Applying to Oxbridge: how to prepare students for interview

The universities of Oxford and Cambridge interview applicants for each of their courses, so all students who hope to attend these institutions (also known as Oxbridge) will need to be prepared.  

Your school may offer general interview support, but do your students have access to specific support for Oxbridge interviews? If not, then this article will help you start the process of offering this support.  

What are Oxbridge interviews? 

These are interviews that shortlisted applicants must attend in order to have a chance of receiving an offer. The idea is for the subject tutors to get a proper sense of who each applicant is, so as to determine their suitability to study at Oxbridge. Interviews are run by the various colleges at Oxford and Cambridge rather than by the university as a whole.  

Applicants will be required to apply to study at a specific Oxbridge college. This college will then be responsible for shortlisting, interviewing and making offers (although applicants may be interviewed by additional colleges if they are rejected by their first choice). Applicants will typically attend at least two interviews with different interviewers.  

Post Covid-19, interviews at Oxford and Cambridge are exclusively conducted remotely – with the exception of six Cambridge colleges. All interviews are held via video-conferencing software. You may need to support students by ensuring that they have the correct timings, technology, location and clothing for their interview.  

Why does Oxbridge use interviews?  

Oxford and Cambridge take every step possible to ensure that they are admitting the correct students to their courses. Interviews are the most effective way of doing this, as they allow tutors to get a sense of the applicant’s personality, how they think and how they cope with pressure.  

These interviews are designed to test several disciplines, while giving applicants the chance to display their own unique qualities and demonstrate why they deserve an offer.  

During the final decision-making process, each applicant’s interview performance is considered alongside the other elements of their application. Oxbridge colleges typically assign equal importance to an applicant’s grades, admissions test results and interview performance, each accounting for about 30 per cent of their consideration, with the final 10 per cent based on their Ucas application and supporting materials.  

When are Oxbridge interviews held? 

Interviews are usually held during the first three weeks of December. Full timetables are available on the official university websites, and these detail when applicants for each subject will be interviewed. Invitations are sent out around two weeks before the applicant will be interviewed, and offers are sent out in the first half of January.  

Your student’s interview invitation 

Applicants who have been shortlisted for interview will receive an email (and potentially a letter) confirming the slot for their interview and any additional information needed. Interviews are not handled by Ucas, so your students will not receive confirmation via their Ucas hub. Applicants do not need to respond to their invitations. 

Applicants for some subjects at Cambridge will need to sit pre-interview assessments. In these cases, they will not have already sat an admissions test, so this will be their chance to show their academic abilities. Subjects that require a pre-interview assessment include English, history, geography and philosophy. Full details are available on the University of Cambridge website.  

Other than this, there are no formal requirements for applicants pre-interview, so their primary concern will be to prepare.  

Supporting Oxbridge interview preparation 

Your students will likely require a lot of support through the process, especially near the start, so you should start their interview preparation long before they receive their invitation. Before your students can start practising, they should have an understanding of what to expect from an Oxbridge interview. 

Oxford and Cambridge conduct traditional panel-style interviews, where applicants engage in discussions and answer questions from university staff and admissions tutors. This familiar format is straightforward and not unfamiliar to most students. At both universities, interviews are conducted by a minimum of two subject-specialist academics who determine course and college admissions. 

The common question types your students can expect to face at an Oxbridge interview include: 

1. Subject-related questions 

Oxford and Cambridge prioritise subject-related questions during interviews. These questions will usually be open-ended and broad, sparking extensive discussions as admissions tutors seek applicants who carefully consider the question and express their thoughts reasonably and logically.  

2. Academic questions 

In some cases, Oxbridge admissions tutors may ask linear questions to assess applicants’ thinking processes, especially in STEM interviews. Applicants must practise presenting their problem-solving approach, rather than solely focusing on getting the correct answer. 

3. Reading-related questions 

Applicants should engage in extensive reading while preparing to apply for Oxbridge. If a specific book is recommended by Oxford or Cambridge for their subject, questions about it may arise. Or they may say: “Tell me about a book you have read lately.” Immersing oneself in subject-related material during interview preparation is therefore highly beneficial for applicants.  

4. Generic questions 

Oxbridge interviews may include a few broad questions about applicants’ motivations, university choices and relevant past experiences. For example, they may simply be asked: “Why Oxford?” 

5. Personal-statement questions 

Interviewers refer to applicants’ personal statements, and may ask about specific details such as work experience or achievements. Applicants must know their personal statements well and be ready to address related questions. 

6. Thinking questions 

Interviewers may ask unrelated open-ended questions, testing the applicant’s thought processes. These questions could involve moral dilemmas, historical events or random objects. Applicants must think on their feet, providing a logical thought process and a valid opinion or solution even where no clear answer exists. Examples include: “Do you think you know anything?” or “Assess the number of people in here.” 

How should your students prepare for interview? 

Your students can prepare for their interview in several ways: 

1. Research 

Understanding Oxbridge and the interview process is the initial and essential step that every applicant should take. This knowledge will serve as a valuable guide throughout the rest of their preparation. Topics to research include: course details, college details, admissions statistics and common interview questions.  

2. Wider reading 

Wider reading is crucial for Oxbridge applicants, as admissions tutors value self-driven study and research on topics of interest. Students can work through reading lists, take part in research projects, explore historic texts and follow current affairs. By expanding their knowledge and topics of discussion, applicants become better equipped to confidently address a broader range of potential questions. 

3. Planning answers 

Applicants should begin by working on written answers to sample questions, to help them articulate their thoughts. Gradually, they can practise giving verbal answers and work on improving their speaking skills, ensuring a natural transition from text to speech. This approach allows for relaxed practice, to avoid sounding scripted on the day. 

4. Mock interviews 

Mock interviews are the most effective – yet challenging and time-consuming – method of practice. It is crucial for each applicant to undergo a realistic mock interview at least once before the actual one. Practising with friends or family may not feel authentic, so arranging a mock interview that closely simulates the real experience is essential. Having an authority figure ask questions adds pressure, motivating applicants to perform at their best. 

Running mock Oxbridge interviews at your school 

Your team should aim to provide an opportunity for realistic exam practice. Here are the main considerations: 

1. Create a schedule to allocate specific times for each applicant’s interview. 

2. Find an interruption-free space for conducting applicant interviews. 

3. Prepare and structure your questions beforehand, including a mix of generic and subject-specific questions for each student. 

4. Review each student’s personal statement before the interview, for discussion purposes. 

5. Act as an admissions tutor would, to increase the sense of realism. Make the applicant address you just as they would their Oxbridge interviewer.  

6. Take thorough notes during the session, highlighting aspects of each applicant’s performance, both positive and negative. 

Final tips 

These final tips will help you ensure that each of your students will be properly supported throughout their preparation.  

1. Share useful resources, including official Oxbridge materials and UniAdmissions application guides, to give students a research head start and enhance their knowledge before preparation. 

2. Support wider reading by offering dedicated time and relevant texts or resources, and by emphasising its importance and inherent interest. This encourages students who may feel limited by time or resources to develop a habit of exploring their subject. 

3. Support and give feedback to applicants wherever possible, including during their individual question practice, to help them develop their skills effectively. 

4. Allocate dedicated time for struggling applicants to focus on their Oxbridge application as this will help alleviate stress. 

5. Explore external support options, so that your students can receive guidance outside school. UniAdmissions provides comprehensive resources for Oxbridge applicants, ranging from interview support to help with the full application process.