Oxbridge Interview Questions and Examples
The Oxbridge interview is not just about testing your knowledge; it's about assessing your ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and engage in stimulating academic discussions. To help you navigate this process, we've curated a wealth of interview questions and examples, each tailored to specific subject areas, to give you a taste of what to expect on the day.
Example Types of Interview Questions at Oxford and Cambridge
Reading Comprehension Questions
You'll receive a text, typically a few hundred to a thousand words long to read before your interview. This text will be reasonably clear and contain some form of analysis or argument, such as a newspaper article presenting a case.
During the interview, expect follow-up questions related to the argument in the text. These may include enquiries about the argument's conclusion, breaking down its logical steps, and identifying evidence for/ against the argument.
Data Interpretation Questions
Oxford's data interpretation interviews involve examining various data sources beyond traditional written texts, including game theory scenarios, graphs, charts, images, and thought experiments depending on your subject.
These interviews assess your ability to critically analyse and discuss data, focusing on skills such as data interpretation, identifying patterns, and challenging conclusions drawn from the data.
Discussion Based Questions
Discussion-based interviews at Oxford differ from other types of interview that are based on a separate extract. They start with a question or statement, followed by a dynamic exchange between the applicant and the tutor.
Practising this method helps applicants excel. Questions may cover topics like the economic impact of government actions, moral dilemmas, or solutions for societal problems like euthanasia, homelessness, or mental health.
Personal Statement Questions
In personal statement interviews, memorising your entire statement is unnecessary. However, you should be well-acquainted with any arguments, books, articles, or lectures you've referenced.
Interviewers may enquire about the arguments you've cited to ensure you haven't name-dropped them but have genuinely engaged with the content. Be prepared to discuss how these arguments influenced your thinking.
Below is a diverse collection of sample Oxbridge interview questions spanning various humanities and science. If your specific subject isn't listed here or if you're in search of a broader range of questions, our Oxbridge Interview Guides offer you access to more than 40 thought-provoking questions for each subject.
Oxbridge Chemistry Interview Questions
React an acyl chloride with ammonia.
How do electrons exist?
What is metallic bonding different to ionic bonding?
Estimate the total mass of all water in the Earth’s oceans.
Oxbridge Computer Science Interview Questions
I have a ladder and an infinite supply of eggs, how do I work out the highest rung of the ladder that an egg will not break from when dropped?
What is a polynomial?
In a tennis match, Player A has a probability (p) of winning a set. What is the most likely number of sets?
Prove that there is an infinite number of primes.
Oxbridge Economics Interview Questions
Should developing countries have to pay less for climate change solutions?
Is fairness a relevant concept for economics?
Is there a tension between global and national economy?
How might a company finance itself through debt?
Oxbridge Geography Interview Questions
Would anything remain in Geography if we took the notion of place away?
What do you think about those that regard global warming as nonsense?
Do homo-sapiens have responsibilities to other species?
Should we protect cliffs?
Oxbridge Law Interview Questions
What is your opinion on how digitisation will affect the legal profession?
Tell me something you found particularly challenging in your work experience?
Should a dead person ever face criminal trial?
Tell me something that changed the way you think.
Oxbridge Medicine Interview Questions
How do you think the role of the doctor will differ in 50 years time?
What will the impact of an aging population on the NHS look like?
Brian is a 29 year old patient of yours who has been diagnosed with HIV. He does not want to tell his husband Dominic. Do you tell Dominic?
What is epigenetics?
Oxbridge Interview Preparation Tips
The interviewer is far more interested in testing how you think rather than what you think and so they are only too happy to try to point you in the correct direction, but they can only do this if they understand your thinking. It is also often the case that your thinking process is far more important than the actual answer you arrive at.
Interviewers are testing:
How well you can listen to the argument in front of you (either verbal or written).
How well you can interpret arguments and use evidence to support your claims.
How well you can defend your argument by responding directly to the objections made.
They are not testing:
The knowledge you have about a particular subject area.
How easily you can bring in new facts from other arguments or discussions.
How strong-willed you can be in an argument.
Oxbridge Interview Question Guides by U2 Tuition
Oxbridge Interview Question Blogs
Oxbridge Interview Question Guides by U2 Tuition
Oxbridge Interview Question Blogs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Oxbridge Interview Questions
-
Oxbridge interview questions are a crucial part of the admissions process at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. They assess your critical thinking, problem-solving, and subject-specific knowledge. Doing well in the interview can significantly impact your chances of getting accepted.
-
Oxbridge interview questions can vary widely depending on the course you're applying for. They may include subject-specific questions, problem-solving exercises, and questions designed to test your analytical skills and thought processes.
-
U2 Tuition offers specialised coaching and guidance for Oxbridge interviews. Their experienced tutors can provide mock interviews, valuable feedback, and tips to help you perform your best during the interview. See our mock interview day, Oxbridge application, and Interview Guides pages for more information on how we can help.
-
While U2 Tuition specialises in Oxbridge interview preparation, they also offer support for other top UK universities and competitive courses, ensuring that students have access to high-quality interview coaching for a variety of institutions including LSE, Imperial, and UCL.
-
U2 Tuition provides personalised coaching, interview practice, and guidance on answering challenging questions. They can help you build confidence, refine your communication skills, and develop effective strategies to tackle Oxbridge interview questions successfully.
-
U2 Tuition's tutors are highly qualified individuals with first-hand experience of the interview process for Oxbridge and other top UK universities. They have a deep understanding of the interview process and can provide expert guidance, usually having only completed their own Oxbridge interview a few years prior.
-
It's recommended to start preparing several months in advance, ideally in the summer or early autumn before your interviews. This allows you to receive thorough coaching and practice to excel in the challenging interview process.
Contact Us For a Free Oxbridge Consultation.
We are pleased to offer complimentary 20-minute phone consultations with our educational consultants. We will address your queries, discuss your needs and goals, and devise a range of tailored oxbridge and mock interview tuition options. Enquire now!