Interviews at Cambridge are academic conversations about the subject you’re interested in studying. They're a core part of our admissions process and help us to assess your potential for your chosen course.
We invite many applicants to interview. Not everyone interviewed will be offered a place, but everyone who is made an offer will have been interviewed.
Your interview invitation will include details of when and where your interview is, what you’ll need on the day, and how to attend.
Find out how to prepare for your interview.
Dates
Most interview invitations are sent in November, but some might be sent in early December. The timing of your interview does not reflect your perceived strength as a candidate.
- Main interview period: 1 December to 19 December 2025
- Winter pool interviews: mid to late January 2026
- For mature applicants (January round): 23 March to 3 April 2026
Interview format for 2025
Interviews may be online or in person, depending on which College is assessing your application.
You will not usually be able to request a particular format. However, in exceptional circumstances, you may be offered an alternative format. This will be at the discretion of the College assessing your application.
- Christ's
- Churchill
- Clare
- Downing
- Fitzwilliam
- Girton
- Hughes Hall
- Jesus
- Lucy Cavendish
- Magdalene
- Murray Edwards
- Newnham
- Queens'
- St Catharine's
- St Edmund's
- St John's
- Wolfson
- Emmanuel
- King's
The following Colleges will be using both online and in-person interviews in 2025. The interview format you are offered will be dependent on a number of factors which may include the country you live in and the course you are applying for. Please contact your chosen College or check their website for more information.
How many interviews
You’ll be informed in advance about how many interviews to expect. The number of interviews you have does not relate to how strong your application is.
- Most applicants will have 1 or 2 interviews lasting a total of 35–50 minutes.
- Some may have 3 or 4 interviews, depending on subject and College.
- If you're placed in the winter pool, you may be invited to an additional interview at a different College in January.
Interview support
- Travel expenses: For in-person interviews, travel support is available for UK students eligible for Free School Meals. Accommodation and meals may also be provided – contact your College for details. Some Colleges may offer support to other students with financial need.
- Disability support: You can request any adjustments you might need at interview by completing a Disability Adjustments form. The College that is interviewing you will provide you with the form. Return it as soon as possible to allow the College to make the appropriate arrangements. Find out more about support for disabled students.
- Technology: If you're being interviewed online and are eligible for Free School Meals, you can contact the College for help accessing suitable technology.
Why we interview
Interviews give us the opportunity to find out about your strengths, abilities, and potential, as well as your motivation for applying for your chosen course. They help us assess:
- Your understanding of your chosen subject area
- Your readiness to study at a high academic level
- Whether you’ll thrive in the Cambridge learning environment
- Your ability to think critically and independently
- Your curiosity and openness to new ideas
- Your enthusiasm for your subject
They also give you the chance to learn more about us.
What happens in the interview
Each interview is different, depending on the course and College you’ve applied to. Most people will have at least one subject-specific interview. Some people will also have a more general academic interview.
Subject-specific interviews
You're likely to be asked to:
- Discuss topics with two or three interviewers
- Apply your knowledge to new situations, materials, problems or scenarios
- Explain your understanding of vocational aspects of the course, if applying for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, or similar courses
You may also be asked about:
- Why you want to study at Cambridge and why you chose your course
- Key issues or developments in your subject
- Recent topics from school or your personal statement
You may be asked to share your workings if the interviewers ask you a problem-solving question. This usually happens if you’ve applied to a Science or Mathematics course. There are several ways of sharing your workings. The College interviewing you will confirm arrangements in your invitation to interview.
General academic interviews
Some applicants may also have a broader academic interview, to explore:
- Your other academic interests
- Future plans
- Motivation for your course
These interviews may be conducted by academics outside your subject area, but still assess your academic potential.
After the interview
You’ll receive the outcome of your application from UCAS and Cambridge in January. Learn more about how we make decisions.
Beware of commercial tutoring services
Some companies offer interview preparation for a fee. These services are not endorsed by the University. They do not have access to any exclusive information. All official guidance is available free on our website and official channels.