Interview Questions for Postgraduate Study

All students will be asked to attend an interview as part of their application process for a postgraduate programme. Interviews can be informal. However, they are a great way for course tutors to assess your abilities and can be the make or break of an application. We asked admissions tutors at the highly respected Stirling University www.careers.stir.ac.uk for example interview questions that you should expect at postgraduate course interviews.

Interview questions for a taught Masters programme could include:

• Why did you apply for this course and this university?
• What do you know about the course structure?
• Why did you choose to study your degree and why that university?
• How does a Masters differ from an undergraduate degree?
• How do you deal with course stress?
• What are your particular interests?
• What relevant experience do you have?
• What are your main strengths/weaknesses?
• How well do you manage your time?
• What is the greatest challenge you are looking for on the course?
• How would you define your area of study?
• In your opinion, what makes a good teacher?
• What will you do if you are unsuccessful in securing funding for this course?

Interview questions for a research-based degree could include:

• What attracts you to the research?
• What do you think about the research we have done here?
• What led you to choose this research topic?
• What are you reasons for doing a PhD?
• Have you considered anything other than research?

Ask Questions
It is also important that you ask questions during the interview. Find out what other students have done after their studies and most importantly, particularly for research-based degrees, find out how the course is supervised during your studies.