CREDIBILITY

INTERVIEWS
Guide for Students
CAS Guide

What is a
credibility
interview?
Whether you are applying from overseas or from the
UK, credibility interviews are part of the Student visa
application process.

The purpose of a credibility interview is to ascertain

that a student’s intentions to study in the UK are
genuine. During the interview you will also be
expected to demonstrate that your English language
ability is sufficient to follow your chosen course and
level of study.

If you are required to attend an interview then this will

be mandatory. If you fail to attend your visa will be
refused.

Tip #1 Remember to regularly

check the email account you
included in your visa application
form, including your ‘junk’ folder,
for important messages about your
visa application. Failure to attend
an interview will result in your visa
being refused.
 3

Who will be called for interview?

All Student visa applicants applying
from overseas are likely to be called to
interview. Those applying from within the
UK may be called for interview.

When and where will I be interviewed?

If applying from overseas the interview will
probably take place at the visa application
centre where you submit your application
and biometric information. It will take
place at the same time you submit your
application and biometric information.

If applying from the UK the interview will

usually take place at a centre in London
(although this is not always the case) a
couple of weeks after you have submitted
your application and supporting
documents.

The date, time and location of the

interview will be sent to you by email and
letter. You must then confirm to the Home
Office that you will attend the interview. If
you are unable to attend, you must inform
the Home Office immediately. You must
enrol your biometrics before you attend
your interview.

Tip #2 Once completed you should

request a transcript of the interview
and make a note of what you said
in the interview. This could help if
you are called back for a second
interview or your application is
refused.
CAS Guide

How will I be interviewed?

The interview will usually be conducted
in English via a video link with the Home
Office in the UK (although the interview
can also take place face-to-face or
by telephone). The interview will last
approximately 15 -20 minutes, although
interviews conducted in the UK can be
longer. Your answers will be recorded in
writing and sent to an Entry Clearance
Officer (overseas applications) or to
a caseworker (UK applications). The
answers you gave will then be assessed,
along with your supporting documents
and visa application form.

The interviewer will be assessing your

ability to have a conversation in English,
so you should let the interviewer know
immediately if you cannot hear what is
being said OR the video-link connection
is bad. Otherwise the interviewer may
mistake this as you not being able to
understand.

You may be called for a further interview if

more information is needed, or they want
to clarify something you have previously
said. If you need to attend a second
interview, again you will usually be notified
via email.

However the further interview could

also be conducted face-to-face or by
telephone.
 5

Tip #3 Relax and answer all the

questions in full as naturally as you
can. Some of the questions you will
be asked are designed to check
your English language fluency and
may not be linked to your course of
study. The interviewer is not trying
to trick you, but is trying to assess
whether you can understand them
and have a conversation.

Remember the initial interviewer

will not have access to your visa
application form so will not have
any prior knowledge of what you
have done before or what you want
to do now.
CAS Guide

Typical
questions you
may be asked
In addition to assessing your level of spoken English,
the Home Office expects the interviewer to be
satisfied about the reasons why you are applying for
a Student visa, and that you genuinely wish to come
to the UK to study – and not for any other reasons.
Here are some areas which you may be questioned
about during your interview. You may be asked
additional questions not covered below. Questions
can be asked in any order.
 7

Intention to study Q. Why do you want to study in the

Q. Why have you chosen the UK?
University of Hertfordshire? • Think about why studying in the
• Think about the reasons why UK will benefit you more than
the University of Hertfordshire studying in your home country,
attracted you more than other or another English speaking
universities in the UK offering country.
the same course. Did you look • You could talk about what you
at other options? Why did you have learned about the British
decide on the University of education system.
Hertfordshire? • How will the experience benefit
• Think about the facilities you?
offered at the University of
Hertfordshire, including which
accommodation is available. Other useful web links:
Have a look at our website. Pre-arrival Guide
• The location of the University Facebook
– where is the University The Complete University Guide
located? Think about your travel
arrangements to the University
(if you are not staying in
university accommodation).
• Where is Hertfordshire?
Perhaps take a look at some
British websites.
• How large is the University?
Have you had a chance to
do some research about the
University of Hertfordshire?
• Do you know anyone who has
studied at the University of
Hertfordshire? The Home Office
would not expect this to be the
main reason that you come to
UH to study, but perhaps friends
or family have told you more
about the University, making
your choice easier.
• Is there an orientation
programme and a meet and
greet service available for
international students?
CAS Guide

Tip #4 When answering questions,

speak naturally, as if you were
having a conversation with a friend
or a family member. The interviewer
will be looking for fluency in the
answers and for signs indicating
that a student may have been
‘coached’.
 9

Your chosen course of study Academic history

Q. Why have you chosen this Q. What have you studied
course? previously?
• Think about the process you went • If you completed a SELT (Secure
through on deciding your course English Language Test) they may
and how it relates to any previous want to know details of when and
study. What attracted you to the where you took that test.
course? • How will this course enhance
• How much do you know about the subjects you have already
the course and the modules you studied?
will be studying? How long will • Can you explain any gaps in your
the course last? Read through studies? Explain why and what
the course details of your chosen you did during those gaps, and
course on the University website. the reason you have decided
• What qualification will you to return to studies. If you are
receive? Check your CAS or offer a mature student, why are you
letter. What level is the course, ready to return to studies now?
e.g. Bachelors (BA or BSc),
Masters (MA or MSc) or PhD?
• How will the course help you to
achieve your chosen career path?

Q. How is your course assessed?

• Check the University website. Is
your course assessed by exam,
coursework, etc.?
CAS Guide

Finances
Q. Who will be paying for your studies?
• You, your parents, a private sponsor?
If your parents are financing you, you
could be asked how they are able to
do this. Remember that documents
confirming their financial status will be
included with your application.
• Be very clear about the source of
your funds which you have submitted
evidence of with your application.
• If your course is longer than a year -
how will you fund subsequent years?
• If you have a loan - how will you pay
back the loan after you have completed
your studies?
• If you are sponsored - you must know
the amount of money you will receive,
and what this money covers.
• You should know how much your
accommodation in the UK will cost
and what your living expenses will
be. Remember to talk about financial
support from parents, or perhaps any
money you’ve saved in order to fund
yourself.
• Do you know how many hours
maximum you can work in the UK,
and what the likely hourly rate is? You
shouldn’t be relying on work to cover
your tuition fees and finance. Take a
look at these pages on gov.uk:
Student Visa and National Minimum
Wage
• We do not advise you to depend on
finding work in the UK in order to
finance your studies.
 11

Immigration History
Q. Can you tell me about any previous
visas/visa applications?
• You may be asked about your previous
immigration record – the different
types of visas you have had (or applied
for) and where and when they were
granted. You may also be asked about
any prior visa refusals to any country.
• Make sure you know your
responsibilities as a Student visa holder
- have a look at the UKCISA website
guidance which tells you more about
protecting your Student status.

Future plans
Q. What are your plans after you have
graduated?
• Think about your future plans, whether
you wish to continue studying in the UK
at a higher level, returnto your home
country to find a job, remain in the UK
to work.
• Research your job prospects - how
will your degree help you gain
employment?
CAS Guide

If your visa
is refused
If your visa is refused for any reason it is essential
that you let the University know straight away by
emailing [email protected]. The refusal
letter will advise you if you have the right of
administrative review. There is a deadline to submit
a request for administrative review so make sure you
apply in-time. More details can be found on the Home
Office website or contact the Student Immigration
Team by email: [email protected].

Important
Do not attempt to reapply for a new visa with the
same CAS number. If you submit another application
with the same CAS, that application will be refused.
You can only use a CAS number once.

Useful links
• Credibility interviews
• Preparing and planning
• Protecting your student status
• Home Office Student Visa Policy Guidance
13
herts.ac.uk/international

[email protected]

+44 (0) 115 824 2657

fb.com/uniofhertsinternational

@uniofhertsintl

@uniofhertsintl