Some UK universities interview international applicants before they issue a CAS, and others interview for a place on a course. Choose a set, answer each question against a 90-second timer, then check yourself against what universities say they look for. It is free and keeps your answers in your browser.
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Two kinds of university interview
A pre-CAS or credibility interview is run by a university before it issues your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. Its purpose is to check that you are a genuine student, and several universities say it also prepares you for a Home Office interview. An academic admissions interview is different. It tests your subject knowledge, thinking and motivation, and it comes before an offer or as a condition of one.
Our pre-CAS set has 12 questions and each run gives you 8. The subject set has 4 questions. For the Home Office interview, use our mock visa interview.
What universities say about their interviews
The table shows what each university says on its own pages. Formats change, and some pages show no date, so check your offer letter and your university's page before you prepare.
| University | Interview | What the page says |
|---|---|---|
| Bradford | Pre-CAS applicant support interview | On Teams or Google Meet, about 1 hour, one attempt only |
| Lincoln | Pre-CAS interview | Online and recorded, 30 to 40 minutes, results usually within 5 working days |
| Coventry | Credibility interview | Online, about 45 minutes, mandatory for applicants the university invites (page updated 16 September 2026) |
| Liverpool John Moores | Recorded video interview | 20 to 25 minutes, for listed nationalities; Pakistan is not in the list on the page |
| UWE Bristol | Pre-CAS interview | Most applicants answer on-screen questions that are recorded; some have a live conversation |
| Cambridge | Admissions interview | Usually 1 or 2 interviews, 35 to 60 minutes in total, online or in person depending on the College (2027 entry page) |
| UCL Medicine | Multiple mini interviews | Up to 8 stations of 5 minutes each |
| Birmingham Nursing | Panel interview | Two interviewers on Zoom, four questions, sent at least 48 hours ahead (2027 entry page) |
We could not confirm whether Pakistani applicants must take a pre-CAS interview at a particular university. Some pages select applicants by nationality or immigration history, and others select at random, so ask your university directly.
What the pre-CAS questions are based on
Our 12 pre-CAS questions follow the themes that Bradford, Coventry, Lincoln, Napier, Northumbria, Queen Margaret University and UWE publish. The most common are why you chose the UK, why this university and campus, what you will study, your funding, your plans after the course, where you will live, your study gaps, your English, and your immigration history.
- Why this university: Lincoln asks which other universities you considered, and Coventry checks that your reasons match the campus on your offer.
- Course details: Lincoln, Coventry, Napier and Northumbria expect you to know the modules, assessment, length and level.
- Funding: Bradford asks how the full course will be paid for and whether the funds stay accessible.
- Part-time work: Queen Margaret University says not to present part-time work as your main funding.
- English: Bradford, Queen Margaret and Teesside assess English in the interview itself.
Subject interview questions
The subject set covers why you chose your subject, your personal statement, thinking aloud on an unfamiliar problem and, for health courses, your motivation and understanding of the role. Imperial, Nottingham, Northumbria, Queen Margaret, Warwick and UCAS all say questions may follow from your personal statement, so re-read yours. Oxford and Cambridge say their interviews test how you think about unfamiliar material, but neither page we read gives sample questions, so our question on this is a practice prompt we wrote.
Set-up and honesty tips from the universities
- Have your passport ready, because Bradford, Coventry, Napier and LJMU ask to see it.
- Use a quiet room, be alone, and check your camera, microphone and internet. Napier asks you to look at the camera.
- Join about 10 minutes early. Coventry cancels the slot if you arrive more than 10 minutes late.
- Do not read from notes or scripts. LJMU and UWE both warn against it, and UWE asks applicants to confirm they are not using AI.
- Be honest about your history. Bradford warns that fraudulent documents can lead to a ten-year ban.
- If you do not understand a question, ask for it to be repeated, as Napier, Oxford and UCAS advise.
Read our UK credibility interview guide and our Study in the UK guide for the rest of the process.
Practise with a consultant
This tool is a self-check. We check your funds and documents, and you can ask us to talk through your answers for your university and course. We cannot promise an offer, a CAS or a visa. Book a free initial consultation, or try our other free study tools.
Frequently asked questions
Is the mock university interview free?
Yes. It is free, needs no account and has no limit on how many times you practise.
What is a pre-CAS interview?
A pre-CAS interview is run by some UK universities before they issue your CAS. It checks that you are a genuine student and that you know your course and plans.
Are these the universities' real questions?
No. Universities do not publish full question lists. Our questions follow the themes the universities say they check, so use them as practice.
Are my answers saved?
No. Your typed answers stay in your browser and are not sent to us.
Do all UK universities interview Pakistani applicants?
No. Some select applicants by nationality, history or at random, and we could not confirm which universities require it for Pakistan. Check your offer letter or ask your university.
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Official sources: University of Bradford: credibility checks · University of Lincoln: pre-CAS interview · Coventry University: credibility interviews · UWE Bristol: pre-CAS interviews · Edinburgh Napier: credibility interviews · University of Cambridge: interviews · UCAS: how to prepare for your uni interview. Sources checked on 11 October 2026. Reviewed by Yasir Khan, British Council registered consultant, LAMTANS Consultants. Last updated 11 October 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the latest position at your consultation.