Oxford interviews for all its undergraduate courses. The interview is an opportunity for you to have a discussion about your chosen degree subject with two experts. As small group teaching is an important component of undergraduate teaching at Oxford, it is also an opportunity for you to see whether you would enjoy learning in this way. The interview will challenge you to apply what you know now to unseen material and go beyond your current knowledge. The interview examines:
- Academic ability and potential to succeed
- Ability to think independently and critically
- Subject-specific selection criteria
- Self-motivation, commitment and enthusiasm for the chosen course
Interviews take place at the beginning of December, with invitations sent out to candidates in mid-November. If you are invited to interview, you will have at least two interviews with academic tutors, lasting about 30-40 minutes. In 2021, all interviews will take place online by Microsoft Teams.
You can find more information about interviews on the University of Oxford website. You can also download the official Interviews Guide, see sample interview questions by subject and watch demonstration interviews made by tutors and current first year Oxford undergraduates.
There are many helpful online resources about interviews created by Oxford colleges, departments and students. Here are some of our favourites, created by Wadham College, St Edmund Hall and Jesus College:
How can I prepare?
Research
- Familiarise yourself with the selection criteria for your course
- Research the kinds of interview questions tutors might ask in your subject
- Watch mock interviews (see Subject Specific Resources below for links)
Revise
- Revise your subject
- Reread materials you mentioned in your personal statement
- Read widely around your subject – you can find further reading suggestions and resources for each subject on the University of Oxford website
- Check out the super-curricular resources on Inspire Digital!
- Reread any work you submitted
Practise
- Answering questions – check out Oxplore for big questions and ideas of how to approach answering them
- Speaking about your subject out loud – whether to your friends, family or pet!
- Responding to unseen material – practise analysing sources or texts for subjects such as English Literature, History or Modern Languages, a newspaper article for subjects such as Politics and Law, or Maths problems for subjects such as Maths, Computer Science and Physics.
Subject specific resources
Below, we have collated a number of mock interviews and interview resources by subject. If you are applying for joint honours, look at the resources in both subjects. You can find more example interviews on the University of Oxford admissions website under the tab Demonstration Interviews.
Archaeology and Anthropology
Interview and admissions criteria
Biochemistry
See Biology and Chemistry resources
Biology
Undergraduates talk about their interview experiences
Biology interviews – Oxford Student Union Alternative Prospectus
Biomedical science
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
Undergraduates talk about their interview experiences
Classics
What are Classics Tutors looking for at interview?
Chemistry
Department of Chemistry – Frequently Asked Questions
Computer science
What are computer science interviews like?
Earth sciences (Geology)
Department of Earth Sciences – Admissions
Department of Earth Sciences – FAQs
Oxford Student Union Alternative Prospectus
Economics
Economics and Management
Management reading suggestions
Engineering
Undergraduates discuss their interviews
English
Resources: Great Writers Inspire
Resources: Writers Make Worlds
Fine Art
Ruskin School of Art Admissions Process
Geography
Oxford SU alternative prospectus – interviews
History
Undergraduates discuss their interviews
History of Art
Oxford Student Union Alternative Prospectus
Human Sciences
Undergraduates discuss their interviews
Law (Jurisprudence)
Tutor talks through past interview questions
Materials Science
Maths
Mock interview – Maths problem
Medicine
Tutor talks through past interview questions
Modern Languages
Undergraduates discuss their interviews
Music
Oxford SU alternative prospectus – interviews
Oriental studies
Oriental studies selection criteria
Oxford SU alternative prospectus – interviews
Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE)
Watch mock interview (Politics and Philosophy)
Watch mock interview (Economics)
Physics
Watch a mock interview – science problem
Watch a tutor’s top 10 tips for Physics interviews
Psychology
Interviews and selection information
Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics
Theology and religion
Q&A with the Director of Undergraduate Studies
Remember…
The interview is one piece of information amongst many that tutors will consider when assessing your application. They will also consider admissions tests, written work, your personal statement, prior academic and predicted grades, and your academic reference. Good luck!