35 Common University Interview Questions for Students
It can be daunting when you're about to embark on your university experience. And it’s even more nerve-wrecking when you finally get an invitation to an interview.
It's normal to feel anxious about this stage of the process. Did you know that thousands of students in the UK and the US search for common interview questions on Google?
That's a lot of students just like you who are anxious and really want to prepare adequately for their university interview.
So, whether you are applying through UCAS or directly to a top university, knowing what to expect in the interview can help reduce your nerves.
Quite frankly, knowing the common interview questions to expect and how to answer them can be the difference between getting into the uni or missing out.
Is there any good news? Of course. You see, a lot of interview questions for students follow a similar structure.
If you practice with the tips and questions we’ll share here, prepare well, you will feel confident and ready during your interview.
What does the college interview consist of?
The interview is another opportunity for you to impress them aside from the statement you submitted. It is a conversation where a member of the university gets to know more about you.
The interviewer is likely to ask you about your interest in the program, your knowledge of the university, and why you want to study there.
It helps the admissions teams determine how genuine you are about potentially studying at their university. For college interviews, you might have one interviewer or a panel of people conducting the interview.
Some universities may invite you to complete a mock interview prior to the actual college interview. This will also help you alleviate any potential worries you may have.
You’ve got to remember the university has already seen your grades and personal statement. Now, they want to meet the real you and know if you’d be a great fit for their institution.
Common Interview Questions for Students on their Personal Background & Academic Journey
Interview questions that focus on your background help the interviewer know more about your academic journey.
When asked questions about your background, be honest and show your genuine curiosity! Share specific examples from your academic journey that motivated you to make conscious decisions in your studies.
If you have changed your major, discuss it positively and provide reasons for your change. We can learn from our experiences. Different situations often lead to positive outcomes, so focus on what you have learned through your experiences and explain how each situation has provided opportunities for growth with each challenge.
Next, discuss your academic strengths and connect them to the course you wish to study. If asked about your favourite subjects, describe what excites you about the course.
Share specific projects or topics that interest you, and if you face challenges with any subject matter, mention how you overcome those difficulties. This gives the interviewer insight into your time management and problem-solving skills as a student.
Keep in mind that they will appreciate hearing that you can reflect on your experiences and learn from them.
Here are the kinds of questions you can expect:
- Would you please tell me a little about yourself?
- What is your major, and why did you choose it?
- Why did you choose this college/university?
- How was your experience at college this year?
- What are your academic strengths?
- What are your favourite subjects and why?
- Have you ever changed your major, and if so, why?
- What have been your favourite courses and why?
- What course have you found the most difficult?
- How do you manage your academic workload?
Common Interview Questions for Students on Their Personality & Interests
Questions that focus on personality help the interviewer learn more about how you might fit into the community of their university. When asked questions about your interests, be honest and enthusiastic! We all have hobbies that express diverse and interesting aspects of our character. When you mention a hobby, explain what it means to you.
Do not simply list activities—share stories that reveal your values and what motivates you to engage in each activity. When the interviewer asks you to describe yourself, be comprehensive, but ensure you use words that reflect the skills the university values.
If you want to present yourself as someone who works well in groups, provide examples of when you excelled in this area. If you prefer working alone, explain how it helps you focus and produce high-quality work. Discuss the values that guided your decisions.
As the interviewer listens to you, they will gain a deeper understanding of who you are beyond your grades.
Here are the kinds of questions you can expect:
- If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
- What are you passionate about?
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- How would your friends describe you?
- What is a fun fact about you that is not on your resume?
- What motivates you?
- Do you prefer working alone or as part of a group?
- What role do you usually take when you are in a group?
- What are your most important personal values?
- What inspires you to keep going when the going gets tough?
Common Interview Questions for Students Relating to Campus Life & Involvement
The university is trying to assess how you will contribute to its community.
When answering these common questions, it is important to highlight any leadership roles and significant experiences. More important than providing a list of the activities and clubs you've participated in are your descriptions of what you learned, how it impacted you, and how it impacted others.
If you haven't been very involved in your school so far, then you can talk about what you hope to do. It is important to show you understand that university life is more than just classes. If you can, what are the specific clubs or societies you hope to get involved in?
If you have been involved in some volunteer work, then consider explaining what you learned from helping others. You can also talk about how your independence and social skills improved while living on or off campus.
Universities want students who will make their campus a better learning environment. You will want to show them you are someone who will get involved and make a contribution. It is okay to be candid about your experiences while demonstrating enthusiasm about new opportunities!
Here are the kinds of questions you can expect:
- Are you involved in any clubs or organisations on campus?
- Have you had any leadership roles in college?
- What extracurricular activity has made the most impact on you?
- Do you have any volunteer work or community service experience?
- Do you live on campus or off campus? What is that like? How has it affected your experience?
Interview Questions for Students About their Goals & Aspirations
This kind of question helps the interviewer determine whether the university has the support in place to help them achieve what they would like to accomplish.
As you convey your future plans, be optimistic and reasonable. Relate your goals to the specific program and university you are pursuing.
Show that you have seriously thought about your profession. If you are not sure about some of your details, that is fine as long as you display that you are actively considering your options.
Discuss how this opportunity connects to your long-term plans. Reflect on what you hope to accomplish before you graduate and how the university is going to facilitate those achievements. Discuss specific resources, professors and/or programmes at the university that interest you.
This shows that you have researched the university and are enthusiastic about studying there. Remember that universities want to give you a spot if they believe you will effectively use what they offer.
Here are the kinds of questions you can expect:
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- What are your short-term career goals?
- What is your dream job and why?
- What do you hope to accomplish before graduating from college?
- How does this opportunity fit with your long-term plans?
Interview Questions for University Students About Reflection & Self-Awareness
They want to know how well you know yourself and how much you are able to learn through experience. When you answer these questions, be open and honest about your challenges and your growth in these areas. Provide specific examples which demonstrate your ability to reflect and your commitment to improvement.
Talk about accomplishments that matter to you, not solely your academic achievements. On the subject of mistakes, focus more on what you learned as a result of the experience rather than discussing what went wrong.
Show that you can experience failure and struggle and come back even stronger. Explain what makes you different from other students. This will be in the form of your unique perspective, experiences, and/or problem-solving approach. Universities want students who can reflect and think critically about themselves and their journey.
Here are the kinds of questions you can expect:
- What accomplishment are you most proud of?
- What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?
- How do you deal with failure and setbacks?
- What do you think makes you different from other students?
- What was a mistake you made that taught you a valuable lesson?
5 tips for a successful college interview
- Research thoroughly: Learn about the university and the course before your interview day. Know why you want to study there specifically.
- Practice common questions: Prepare answers to common interview questions, but don't memorise scripts. Practice with friends or family.
- Prepare thoughtful questions: At the end of the interview, ask questions that show your genuine interest and research.
- Be yourself: Authenticity matters more than trying to give "perfect" answers. Let your personality shine through.
- Stay calm and confident: Remember that the university is already interested in you. Take deep breaths and trust your preparation.
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Our AI tools can help you create a study plan and create interview quizzes and answers to boost your success in getting into the university of your dreams.
