UKVI credibility interviews
Information for international applicants
As part of the UK Student Visa application process, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may invite you to attend a credibility interview. This is to confirm that your intention to study in the UK is genuine and credible. You must prepare before the interview.
Please note you may also be asked to attend a credibility interview with our University Credibility Support Team prior to receiving your CAS. Successfully passing this °µÍø½âÃÜ interview does not guarantee that UKVI will accept you if they conduct their own interview. If you are invited to a UKVI interview, please prepare according to the guidance below.
What is a credibility interview?
A credibility interview is conducted by a UK Entry Clearance Officer (ECO). It helps determine whether you meet the requirements to be granted a Student visa under the UK’s immigration rules.
These interviews are conducted at the discretion of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and are designed to assess whether your intentions to study in the UK are genuine. While there is no way to predict if you will be selected, continuing to reflect on your motivations and decision-making can help you feel more prepared if called upon.
These interviews may take place:
- In person
- By telephone
- By video call.
Attendance is mandatory. If you are invited to an interview and do not attend without a valid reason, your visa application will be automatically refused.
You will be expected to answer all the questions from the ECO and may be asked to explain further or elaborate.
You should answer in your own words; do not rely on pre-prepared answers or scripts.
Your answers should be personal to you and your decisions; think about the decisions you made and why you made them.
Even if you meet all other visa requirements and achieve the required points under the Student Route, the ECO can refuse your application if they are not convinced that you are a genuine student, so you must ensure you are prepared to answer their questions in a confident, concise, and consistent manner.
The best preparation is understanding your own motivations clearly and being able to explain them in your own words.
Below are key areas that you may be asked about. Use the questions as a prompt to help you think more deeply about your choices. Your answers should be personal, specific, and reflect your own experiences and reasoning.
Areas to consider
1. What motivated you to choose the UK as your study destination?
- How does studying in the UK fit into your personal or career plans?
- What differences did you consider between studying in the UK and studying in your home country or another country?
- What specific aspects of the UK’s education system appeal to you?
- How did you decide that the UK was the best place for you to achieve your academic goals?
- Why the UK?
2. Why °µÍø½âÃÜ?
- What made °µÍø½âÃÜ stand out compared to other UK universities?
- What did you discover about °µÍø½âÃÜ that influenced your decision?
- Were there other universities you considered in the UK? Why did you not choose them?
- How do °µÍø½âÃÜ’s facilities, location, or student support services relate to your needs or goals?
- What role did the university’s links to industry, placements, or rankings play in your choice?
3. Why did you choose this course?
- What are your personal reasons for choosing this specific course?
- How does this course relate to your previous education or experience?
- Did you explore similar courses at other institutions? What made this course the most suitable?
- In what ways do you think this course will help you achieve your long-term ambitions?
- How did you decide that this course at °µÍø½âÃÜ was the right fit for you?
4. How well do you understand your course?
- What do you know about the structure of your course?
- What are the names or topics of some of the modules you will study?
- How will the course be assessed – through exams, coursework, projects?
- How long will the course take to complete?
- Are there any special features, such as placements, professional accreditations, or practical work?
- How does the structure of this course align with your personal learning style or future plans?
5. How are you funding your studies?
- How do you plan to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses?
- Have you prepared a financial plan for your time in the UK?
- What evidence can you provide to support your ability to fund your studies?
6. What are your future plans?
- What do you plan to do after completing your course?
- How does this qualification help you meet your future goals?
- Do you intend to return to your home country after your studies? If so, how will your qualification help you there?
- Have you explored what kind of employment opportunities this degree might lead to?
7. Additional considerations
- How have you researched life in the UK and what to expect as an international student?
- What do you know about the city or area where °µÍø½âÃÜ is located?
- What kind of accommodation do you plan to stay in during your studies?
- How will you get to and from campus?
Contact Student Services for advice or support
