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What is a credibility interview?

A credibility interview is a common interview process undertaken by UK universities to recognise the best and genuine students. It is a simulation interview process of a visa interview conducted by the UKVI (UK government body, responsible for immigration and visas).

Why is credibility interview important for my visa ?

Recently UK student visa (i.e. tier 4 General visa) policy has changed tremendously which puts pressure on the sponsor (university and college) as well. Due to new government rules, every sponsor should maintain at least 90% visa success rate for their issued CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). If it is less than 90% then they may lose their sponsorship license, hence every sponsor wants to make recruit eligible and genuine students. In order to verify geniuses of a student many universities has started credibility interview.

What if I don't prepare for a credibility interview?

As mentioned before it's a process to recruit sincere students so the refusal rate for the visa can be reduced. It covers topics which are usually main reasons for visa rejection and refusal.

What could be main reasons for visa rejection or refusal?

There can be many reasons for visa refusals, but the following are the mean reasons which we have identified for visa refusal in the UKVI interview.

1) The student was not able to satisfy the Visa Officer that he has done proper research of 4-5 Universities and why he had selected his chosen university. He has not done any research about the Universities in UK & applied only to one university.

2) The student was not able to provide the satisfactory information about his course, its structure, modules, content, assessment process etc.

3) The student only provided the vaguest of information about his plans for after completion of his course.

4) The student was not able to justify the funds in his bank account and why the parents are putting their hard earned money for student program. Verification and justification of funding are one of the main reason in South Asia for visa refusal.

5) The student was not able to justify his/her gap in the study through income tax proof, salary proof or any other proof.
This all thus leads to doubt the claims to be seeking entry to the UK as a student and hence the Visa Officer rejected or will reject the student's visa.

What questions can be asked during a credibility interview?

We are giving you a list of questions those can be asked during credibility interview.

Sample of possible questions for screening intention to study:

Why do you want to study in the UK ?

Possible answer should include: International reputation, university reputation, research facilities, simplified application process , cultural diversity, 1-year master and 3 to 4 years bachelor programs, reasonable tuition fee, long history of welcoming international students, Quality of teaching in the university inspected regularly,  part-time work is allowed which enhance interpersonal skills of an international student .

What are the benefits of studying in the UK ( or any other country ) compared to your home country or USA/Canada/Australia etc.?

Possible answer should include: reputation, research facilities,  tuition fee ( UK Master is the quite reasonable if compare with other countries), safest place to study, straightforward visa process, experience etc.

Why did you choose this university/college?

Possible answer should include: reputation, research facilities,  tuition fee ( UK Master is the quite reasonable if compare with other countries), safest place to study, straightforward visa process, experience etc.

How did you find about it?

Possible information source: Google search, education fair, Agent, university website, recommendation from family or friend.

Which other colleges/universities have you considered? Where is the college/university?

Desirable answer: You need to give at-least 4-5 name of other universities where you applied or was thinking to apply. You must know the course name, duration , university location, tuition fee  etc. and comparison of program or university with your chosen university’s program .  A below table can help you have all the information for this answer .

S.No

Differentiating Characteristic

Chosen University

Uni 1

Uni 2

Uni 3

Uni 4

1

Course Name

 

 

 

 

 

2

University Ranking ( For Program and Overall University Ranking )

 

 

 

 

 

3

Course Content and faculties  

 

 

 

 

 

4

Duration

 

 

 

 

 

5

Tuition fee

 

 

 

 

 

6 Location          

7

Employability

 

 

 

 

 

Do you know anyone who has already studied there?

Possible Option : It would be advisable to search some university alumni on Facebook or Google and take idea about your chosen university ,program, location etc.

Do you know roughly how large the college/university is?

Possible information source: University website and Wikipedia (some time)

Why did you choose this course and how does it relate to your previous study?

Possible answer:

If you are a PG student then it is expected that you should have clear idea about your future. You should be able to link your previous study, your desired program and your future goals (short term and long term) . If you have a concrete future goal then it will be easy for you to relate required skills with your chosen course.

If you are a UG student then it is expected that you should know the career progression after finishing the program. Like after doing bachelor in business management a student can make career in marketing / operation / accounting / Finance / Administration / Human resource management etc. 

For PhD and DBA student answer carefully structured and provided with valid justification.

*It is an important question hence give some time . It also make an integral part of your statement purpose for study .

How do you explain the gaps in your study/professional history?

Desirable Answer: You need to explain gaps clearly and with valid reasons. If you were doing job then you should be able to tell your learning from job. If you were not doing anything then still you should tell something reasonable like preparing for IELTS or any professional exam or any financial problem or health issue.

What is the relevance of the course to your future career path?

Possible answer: you need to explain the learning from the course and structured it in a way that help you to achieve goals.

What qualification will you receive? And How long does the course last?

Possible information source : Application form , Offer letter , CAS /Visa letter, program information on university website .

How is your course assessed? (apparently frequently asked and students do not know)

Possible information source: Program information on university website (if not given , then you can ask it from admission department ) .

Possible answer :  Typical courses are assessed on the basis of written examination , assignments ,  presentation , team work , report writing , Dissertation , Case study etc.

Do you know what level your course is at?

Possible information source : Offer letter , CAS /Visa letter, program information on university website .

Usually Bachelor level in the UK is level 6 , Master level 7 and PhD level 8. Preparatory programs like Foundation is level 3 and Premaster is level 6.

Did you consider any other course?

Desirable answer: Yes  ( If you have any valid reason and able to compare course on the basis of future progression , your career goals, your expectations from program , course content), and should be elaborated . 

Does this course offer any professional recognition?

Possible information source : Program information on university website .

Are you planning to stay in the UK on completion to study for a higher award?

It is a tricky questions and answer should be given as per the conditions and your goals .

Are you thinking of transferring to another institution on completion?

It is a tricky questions and answer should be given as per the conditions and your goals .

What facilities are you expecting at the college/university?

Possible answer should include: Secured Accommodation, Library, sports facilities, Gym , Additional classes to learn foreign language and development of interpersonal and employability skills, small class size, career supervisor, transportation link .

Will you need help finding accommodation?

It is a tricky questions and here interviewer want to see whether you have done any research on the location of campus or not .

This answer will entirely depending on your situation. If you don’t need then you must know where you are going to stay during the program, how far it’s from university and how you will reach to university from your place. 

Do you need a meet and greet service? 

Again interviewer want to see how you will reach to your accommodation or university from airport. It shows your credibility for program and university .

Do you understand the responsibilities of students entering the UK under Tier 4 of the PBS?

Possible information need to tell : 

attending regular classes and attendance shouldn’t be fall below 85% or as per university policy ,

No full time employment

Part time work as specified on your visa

No business activity on student visa

Do you have relatives who have studied at the similar level or studied overseas?

Answer if applicable .

Do you think your course is appropriate for someone of your age? (if the student is doing program after very long gap)

Need to justify the reason along with providing your learning from the job (gap period of study) .

Sample of possible questions for screening financial viability:

What is your current occupation?

Who is financing your studies?

What is the profession of your financial sponsor and what relationship they have to you?

Do you have evidence of the financial status of your financial sponsor, e.g. bank statements for last 6 months, bonds, investments, etc.?

Are you able to verify the genuineness of these documents?

Can you prove the money is available for study?

Would you be able to pay your tuition fees in full up front?

Have you checked the refund policy?

Do you know what your accommodation will cost in the UK?

Possible information : £ 600 to £1000 in London  and £400 to £600 in Outside of London

Do you know how much your living expenses will be?

Possible information : £ 1200 to £1500 in London  and £800 to £1000 in Outside of London

Do you know whether you are entitled to work part-time in the UK? Do you know how many hours are you allowed to work?

Possible information : If you are going to study level 6 or above program in the HEI then you are allow to work 20 hrs per week . Students are allowed to work 10 hrs per week for any program below level 6 in HEI .

No work is allowed in Private or government college

Do you know the likely hourly rate of pay?

It is £7.50 per hours for anyone above 21 age .

How reliant are you on being able to work?

You shouldn’t be dependent on work to pay tuition fee or your day to day expenses .

NB: To book a free 15-minute interview , please fill up our enquiry form .