Questions You May Be Asked

For further ideas about questions specific to your chosen subject look at the interview sheets section of this site, or in the subject tables in Heap - Degree Course Offers. The questions which follow are entirely general, and if a bracket follows this indicates what the interviewer is trying to find out about you.

An experienced interviewer may ask you a two, or even three, part question to test your ability to retain information and cope with more than one idea at a time.

It is sometimes possible to work your answer so as to invite the follow-up question which you want.

If you are not sure what the question means, or it seems ambiguous, ask.

Academic

1. Why did you select the subjects you studied for A Level? What do you like about them? How rewarding did you find them? (Academic potential, intelligence).
2. What courses have you taken, other than AS, either at school or outside? What have you gained from them? (Breadth of academic interest).
3. Why did you apply to this university? (Preparation and research).
4. Why have you chosen this subject? (Motivation).
5. Why have you chosen this department? What features of this course do you find attractive?
6. Why should we take you? (Self-confidence. Don't waffle - give one good reason).
7. How would you define your subject? Why is it important? What are the most important current developments? (Genuine interest).
8. What grades do you expect to get at A Level. (Updating his information).
9. What work experience have you had and what did you learn from it?
10. What practical skills have you acquired? (IT, public speaking etc.)
11. What are your career plans, if any? What qualities do you possess to follow that career?
12. Why are you taking a GAP year? What are you planning to do? Why? How did you arrange it? How does it fit in with your career plans? What do you hope to achieve?
13. Why have you decided not to take a GAP year? Does this put you at a disadvantage in any way?

Interests and Background

1. What really interests you? (Needs a specific answer, and will be followed up).
2. What are you interested in reading? What was the last book you read? Why did you choose it?
3. What is your favourite newspaper or periodical? Do you follow a particular columnist? (Breadth of interest outside the classroom).
4. Have you been abroad? Describe your most interesting experience.
5. What do you believe to be the functions of a good university? What are your views on the funding of universities? How do you think universities should achieve a good social mix in their intake?
6. Questions on your interests as listed in your personal statement …..

Questions about you

1. What positions of responsibility have you held? What do you think you have learned from them? (Objectivity).
2. What have you most enjoyed at school? What have you disliked?
3. What do you think you can offer this university? (How involved will you be in university life).
4. Are you good at working on your own?
5. What opportunities have you had for exercising leadership?
6. Describe a situation where you were put under pressure? How did you react? What was the outcome?
7. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? (You only have to give one - the interviewer is not going to say "go on, tell me more.")
8. Tell me an achievement of which you are proud.
9. How do you think you will benefit from a university education?