Interview Preparation Days

Our Interview Preparation Days are designed to help you develop the skills and confidence required at interview. The days are interactive and intensive, combining academic study and communications skills workshops with mock interviews and personalised feedback.

Oxbridge interviews test your ability to think laterally and logically and see how you respond to unexpected academic and intellectual challenges. We have successfully run Interview Preparation Days for over ten years. The events provide an excellent opportunity for you to develop the skills and confidence required at interview for both Oxford and Cambridge, as well as for future work experience, internships and job interviews.






The Programme

Our Interview Preparation Days are divided into three main parts. On the day, you will receive two or four mock interviews, a lateral thinking tutorial and interview skills workshop. There will be an introduction from a former admissions tutor and a 30-minute Q&A session with him over lunch.

Registration on the day will open at 9am and the introduction will begin at 9.30am. The day will finish at 6pm.

As part of the day, you will receive a university, subject-specific course report which includes examples of genuine Oxbridge questions asked at interview, and recommended books to read. Each report is written by an Oxbridge graduate, who studied your chosen course at your particular university and includes details about their interview experience and comprehensive tips on how to prepare for an Oxbridge interview.

Outline of the Day 

Introduction

The day begins with a presentation from a former Oxbridge admissions tutor, who will advise on what tutors are really looking for, and how to ensure you can demonstrate your potential at interview.

You will rotate between three different sessions designed to develop your existing skills and to prepare you for interview.   

 Subject Tutorials

You will be put into a group, according to your  academic discipline; Humanities; Literature & Languages; Social & Political Sciences and Law; Biological and Medical Sciences; Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences. 

You will work through past interview questions with your tutor in a session designed to develop your  lateral and independent thinking skills around your  chosen subject, and move you away from a reliance on your examination syllabus. 

 Interactive communication skills session

 An interactive session with our communication skills expert, working on confidence building; building rapport with interviewers, visualisation and communication skills; lateral responses to interview questions, relaxation techniques.  

 Mock Interviews

Two or four practice interviews for you to demonstrate your ability to respond to new ideas, demonstrate an interest and aptitude for your chosen course and learn to talk about your subject in a one-to-one interview environment.  You will receive full oral and written feedback after each interview. 

Plenary

 Drawing on our research, expertise and experience, the plenary will provide you with an overview of how to ensure you perform at your best at interview. It will also help you construct a practical action plan as to how best to use your time in the weeks and days prior to your interview.

 

Where & When

 Date

   Area    

 Venue & Address  

 Saturday 9th November

 London

The London School of Economics, Clement House, Aldwych, London, WC2A 2AE

Sunday 10th November 

 Manchester 

University of Salford, The Peel Building, Peel Park Campus, Greater Manchester, M5 4WT (See here for a map of the campus)

Saturday 16th November 

Bristol 

Queen Elizabeth Hospital School, Berkeley Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1JX

Saturday 23rd November 

 Birmingham 

King Edward VI High School for Girls, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2BU

Sunday 24th November

 London

Queen's College, 43-49 Harley Street, London, W1G 8BT

Saturday 30th November

 London

Queen's College, 43-49 Harley Street, London, W1G 8BT

 

Extra Details

Light refreshments will be provided over the course of the day, but applicants will be required to bring their own lunch.

On booking, we ask that you provide details of the course and university you are hoping to study, so that we can prepare your personal application pack, and schedule your mock interviews with the most suitable tutors in advance of the day.

Our Refund Policy

We are able to offer refunds up to 7 full days prior to the booked event. Just give a member of our team a call if you need to cancel.

How to Book

Booking for our Interview Preparation Days is easy - just choose the date and location that you would like to attend and choose the interview package you think would be most helpful - either two or four subject-specific mock interviews.

Gold Package:  £340

Silver Package: £250

We'll need to know the course and university you are applying to so we can schedule your interviews with the most suitable tutors - just click the plus sign next to the request for more information when you come to pay toi enter your details.

Testimonials from our Interview Preparation Days 2012

I found the Interview Preparation Day hosted by you extremely helpful and relevant to the interviews I had. 

Applicant after an Interview Preparation Day, 2012

Your interview day in November was excellent and I am recommending you to my friends! He was very nervous about the interview and your practice day really helped build confidence.

Parent after an Interview Preparation Day, 2012

Essential tips for your Oxbridge Interview

From conquering nerves to knowing what to say, from justifying your answers to what to wear...our team have put together their essential top tips on preparing for that all important interview... 

To read our shiny pearls of interview wisdom simply click here.

Wondering what sorts of interview questions you might be asked in your real Oxbridge interview..?

Could there be an infinite number of songs ever written?

What gets lost in translation?

What is the difference between intelligence, wisdom and clever?

Estimate the fifth root of 1.2.

What do you think is the greatest difference between humans and animals?

Are there always winners and losers in politics?

Tell me about snowflakes.

Is there a difference between personal and public morality?

How many atoms are there in a brussel sprout?

Is globalisation a good thing?

Get those lateral juices flowing and log on to our free resources section for more subject-specific past interview questions.