Ace Your Interview
Prepare confidently for university interviews with our comprehensive guide covering Oxbridge, medicine, and competitive courses.
Different courses use different interview formats. Know what to expect.
One-to-one or panel conversation with academics. Focuses on your subject interest and academic potential.
Series of short stations testing different skills. Common for medicine, dentistry, and healthcare courses.
Academic discussion simulating the tutorial teaching style. Tests how you think, not what you know.
Discussion of your creative work for art, design, and architecture courses.
Prepare for these categories of questions that appear in most interviews.
Multiple Mini Interviews typically include these station types.
"Discuss the ethics of organ donation"
"Break bad news to a patient (actor)"
"Build a structure with others without speaking"
"Analyze health statistics and draw conclusions"
"Why medicine? Why this medical school?"
"What challenges does the NHS face?"
Know it inside out. Be ready to expand on anything you mentioned - especially books, experiences, or interests.
Explore academic journals, respected publications, and current debates in your field.
Interviews often test reasoning. Practice explaining your thought process, even for questions you find challenging.
Practice with teachers, family, or friends. Many schools offer mock interview days.
Have thoughtful questions ready about the course, research, or teaching style.
For online interviews: test tech, find a quiet space, have backup plans. For in-person: plan travel, dress smart-casual.