Why it is necessary to prepare in advance for the United Kingdom's credibility and visa interview?

Preparing in advance for the United Kingdom's credibility and visa interview is essential to ensure a successful outcome. Thorough preparation showcases genuine intentions, enhancing credibility. It allows you to articulate clear and concise answers about the purpose of the visit, financial stability, and ties to home country, instilling confidence in the interviewer. Adequate documentation, such as proof of accommodation and travel itinerary, strengthens the application. Demonstrating a solid understanding of UK culture and the visa's conditions further reflects seriousness. A well-prepared applicant is more likely to present a compelling case, increasing the chances of obtaining the desired visa and fostering a positive impression.

Points to remember while preparing for the interview:

•              Read the offer letter and SOP

•              Understand the course modules well

•              Do not give vague or generic answers. Do research, be specific and give detailed answers. All your answers must align with your course and career goals.

•              Read your responsibilities as a student Visa Holder

https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-Immigration/Protecting-your-Student-status

•              Go through the university specific YouTube videos to find how they conduct interview 

•              Remember source of information i.e., names of websites, education fair, brochure, etc.

•              The interviewer may ask question in a different way or can cross question; hence students must do their own research and avoid mugging up the answers 

1)            Tell me something about you?

-              Tell your name, place, educational background, work experience, achievements and only if asked talk about family (in short) and hobbies.

 

2)            Why do you want to study in UK? 

-              Mention at least 8 to 9 points

-              Do not mention your intentions of working in UK

-              Go through the following links

•              https://www.ucas.com/studying-uk#:~:text=High%20quality%20education,-The%20UK%20is&text=They%20also%20have%20a%20reputation,to%20drive%20forward%20their%20careers

•              https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/why-study

•              https://www.kaplanpathways.com/about/news/top-9-reasons-why-you-should-study-in-the-uk/

 

3)            Why did you not choose any other English-speaking countries or your home country?

-              Which universities did you check in other countries (Talk about at least 1 or 2 similar ranked universities from each country you considered to study)

-              You can compare based on education system, course fees, cost of living, climate, socio-economic issues, etc.

-              Please check world ranking from

 

•              https://www.timeshighereducation.com/

•              https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2021

 

4)            Why do you want to choose this university?

You can talk about

-              World ranking, national ranking, Teaching Excellence Framework

-              Accreditation with independent professional bodies e.g., AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB, CMI for MBA, CMI, CIMA for Other business courses, ACCA, for Accounting CFA for Finance RIBA for Architecture, British Computer Society for Computer Science and so on (check course specification)

-              Subject Ranking (check Guardian League Table)

-              Student satisfaction rate (NSS 2020), Student employability rate

-              Facilities, student support, awards won by the university, number of international students (Times Higher Education), positive feedbacks you have read, etc.

-              Read the university website very thoroughly.

-              Compare with at least 4 other UK universities providing similar course – comparison can be made based on 

•              Course modules: What modules can you study from your university but not from other universities. Find the difference between their modules.

•              Accreditation: Check if course is accredited in other universities (Only if your course is accredited)

•              Student satisfaction rate, employability rate, course fees, facilities available, etc.

-              Go through the following links

 

•              https://www.timeshighereducation.com/

•              https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2021

•              https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/news/national-student-survey-2020-overall-satisfaction-results

•              https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2020/sep/05/the-best-uk-universities-2021-league-table

•              https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/blogs/what-tef-results-teaching-excellence-framework-2019

 

5)            Know the location of university well

-              Remember website URL.

-              Name of your campus

-              What are the other campuses?

-              Postal Address

-              What do you know about the city/town?

-              Why did you choose this campus/city?

-              Which is the nearest international airport?

-              Names of major cities around your university

-              How will you travel from India to UK and from the airport to the university?

 

6)            Why did you choose this course?

-              Tell the name of course as it is written on your offer letter.

-              Explain your decision-making process on what attracted you to this specific course.

-              Also discuss the modules and their contents, learning outcomes and progression routes.

-              Articulate the justification by engaging with the modules and linking them with your previous studies and future job title’s duties.

-              Also, explain how this course is related to your previous studies.

-              If you are switching your field of study, provide strong and valid justification of the same e.g., if you are switching from an engineering background to MBA or International Business, etc.

-              Full form of MSc: Master of Science

MA: Master of Arts

MEng: Master of Engineering

BSc: Bachelor of Science

BA: Bachelor of Arts

BEng: Bachelor of Engineering

-              If your course is foundation, International Year One, Pre-Masters, Extended master's courses, know what they mean.

-              Also, while mentioning about your previous course avoid saying abbreviations. Use full forms only e.g. Don’t use BCA, mention Bachelor of Computer Application

-              Do you have any academic gaps? Why you want to return to full time studies now?

 

7)            Did you consider any other course?

 

8)            Know the structure of course well

-              Remember names of modules

-              What you can study from each module

-              How many credit points each module carries

-              Total credit points for PG are 180 and UG is 360 

-              How many semesters do you have? PG: 3 semesters, UG: 2 semesters/year (6 Semesters)

-              How you will be assessed? 

-              What is the entry requirement for your course

-              Duration of the course, start date, end date (Check offer letter)

-              Which module will be the most challenging and least challenging for you and why?

9)            What is your future career plan?

-              Explain what your plans are after you graduate?

-              What skills and knowledge will your course at the university provide for your future career?

-              How will the knowledge and skills you gain from this course help you with the type of work you hope to do?

-              What research have you done about the job market, including job titles, job requirements and expected earnings?

-              What value addition you can do to the organization?

-              e.g., After the course I will apply for “Job Title” and companies like “Name 1, Name 2 and Name 3”. Explain the job title’s responsibilities in 2-3 lines and engage with the applied course’s modules. Explain briefly how ABC modules will help you perform your duties at the respective job title and what skillsets will get enhanced.

10)         How will you support yourself financially?

-              If family member is supporting, know their annual income and source of income

-              How much funds do you have and in which bank? And where has this money come from?

-              How many people are dependent financially on your sponsor?

-              If you have applied for education loan, explain in which bank and branch? Why are you taking loan? What is the rate of interest? How will you repay this loan? What security you have given against the loan?

-              Although you can work a part-time job under a student visa, you should not be relying on that income for your maintenance funds.

-              What are your tuition fees (Check offer letter)

-              If you are going for a course with more than one year duration, you should also be able to explain how you will be paying your next year’s course fees and living expenses. You can talk about the family’s income or property which can be used to pay for fees and living expenses. e.g., if you are going for a 3-year bachelor course you must be able to explain how you can manage your finances for each year.  

-              Calculate funds required including course fees and living expenses

First year unpaid tuition fees + Nine months of living expenses

For universities inside London nine months living expenses: £12006.

For universities outside London nine months living expenses: £9207.

 

11)         What about your accommodation?

-              A student must research accommodation webpage on the university website and should make himself aware about the properties available for the students. 

-              For private accommodations check

•              https://www.gumtree.com/

•              https://www.casita.com/

•              https://www.spareroom.co.uk/

•              https://www.airbnb.co.uk/

 

-              What is the address

-              What is the rent and what facilities are available?

-              How far it is from the university

-              How will you travel from the accommodation to the university?

-              Shortlist at least 3 accommodations

12)         Can you tell me how much your monthly living expenses will be?

If asked specifically the student must be able to explain the actual cost of living with breakup in Rent, Food expenses, Conveyance cost, other monthly bills like Sim Recharge, Entertainment etc. There is difference between show money required for visa and actual cost expected incurred while in the UK.

13)         Do you have any immigration history?

 

14)         Do you have any visa refusals? If so, why was it refused?

-              It’s important that you tell interview about any refusals you have and explain the reason. You need to demonstrate that you understand the reason for the refusal and explain why this will not happen with this application.

15)         Do you intend to work in the UK? Do you know how many hours you are allowed to work?

-              During term you are allowed to work 20 hours per week and during vacation you can work for 40 hours per week. But be clear that work is not a priority for you. You should mention that study is priority and after that if you find some spare time than only you will consider working part time and gain some experience, it will give opportunity to know and connect with the local people and do networking.

16)         Do you know anyone in UK?

17)         Did you give IELTS? 

18)         If you have not given IELTS, how your English language requirement got waived off?

(Through 12th English marks or interview)

19)         Who is your agent? Did your agent choose this university for you, or you have selected it?

20)         Which subjects did you study in your previous course? Can you explain anyone of them?

 In a nutshell, getting ready ahead of time for the UK's credibility and visa interview is super important. It shows that you're serious and honest about your plans. When you prepare well, you can explain clearly why you want to go to the UK, how you'll pay for things, and why you'll come back home after your visit. Having the right documents and knowing about the university and city you'll be in adds to your credibility. Remember, a well-prepared person is more likely to convince the interviewer and get the visa they want. So, be ready and do your best!