Attending your interview

For some of our courses, before we can make you an offer of a place, we will invite you to attend an interview. The interview will help us assess your suitability for the course at Brighton and the profession you want to become a member of.

The interview is also an opportunity for you to demonstrate your enthusiasm, experience and motivation, and to visit the university and get a sense of what it is like to be a student here.

A student being interviewed

What to expect

Responding to your invitation

We will invite you to an interview through applicant area of studentcentral. You will receive an email alert and you will then need to log on to studentcentral to accept your invitation. More about managing your application.

On the day

Each school takes a different approach to interviews. Usually your interview day will include an introduction to the course, a tour of the campus, and the chance to speak to staff and current students.

It may also include some short tests that you will do along with the other candidates.

For some courses interviews are held informally in groups, while for others you will have an individual interview with an admissions tutor.

Remember, interviews are not designed to catch you out. They give us the best opportunity to assess your suitability for your chosen course and its demands. Attending an interview will also give you the opportunity to see whether the course and university feel like a good fit for you.

These courses usually require an interview

  • Fine art, graphic design, illustration and photography
  • Medicine
  • Nursing and midwifery
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Paramedic Science
  • Pharmacy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Podiatry
  • Social Work
  • Teaching

How to prepare

All the details that you need for the day will be on the applicant area of studentcentral, so make sure you log in to find out where you need to be and when.

Read over your personal statement before you come to the interview to remind yourself of what you wrote. Questions in an interview will often be based on your personal statement, asking you to elaborate or explain what you've written.

If you have to present your portfolio (usually for art or design courses) then you may be asked to prepare a short presentation explaining your work.

Read our advice on preparing your portfolio.

Read over your personal statement before you come to the interview to remind yourself of what you wrote.

Teaching interviews

Primary - all courses

If you are invited to a Primary Education BA(Hons) with QTS interview you can expect to spend up to a whole day at the university's Falmer campus.

The length of the day is determined by how many candidates are being interviewed at the same time.

Documentation
As part of the interview process we will need to:

  • establish your identity when you register

  • see documents relating to your qualifications

  • get you to complete our suitability declaration form

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 group task

  • a campus tour

  • a paired or individual interview

We will provide everything you need to know and bring with you when you are invited to interview.

Physical Education

If you are invited to interview you can expect to spend up to a whole day at the university's Eastbourne campus.

There will be a formal interview but you will also need to bring suitable clothing for the practical sessions - this will include needing a swimming kit.

Documentation
As part of the interview process we will need to:

  • establish your identity when you register

  • see documents relating to your qualifications

  • get you to complete our suitability declaration form

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

  • an introduction to the course and opportunity to ask questions

  • warm-up session and dance, consisting of simple choreographic tasks of strength, mobility, balance, rhythmic timing, flexibility and control

  • leading a seven minute teaching session on an activity of your choice, to other interviewing candidates

  • a games/ physical literacy session

  • a swim test if you do not hold a specified swimming qualification

  • a 500 word written test

  • a paired formal interview

There will also be a Q&A session and accommodation tour for anyone accompanying the interviewee.

We will provide everything you need to know and bring with you when you are invited to interview.