This is a possible Guide for Students to understanding what a Credibility Interview to study in UK is.

What is a Credibility Interview?

Credibility interviews are now a very important part of the visa application process especially for UK. Once you have submitted your visa application you will be called to an interview to answer questions from an Entry Clearance Officer about your prospective studies in the UK. The interview is conducted in English and will take approximately 10-15 minutes.

What is the purpose of the Credibility Interview?

The purpose of the interview is to establish if you genuinely wish to study in the UK and if your declared circumstances 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.

Who will be interviewed?

All applicants who are applying for a Tier 4 student visa both overseas and inside the UK are likely to be interviewed.

When will the interview take place?

Your interview is likely to take place immediately after you enroll your biometrics at the visa application centre. If you have applied within the UK you may be requested to attend an interview a number of days after enrolling your biometrics.

How will I be interviewed?

It is most likely that you will be interviewed via video-call,  however  you may also be interviewed in person or on the telephone.

What happens once I have been interviewed?

During the interview the interviewer will write down everything that you say and will send this record to the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO). The ECO will then make a decision on your visa application on the basis of your credibility interview and all the other supporting documents you submitted with your Tier 4 visa application.

You may be called for a second interview if the ECO needs further information and clarification on your situation. You need to be prepared to provide evidence if requested i.e. source of income.

We would recommend you request a transcript of your interview once completed and you also write down everything you can remember from the interview when you have finished. You should keep a record of your interview safe.

You are likely to be asked questions about the following topics:

1. Intention to study questions:

What are the reasons that you want to study in the UK?

• You might want to talk about what you have learnt about the British education system.
  • Why would you like to live and study in the UK?
  • How this experience will benefit you.

Possible benefits of studying in the UK compared to other countries or your home country?

• What attracts you to the UK?
  • What is the difference of study between UK and in your home country?
  • What are the reasons you have chosen to study in UK over countries such as Canada and Australia?

How did you choose which university to study at in the UK?

• What research did you carry out?
  • Did you use an agent?
  • Did you meet a University member of staff in your home country when you were looking at your options?
  • Is the course that you are going to study particularly well taught at university?

Which other universities did you consider?

• Did you look at other options?
  • Why did you choose this University over other universities?

2.    University’s Questions

Where is university located?

• It may be useful to take a look at some British websites; do you know where University located is?

What facilities do you expect there to be at University?

• Have a look at the website of university
  • What attracted you to the city of your university and the University?

Why have you chosen to study at University?

• You may wish to consider the facilities, the location, the size of the University and the city, the cost of living

What University campus will you be studying at?

• Your University may  has a number of different campus’ so you need to be aware of the campus you will be taught at, further information visit the website of university or contact the admission office of university.

Why you select this course and how does it linked to your previous study?

• What attracted you to study this course?
  • What do you hope to achieve by studying it?
  • How will it enhance the subjects that you have already studied?

How long does your course last?

• Make sure you are aware of your course details, check your offer letter, CAS statement or check the University website carefully for full details

How is your course assessed?

• Check the University website or contact admission office of university to have full details.

What are the benefits of this course you have chosen help you in your future career path?

• How much it is important to have a qualification in order to follow your professional path?
• If this is not a case then how will this course of study will help you?

Do you know what level your course is?

• Are you studying a Masters, Bachelor or PhD?
• They could also be referring to the NQF level of your course.
• If you will be studying at Bachelors level this would be level 6.
• If you will be studying at Post Graduate / Masters level this would be level 7.
• If you have accepted for a PhD program then this would be level 8.

What qualification will you receive?

• Make sure you are aware of your course details; check your offer letter, CAS statement or check the University website very carefully.

Did you consider studying any other course?

• It will be fine to say that you did, but you must then be able to justify what made you decide on your final choice.

3.    Post study plans

What are your post-study plans?

• You will need to think about your plans for the future and what you hope to do once you have completed your studies
  • If completed your course will help you to obtain a better job, earn a higher salary or start your own business you will be asked to explain in exactly what way this course will help you to do so.

Can you explain any gaps in your years of study or work?

• If there have been periods of time in which you have been working? Why are you now looking to come back to study? Would this course benefit your current job or increase your future prospects?
  • Also if there has been a gap between your previous courses of study, what were you doing in this time and why are you now ready to return to study?

4.    Tier 4 visa requirements

Do you understand what your responsibilities will be as a Tier 4 student?

• Take a look to the UKCISA website at the guidance that tells you more about protecting your Tier 4 status        www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/Immigration-/Protecting-your-Tier-4-status

Do you know the working conditions for a student in the UK?

• Take a look at the UKCISA website, which will provide you with information about your future study in the    UK.    www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/Study-work–more/Working-during-your-studies

How reliant are you on being able to work when you are in the UK?

• Will it be essential for you to work to be able to support yourself during your studies?
  • If so your visa application will be harder to approve, remember here to talk about the support that you will be receiving from your parents and/or money that you have saved in order to fund your tuition fees and living costs during your course of study.

5.    Financial Questions

Who is financing your studies?

• You or your parents?
• You may be asked to discuss how they are able to do this. And based on the annual income Is it affordable to you/them?
• Remember documents confirming their financial status will be included with your application. It may be that you have government sponsorship

What do you do your financial sponsor and how he relates to you?

• You may be asked what job the person who is sponsoring you has, to justify how they can continue to support you in this way.

Do you have the proof of the finances of your sponsor?

• E.g. bank statements for the last 6 months, bonds, investments etc.
• These should have been submitted with your application.

Are you able to verify the genuineness of these documents?

• In case of Home Office contact the college, school or bank to verify the documents will they confirm that they are genuine?
• Do you anticipate any issues if the Home Office contacting the institution? Make sure you are providing contact details for the institutions involved.

Can you prove that this money is available for your study?

• You should already have documentation in the form of bank statements, or your parents’ bank statements (with proof of their relationship to you) ready to form a part of your application.
• Are these original documents?
• Will the Home Office be able to contact the bank to verify financial statements?

Would you be able to pay your tuition fees in one full amount?

• If not what arrangements have you made to ensure that you can pay at the appropriate times?

Have you checked the University refund policy?

• This may be asked and our refund policy can be found on the back of your offer letter. If not then check the website of university or contact admission office.

What will be the cost of your accommodation in the UK?

• You can find out more about University accommodation on their website.  

We understand this blog will help you allot while making a decision to study abroad. Author “Muhammad Mohsin Raza” is a renowned study abroad expert having a rich experience of industry and can be reached by emailing at info@iqraconsultant.com