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Attending a credibility interview

Last updated: 01/08/2024 15:13

Credibility interviews were introduced by UK Visas and Immigration to ensure that only “credible students” are given a visa to study in the UK. If invited, you may be required to attend a short interview as part of the visa application process.

Credibility interviews

The interview will focus on your reason for coming to the UK – this is known as a credibility interview. An immigration officer may ask you questions about your immigration history, your previous education, the course you plan to study with us, your post-study plans, and your financial circumstances.

Your application will be refused if you do not attend this interview without a good reason.

You should be able to answer the questions at the interview without the assistance of an interpreter and to a standard that matches the English Language requirements that are stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

The interviewer will record a typewritten transcript of your answers. They will not ask you to give more information if your answers are too brief or too general, so it is your responsibility to give full and detailed answers. The visa application decision will not be made at the interview.

Preparation help

To help you prepare for this interview, here are some examples of the types of questions you may be asked.

You should know the following details of your course at the University, including:

  • How long your course is
  • What modules you will be studying
  • How you will be assessed
  • What qualification you will receive at the end of your course
  • Whether the course offers any professional qualifications/recognition
  • Why you have chosen not to study this course in your home country.

You should also know some details about us. For example, you may be asked:

  • Where Cardiff is in the UK
  • How big the University is
  • Why you chose to study with us
  • What other places you have considered.

You should not be asked about your academic ability to follow the course, as we have already assessed this.

If you're going back to education after a long break from studying, you should be prepared to explain why you have chosen to do this, as well as:

  • How studying this course will help with your future plans
  • How this course fits in with any previous courses you have done.

Here are some examples of things you may be asked about your finances:

  • If the money you have shown for your application is genuinely available to you
  • Who is financing your studies and further information about their relationship to you
  • If you have a loan, you may be asked how you plan to pay this back.

You should know some details about the cost of living and studying in the UK. For example, you may be asked:

  • How much your tuition fees are and when you are paying them
  • Where you are planning to live and how much it will cost
  • What your anticipated annual living expenses will be while you are studying with us
  • If you are planning on working, whether you know how many hours you are allowed to work, and how much you are likely to be paid
  • How reliant you are on being able to work

What happens next

A report of the interview will be sent to the visa officer who will consider it alongside your visa application and supporting documents.

You may be called for an additional interview if the visa officer needs more information.