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0151 522 580012th August 2024
Mark Barrow
There’s no avoiding it, all universities require you to attend an interview as part of the application process. But, you can give yourself the best chance of getting through successfully by making sure you’re prepared.
Most students find the prospect of an interview daunting. It’s likely your first interview experience, and feeling this way is perfectly natural. It’s always difficult to know exactly what you’ll be asked in any interview. There are, however, some standard university interview questions that you can expect to be asked, and making sure you can confidently answer them is a great way to walk in feeling fully prepped.
Go prepared, and you’ll feel more confident, ready to show the panel just why you’re the candidate they’ve been waiting for. So, to help make sure you’re ready for anything thrown your way, we compiled this list of 27 frequently asked university interview questions to get you started.
1. Tell me about yourself.
Why it’s asked: This question helps interviewers get to know you beyond your application. It’s an opportunity to highlight your personality, interests, and background.
2. How do you manage your time and prioritise tasks?
Why it’s asked: Time management is essential for university success, and this question assesses your organisational skills.
3. What do you do in your spare time?
Why it’s asked: This question helps interviewers understand your interests and how you balance academics with other activities. This is a great opportunity to show what you are passionate about beyond your studies.
4. Can you discuss a project or piece of work you are particularly proud of?
Why it’s asked: This question allows you to showcase your achievements and the effort you have put into your work.
5. How do you handle stress and pressure?
Why it’s asked: University life can be demanding, and this question evaluates your coping mechanisms.
6. Can you discuss a time when you had to overcome a significant obstacle?
Why it’s asked: This assesses your resilience and problem-solving abilities in challenging situations.
7. How do you handle constructive criticism?
Why it’s asked: This assesses your ability to accept feedback and use it for personal and academic growth. Use an example when answering this.
8. How do you stay motivated during difficult times?
Why it’s asked: This assesses your perseverance and ability to stay focused despite challenges.
9. Describe a significant achievement and how you accomplished it.
Why it’s asked: This question assesses your ability to set goals and achieve them, demonstrating your drive and determination.
10. Tell us about a challenge or setback you have experienced during your education and how you overcame it?
Why it’s asked: Universities look for resilience and problem-solving abilities in their students.
11. How do you approach learning new concepts or skills?
Why it’s asked: This shows your learning style and adaptability, which are crucial for academic success.
12. What do you think are the key qualities of a good researcher?
Why it’s asked: This evaluates your understanding of research skills and their importance in academic work.
These questions prove your interest/dedication to the field of study you are applying for.
13. Why did you choose this course and university?
Why it’s asked: Interviewers want to understand your motivation and enthusiasm for the subject and the institution.
14. What are your academic strengths and weaknesses?
Why it’s asked: This helps interviewers gauge your self-awareness and areas where you might need support.
15. Describe a time when you worked as part of a team.
Why it’s asked: Teamwork is crucial in university settings, and this question evaluates your collaboration skills.
16. Describe a time when you had to take a leadership role.
Why it’s asked: Leadership skills are valuable in many academic and professional settings, and this question evaluates your ability to lead. Captain of your football team? Talk about that.
17. Why should we offer you a place on this course?
Why it’s asked: This is your chance to make a compelling case for your admission, highlighting your unique qualities and fit for the program.
18. Can you discuss a book or article relevant to the course you’ve recently read that impacted you?
Why it’s asked: This evaluates your intellectual curiosity and ability to engage with new ideas.
19. How do you stay informed about developments in your field of interest?
Why it’s asked: This shows your commitment to staying updated and engaged with your chosen subject.
20. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing your field of study today?
Why it’s asked: This tests your awareness of current issues and your critical thinking skills.
21. What role do you think technology plays in your field of study?
Why it’s asked: This assesses your awareness of technological advancements and their impact on your chosen field.
22. What do you hope to gain from your university experience?
Why it’s asked: Interviewers want to understand your expectations and how you plan to make the most of your time at university. Is it academic excellence, or to gain independence and learn life skills?
23. What do you think makes a successful university student?
Why it’s asked: This helps interviewers understand your perspective on success and the qualities you believe are important.
24. How do you plan to contribute to the university community?
Why it’s asked: Universities look for students who will actively participate and contribute to campus life. Will you join a club or society?
25. What are your career aspirations?
Why it’s asked: Interviewers want to see if you have a clear vision for your future and how the course fits into that plan.
26. What are your long-term goals, and how does this course align with them?
Why it’s asked: Interviewers want to see if you have a clear plan and how the course fits into your future aspirations.
What questions do you have for us?
Why it’s asked: This shows your genuine interest in the university and helps you gather important information to make an informed decision. ALWAYS have three to four questions prepared, remember, this is your chance to demonstrate that you are really keen to learn, but also, the opportunity to get answers to any niggling doubts that you may have!
Interviews are mostly held at the university and in person, so it’s the perfect opportunity for you to ask questions, tour the campus, get a feel for what life will be like during your studies, and make sure that it offers everything that you are looking for. After all, it has to be right for you too.
You won’t be asked all of these questions at your university interview, and there are undoubtedly some missing from here that you will be. By researching the course and university and making sure you have some key points prepared about yourself and your past achievements you’ll be in the best position to sell yourself and make sure you get your dream uni place. The key is to be prepared! Good luck, you’ve got this!
Once you’ve got that place secured, you’ll need a place to call home. All our student flats and houses in Liverpool are available to take a tour of on our website.