What is a credibility interview?
A credibility interview is a brief interview conducted by the Home Office as part of your Student Route visa application. The purpose of this interview is to determine whether you are a genuine student with the intent to study in the UK.
Studying in the UK is a significant decision and a considerable financial commitment. The UKVI expects that genuine applicants to Northumbria University will have conducted thorough research into their study plans and will be able to discuss this research in detail.
When evaluating if an applicant is genuine, the Home Office will consider your application form and credibility interview, considering the following factors:
The interview also provides the Home Office with an opportunity to assess whether you can speak English to the required standard. As part of the visa decision process, the Home Office will review all the information you provide in your visa application and the responses you give during your credibility interview.
Your visa application can be denied if the Home Office is not convinced that you are a credible and genuine applicant.
When will you have a credibility interview?
Typically, you will be interviewed during your biometrics appointment, immediately after you have submitted your documents and provided your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at the visa application centre. The interview will be conducted by a UKVI staff member in the UK, either via video conference (e.g., Skype), telephone, or face-to-face.
You may also be asked to attend a second interview. The Home Office may contact you by phone or email to arrange the time and location. It is crucial to regularly check your emails and phone while your visa application is being processed to avoid missing any updates about your credibility interview or requests for additional information.
If you fail to attend your interview, your visa application will be refused.
How can I prepare for my credibility interview?
Some applicants may need to complete a Pre-CAS Interview as part of their admissions process to Northumbria University. This interview, conducted by a member of staff at Northumbria University or our partner QA, aims to verify that you are a genuine student. If you are unable to answer the questions satisfactorily during this interview, you will not be issued a CAS.
This Pre-CAS Interview serves as a mock credibility interview, where you will likely be asked questions similar to those in the UKVI credibility interview, making it a useful tool to prepare for the real interview.
To prepare for your credibility interview, review your Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement submitted to Northumbria University to remind yourself why you chose to apply. Additionally, consider the questions below and think about how you would respond.
1. Why have you chosen to study in the UK? You should consider what other countries you looked at and why you chose the UK over them? Remember to show your research by providing details. You should consider why you decide to study outside of your home country and what benefit this will provide you.
You may be expected to explain how you will be able to afford to study in the UK, especially if your home country or other countries are more affordable.
2. Why did you decide to study at Northumbria University? Be prepared to discuss the other UK universities you considered and explain in detail why Northumbria University was a better fit for you. Focus on your personal reasons for making this choice, as generic responses citing university statistics might come across as non-genuine
You can find information on Northumbria University here.
3. What motivated you to choose your course of study? You'll need to discuss in detail the reasons behind your decision. If you've previously completed university studies, be prepared to explain why you're pursuing additional academic work. You should also have a thorough understanding of the modules you'll be taking and be able to discuss them in depth.
You can find information on your course, including finances, modules and assessments on our website.
4. What are your future career goals, and how will this course help you achieve them? The Home Office expects applicants to have clear career objectives and to be able to discuss in detail how their chosen course will support these ambitions. You should demonstrate thorough research by discussing your goals, potential organisations you could apply to, and the expected salary in your chosen field.
If you intend to start or join a family business after your studies, you will need to explain how the investment in a UK degree will benefit both you and the business.
The Prospects website is a great resource for researching possible careers
5. How are you financing your studies? You will need to explain how you plan to cover your tuition fees and living expenses while studying in the UK. The Home Office will want assurance that you fully understand the costs involved in completing your studies and that you have the necessary funds available.
6. Where do you plan to live during your studies at Northumbria University? While the Home Office understands that you may not have secured accommodation until after your visa is granted, they will expect you to have considered your options. You should research potential places to live and the associated costs. The Home Office will also anticipate that you choose accommodation close to the university.
You can find information on university accommodation here :
Accommodation in Newcastle : https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/accommodation/
Accommodation in London : https://london.northumbria.ac.uk/courses/new-students/accommodation/
Additional sources of information
For details on studying in the UK, you can explore the following websites:
Research, research, research: Be prepared to discuss your study and future career plans in detail. The Home Office may verify any facts or figures you provide about university rankings, facilities, fees, or living expenses, so ensure that your information is accurate and thoroughly researched.
Be specific: Avoid vague or generic responses, as they can lead to a refusal. Provide honest, personalised answers that reflect your own research and decisions. Simply repeating information from the internet may come across as non-genuine and could result in a refusal.
Stay calm: We know that facing a UKVI interview can be nerve-wracking, but try to stay calm and remember that you have prepared for this.
Be punctual for your interview: You will be notified of the time and location of your interview. For online interviews, ensure you are in a quiet place with a stable internet connection and no distractions. The interviewer will also assess your English language proficiency, so it's important to be in a calm, quiet environment where you can communicate clearly.
The decision on your visa application will not be made during the interview. The interviewer will assess your responses and forward their evaluation to the Entry Clearance Officer, who will then decide whether to grant your visa. While your application is pending, be sure to regularly check your emails and phone for updates.
If your visa is refused for any reason, please contact us immediately by emailing a copy of your refusal notice to the address from which you received your offer.
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