The Interview

If you are taking an online interview, you can get some further guidance from these films:
* • Preparing for your onl...
* • What to expect at your...
In this film, we invited four successful applicants back to Cambridge to share their interview experiences.
We asked experienced interviewers in four subject areas -- Geography, Human, Social and Political Sciences, Medicine and Natural Sciences (Physical) - to conduct a mock interview with each student. Footage from all four interviews is shown in the film, together with commentary from the interviewers in order to explain the interview process in more detail and give you a sense of what to expect when you come to Cambridge for interview.
Find out more at www.cam.ac.uk/interviews
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this video is accurate at the time it was uploaded, changes are likely to occur. It is therefore very important that you check the University and College websites for any updates before you apply for the course by visiting www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk and again before accepting any offer to study at the University. Where there is a difference between the contents of this video and these websites, the contents of the website take precedence and represent the basis on which we intend to deliver our educational services to you.

[@erzan]

My phone screen just cracked from the pressure.

[@OrangeScythe]

just watching this made me nervous

[@user-df2lh5qv2m]

I thought it was just me!

[@lucariodiez]

just relax haha...all be fine...D

[@eons8941]

Me too

[@nourkhalaf3309]

Me too

[@wedalshimary3676]

Yesssss

[@mk1593]

just realized the lady at 4:20 was writing upside down so she didn't have to turn the paper. Weird flex but ok.

[@Vimalanvijay]

I started sweating while watching this...

[@seethetruth7427]

the maths question had me sweating

[@Kpelz]

I was wondering if it was the same math I learnt at school😂

[@user-ir5ht1jz8n]

when she said 0 i was like freaking out for her because that is basically the only value for x that would not exist

[@JebsonofJeb]

I feel like an idiot after watching this.Id probably forget how to do long division.

[@controversyqueen8951]

Are they just acting? Because the blonde girl seemed genuinely nervous to me.

[@Floppyquoppy]

I feel so dumb after watching this

[@maxrobinson9553]

You're not dumb, they're nerds

[@Lilbigswrld]

Same

[@khrizellecarillo]

this is nerve-wracking

[@biglmaoski9109]

The Medicine interview freaked me out... I'M NOT EVEN GOING FOR MEDICINE!

[@ventskaanthoni7371]

The math test got me sweating half to death

[@moop.3549]

nah man the medicine one had me weak ://

[@elamiri858]

Ventska Anthoni it's actually a fairly easy function! It looks like the normal sin graph but the bumps get smaller as you get further from 0

[@lol-kz8lu]

oh my god if they gave me that math question i’d have to leave out of embarrassment

[@eleanorrist4979]

I got accepted into Cambridge earlier this year and had fun at my interviews and this video still makes me feel sick with nerves

[@teatea3533]

Eleanor Rist Hey I'm an undergraduate student actually in my second year and I'm planning seriously on having my masters in Cambridge. Please what advice would you give to me since I've ample time to prepare especially as an international student seeking scholarship. Thanks in advance

[@88macchan_]

congratulations!

[@TM-ln9he]

The maths one just freaked me out.....😭😭😭😭

[@andreabedford717]

I studied that material in my first year of highschool. The question was really easy.

[@naditahas7364]

Not that hard tho ... 😇 we have studied that at the senior year of high school .....

[@Samwavv]

Very intelligent students wish I was as intelligent as them

[@hirahassan]

SamCurly i hope ill be as intellegent as them one day...

[@krystalphan8871]

You should wish you could be as hard-working as they are

[@kavyabhardwaj1226]

The lady interviewer in the end is one of the most supportive interviewers I've seen!

[@Amy-le6jp]

This made me feel so sick just watching it, and imagining how they might feel. The geography one didn't seem as bad, but I can imagine that if I had an interview like this I would go completely blank and forget how to draw a graph or describe a map or something haha

[@diyow2012]

LOL

[@KK-jb1fy]

My interviews were very relaxing. I think people have the wrong mindset about it. I went in feeling grateful that I've been given an opportunity to talk to a few people who are experts in their field about a subject I love and I'm passionate about. People think it's some sort of an exam (well, it kind of is, but that's not the attitude you should have).

[@antivorg1239]

I had a interview - at a different university - where I got some complex integration correct... but then I forgot how to draw a y=mx+c graph... I did so well on the other parts however I got a really good offer, but boy was I shitting myself.

[@asherjunaid7847]

that graph was hella easy!

[@SS-jr5co]

the maths nterview was the most scariest thing i have ever witnessed

[@AwakenTofu]

This video makes me want to learn EVERYTHING

[@Akordio94]

Sooo its basically an Oral-Exam?....

[@inesita365]

I think that's just a part of the application, isn't it?

[@Jane-gz3nn]

The Medicine interview seems extremely challenging. I think I’d crack under all of that pressure.

[@elliotskunk]

This really shows how top universities differ from the "lesser" ones. This uni actually wants students to do well. It says a lot

[@qwerty8382]

Bro that teacher literally wrote upside down wtf

[@dharasheth4107]

Idea of selecting a student not by their marks but by their knowledge......is soooo good.... These teachers are amazing and even friendly as per the video....... hopefully even I be one of their student.....

[@paolagomes2379]

I'm in year 10, and my aspiration is going to Cambridge University. I am aware that many people apply, and only some get accepted, however, it doesn't hurt to dream, does it? Watching this video gave me butterflies in the stomach, luckily I still have 3 years to prepare myself (which doesn't sound a lot now that I think about it 😁). Well, let us all wish good luck to each other.

[@counsellor_718]

Recently got shortlisted for an interview (which is in 2 weeks) and though the chances of getting into the University is slim to none, don't give up. I never ever thought I would even be considered as a prospective student as I was a delinquent, particularly in the last few years of high school but it happened. I wish you luck in your studies, and don't give up just because you don't get high grades or anything like that. I really think Cambridge considers every significant aspect before accepting or rejecting a student.

[@fireballben6273]

Paola Gomes best of luck to you, it's definitely not impossible if you work for it. some people say Cambridge puts a lot of emphasis on how you do in year 12, I got a D in my maths AS exam and I still got an offer today so don't let anything put you off, just try your hardest and don't give up!

[@kel_19907]

Good luck Paola Gomes! I'm currently in year 9 and I am planning to study abroad in Australia's Melbourne university. All the best to both of us and everyone out there!

[@pktara8347]

2 more years ;)

[@manaulhoque6507]

hope you do well enough for cambridge in your gcses

[@jennamartin1208]

This was surprisingly accurate and extremely helpful while preparing for interviews! Fingers crossed for January!

[@GeneralKronosRocks]

Thank you jenna, do you mind if i ask you what your gcse and a level results were?

[@MackoWackoGaming]

It's 12 am I'm not even considering applying to Cambridge But I think this is oddly helpful

[@madisonc108]

I KNEW THE MEDICINE QUESTION I’M SO PROUD

[@MissElisabelle]

That's really good. You don't focus on the answer, but on the reasoning behind it. So a wrong answer is not simply a wrong answer. One might be very smart but simply nervous or inexperienced in some fields, but the thought process is a key factor that reflects one's intelligence and personality.

[@crookedmouthcampbell6459]

I’m 12, why am I here...oh I know! I’m preparing!

[@ivym7396]

Lol me too I’m starting early

[@mikosbookstore166]

And here I’m in Germany Dreaming about this university I guess that’s a pretty impossible dream 😅

[@Willanator]

My interview did not go well to say the least, I let nerves get the better of me and ended up pretty much sitting in silence for most of the time. Was the longest 30 minutes of my life. But honestly it was a great experience in retrospect.

[@mevidek]

As a student here I have to say this is very helpful

[@hstc94]

Based on my experience of the Cambridge interviews (for politics and sociology, in 2011), I'd say the best practice you can get is to talk about new ideas with people you aren't very familiar with. The key is to know that you can't prepare for everything they ask you; if you could, it wouldn't be a great test of your thinking skills. At the same time, as they said, they're not trying to catch you out, and they'll be aware that you may not be familiar with the concepts, so take your time; it's better to think and give a reasoned answer that you can back up than to say the first thing that comes to your mind. And share your thought processes with them! It's hard, but try to treat it as an informal chat with people who know a lot about what you're interested in.

[@nurianzarkub8374]

hstc94 thank u for ur caring

[@lefterismagkoutas4430]

The questions asked where really no that difficult and the answers where good and satisfying, this made me feel cool as to whether I should apply there in a few years

[@Daniel43453]

Indeed, questions were pretty basic, even more for these interviews seeing is their area of interest.

[@e.abanoub8804]

Getting An Admission In Cambridge University Is Like A Dream Coming true. I Can Feel The Pressure And Nervous From The Interview

[@tsnihaal9052]

I don't know on what basis but this video motivated me to study and get good grades.

[@mystogan4149]

I’m going to make it into this university, mark my words. I’m in year 10 right now so I still have a way so see you in a couple of years.

[@abhitr.610]

This why Cambridge is one of the finest university...

[@forreal2009]

The last line freaked me out and gave me sweat.😓 “We hope to see u soon” Like I ain’t ever coming

[@simplymythical9655]

So it’s just an educated conversation? As long as you’re passionate about the subject you’re talking about it should be fine.

[@herpsenderpsen]

this seems really great, they want to understand as much about the candidate's thought process. but going through that looks like a nightmare

[@kubajurka]

I just find it quite funny that they will accept you for maths or physics even if you try to divide by zero right in front of them :D

[@curtischopping7476]

I can never pass this interview

[@Jiggy77XD]

You can. Just approach it as an opportunity to talk to world leading professors in your field. Enjoy the experience, don't shy away from it.

[@nurseaylla]

With that mindset, yes. You gotta fake it till you make it, you can do this

[@Oscar-pd9vr]

KZbin recommendation has united us all again...

[@issy0613]

Loved the video, it was really informative! I'll be sure to use those tips when I go to my interview in the future.

[@eleanorwhite9191]

Issy did you make it? Are you in cambringe now?

[@sensitivesystem420]

How did it go ?

[@bubbletoaster2618]

how did it go?

[@tareqmohd8830]

Issy replying 4 years later. How did it go?

[@jakereedman2881]

how did it go?

[@LeoTM]

Graduated, yet somehow find myself watching this...

[@crisyorke1328]

This is quite straight forward. In graduate school admission, you got to really challenge and provide your own insight and critics on the current phenomena and present your research goals (potentially new).

[@trevor4530]

People are speaking to the pressure they feel from watching but I feel like this is much more relaxed and happier than I'd expect from the #1(/2) university in the world. The math question was perfectly able to be worked out especially if students used basic calculus (which they would most likely know). That function was definitely abnormal and difficult to figure out, but keep in mind it wasn't impossible. The medicine didn't seem to go too deep into anything. They could have gone far deeper into molecular bio if they pleased but they seemed to keep most of their questions difficult but definitely doable. And I think that's exactly what they're going for. They want to analyze the person, they don't want to kill them with the most difficult questions ever. Of course, there would be a far greater amount of stress when you're there in person but as a viewer, I don't feel that stress. If you're going into this process, I wish you good luck and remember to stay calm! You got this.

[@lefterismagkoutas4430]

That was actually really helpful.

[@AnnemoonAnnemoon]

I would love to go t Cambridge but I'm dutch.. I can already imagine the struggles I would have, understanding certain lectures and not having enough knowledge about the history, culture ect. of Great Britain

[@estu1606]

Thank you for sharing this video, it helps me so much more in understanding what is the interviewers expecting! I am looking forward to other helpful videos!

[@theuser7472]

I feel literally proud after watching this. My thinking is similar and I can be there one day.

[@msaihamhossain2673]

This interview helped me so much in my University of Tokyo interview. The interview was quite similar so it was very helpful. Thank you :)

[@lilytaylor9720]

this would be so interesting! imagine how cool it is to express your passions and interpret questions in your own way. i especially loved the DNA question. i’m in year 11 and our science gcse barely requires external thinking and merits more memorisation of knowledge than understanding. i can’t wait for university!!

[@yoshionagamatsu7855]

Oh my god this make me be nervous

[@ericchengtv3506]

4:20 Wow she's writing upside-down!

[@vibes5995]

I'm in 12th grade from India..nd I wanna study physical earth science from Cambridge University. And the maths one was actually quite simple and basic question

Thanks for the video, it helped me to prepare for an interview for admission to a Master in Computer Science.

[@orueom7720]

Thank you so much for this insight, it definitely will help in the near future

[@niwasi1584]

This was actually really understandable as I’m only choosing my subjects for GCSEs in year 8 but I do like how positively the professors respond

[@chocolatebar1592]

4:36 Good heavens,i could NEVER do a Maths equation like that!! 6:47 THAT is also another fantastic example of harder stuff you will need to know in order to get into uni!!

[@getweekendstory]

Its so interesting to see , how they push students beyond boundaries and think broad and deep

[@maryakrivopoulou3584]

I know that most people watching this felt even more anxious,but it basically took all my stress away. I dont know,before watching an interview i imagined it being so cold and feeling like the freaking spanish inquisition,but most examiners seemed very warm and friendly,and at the end of the day it's much easier than any school test or exam cause in school you almost always have to memorize paragraphs upon paragraphs of information you're probably not even interested in,whereas in the Cambridge interview you just have to think critically like you'd in any real life situation.

[@kayleighkindred4284]

I want too go for medicine, desperately, watching all these videos on the Cambridge KZbin channel and other peoples interview experience, makes me want to work 100% times harder, because this is my dream!

[@muhammadshahab5205]

the last suggestion was the best one.i.e. be yourself.If we have sound basic knowledge of the subject we are intrested in..and then keep our nerves, we can succeed.

[@MsWatchdog]

Oh my goodness I would die if I had to have a Maths test in my interview! well done to all those who got through!

[@aretinastefani7652]

The interviewers were so good!Thanks for the really inspiring and helpful video!!

[@vandini8185]

This is helpful, exciting and so relieving to see how humane tutors are. I AM PUMPED! I love you Cambridge. Oxford Eng Lit undergrad, watch out, I'm coming to getcha💖🌹

[@nellijapelite8294]

Some of these questions I have touched on in my gcse course so I was able to follow along with the geography and medicine even though I didn't study triplet codes in depth. This makes me less nervous to apply for Cambridge if I do so. On the other hand I have a gut feeling these were the easier questions.

[@skanderborgi3310]

POV : u watching this with no intention to join Cambridge University

[@myselfhi716]

my anxiety could never

[@hraeu]

this gives me anxiety

[@mrymishh]

I'm in year 10 and my dream is to be accepted into Cambridge university to study medicine. This video made me really nervous and scared but I believe I can make it into Cambridge if I work hard.

[@yasminfarah846]

maryam bakare me too but if you believe in yourself you can be the next role model when you grow up for children your age xx 😃😃😁🤩

[@RaedTalibi]

I'll be there within 3 years. I believe in myself.

[@99570Awesome]

As daunting as this is, tis video will be very useful while I prepare for Oxbridge interviews. thank you!

[@NickTheGreek1309]

Amazing video, I wish it had been made a year ago, so that I would have seen how interviews really are before my Cambridge interview.

[@NickTheGreek1309]

Lap Gong Leong Engineering at Trinity College

[@stefan-iv3yx]

I'm so sorry but you'll still be okay 😊

[@CookiesFantasy2]

+Nick Kateris did you pass the interview? just curious

[@NickTheGreek1309]

Yes I had two interviews

[@-m7k0z7-9]

The British man. Especially in Academia and the way they interview and evaluate things. They are amazing.

[@kouaoucikarim2978]

really i like this and that make us be smart and clever thank u so much

[@aidya9433]

This helps alot! Very very useful for my university iv👌🏻

[@lynnn7237]

I feel excited when watching this. Makes me wanna learn more😆

[@abouosalah1741]

Did she just write the function upside down quickly ?? 4:19 *mind-blowing*

[@ziaw123]

These interviews are so hard! Very specific questions

[@chocolatebar1592]

This video is VERY important to get shown to Year 10 students,for when they are doing their MOCK interviews,as a clear understanding of what will happen throughout them,so that they feel better about it all. Not only that,but also it can give them some helpful tips about how to act in them,and what the process of applying AFTER the interview is done ,so that it's easier for them to understand.

[@carbonfibercrypto2919]

I can't wait to interview for next year's term. Thanks so much for sharing this video!

[@hanw544]

whats your dream major？

[@tiktak3559]

Honestly the interview for medicine looked like fun! 😊

[@forreal2009]

I’ll never give this interview. It just gives me unlimited pressure 😰

[@FluentlyFletch]

My older sister got in for Philosophy!!!

[@cinemuse3852]

THANKS CU for making this helpful video

[@eleftheriagallou4768]

the medicine questions were too easy, i'm so surprised

[@sztanveer]

That medicine interview really gives me hope that i might have a chance.

[@alleysthoughts]

I found that medical question particularly easy as it was literally something that is required for us to know here in Holland (A level bio). I even got it on a test about DNA & it was considered a 1 point question as supposed to the more difficult 4 point questions. But then again I'm never going to go to Cambridge.

[@lusalenart401]

I wish I had seen it before mine... Might have got the offer instead of ending up in winter pool :( Great video!

[@user-ct4mw5yw4g]

I wish they'd have included examples of an interview for MML (modern and medieval languages) because the interview is conducted partially in one of the two languages you apply for so I'm assuming the questions are entirely different and now I'm stressing out, the UCAS deadline is October 15th. Even though last year on the MML course there were two applicants per place which is insane for Cambridge!

[@clydonleonor3968]

Wow! Getting into a university is a nerve racking as getting a job

[@samehali4804]

very interesting video for Cambridge interview

[@biphie]

I don't even understand the comments, those interviews seemed to be so nice, I wondered how people ever get rejected from there. 🙊

[@lionjackson6643]

faboulous your work

[@jawadnawaz7209]

I remember watching it back in 2019 when I had just finished 8th grade. 7-7-23 9:22 AM

[@garciarodriguezluis6103]

My palms are so sweaty after watching this

[@tonylove561]

One day i will get into cambridge