Typical university interview questions:

General questions

Tell me about yourself? How would you describe yourself? Tell us about your current
course? What are you best at? What are your main interests?

These are self awareness questions, so think now about your key personality characteristics,
your general and study interests. Try and be relevant - that is, mention those personality
qualities and interests that match the course.

Example answer - I am a motivated, quietly confident person. I like Psychology, Politics,

Economics the best, particularly those science areas that are Mind/brain related. I am
fascinated by genetics and the impact it can have on future life mental health. In my
spare time I enjoy being with friends and occasionally help out at a local playscheme.

NOTE - interviewers react well to enthusiasm so using words like 'fascinated' helps to give an
enthusiastic impression.

University motivation questions

Why do you want to study for a degree? What do you think university can offer you?
What else, apart from study, interests you about university? Why do you want to study
at this university?

Example answer- I believe that studying at university level will benefit my future career
and I look forward to the opportunity of university to broaden my horizons and build
up my skills and confidence.

Subject related questions

Why do you want to study (whatever subject you have applied for) Psychology?

What do you know about the course? What attracts you to this course?

You may want to study that subject because

• You want to study a subject further and in more depth

• It is a strong interest and your best subject
• You will need it for your future career idea
• That university has a particular type of course that is suited to you
• The only way to qualify for some future career is through that subject
• Of a mixture of the above
• Or some other reason.

Let the interviewer understand your personal motivation for the subject, giving evidence and
examples if possible.
I want to study Psychology because I have enjoyed this at A level/self study and want to
take this knowledge further. I particularly like the structure of this university course
because of....... A recent field trip confirmed my enthusiasm for....

And finally the topical or situational questions

Topical questions

Interviewers love to ask your opinion on something topical, that is something in the news or
related to your subject. Prepare to offer an opinion!

You can do this by reading the Psychology related magazines. Assemble them in a folder and
think about how you could respond to a question on these topics.

How to offer an opinion

• Consider your gut reaction to the topic and how others with alternative views might
argue
• Show balanced thinking and present your ideas and conclude with your particular
view
• Be prepared to justify your angle on the topic

Situational questions (sometimes hypothetical)

These often start with

Give me an example of a time when... you dealt with a problem, or overcame some
obstacles, or worked in as team to achieve an outcome etc

Or

If you were asked to....do something creative about ......what would you do?

With these questions it is a good idea to ask for them to be repeated so you gain time for a
considered response. Try and show lateral thinking (not just one dimensional thinking but all
round the subject thinking) and show how you weigh up and consider carefully.

Remember, you do not need to parrot text book answers but show who you are and why you
want to study at that university. Preparation (that means considering likely questions)
means that you will be ready for them whatever happens and you will come across naturally
confident.

Past Psychology Interview Questions:

1. Would taxi drivers use a different part of their brain to remember

routes -
experimental psychology, oxford univ.
2. What do you think of gay couples adopting? Oxford univ.
3. How would you conceptualise an emotion? Oxford univ
4. What did you enjoy most out of the topics you studied in Psychology? Oxford univ

Sample university interview questions

1. Tell me about yourself?
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Tell us about your current course?
4. What are you best at?
5. What are your main interests?
6. Why do you want to study for a degree?
7. What do you think university can offer you?
8. What else, apart from study, interests you about university?
9. Why do you want to study?
10. What do you know about the course?
11. What attracts you to this course?
12. Why did you select the subjects you studied for A Level/Under-Graduate?
13. What do you like about the subjects you studied for A Level/ Under-Graduate?
14. How rewarding did you find the subjects you studied for A Level/ Under-Graduate?
15. What courses have you taken, other than A levels/ Under-Graduate, either at school or
outside?
16. What have you gained from any courses you've taken other than A Levels/ Under-
Graduate, either at school or outside?
17. Why did you apply to this university?
18. Why have you chosen this subject?
19. Why have you chosen this department?
20. What features of this course do you find attractive?
21. Why should we offer you a place?
22. How would you define your subject?
23. Why is your subject important?
24. What are the most important current developments in your subject?
25. What work experience have you had?
26. What did you learn from any work experience you've done
27. What practical skills have you acquired?
28. What are your career plans, if any?
29. What qualities do you possess to follow your chosen career?
30. Why are you taking a gap year?
31. What are you planning to do on your gap year?
32. Why are you taking a gap year?
33. How did you arrange your gap year?
34. How does your gap year fit in with your career plans?
35. What do you hope to achieve on your gap year?
36. Why have you decided not to take a GAP year?
37. Does not taking a gap year put you at a disadvantage in any way?
38. What really interests you?
39. What are you interested in reading?
40. What was the last book you read?
41. How did you choose the last book you read?
42. What is your favourite newspaper or periodical?
43. Do you follow a particular columnist in a newspaper or periodical?
44. Describe your most interesting experience abroad.
45. Have you been abroad?
46. What do you believe to be the functions of a good university?
47. What are your views on the funding of universities?
48. How do you think universities should achieve a good social mix in their intake?
49. Can you describe the interested listed on your personal statement in more detail?
50. What positions of responsibility have you held?
51. What have learned from any positions of responsibilty you hold?
52. What have you most enjoyed at school?
53. What do you dislike about school?
54. What do you think you can offer this university?
55. Are you good at working on your own?
56. What opportunities have you had for exercising leadership?
57. Describe a situation where you were put under pressure?
58. How did you react to a situation where you were put under pressure?
59. What was the outcome of a situation where you were put under pressure?
60. What are your strengths?
61. What are your weaknesses?
62. Tell me an achievement of which you are proud.
63. How do you think you will benefit from a university education?