UK Student Visa Interview

The UK has always attracted students from around the globe for its well-reputed and developed education system. Students intending to study in the UK are required to get a Tier 4 (general) student visa depending upon their duration of the study.

This visa category allows students to come to the UK for full-time higher studies. All the visa requirements and immigration procedures are carried out by UK Visas and Immigration. A student can apply for the student visa online, by post or in person.

Once you have the letter of confirmation from a recognized university in the UK, you can apply for a student visa. Also, a student will have to undergo a student visa interview, undertaken by the immigration authorities that will determine their chances of getting a visa.

UK Visa Interview Questions

The questions asked in a student visa interview are generally related to the university, the course of study and how a student will finance their studies. The answers to these questions will be assessed to make a decision on your Tier 4 student visa application. Authorities might send you an email informing you to attend the interview, the failure to do which might lead to refusal of the application. It is an important process and you should prepare for it thoroughly.

UK Visa Interview Questions and Answers

Here is a list of questions that are generally asked in a student visa interview-

Q1. Why did you choose a particular university?

• You should go through the website of your chosen university carefully and have complete information about it. You can mention the courses, facilities, faculty, and the advantages of joining that particular university, based on your research. Also, talk about why you chose the UK as a preferred destination rather than your home country.

Q2. Why did you choose a particular course?

• Make sure to have proper and accurate information about the course you wish to take up. Mention about the importance and benefits of the particular course, and what made you interested in that course. Think about your decision and tell them accordingly.

Q3. How do your studies cater to your future plans?

• You can talk about how you want to create new working opportunities for yourself after graduation. Talk about how the skills and knowledge from your course help you professionally. You can also mention that you plan to extend your visa and seek employment in the UK.

Q4. Have you been to the United Kingdom before?

• Reply politely with a yes or no. If it is yes, mention short details about your previous travel.

Q5. How are you going to cover your expenses in the UK?

• State the details of the funding, whether covered by your parents or a bank through a student loan. This will also verify the details provided in the visa application.

Q6.  Where will you be staying in the UK?

• You can mention the details of your living arrangements, whether it is temporary or permanent or on campus. If you plan on staying off-campus, provide the address and other details.

Q7. Why do you want to return home after the completion of your studies?

• Talk about your attachment to your home country. You can also mention your family, opportunities available, and economic conditions as a reason for your return.

Q8. Have you written any exams like GMAT/GRE/TOEFL? If yes, provide the test scores and a detailed report.

• If you have taken any of these tests, you need to show the immigration officer the scores and a detailed report mentioning your areas of strength and weakness.

Q9. In which year did you graduate from your school/college and how many marks did you obtain?

• An immigration officer might ask this to verify your academic transcripts and degree certificates. Tell them the year in which you graduated and also mention the name of your school/college.

Q10. What do you know about the city in which your university/college is located?

• Be well-versed with the city you are going to study in and provide the officer with an appropriate answer. You can talk about the various facilities, places of recreation in the city or any famous program or event happening.

UK Visa Interview Dress Code

Since an interview is one of the most important parts of the visa procedure, being thoroughly prepared for it is necessary. When you are called in for an in-person interview, you need to be prepared with all the essential documents, prepare your answers and most importantly look professional in your appearance. The dress code is an important aspect of the interview process that needs to be followed. For the dress code, there are a few things that should be kept in mind-

• Dress formal or business casual to look professional.
• Take proper care of your personal hygiene as the lack of it may hinder your chances of passing the interview.
• You should be present for the interview 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
• Apart from dressing formally, you should also talk politely and formally using the correct English language.

UK Visa Interview Documents

Once a candidate has fulfilled certain requirements of the application process, they need to acquire the listed documents required for the interview and application process. These documents need to be complete and accurate in order to get a student visa and prove your eligibility to the immigration officer. Also, every document required with the application must include the original document and the photocopy. The required documents are-

• A valid passport
• A signed copy of the visa application (Tier 4)
• One colored passport size photograph
• English Proficiency Test Scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
• Letter of confirmation by a recognized university in the UK
• Academic Transcripts, Degree Certificates
• Document of proof of sufficient funds
• Application Fee receipt
• Previous travel evidence (if any)
• Evidence of permission to be in the country

Tips for UK Student Visa Interview

The basic preparation for visa interviews as a student is getting all the documents verified and giving a good reason of why you wish to study in the UK. It really doesn’t matter where you come from but how you present yourself in front of the interviewer. The interviewer wishes to see that you’re a genuine student. There are also some documents you need to take along with for the interview listed below

• Current passport
• Financial documents as proof
• Original birth certificate and CAS certificate
• English language certificate as mentioned in CAS
• Payment for the health surcharge before the visa application.

Tips to Crack UK Student Visa Interview

To crack the student visa interview it is important to be genuine and honest with your answers. Along with that, it is also important that you’ve your documents clear. With the right preparation and planning, you can nail the interview.

• Work on your speech delivery
• Create a good impression on the interviewer
• Have good answers for your financial support
• Assure that the student use the student visa efficiently
• Be polite and courteous in your response

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Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to F1 Visa Interview Tips (Updated 2020)

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Is an interview compulsory for a UK student visa?

Almost every applicant from every area needs to appear for an interview while applying for a UK student visa. This is done in order to check the credibility of the applicant whether they are genuinely a student and are capable of studying in the UK for the applied course. The interview can be qualified easily by the students if they are genuine and provide valid reasons as to why they want to pursue a career in a particular applied course and why they chose a particular institution.

UK student visa second interview

The UK student visa interview generally takes place for one round. In some cases, students might be asked for a second interview if the officer is not satisfied with the answers provided or the documents submitted. If the students have been asked to appear in a second interview, they have to necessarily appear. If they fail to appear for the interview, then their application of the visa might get rejected on the failure of providing any prior information on not appearing for the interview.

Some of the common questions asked in the second interview for UK students visa are:

• Why you have chosen to study this course, at this College and University?
• What research have you carried about your course and its content? 
• Your reasons for wanting to study in the UK rather than elsewhere.
• How this course will help you with your future career goals?
• What you have been doing since you last studied?
• Where you hope to live when you come to study with us?
• How will you fund your studies?

UK student visa skype interview

The interview round for the UK student visa is taken through a Skype call the conducting body of the UK Embassy/Consultant. The UK student visa is the final stage of the application process after the successful submission of application fees. The interview stage will determine whether the student qualifies for the visa or not and that’s why this is one of the most important stages and a student needs to be well prepared for the same. 

Some of the Skype interview questions that can be asked are:

• Why you have chosen to study this course, at this College and University?
• How do your studies fit into your career plans?
• Your reasons for wanting to study in the UK rather than elsewhere.
• You have had a long break in your studies, why are you returning to study now?
• What you have been doing since you last studied?
• Do you plan to work in the UK?
• Where you hope to live when you come to study with us?
• How will you fund your studies?

FAQs

Q1) How can I pass my UK student visa interview?

Tips for passing the UK student visa interview:

• Make sure that you are proficient in English-speaking that will convince the officer taking the interview
• Make sure you give genuine answers as to why do you want to study in the UK
• Ensure a valid response for the reason behind choosing a particular institute and a particular course
• Ensure that you do not have any legal case going on you at the time of applying for the UK Student visa

Q2) Can I bring my family to the UK on a student visa?

If your family member qualifies for the dependent visa, then you might take them with you. The qualifying process will depend on the following parameters:

• Your course is full-time, at postgraduate level
• You are a government-sponsored student on a full-time course that is 6 months or longer.

Q3) What do visa officers check for a student visa?

The most important thing visa officers check for a student visas is that whether the applicant is a genuine student or not and whether they are capable of studying in the respective applied country or not.

Q4) How much is the UK student visa fee?

A fee of £348 (~US$440) is charged currently for the Tier 4 student visa (general). If there is any dependent visa applicant with the student, an additional fee of £348 per person is charged.

Q5) How long does it take for a UK student visa to be approved?

It generally takes 3 weeks for a UK student visa to either get approved or rejected.