Checklist: university and degree subjects you might be interviewed for
Not sure if you'll be asked for an interview or not? It depends on the course and university you're applying for...
Don't worry if you're asked to attend a university interview, it's a standard part of the process for certain degrees.
Here's why universities do interviews, as well as which courses are more likely to ask for one.
- Read more: how to prepare for a university interview
How universities use interviews
Interviews and auditions can be important, but they're not the final deciding factor – it's just one part of the university admissions process along with your:
- predicted grades
- GCSE and other confirmed grades
- Ucas reference
- personal statement
- submitted work, where requested
- entry test results, where applicable
Whether or not you'll be invited to an interview depends on the universities or courses you’re applying for.
Universities that tend to interview
Very few universities tend to interview all or most of their applicants. The main exceptions are Oxford and Cambridge, where the interview forms an important part of the process.
But they’re not the only ones. Imperial College London also interview most of their applicants – here's some information from their website about the process.
The majority of our departments interview applicants who demonstrate potential in their Ucas application.
If you are shortlisted, you may be offered a virtual interview or an in-person interview, depending on your circumstances and the course you're applying for.
Our interviews range in format, depending on the course you have applied to. You be may invited to a panel interview which will typically be with one or two people from the department.
Alternatively, you may take part in a recruitment day – which could also include a group task, discussion or written test.
Courses that tend to interview
If you have chosen the course that you want to study, it is useful whether or not to expect an interview invite.
A lot of the time it comes down to an individual course department as to whether you’ll be interviewed, but you can have a general idea based on the subject area you're planning to study.
- Most likely to have an interview: professional training degrees – such as dentistry, primary education, social work and nursing
- Possible interview: talent-based degrees such as music, acting, art and design
- You never know: sciences, engineering, computing
- Least likely to have an interview: humanities and social science degrees such as English, politics, history and geography
Don’t let a potential interview put you off applying though. If you prepare for it properly, you should do well. Take a look at our how to prepare for an interview article for some useful tips.
If in doubt, read the small print
Occasionally, some universities will ask for an interview whereas other universities won't – even though the course is the same. Here are a few examples.
Computer science: less likely to be interviewed, but some universities will ask for one.
- No interview: University of Nottingham
- Occasional interview: University of East Anglia
- Yes, interview: University of Oxford
English Literature: a lot of universities won't ask for an interview, but some might.
- No interview: University of Bristol, Cardiff University, University of Nottingham, University of Sheffield
- Possible interview: University of Durham
- Yes, interview: University of Cambridge, University College London
Architecture: portfolio or interview?
- Portfolio and potential interview: University College London
- Portfolio, not interview: Kingston University London, Cardiff University, University of Manchester
Whatever you’re applying for, it's worth doing some research on the university's website to find out about interviews – or note it down as one of your questions to ask at an open day.
