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Sponsorship interview

Whether you are applying from certain countries or from the UK, credibility interviews are part of the Student visa application process.

The purpose of a credibility interview is to ascertain that a student’s intentions to study in the UK are genuine. During the interview you will also be expected to demonstrate that your English language ability is sufficient to follow your chosen course and level of study. If you are required to attend an interview then this will be mandatory. If you fail to attend your visa will be refused.

Topics and typical questions

In addition to assessing your level of spoken English, the Home Office expects the interviewer to be satisfied about the reasons why you are applying for a Student Visa, and that you genuinely wish to come to the UK to study, and not for any other reasons. They will ask you a range of questions and topics to find out more about your choices and what led you to your final decisions.

Here are some areas which you may be questioned about during your interview. They may also ask additional questions not covered in these topics.

Tips for success

  1. Monitor your email - Remember to regularly check the email account you included in your visa application form, including your ‘junk’ folder, for important messages about your visa application. Failure to attend an interview will result in your visa being refused.
  2. Try to relax - Relax and answer all the questions in full, as naturally as you can. Some of the questions you will be asked are designed to check your English language fluency and may not be linked to your course of study. The interviewer is not trying to trick you, but is trying to assess whether you can understand them and can have a conversation. Remember the initial interviewer will not have access to your visa application form so will not have any prior knowledge of what you have done before or what you want to do now.
  3. Speak naturally - When answering questions, speak naturally, as if you were having a conversation with a friend or a family member. The interviewer will be looking for fluency in the answers and for signs indicating that a student may have been ‘coached’.
  4. Request a transcript - Once completed you should request a transcript of the interview and make a note of what you said in the interview. This could help if you are called back for a second interview or your application is refused.

Received a visa refusal?

If your visa is refused for any reason it is essential that you let the University of Hertfordshire know straight away by emailing ukvienquiries@herts.ac.uk.

The refusal letter will advise you if you have the right of administrative review. There is a deadline to submit a request for administrative review, so make sure you apply in-time. Visit the Home Office website for more details.

Do not attempt to reapply for a new visa with the same CAS number. If you submit another application with the same CAS, that application will be refused. You can only use a CAS number once.