As part of the Student visa process, the Home Office/UKVI will assess whether a student is genuine before granting student leave. The interview selection process is random, so being called for an interview does not mean there is anything wrong with your application.
This guide provides an overview of some of the questions you may be asked during your interview. While these may not be the exact questions or follow a specific order, we hope they give you an idea of the type of information the interviewer will be looking for. You may also be asked additional questions unrelated to your study choices or living in the UK, so be prepared for a range of topics.
The interview will also assess your English proficiency. While this may feel daunting, try to stay as calm as possible to ensure your language skills reflect the hard work you’ve put in. If you have difficulty understanding a question due to a poor video connection or a strong accent, don’t hesitate to ask the interviewer to speak more slowly or clearly.
It is crucial to answer honestly—do not provide responses based on what you think the interviewer wants to hear.
We cannot provide specific answers to these questions, as your responses must be personal to you. However, we encourage you to continue researching your chosen course and the city where you will be studying, whether London or Manchester.
Intention to Study Questions:
Why do you want to study in the UK?
You might want to talk about what you have learnt about the British education system and how this will enhance your education.
Why would you like to live and study in the UK and in particular London or Manchester?
How this experience will benefit you?
What are the benefits of studying in the UK compared to your home country or other countries?
What attracted you to the UK?
How would study in the UK differ from studying in your home country?
Why did you decide to come to the UK rather than, for example, Australia or the USA?
How did you choose which university to study at in the UK?
What research did you carry out?
Did you use an agent; what drew you to their recommendation to study at Arden?
Is the course that you are going to study particularly well taught at Arden?
Why have you chosen to study at Arden University?
Here you could talk about the University or about the city and its location within the UK.
Which other universities did you consider?
Did you look at other options?
Why did you choose Arden over other universities?
Where is Arden University?
Perhaps take a look at some British websites; do you know where your campus is?
For London see: https://arden.ac.uk/where-to-study/locations/london
Remember London or Manchester are expensive cities, have you considered this? Given you cannot work while you are in the UK, are you happy about the cost of living in London or Manchester? This issue may come up during your interview.
For Manchester see: https://arden.ac.uk/where-to-study/locations/manchester
Do you know roughly how large the University is?
Have you had a chance to do some research about the University?
What facilities do you expect there to be at Arden University?
Have a look at our website for more details of the Manchester study centre: https://arden.ac.uk/where-to-study/locations/manchester
What attracted you to the UK, London/Manchester and the University?
Do you know anyone who has studied in the UK?
The Home Office would not expect this to be the main reason that you come to the UK to study, but your friends or family may well have told you more about the country or even the city you have chosen to study in, making your choice easier.
Why did you choose to study this course and how does it relate to your previous study?
What attracted you to study this course?
What do you hope to achieve by studying it?
How will it enhance the subjects that you have already studied?
What qualification will you receive?
Make sure you are aware of your course details; check your offer letter, CAS statement or check the University website.
How is your course assessed?
Research - check course details on our website
Is your course assessed by exam, coursework, etc?
How long does your course last?
Make sure you are aware of your course details, check your offer letter, CAS statement or check the University website.
How will the course you have chosen help you in your chosen career path?
Is it a necessity to have a qualification in order to follow your career path?
Do you know what level your course is?
Are you studying a Bachelors (BA or BSc), Masters (MA or MSc)?
They could also be referring to the NQF level of your course. NQF stands for National Qualifications Framework and is a way of defining the level of a course; the higher the level, the more advanced the course.
- If you will be studying at Bachelor’s level this would be level 6.
- If you will be studying at Master’s level this would be level 7.
Did you consider studying any other course?
It will be fine to say that you did, but you must then be able to justify what made you decide on your final choice.
Will you need help finding accommodation?
Have you looked into accommodation options at the University or in the city of London or Manchester?
What option do you think you will choose?
Do you know how you will get to the University if you have already found accommodation?
Can you explain any gaps in your years of study or work?
If there have been periods of time in which you have been working? Why are you now looking to come back to study? Would this study benefit your current profession or enhance your future prospects?
Also if there has been a gap between now and your previous course of study, what were you doing in this time and why are you now ready to return to study?
Do you understand what your responsibilities will be as a Student visa holder?
Take a look to the UKCISA website at the guidance that tells you more about protecting your Student visa status https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-advice/visas-and-immigration/protecting-your-student-status/
Financial Questions:
What is your current occupation (if currently employed)?
How does your chosen course of study relate to the work that you have been doing? If it differs greatly then explain why you have made a change.
Do you feel you would be better suited to another line of employment or is further study something that you have always wanted to do?
Do you have relatives who have studied at a similar level or have studied overseas?
It may be that a family member has studied overseas and they have recommended this to you.
If not, explain why you are the first from your family to want to take this route.
How will study in the UK benefit you?
Do you think your course is appropriate for someone of your age?
If you are a mature student, you may be required to explain why you are choosing to continue your studies at this point.
Will the further study benefit your current employment?
Or is this something that you have been saving up for and wanting to do for a long time?
Who is financing your studies/cost of living in the UK?
You or your parents?
If your parents are financing your studies, you may be asked to discuss how they are able to do this.
Remember documents confirming their financial status may be with your application.
What is the profession of your financial sponsor and what relationship are they to you?
You may be asked what job the person who is sponsoring you has, to justify how they can continue to support you in this way.
Do you have evidence of the financial status of your financial sponsor?
Bank statements for the last 6 months, bonds, investments etc.
Are you able to verify the genuineness of these documents?
If the Home Office contact the school, college or bank that produced the documentation submitted would the school, college or bank confirm that they are genuine?
Do you foresee any issues in the Home Office contacting the institution? If so have a covering letter ready that provides contact details for the institution involved.
Can you prove that this money is available for your study?
You should already have documentation in the form of bank statements, or your parents’ bank statements (with proof of their relationship to you) ready to form a part of your application.
Are these original documents?
Will the Home Office be able to contact the bank to verify these statements?
Would you be able to pay your tuition fees in one full amount?
If not, what arrangements have you made to ensure that you can pay at the appropriate times?
Have you checked the University refund policy?
This may be asked and you can obtain a copy of the refund policy from our Finance department or online.
Do you know how much accommodation will cost in the UK?
You may be asked about your accommodation costs. You can find some guidance on our accomodation page
Do you know how much your living expenses will be?
You may be asked about your general living expenses. You can find more guidance on the UKCISA website: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-advice/life-in-the-uk/bills/
Do you know whether you are entitled to work part-time in the UK?
As an Arden University student, you will not be able to work during your studies – you should be aware of this at your interview
Useful links
| Arden University | https://arden.ac.uk |
| Living in the UK | UKCISA - international student advice and guidance - Studying in the UK? Click on ‘Info and Advice’ and see the drop down ‘Studying and Living in the UK’ |
Term dates
| https://arden.ac.uk/studying-with-us/why-arden/blended-learning |
About Manchester
| https://www.visitlondon.com/ https://www.visitmanchester.com |
| British Council | www.educationuk.org/UK/Life-in-the-UK |
| Home Office | https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/student-visas |
