Postgraduate interview questions

Admissions tutors use postgraduate interviews to establish whether you're committed to, and prepared for, study at Masters or PhD level. While less formal than job interviews, you still need to take academic interviews seriously - your ambitions to pursue further study depend on your performance.

How to prepare for a Masters interview

Before the interview, do your research. Brush up on the university and what the course involves, so you'll be able to explain clearly and confidently why you want to study there. Familiarise yourself with what you wrote in your application, as this may be discussed, and think of any questions you may have for the university.

Treat the interview as an official meeting. Dress smartly and be punctual. You'll be informed in advance of the nature of your interview and anything you may be required to bring with you.

It's likely your interviewer will cover some, if not all, of the following:

• Academic interests - including why you chose your undergraduate degree, your dissertation topic and which modules you enjoyed and performed best in. Your interviewer is looking for genuine interest in the subject, and how your previous study has prepared you for a Masters.
• Academic knowledge - you may be asked about a particular area in your field, so revisit your previous work to refresh your memory.
• Experience - if your Masters has vocational elements, your interviewer may focus more on your previous paid or voluntary work than your academic achievements. Be prepared to discuss the transferrable skills you've gained.
• Funding - you may be asked whether you'll be receiving a postgraduate loan, or if you've applied for any scholarships.
• Goals - your interviewer will be making an investment in you if they offer you a place. Show them that you're a suitable choice by explaining your five or ten-year ambitions, being as specific as possible.
• Reasons for choosing the university and course - demonstrate that you've done your research by discussing what has impressed you about the university and course, and how the programme will help you achieve your career goals.
• Strengths and weaknesses - list your best skills and provide evidence. When providing a weakness, explain how you'd like to improve and the steps you'll put in place to make it happen.

Common Masters interview questions

Can you tell me about yourself?

This question allows you to set the agenda and explain anything unusual about your application - for example, if you're choosing a subject that's different from your previous studies.

It also gives you the opportunity to emphasise things that you didn't articulate strongly in your CV, postgraduate application or personal statement. You'll need to discuss your education and work experience, highlighting your achievements and qualifications.

Bear in mind that the interviewer isn't interested in unrelated hobbies or your social life. Instead focus on how your non-academic background - in combination with your undergraduate degree - has prepared you for postgraduate study.

Spotlight things that demonstrate your ability, determination and drive. Maybe you:

• implemented a business idea
• set up an event
• stood for student election during your undergraduate studies.
• Perhaps in your spare time you've:
• completed a period of volunteering abroad
• raised money for charity by running a marathon
• undertaken additional free courses.

All these things could help to set you apart from the competition.

Why have you chosen this course/institution?

With regards to the programme, be specific. If your heart is set on this particular course because it offers modules that will enable you to gain a deeper understanding of your area of interest, say so. If you're drawn to the programme due to the expertise of its leaders or because it provides a unique placement opportunity, talk about that.

When explaining why you want to study at this particular institution, be honest. If it's as simple as their state-of-the-art facilities or their impressive graduate employment rates, it's ok to say so. To make your answer stand out though you could mention that you want to be taught by an eminent lecturer or that you've spoken to alumni of your chosen course and the university and programme comes highly recommended.

Do you think your undergraduate record reflects your effort and ability?

While this question gives you the opportunity to explain a poor grade or a bad semester you need to make sure you don't come across in a bad light by blaming other people such as your tutors.

Use this as your opportunity to let the interviewer know if you really did have extenuating circumstances. It's unlikely that you'd be able to explain away a year of poor marks without serious mitigation, as interviewers can clearly see through excuses, but if you need to explain a bad mark that was out of character then this is your chance to do so.

To ensure that your answer strikes the right tone, practice with friends or family beforehand.

What are your strengths?

Talk about things that will make your application look positive. Mention soft skills, such as teamwork, organisation, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Anything that highlights how you've overcome a challenge is useful, as this shows what type of problem-solver you are. However, you must have concrete, practical examples of every skill that you mention.

Demonstrate the skill of leadership and give details to show the depth of your commitment. You don't have to hold an office or a title to display leadership - it can be demonstrated in many ways. Describing how you organised something or motivated a group of people is just as impressive.

Avoid anything irrelevant or obvious, or things that a graduate in any discipline will have, such as the ability to:

• use email, social media or word processors
• write essays.

Sell yourself here, but make sure you don't sound too boastful either.

What are your weaknesses?

This is a classic postgraduate interview question. The first rule is to never say that you don't have any weaknesses - even a perfect candidate has something they could work on. On the other hand, don't get carried away listing your faults. Concentrate on one or two weaknesses at the most.

To ensure that this question doesn't work against you, choose a weakness that you're currently succeeding in overcoming. For example:

• 'I struggle with my self-confidence but joining a club/society during my undergraduate studies and my voluntary/work experience has helped hugely with this.'
• 'I used to stress about deadlines, but now I allow myself plenty of time before a deadline to make sure that I don't leave everything to the last minute.'
• 'I tend to be disorganised, but the calendar on my phone is helping me to stay organised so I can be truly effective.'

Be prepared to back up these initial statements with solid examples of how you're working to overcome your weakness.

Describe your ideal job

This question is asked to see if you have logically thought through your future plans and how the postgraduate degree fits in with these.

If there is a massive disconnect it doesn't reflect well, so your career trajectory must look sensible and relevant in the context of the course you have chosen to study.

Postgraduate study shouldn't be undertaken to bide time while you decide what you want to do. Admissions tutors expect you to have a solid reason for wanting to study the course and some sort of career plan in place once you graduate.

The job you aspire to should demonstrate that you have knowledge of the prospective industry and the job market.

If you want to start your own business, that's great, but you need to explain how the degree will enable you to do this.

Another variation of this question might be 'where do you see yourself in five/ten years time?'

Which academic or businessperson do you most admire and why?

When interviewers ask this question, they're trying to learn something about you through the person that you admire most - so explain your choice. Avoid well-known figures, unless you can say something original about them.

A variation on this question could be 'what is your favourite book and why?' Again, the interviewer is not looking for a detailed report. They want to learn more about you from the books that you read. This is because your answer can indicate your interests, beliefs or goals.

What difficult decision have you had to make in the last six months?

Everyone has to make tough decisions at times. This question aims to test the candidate's reasoning ability, problem-solving skills and judgement.

Think of examples from part-time work experience, undergraduate study or your social or family background.

An average answer shows that you can make a difficult analytical or reasoning-based decision, for example, being able to sieve through lots of data to find an optimum solution. A good answer shows that you can make a difficult interpersonal decision, or even more impressive, a tricky data-driven decision that includes interpersonal considerations.

Making decisions based on data is important, but almost every decision has an impact on people too. The best candidates look at all sides of an issue and try to make an informed, balanced decision. It's good to talk through your logic as you try to solve the problem - admissions tutors like that.

How do you plan to fund your studies?

While the interviewer won't need a breakdown of your financial situation, they might be keen to know how you'll pay for your studies and if you've applied for any postgraduate funding.

The financial side of things can seem a little complicated so before your interview it's a good idea to gain an overview of any postgraduate loans, scholarships/bursaries, Research Council grants, employer sponsorship etc. so you can briefly discuss this. Having a handle on this aspect also shows the interviewer that you're well organised.

If you plan to work throughout your studies, don't be afraid to mention this. It won't reflect badly on your application, in fact it can demonstrate your determination and hard-working nature. If offered a place on the course you'll be able to get help and support.

Questions you should ask in your postgraduate interview

As your interview is drawing to a close admissions tutors will likely ask ‘What questions do you have for me about the course or university?’

Don't be fooled, your interview isn’t over yet - you're still being assessed.

Avoid asking about:

• anything that's already been explained through the institution's literature - this shows a lack of research
• how many holidays you'll get
• whether you'll have lectures or seminars every day.
• Similarly, don’t say that you have no questions at all.

To impress, come up with a few focused questions such as:

• 'What would graduates say was the most valuable thing about the postgraduate programme?'
• 'I read that there is the opportunity to study abroad or complete an internship - can you tell me more about that?'
• ‘How does the course utilise its links to industry?’
• ‘What extra-curricular opportunities does the programme offer?’

Try to come up with four or five - you might not get the chance to ask all of them but you'll have some in reserve if a couple have been covered during the interview.

Find out more

• Search for a postgraduate course.