Attend an interview

Some of our courses will make offers once they have interviewed all the shortlisted candidates.

Attending an interview gives you the opportunity to ask questions about the course and the university, and allows tutors to assess your suitability for the course before making you an offer.

Admissions tutors value evidence of your passion and commitment to a subject, as it is an indication of high motivation for being able to enjoy and successfully complete a course. An interview is an excellent opportunity to display your enthusiasm for your subject and discuss your relevant experience of the subject area.

You will be contacted by an admissions tutor if you're required to attend an interview. This could be through the applicant area of studentcentral, or via email. Make sure you log on to the applicant area regularly to manage your application, and respond to interview invites.

Students around a table in a seminar

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What to expect

Each school takes a different approach to interviews. Usually your interview will include an introduction to the course and the chance to speak to lecturers and tutors.

You may be asked to bring documentation with you, such as your qualifications or project work, to present your portfolio (usually for art or design courses), or to prepare a short presentation. Your admissions tutor will let you know what you'll be required to prepare for your interview.

If you're based overseas we may invite you to conduct your interview over the telephone or via Skype, rather than in person. If you're required to present a portfolio, you may be asked to submit a digital portfolio.

Subject areas that usually require an interview

  • Architecture
  • Art and design
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Occupational therapy
  • Teaching
  • Physiotherapy
  • Podiatry
  • Social work

Teaching interviews

Secondary PGCE

If you are invited to a secondary PGCE interview for art and design, English, geography, maths, languages, religious studies or the sciences you can expect to spend up to a whole day at the university's Falmer campus, although this is dependent on the number of candidates being interviewed on the same day.

Documentation
As part of the interview process we will need to establish your identity when you register. See our list of acceptable identification documents (pdf doc).

We will also need to see documents relating to your qualifications. Read our document checklist (pdf doc).

You will also be asked to complete our suitability declaration form (pdf doc).

The interview day
Your interview day will include the following elements:

  • an introduction to the course with the opportunity to ask questions
  • a 30-minute writing task
  • a campus tour
  • a five minute individual presentation - details will be provided in advance
  • an individual interview

You'll find further information in our PGCE interview information leaflet (pdf doc).