Oxbridge Interviews: How to Prepare and What to Expect

Oxford and Cambridge interview dates have been posted, and are rapidly approaching. While interview dates vary based on subject and the college that prospective students have applied to, those awaiting their Oxford interview can expect them to take place between December 9th and 19th, while Cambridge applicants can expect theirs to occur sometime during the first 3 weeks of December. 

After submitting early UCAS applications and more often than not supplemental entrance exams, interviews serve as the final step in students’ application to some of the top schools in the UK. The goal of these interviews is not only to judge an applicant's knowledge but also to gauge their problem-solving skills and intellectual curiosity.  Both Oxford and Cambridge like to frame these as less of an interview, and more as a discussion with incredibly knowledgeable people about a subject you are (hopefully) passionate about.  

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While we want this post to help guide you through the process, we still strongly encourage students to read both Oxford and Cambridge’s individual interview pages on their websites. 

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Format 

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Generally, students will have 1-2 interviews depending on the subject they have applied for, however, some may have more if they are requested to interview with additional colleges than the one they applied to.  The interview format at Oxbridge is unique, as it mimics the tutorials that students will attend if they are accepted. Not only is your academic ability important here, but it is also crucial that students are comfortable learning in a likely radically different way.  

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The specific content of your interview(s) depends entirely on the subject you have applied to. While we can’t go over each subject individually, we can provide you with a general idea of what to expect. Most students will receive a general academic interview on the subject you have applied to where you will discuss the contents of your personal statement and any submitted work with a tutor. Additionally, some students may have an additional interview where they are provided with an unseen source, text, graph, document or other relevant text and will be asked to comment on it.  For vocational courses (medicine, dentistry, veterinary sciences), you should also be prepared to discuss what it is that drew you to the course, as well as your pre-existing knowledge of the profession. 

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What are some questions I will be asked? 

Unfortunately for applicants, the questions that are asked change every year, and are often dependent on the details of your application. However, both Oxford and Cambridge provide sample questions from previous years to help you understand the calibre and tone of the questions you’ll be asked. Of course, some more detailed and specific questions relating to what you are discussing should also be expected. 

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Some sample questions provided by Oxford: 

• Earth sciences: “How can we estimate the mass of the atmosphere?” 
• English literature: “JK Rowling has just published a book for adults after the hugely successful Harry Potter series. In what ways do you think that writing for children is different to writing for adults?” 
• History: “Is violence always political? Does 'political' mean something different in different contexts?”
• Physics: “A ball, initially at rest, is pushed upwards by a constant force for a certain amount of time. Sketch the velocity of the ball as a function of time, from start to when it hits the ground.” 
• Economics: “Do bankers deserve the pay they receive? And should the government do something to limit how much they get?” 

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Some sample questions provided by Cambridge (in their sample interview videos): 

• “Why are you interested in (topic mentioned in personal statement)?” 
• Discussing a novel mentioned in a personal statement “How does the depiction of animals in that novel relate to the period in which it was written?” 
• Medicine: “What do you understand about the term ‘cancer’?”  

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Where will I be Interviewed?

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Whether or not interviews are held online depends on the university you have applied to, as well as the college and, sometimes, degree. For those who have been invited for an interview at Oxford, all interviews will be held online via Microsoft Teams. However, depending on the degree subject, students may require additional technology for their interview, which can be found here. 

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For those who are interviewing at Cambridge, most colleges offer online interviews. However, some prefer (or require) students to attend an in-person interview if they are applying from the UK or Ireland. 

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How Can Students Prepare?  

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1) Know your personal statement  

This is something you are almost guaranteed to be asked about, as it is the only glimpse that tutors have of you before meeting you! It is important to be prepared to elaborate on any books, texts, or other topics mentioned in your statement. (So, if it’s been a while since you read what you wrote about, we’d definitely encourage you to give it a read again!) 

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2) Mock interviews 

One surefire way to prepare is by taking part in mock interviews. Either through your school or with an experienced company such as Luminary, doing mock interviews ensures you know the format and are comfortable with the calibre of questions that will be asked.  

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3) Read up on your subject 

Being familiar with your coursework is always a good thing, but taking the extra steps to engage with the subject outside of class, such as by attending lectures or reading extra material, can help you build an even better understanding of whichever subject you are interviewing for.  

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4) Know about the school you are applying to

Your interviewers don’t want you to be an expert on the school or college’s history. However, you will likely be asked why you want to attend the school/college. Having a specific answer to this question can help take some of the pressure off of you when asked.  

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5) Practise talking about your subject

Even outside of mock interviews, it is a good idea to practise talking about your chosen subject with friends or family. This will help you get into the groove of being vocal about your thoughts and ideas in a less stressful environment. Talking about your subject should feel like thinking out loud.  

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6) If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification 

Not knowing the meaning of a word or topic isn’t the end of the world, and it can give you the opportunity to incorporate their response into your answer, demonstrating a willingness to learn. 

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Of course, there is no one formula that applicants should follow to ensure they are accepted into Oxbridge or Cambridge. Be sure to re-read the advice provided by either university for your specific course, and to reach out to your current school to see if they are able to help you prepare. If you are interested in private interview preparation, Luminary is also able to help – reach out to us here for a personalised consultation, and to learn more about how we can help you or your child. 

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