UKVI Credibility Interview
Credibility interviews were introduced by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) to ensure that only ‘genuine students’
are given a Student Visa to study in the UK. You may be asked to attend a credibility interview as part of your
visa application.
The credibility interview, along with all documents you submit including those to demonstrate that you have
held sufficient funds for the required duration, forms an important part of the visa application process and
can make the difference to a visa being granted or being refused.
Generally, in deciding whether or not a visa applicant is a genuine student, the UKVI is taking into account:
• The student’s immigration history in the UK and other countries
• The student’s education history, plans for study and after study
• The student’s personal and financial circumstances.
• If the student’s dependants intend to join them in the UK, consideration will be given to the
dependant’s circumstances too
• The student’s reasons for coming to the UK
Coming to study in the UK is a big decision and a big financial investment. The interviewer expects you to
explain clearly how you have reached the decision to come to the UK, the reasons for choice of programme
and also to show that you have reached this decision after carrying out thorough research.
Interview Format:
The interview will be conducted either through video conference, such as Skype, by telephone or in
person. The interview isn’t recorded in audio or video format but the person asking the questions will record
a typewritten transcript. The interview transcript will be considered alongside your visa application form and
supporting documents by the person making the decision. The visa application decision will not be made at
the interview.
Interviewer:
A member of staff at the UKVI offices in Sheffield, UK carries out the interview. The format of the interview is
standardised. You will be asked a series of questions. They will not ask you to expand on an answer or ask for
more information if your answer is too brief or if it is too general. Therefore, it is your responsibility to give
full and detailed answers. The Interviewer will record if a question has to be repeated or rephrased but you
can explain why you have asked for this. The Interviewer should ask at the end of the interview whether you
have anything to add and whether you are happy with the way the interview has been carried out.
English Language:
The interview also gives UKVI an opportunity to assess your ability to speak well in English and to decide if
your English language skills are sufficient to enable you to study in the UK. The services of an interpreter will
be offered but, unless you are being admitted to study English language, you are expected to answer all the
questions without the use of an interpreter.
Decision:
The Interviewer makes an initial assessment of whether they believe a student is genuine and whether the
level of English is sufficient but notes from the interview are passed to the Entry Clearance Officer who then
makes the decision whether to grant the Student Visa.
Tips to ace the UK credibility interview.
• Avoid Generic Answers
Avoid vague responses. Make sure you speak specifically about the course, the university and the UK
and how it aligns with your goals.
• Know Your Responsibilities as a Tier 4 Visa Holder
You should review your responsibilities as a Tier 4 visa holder before the interview. This information
can be found on the UK Council of International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.
• Understand the Program’s Content
Your answers should demonstrate your knowledge of the program’s content, especially the names of
course modules.
There may be many courses in the same subject area as the one you plan to study. What is it
specifically about this course which you prefer and which suits you over other course choices? Think
about your decision process. Did you apply for other courses - why did you choose this course over
them?
You may also be asked practical questions about your course such as, when will it start? How many
hours of a week will you be studying? You may also be asked questions related to current events and
your course. The UKVI would expect a genuine student to be able to talk about their chosen subject
area and any major news stories related to it.
• Avoid Discussing Dual Intentions
Although the UK launched a post-study work visa in 2021, avoid discussing any plans for living and
working in the UK after you graduate. It may be a red flag to the university that your intentions are
not genuine.
• Communicate Course Motivation
Demonstrate your motivation for enrolling in the course and how it will help set you up for future
success. Think of it as a job interview, and establish a five-year career plan, which should include
pursuing a career in your home country.
If you have been out of full-time education for a period of time, think about why you are returning
now in the context of the questions above, for example, is it because further qualifications are
necessary for you to achieve your career goals?
The UKVI would expect a genuine student to have a very clear rationale as to why they are returning
to study.
• Explain How You’ll Support Yourself Financially
It’s important to speak to how you will support yourself financially while studying in the UK. You will
need to know the amount you will require each year and the cost of your accommodations and other
living expenses. Although you can work a part-time job under a student visa, you should not be relying
on that income for your maintenance funds. If a family member intends to support you, know how
they earn a living and their yearly income.
What questions will I be asked?
There are no set questions you will be asked, however from previous experience and inline with the purpose
of the interview the below are common questions students have received.
1. Can you please provide a brief about yourself?
• Educational & professional qualifications gained so far with year you have passed.
• If any gap, what have you been doing during that gap?
• Mention about family, life & career objectives
2. Why do you wish to study this program? (Not less than 300 words)
• Mention about modules, accreditations, any other "selling factors"
• What skills will you gain?
• How will this course help in your career?
• Compare this course with alternatives.
• If same level study, then provide good reasoning.
3. What are you planning to do after completion of your study? (Not less than 300 words)
• If planning to work, name target companies, designation, their entry requirements.
• Job descriptions, including area of work and salary.
• Link job to course (i.e., skill set/knowledge that can help in that job).
• Short-term and long-term goals.
• Must mention would like to come back to India.
4. Why do you want to study in the UK rather than your home country or another country? (Not less
than 300 words)
• Academic related answer
• Differences in Education System
5. Why have you decided to study at the applied university? (Not less than 300 words)
• Why did you choose not to study this course at any other university you looked at?
• Look at other universities – compare.
• Mention USPs that are not available with other universities.
6. How are you planning to fund your studies?
• Who will fund? What is the source of income?
• What is annual income?
• Undergraduate course: How will you pay for full 3/4 years?
• In case of Education loan: How do you intend to pay back the loan?
7. Where do you plan to live in the UK?
• How much accommodation costs per month?
• If not on campus, then how will you travel - cost of travel?
• Any immediate family members in the UK. Share details if asked.
8. Have you ever applied for Visa? Visa refusals or any visa breaches.
• Must mention visa details for all the countries and not only UK.
• Include all Visa rejections, if any. Tell the reason.
• Why do you think your visa application will be successful this time?
Let’s look at a few questions, providing both “good” and “bad” responses for each.
Q. Why do you want to study in the UK rather than your home country or another country?
Bad answer: “I heard the UK is a nice place, and people are friendly. I can speak English there. I always wanted
to see London, and I like Premier League football. Also, in my country, job opportunities for graduates are
limited.”
Good answer: “I’m studying engineering, and the UK has a strong reputation for excellence in teaching
engineering degrees. Once I graduate, I should be able to get a good job back in my home country and have a
strong future because of my UK degree. I have a longstanding interest in British culture, and I’m really
interested in seeing the galleries and museums in the UK.”
The difference: The first answer is far too generic. The final sentence contains a big red flag: “In my country,
job opportunities are limited for graduates.” It implies that the student may want to remain in the UK after
graduating. On the other hand, the second response focuses on the specific course and how it will help the
student land a good job back in their home country.
Q. Why this specific university over other options?
Bad answer: “My cousin went to this university, and he said it was good.”
Good answer: “This university is well-known in my country, and its reputation will help me get a great job when
I return. The degree subject has a good national ranking, and the university has a strong reputation for
teaching. I looked at other universities [provide the names], but the course modules they offer aren’t as helpful
for my future goals.”
The difference: It’s common for students to say that they know someone who studies at the university, which
is why they want to study there. Instead, talk about the university’s reputation and how study abroad in the
UK in the UK will help set you up for future success. Also, be specific about why this university was more
suitable than others you considered.
Q. What will you do after completing your studies in the UK?
Bad answer: “I will try and see if there is a job I can get in the UK as I don’t want to return to my home country.”
Good answer: “I am studying business, and I want to work for a large multinational such as [name(s)]. One of
the units in my course is Business Analytics. I want to get a job as a business analyst when I get back to my
home country. The salary for this position is approximately £1,200 per month, whereas a regular graduate role
pays about £700 per month.”
The difference: Again, the first answer implies that the student wants to remain and work in the UK after
graduating. The second response specifically mentions a large multinational back in their home country where
the student envisions themselves working, how their course will help them obtain a specific job, and how
much it pays.
Q. What have you been doing during your study gap?
Bad answer: “I’ve been looking for a job, but I haven’t found one, so I’ve been staying at home. Now I’ve
decided to study abroad.”
Good answer: “I have been working in an entry-level role in a bank since graduating. But, I feel that I will
advance further in the industry if I get a degree from the UK, and that is why I want to study there. When I
graduate, I hope to return to the same company and get a promotion.”
The difference: In the first answer, the student cannot provide a satisfactory explanation for how they spent
their study gap, and the university may have reason to suspect that the student will remain in the UK after
graduating. The second answer demonstrates the professional experience the student gained during their
study gap. It also shows that they have done considerable research into the program and how studying abroad
in the UK aligns with their professional goals back in their home country.
Q. What are the facilities at the university, and what is the university’s ranking?
Bad answer: “The facilities are good, and the ranking is high. It’s much better than the university in my
hometown. I’m looking forward to seeing the facilities when I arrive.”
Good answer: “The university is ranked at number 20 in The Guardian university league tables and in the top
50 in the Times Higher Education league tables. Also, the business school where I will study is accredited by the
AACSB, EQUIS, and AAMBA, making it one of the best in the UK. They have recently invested £25 million in
upgrading their facilities and have improved the library and sports halls. Now they have received five stars from
QS ranking for their facilities.”
The difference: As you can see, the second response is much more detailed and specific about the university’s
rankings and facilities. You can often find this information on the university’s website or, search Google for
recent articles on the university, upgrades to its facilities, inclusion in top university rankings, etc.
