant chat. Departments sometimes use the interview to persuade you how good their course is.

It is important to try and discover the format of the interview before you go and prepare yourself accordingly. For example: is there an aptitude test? are there group interviews? how long is the interview?

All interviewers are different, some are trained and some aren't, but they will all be looking for evidence of one or more of the following:

• Your academic potential (ie intelligence)
• Your ability to answer questions lucidly
• Your motivation and interest in the course
• Your communication skills
• Your ability to put forward views about issues
• The diversity of your interests

Above all, you want to be interesting. This does not necessarily mean pre-prepared answers (although you should certainly have thought through what you might be asked), but being able to engage in conversation, put forward ideas and questions of your own, being willing to admit to your weaknesses and promote your strengths. Your preparation should include research on the university, the department and the course (tell them why you want to be admitted to their course in particular, so find out some of their specialisations); and you must have a very clear idea of why you have chosen the subject you have, and be prepared to answer questions in depth about it.

All Oxbridge candidates will be given mock interviews as part of their Oxbridge preparation. We can also use the services of a professional team of interviewers who give 30 minute mock interviews, followed by a 10 minute debrief and a written report. The cost of this will be added to your bill. Details are sent out at the end of the summer term of your LVIth year.

Go to this page for some tips about preparing yourself for the interview, and to this page for a list of the questions you may be asked. You can also see Durham University's advice about interviews

But you should also be prepared to ask your own questions. Heap - Choosing Your Degree Course and University has a list of general questions and also subject based questions in Chapter 3.