Advice on university interviews in the UK

I'm applying to a few UK universities and heard their interviews can be tough. Does anyone have any advice or tips on how the UK interviews might differ from US ones? Any insights would be appreciated!

Sure, I'd be glad to give you an overview of the UK university interview process and how it generally differs from that in the US.

First off, not every UK university will require an interview, so it’s good if you already checked whether your chosen programs do. Interviews are more common at "Oxbridge" (Oxford and Cambridge Universities) and for competitive or professional degree programs like Medicine and Dentistry.

When it comes to prep, understanding why you are passionate about the subject you want to study and being able to articulate that is key. Unlike US interviews, which can often be more about getting to know you as a person, UK universities are heavily focused on your academic interests and abilities. They'll truly want to gauge your enthusiasm for your chosen course of study, so expand your understanding beyond what you've learned in school. Familiarize yourself with recent research, debates, and advancements in the field if possible.

Problem-solving ability is another major focus in UK university interviews. You may be presented with a tricky scenario, unfamiliar concept, or challenging problem in your subject and asked to work it out during the interview. These are designed to test how you think, not necessarily whether you arrive at the right answer. The emphasis is on how you approach the problem, the questions you ask, where you draw parallels or make connections with what you know, and how you react to new information or corrections.

Practice thinking out loud as your thoughts are paramount here. Be open about your thought process as you're working through a problem and communicate these thoughts clearly and logically. Remember, it's okay to take a moment to think before responding.

Lastly, get to know your statement inside out because you may be asked to expand on any claims or statements you made therein. Make sure you can back up what you've written and provide detailed examples.

It's a good idea to run through some mock interviews to get comfortable answering questions about your academic interests and thinking critically on the spot. Best of luck!