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Interviews
Oxford and Cambridge interview for all their courses whilst UCL Warwick, Manchester and Bath amongst others interview for many. Applicants for Medicine or Veterinary Medicine are nearly always interviewed, though Edinburgh is a common exception. Some students will be interviewed for other subjects and Open Day interviews are common. Open Day interviews are where the student is likely to be offered a place anyway but they are invited to interview mainly to try to promote the institution and to get the student to choose it as a Firm or Insurance offer. It is important to prepare for all of these interviews.
For universities that interview, the process can be protracted and they will call you for an interview any time between November and March. It is not uncommon for some Medical Schools to be interviewing as late as April.
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1. Obviously you will have read the relevant university prospectus and the course material, and will know precisely the content of the course you have chosen.
2. For practical subjects, such as Engineering and Architecture, or for Art courses, you may be undertaking some kind of practical project. If so, you can take your portfolio with you to interview.
3. In the case of subjects new to you, you must get hold of a reading list and you must find out all you can about your subject, through work experience, lectures, podcasts, visits to exhibitions, documentaries, etc. Subject departments in school can provide you with reading lists and universities are always willing to supply lists too. If you are struggling, please talk to your Tutor and the Director of Sixth Form. Make sure that you read the books on the list and keep a record of what you have read and your reflection IN THE LOG OF YOUR PARTICIPATION AND PROGRESS REVIEW. This is particularly important for subjects like PPE, Psychology and Anthropology as well as HSPS.
4. The School arranges interview practice in the Autumn Term.
5. Keep a copy of your personal statement, so that you can refresh your memory about what you said before you go to the interview. You should also keep copies of any submitted work since this may well form part of a discussion at the interview.
