Interviews (Humanities / Social Science) - Wish I'd Known (Expert Oxford & Cambridge Application Advice)
The interview is typically the most nerve racking part of the entire application process. Sitting down face to face with your potential tutors and being quizzed by world class scholars can be a daunting experience.
However, if approached correctly, the interview process can end up being a satisfying, interesting and even fun experience.
After all, it’s not often that you get a chance to discuss your ideas with academics in a setting modelled after the standard tutorial/supervision experience provided to students at both Oxford and Cambridge.
Preparing for an interview is always going to be subject specific. However, there are a few general principles which are widely applicable. Firstly, you need to have an excellent grasp of your own application, that being the content of your personal statement and any submitted work.
You should be prepared to make insightful comments on questions which might arise from these, and have re-read your own essays and books/articles you’ve mentioned in your personal statement.
Secondly, it’s always a good idea to do some wider reading about the subject which is well beyond the school curriculum, and tie that reading into your interview answers. As with your personal statement, the aim is to demonstrate that your interest in the subject has taken you beyond your A levels/IB and that your interest in the subject is sufficient to lead you to undertake more advanced and independent reading.
Thirdly, the interview is an exercise in seeing whether you’d fit into the Oxbridge tutorial/supervision system. Your interviewers want to see whether you would benefit from and contribute to this method of learning, and whether they’d enjoy teaching you for the next three of four years years. It is above all, an academic exercise in which you are demonstrating your intellectual qualities and so your answers should always aim to be measured, insightful and thought-through.
You should relish the opportunity for an intellectual debate and show yourself open to new information and prepared to adapt your own viewpoint if new evidence is presented to you.
Let us know if you have any questions about this article.
This article was written by Wojciech (Oxford - History & Politics).
If you find this content useful, please visit Wojciech's profile for further information on applying to Oxbridge. Alternatively, book support now with Wojciech, using the form below.
Author: Wojciech - Oxford
BA History & Politics
Since graduating I have acquired extensive experience in Mentoring for Oxbridge admissions. I have worked in person with students in London, Hong Kong and Budapest and taught A-level History and Politics at Akademeia High School in Warsaw.
