UK Credibility Interview : Sample Questions and Tips

The credibility interview in the United Kingdom is a 15 to 30-minute one-on-one interview with a representative from the university admissions office. The questions will differ according on the university, but we’ve given some examples below. It could be one of the following, depending on COVID-19 restrictions:

• Over the phone or a video platform, such as Skype or Zoom or Tel Which depends on students’ availability.

The university will update you in advance which method they will use for the interview or according to your convinience they select the softwares.

The credibility interview also allows the university to gauge your communication skills. With that in mind, you should speak clearly and concisely, but not rush your responses. If you feel that the interviewer is speaking too quickly, you can ask them to slow down or repeat their question.

What Does the University Want to Know?

Generally, the university wants to know more about your:

• Immigration and Overseas Travel history in the UK and other countries
• Education history and plans about your study and post-study
• Personal and financial situation for course fees and living
• Reasons for coming to the UK and choosing that particular university you willing to study

How to Prepare

Below are a few tips that will help you ace the UK credibility interview:

1. Avoid generic statements.
   Avoid vague responses. Make sure you speak specifically about the course and how it aligns with your goals.
2. Know Your Responsibilities as a Tier 4 Visa Holder
   You should review your responsibilities as a Tier 4 visa holder before the interview. This information can be found on the United Kingdom Council of International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.
3. Describe the Program’s Content
   Your answers should demonstrate your knowledge of the program’s content, especially the names of course modules. Review the course information in case the interviewer asks you about it.
4. Avoid Discussing Dual Intentions
   Always avoid discussing any plans for living and working in the UK after you graduate. It may be a red flag to the university that your intentions are not genuine.
5. Communicate Course Motivation
   Demonstrate your motivation for enrolling in the course and how it will help set you up for future success. Think of it as a job interview, and establish a five-year career plan, which should include pursuing a career in your home country.
6. Explain How You’ll Support Yourself Financially for Your Education
   It’s important to speak to how you will support yourself financially while studying in the UK. You will need to know the amount you will require each year and the cost of your accommodations and other living expenses. Although you can work a part-time job under a Tier 4 visa, you should not be relying on that income for your maintenance funds. If a family member intends to support you, know how they earn a living and their yearly income.

Questions That Normaly Asked In The Interview. 

While each university’s questions differ, the following are some common questions asked during the credibility interview:

1. Can you please provide a brief about yourself?
2. Why do you want to study in the UK rather than your home country or another country?
3. Why this specific university over other options?
4. What is the location of the university?
5. What are your course modules?
6. How many credits are required to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree?
7. What are the tuition fees for the course you have chosen?
8. Who will fund your studies?
9. Can you tell me how much your living expenses will be?
10. What is the annual income of your parents?
11. What have you been doing during your study gap?
12. What will you do after completing your studies in the UK?
13. Do you have any previous visa refusals?
14. What are the facilities of the university, and what is the university’s ranking?

About Your studies:

15. What course will you study at the college, and why did you choose this course?
16. What degree will you study at university, and why did you choose this degree?
17. What are some of the modules you will study during the course?

Personal and finance related questions:

18. What do your parents do for a living? What is your parents’ annual income?
19. Have you ever travelled to another country before?
20. How much money will you need per month for living expenses?
21. Will you have access to this money for the whole duration of your studies in the UK
22. Who will be paying for your course? (Clarify yourself, your parents, government or company)
23. Where has the money currently in your/parent’s bank account come from?

Your reasons for studying in the UK:

24. Why did you decide to study in the United Kingdom?
25. Why did you choose this university?
26. Describe the city you will be living in. What attracted you to it?

Questions concerning your research and experience studying in the United Kingdom include the following:

27. Where will you live in the UK, how far is it from your college, and why do you want to live there?
28. How will you travel from your accommodation to the college?
29. Describe the university campus. What facilities will be available to you at the University?

Some sample answers will help students a lot for preparing the interview questions.

• Why do you want to study in the UK rather than your home country or another country?

Bad answer: “I heard the UK is a nice place, and people are friendly. I can speak English there. I always wanted to see London, and I like Premier League football. Also, in my country, job opportunities for graduates are limited.”

Good answer: “I’m studying engineering, and the UK has a strong reputation for excellence in teaching engineering degrees. Once I graduate, I should be able to get a good job back in my home country and have a strong future because of my UK degree. I have a longstanding interest in British culture, and I’m really interested in seeing the galleries and museums in the UK.”

The difference: The first answer is far too generic. The final sentence contains a big red flag: “In my country, job opportunities are limited for graduates.” It implies that the student may want to remain in the UK after graduating. On the other hand, the second response focuses on the specific course and how it will help the student land a good job back in their home country.

• Why this specific university over other options?

Bad answer: “My cousin went to this university, and he said it was good.” 

Good answer: “This university is well-known in my country, and its reputation will help me get a great job when I return. The degree subject has a good national ranking, and the university has a strong reputation for teaching. I looked at other universities [provide the names], but the course modules they offer aren’t as helpful for my future goals.”

The difference: It’s common for students to say that they know someone who studies at the university, which is why they want to study there. Instead, talk about the university’s reputation and how studying there will help set you up for future success. Also, be specific about why this university was more suitable than others you considered.

• What will you do after completing your studies in the UK?

Bad answer: “I will try and see if there is a job I can get in the UK as I don’t want to return to my home country.”

Good answer: “I am studying business, and I want to work for a large multinational such as [name(s)]. One of the units in my course is on Business Analytics. I want to get a job as a business analyst when I get back to my home country. The salary for this position is approximately £1,200 per month, whereas a regular graduate role pays about £700 per month.”

The difference: Again, the first answer implies that the student wants to remain and work in the UK after graduating. The second response specifically mentions a large multinational back in their home country where the student envisions themselves working, how their course will help them obtain a specific job, and how much it pays.

• What have you been doing during your study gap?

Bad answer: “I’ve been looking for a job, but I haven’t found one, so I’ve been staying at home. Now I’ve decided to study abroad.”

Good answer: “I have been working in an entry-level role in a bank since graduating. But, I feel that I will advance further in the industry if I get a degree from the UK, and that is why I want to study there. When I graduate, I hope to return to the same company and get a promotion.”

The difference: In the first answer, the student cannot provide a satisfactory explanation for how they spent their study gap, and the university may have reason to suspect that the student will remain in the UK after graduating. The second answer demonstrates the professional experience the student gained during their study gap. It also shows that they have done considerable research into the program and how studying in the UK aligns with their professional goals back in their home country.

• What are the facilities at the university, and what is the university’s ranking?

Bad answer: “The facilities are good, and the ranking is high. It’s much better than the university in my hometown. I’m looking forward to seeing the facilities when I arrive.”

Good answer: “The university is ranked at number 20 in The Guardian university league tables and in the top 50 in the Times Higher Education league tables. Also, the business school where I will study is accredited by the AACSB, EQUIS, and AAMBA, making it one of the best in the UK. They have recently invested £25 million in upgrading their facilities and have improved the library and sports halls. Now they have received five stars from QS ranking for their facilities.”

The difference: As you can see, the second response is much more detailed and specific about the university’s rankings and facilities. You can often find this information on the university’s website. Or, search Google News for recent articles on the university, upgrades to its facilities, inclusion in top university rankings, etc.