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Interviews: What to expect

Close-up of 2 people's hands gesturing at a notepad on a table.
Close-up of 2 people's hands gesturing at a notepad on a table.
Miguel Desport and Marion Bisserier during their Internship at Pentagram, 2019, © Alys Tomlinson

An interview gives you the chance to share your knowledge and enthusiasm about the course you’ve applied to. If you’re invited to interview, here’s what you can expect.

How do interviews work at UAL?

Once you’ve submitted your course application, you may be invited to an interview.

Not all courses require applicants to attend an interview. Check the course webpage to see if an interview might be part of the application process for your course. You will find this information under the ‘How to apply’ section of the course web page.

How will I attend my interview?

  • All interviews are conducted online using Microsoft Teams.
  • All interviews are scheduled in UK time. Please be aware of the time difference if you live outside of the UK.
  • Your interview will be 15-20 minutes with a member of our academic team, though your allocated interview slot may be longer than this.
  • We recommend that you use a desktop or laptop for your interview, rather than a mobile device.
  • Check that you have a strong internet connection and a power cable ready.
  • Online interviews are conducted to the same standard as in-person interviews. Please have your camera switched on, choose a quiet room, dress appropriately and make sure your phone is on silent.
  • You will usually receive information confirming timings approximately 1 week before the date of the interview.
  • If you have any access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing admissions.interviews@arts.ac.uk so we can support you during your interview.

Using Microsoft Teams

  • Download the Microsoft Teams app or visit the Microsoft website and sign up for free using a personal email address. Don't use a school or college email account as schools and colleges tend to block calls that are outside of their network. Similarly, if you're already studying at UAL, don't use your UAL email address to set up your Microsoft Teams account.
  • Create your account at least 3 days before your interview.

How to join my interview

  • On the day of your interview, use the link provided in the interview confirmation email.
  • Once you click the link, you’ll be admitted into a lobby area (a waiting room). Wait here until your interviewer is ready, they will admit you.

We’re very keen to interview you. However, sometimes interviews can overrun, and you might be waiting a little longer than expected. If you’re not admitted from the lobby area after 20 minutes, please stay in the lobby and email admissions.interviews@arts.ac.uk.

If you lose connection part way through, don't worry. Follow the steps to rejoin the lobby where you will be admitted back into the meeting room.

What if I'm unable to attend my interview?

Let us know immediately by emailing admissions.interviews@arts.ac.uk. We’ll then let you know if there’s a possibility of rearranging your interview.

  • If you have accepted an invitation to attend an interview and you notify us that you can’t attend at least 24 hours ahead of the interview, we’ll offer you another interview as long as there is enough time left before we have to release application outcomes.
  • If you have accepted an invitation to attend an interview and you don’t attend, fail to respond to our invitation, or don’t notify us that you can’t attend at least 24 hours before, there is no automatic right for us to rearrange your interview. We’ll make a decision based on the information in your application. We may withdraw your application for not attending an interview.
  • If you are an applicant for a postgraduate taught course and you apply after the Round 2 deadline, it is unlikely that we will offer you the opportunity for an interview due to time constraints.

Interview tips

  • Reread your course page and personal statement.
  • Research relevant artists and styles.
  • Do a practice interview with your family or friends.

What do we look for?

  • Knowledge and skills: Tell us about your creative journey so far. Use your personal statement and portfolio as helpful cues.
  • Passion and curiosity: What excites and inspires you? We want to see your enthusiasm and curiosity for your subject area.
  • Ask questions: This is just as much your opportunity to ask questions and make sure UAL is right for you.
  • Creative potential: Tell us about your aspirations and how your course can help you achieve them.
  • Confidence: It's natural to feel nervous but just try to be yourself. We just want to learn more about you and your love for your subject.

What next?

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    Zeynep Agirbas (BA Textile Design, Central Saint Martins) in the studio. Image: Alys Tomlinson

    After you apply?

    You've applied to UAL but what happens next?

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    Babett Kurschner, BA Public Relations, London College of Communication. Image: Alys Tomlinson

    Conditional offers

    Find out more about conditional offers.

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    Brandon Mosqueda Caidedo (BA Sound Arts and Design, London College of Communication) at work. Image: Alys Tomlinson

    Alternative offers

    Sometimes we make alternative offers for a different course or College.