Interviews and admissions tests

UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES are increasingly making use of interviews and admissions tests before deciding whether to offer students a unconditional or conditional place on a higher education course.

Interviews are a good opportunity for admissions staff to make sure that potential students would be able to cope with the demands of the course for which they have applied.

For more specialist subjects, it's a good opportunity to explore further a student's interests and natural abilities.

A popular course will receive a great many applications - with many students meeting the grades required for entry. An interview enables admissions staff to sift through the applications when deciding which students to offer a place.

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Many universities also require students to sit an admissions test (as well as or instead of) an interview.

Testing is generally used in competitive or specialist subject areas - like law or medicine - or by popular institutions such as Oxford or Cambridge.

Testing allows admissions staff to get a snapshot for the abilities that a student has in a specific subject area - something that's not easy to tell if a significant number of potential applicants meet the grades required for entry.

Universities and colleges will inform potential students about any interviews or tests they need to attend. Information may also be given in the institution's prospectus as to what is required. The UCAS Big Guide is another source of entry requirements.

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