Top tips

Want some top tips for any university interview at your fingertips? We’ve got them right here!

The video above gives some great tips for the interview day itself. We’ve summarised these for you below:

• Show genuine enthusiasm for the programme you are applying for! Be a bit specific with what excites you and show that you have done research on the course and how this links.
• Do your research but don’t become so rehearsed that it comes out very stilted.
• Small things matter! Little things add up so don’t leave anything to chance. You might think you are engaging in a bit of small talk but interviewers are picking up information about you!
• Have a bank of examples to hand which you can refer to easily when answering interview questions.
• Record yourself beforehand to understand if you have any ‘bad habits’ that need ironing out – things like fidgeting, swinging on your chair, not keeping eye contact, or constantly saying ‘like’ or ‘do you know what I mean?’ are common
• Arrive in good time, whether that be in-person or virtually. If you are travelling, make sure you leave plenty of time in case of delays and have checked where you need to be on campus in advance.
• If you have been asked to bring something with you, or prepare something in advance, make sure you have got it packed before you set off or to hand for once you start your interview if you are online.
• Make sure you’ve got your phone off or on silent and if you are having a virtual interview that you are somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed. Check your computer set-up ahead of time to make sure you can log on when needed, that your internet connection is stable and that you have an appropriate background.
• Have a glass or a bottle of water to hand to stay hydrated

Find out more top tips directly from students at York in the following blogs – University Interview Tips by Vanessa, The 6 R’s for Better Interviews by Sifa, and Interview Tips! by Amelia