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Do interviews make you nervous? You feel under the spotlight. Every answer is important – and it’s even scarier when something big is at stake, like a place at your dream university.
But college interviews really don’t have to be nerve-wracking!
First, remember that not every UK university or subject will ask you to do an admissions interview. Only some universities, like the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and University College London always interview their applicants.
For others, it will depend on the course you are taking. Dentistry, teaching, social work and medicine, tend to feature admissions interviews, for example.
In this guide, we’ll share some interview tips for freshers, so you’ll feel fully prepared by the day of your university interview. You’ll soon be able to leave your nerves behind and walk into the interview room with confidence.
If you’re attending an in-person interview, research how to travel there and make sure you have your ticket organized. It might even be worth doing a trial run a few days before. This will just to make sure you know exactly where you’re going.
University campuses can be confusing, and departments can be spread out over different buildings. So, make sure you know the exact street address, floor and office number where your university interview is being held.
What if you are doing an online university interview? Well, the standard Zoom interview tips apply! Make sure that your laptop is connected to charge, that your microphone is working properly, that you have a good Wi-Fi signal and a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. You might also want to set up a neutral virtual background, if you think your surroundings look unprofessional. That way, you won’t get distracted during the interview and you’ll be able to do your best to answer the student interview questions you’ll be asked.
It’s also a good idea to do a bit of research into the academics who will be interviewing you. You don’t have to read all their published works, but showing that you are at least familiar with their research will create a good impression. It will tell them that you have a genuine interest in the subject and in their work.
On that note, it’s important to dress smartly. You don’t need to wear a suit, but wearing something smart like a shirt or a blouse shows that you are taking the interview seriously and that you want to give the interview panel a good impression.
Preparation is key when it comes to how to impress in an interview. That being said, it’s not a good idea to learn answers off by heart. Even if the exact question you have prepared for comes up, you’ll be so focused on trying to remember your answer that your answer will seem stilted. It’s better to make notes about the things you’d like to talk about, and then your answers will flow more naturally, and you’ll be able to convey your enthusiasm and excitement.
So, what are some common student interview questions that you might be asked? Let’s take a look:
Tell us about yourself.
Why do you want to study at this university?
Why have you applied to study this particular course?
What are your academic strengths and weaknesses?
Tell us about someone you admire.
What would you like to be doing ten years from now?
What are you reading at the moment?
What do you like doing in your free time?
What will you contribute to our institution?
When you’re preparing, it’s important to remember there are no right or wrong answers. The interviewers want to get to know you, so try to give full, detailed answers to the questions. The final question you are likely to be asked is:
Do you have any questions for us?
It’s really important to prepare some thoughtful questions for your student interview panel in response. This is where your research can come in handy! You can ask the panel about their work and how it informs the course, or any questions you have about the university.
A well-informed question shows the panel that you are well-prepared and you’ve done your research. Again, this will create a good impression.
And if there is a question you don’t understand, don’t panic! Just ask the interviewer to repeat the question, or ask for clarification. Likewise, if you make a mistake when you’re speaking, try not to worry or get embarrassed. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes - even fluent English speakers!
Your personal statement is what got you the interview, and it’s likely to set the agenda for the conversation. So, it’s a good idea to read it over before your interview as part of your interview preparation, and remind yourself of the talking points.
Your interviewers will refer to the things that you said in your personal statement when they are asking you questions, so it’s worth refreshing your memory - after all, you probably wrote it a few months ago.
Rereading your personal statement will also help you feel more confident. It will remind you of everything you’ve achieved so far. Seeing your qualifications, talents and attributes written down in black and white can have a powerful effect. It will help you to shake off any lingering imposter syndrome and you’ll go into the interview feeling that you deserve to be there.
Get tips on how to write a great personal statement for your UCAS application.
Research has found that power posing - standing in an open, expansive stance for two minutes - can change your body chemistry and make you feel more confident. In a job interview experiment, researchers found that people who did a two minute power pose before the interview projected more confidence, seemed less flustered, and were more dynamic and enthusiastic when speaking. As a result, the interviewers scored their performance higher than people who didn’t do the power pose.
So even if you’re doing an interview over Zoom, it’s worth doing a power pose beforehand. Just stand with your legs wide apart and your arms held up and out in a wide, expansive pose. The idea is to take up as much space as possible. Hold this pose for two minutes - and you’ll be ready to impress!
If you need to prove your level of English as part of the UCAS application process, PTE Academic can help you. You’ll typically receive your score in typically just 48 hours, and PTE Academic is accepted by the UK Home Office for student visas, as well as by 99% of universities in the UK.
The Summarize Group Discussion task is one of the most comprehensive speaking challenges in PTE Academic. It tests your ability to listen actively, take effective notes, and deliver a coherent summary that captures multiple perspectives.
Understanding how to approach this task strategically can significantly boost your speaking score.
The "Respond to a Situation" task in the Speaking section of PTE Academic tests your ability to handle real-world university scenarios using appropriate language. This task simulates everyday campus interactions, requiring you to respond naturally and effectively to common situations you might encounter as a student.
Knowing your English level helps you pick the right course, get visas, and make strong applications for work or school. In short: proficiency levels are standard descriptions of what you can do in reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
You can check your level with trusted online tests or official exams like PTE Academic or PTE Core, which give scores based on global standards. Below, we explain how levels are defined, how they’re tested, how to estimate your current ability, and what different goals usually need, so you can plan your next step with confidence.
Language proficiency levels show how well you can read, listen, speak, and write. These levels follow shared standards so schools, employers, and governments around the world can easily understand your skills.
The most common system is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which rates language ability from beginner (A1) to highly advanced (C2). A recent overview explains CEFR’s role as a standard for designing tests and interpreting scores across countries and programs and notes ongoing efforts to keep it up to date for modern assessments.
Pearson’s Global Scale of English (GSE) provides a more granular 10–90 scale that also aligns to CEFR tiers. This makes it easier to see fine-grained progress and map scores to CEFR bands.
Typical CEFR levels at a glance:
A1: Understand and use everyday expressions; introduce yourself; ask and answer simple questions
A2: Handle routine tasks; describe immediate needs and simple aspects of daily life
B1: Understand main points of clear standard input; produce simple connected text; manage travel or work situations
B2: Interact with fluency on familiar topics; write clear, detailed text; follow lectures with some support
C1: Use English flexibly and effectively in academic and professional contexts; understand demanding texts
C2: Understand virtually everything heard or read; summarize information coherently; express nuanced ideas precisely
Common uses:
A1-A2: Mainly used for basic immigration visas, family reunification, entry-level work or training programs, and integration courses where simple everyday communication is sufficient.
B1–B2: Many vocational programs, initial professional roles, and some visa pathways
B2–C1: Most undergraduate admissions and professional certifications
C1–C2: Postgraduate study, specialized professions, and roles requiring complex communication
Proficiency is measured across four core skills:
Reading:Understanding texts, identifying main ideas and details, and interpreting vocabulary in context
Listening : Following speech at natural speed, recognizing key information, and inferring meaning
Speaking: Producing clear, organized speech; using accurate grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation
Writing: Composing well-structured texts suited to purpose and audience; demonstrating control of grammar and cohesion
The scoring for most English language tests is measured against the CEFR. For The scores for PTE Academic (for studying and work) and PTE Core (for general use and migration), align to CEFR with scoring between 10 and 90. Learn more about PTE scoring alignment.
Build a reliable picture by mixing official tests with quick checks and reflective habits:
Take a recognized practice test: Use an official Pearson PTE Scored Practice materials Test
or other reputable online assessments to estimate your CEFR level and identify strengths and gaps
Practice with PTE-style items: Work through sample reading tasks (e.g., fill-in-the-blanks), listening summaries, and short spoken responses to simulate real test conditions.
Use self-analysis prompts that match the CEFR level you are aiming for: For example, ask, “Can I follow a university lecture?”, “Can I write a formal email with clear structure?”, “Can I explain a process or opinion for 60–90 seconds?”
Requirements vary, but many universities, colleges, professional bodies, and visa authorities set minimum thresholds around B1–C1, or the equivalent GSE score range of 43-84 for PTE Academic and PTE Core. . Some UK family and settlement visas require A1 or A2 level. Always confirm details with the program or government authority.
Typical requirement ranges (illustrative):
University / College admission:
Undergraduate: Often B2; competitive programs may prefer C1
Postgraduate: Commonly C1
Professional certification:
General professional registration: Frequently B2–C1
Visa/migration pathways:
Skilled migration: Typically B1–B2+ equivalents; some routes require higher levels depending on occupation
Family visas: Often A1-A2.
For Canadian migration scenarios, explore PTE Core requirements and pathways here.
For UK migration, consider PTE UK visa SELT tests.
For many learners, English isn't just the goal; it’s the way to get degrees, licenses, and international jobs. Universities and employers look at test scores to decide who to admit or hire. Once students are in university or at work, success depends on great communication (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) skills, whether it's doing research or talking to clients.
Research indicates that higher English proficiency supports academic performance and integration for international students, improving classroom participation and social engagement. In the workplace, clear communication underpins teamwork, safety, and advancement, making ongoing skill development a career investment, not just a test goal.
Target all four skills with short, consistent practice:
Daily core routine (20–40 minutes):
Listening: Listen to 2–3 minutes of a podcast or lecture; note new phrases
Speaking: Answer one daily Q&A aloud (60–90 seconds) on familiar topics
Reading: Skim a news article; summarize the main idea in two sentences
Writing: Draft a short email or 120–150 word paragraph; focus on structure and linking words
Quick wins:
Grammar and vocabulary: Do 10 fill-in-the-blank or sentence completion items; build a personal word bank with examples
Reading for context: Underline signal words (however, therefore) and infer meaning of three unknown words from context
Listening focus: Practice identifying the overarching meaning first, then the key details and numbers
Feedback loop: Swap writing with a friend or use self-scoring checklists; act on one improvement point per day
To prepare for your English exam, practice with practice tests that are similar to your actual test and check the scoring guidelines to make sure your answers meet the expectations. If you aren't sure where to start take our 'Which test is right for me?' tool. You can also read our article 'How to pick an English test that works for you'.
Practice short answers to everyday prompts like “What did you do today?” and “What do you like to eat?” to build fluency and reduce hesitation.
Use clarifiers such as “Could you repeat that more slowly?” or “Do you mean…?” to confirm meaning and keep the conversation clear.
Do fill-in-the-blanks, sentence completion, and synonym/antonym matching to reinforce patterns and expand word choice.
Study common task types (reading comprehension, short writing, gap-fill, brief speaking responses) and practice them under timed conditions to build accuracy and pacing. You can also try practice tests to get used to the format of a specific test, like PTE.
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