Suitability Interview

A student will be invited to a Suitability Interview with the GUS team to finalise their
admission as one of the conditions of their acceptance to Canterbury Christ Church
University.
The interview will determine whether or not the student is a viable candidate. This
interview aims to recognizing personal characteristics, abilities, and motives that makes the
candidate appropriate for the University.
A Student needs to be prepared with individual personalised answers to best describe
themselves in all aspects needed.
It should be a conversation with the team rather than answer which have been learnt and
prepared.
During the interview the candidate must sit alone in a room without disturbance along with
their original Passport and National ID card. If these original documents are not presented at
the commencement of the interview, it will stand cancelled.
Below is a list of possible questions that could be asked during the interview.
Q. Why have you chosen to study in UK over your home country or other countries like USA,
Canada or Australia?
Highlight the advantage of choosing the particular course/program in the UK over the other
available options. You will need to explain how this decision is going to help you boost your career
in terms of studies and what do you intend to do after the completion of the course/program.

• UK is one of the top destination students for international students.

• British higher education and qualifications have an impressive international reputation
because universities in the UK have the knowledge, tools and techniques but also
prepare students with soft skills to develop students academically, personally and
professionally.
• The programs are more professional and practical oriented than the education programs
of my home country and some other countries.
• Having a degree from the UK is the best recognised in m country in comparison to any
other countries in the world like USA, Canada and Australia.
• UK graduates are more popular among employers in our country.
• Tuition fees and living cost are lower in the UK than USA, Canada and Australia while
benefits are greater in terms of employability.
• The Postgraduate courses in the UK are shorter than in other countries which will help
cut down on cost of tuition fees and living expenses.
• Studying in UK also helps students develop language skills which will be beneficial in the
future career.
 Q. Have you visited the UK before?
If you have been to the UK before, mention the purpose of travel, duration of your stay, etc.
If you haven't been to the UK, answer no.

Q. Why did you choose Canterbury Christ Church University?

A candidate should thoroughly go through the university website and understand why CCCU has
interested them over their other choices.
The student needs to ensure that they are aware of CCCU and their correct course name.
The candidate should be able stress their intentions of joining this particular university.
Q. Why did you choose to study this particular course?
• A candidate should demonstrate that they know about the course that they have applied
for, referencing specific modules of interest‐ what they involve and why they are of
benefit to them.
• Think about any unique features of the course, for example, links to industry or
professional accreditations and explain how the course will benefit the student
personally, for example; how it will relate to their previous study and what it will help
them achieve for their future career plans.
Please note in this question student should be aware of all the modules they are going to
study in the particular course.

Q. How do your studies fit into your career plans?

• Think about what your plans are after you graduate - how will the knowledge and skills
you gain from your course at CCCU help you with the type of work you hope to do.
• If the course you plan to study is at a similar academic level to previous studies, how does
it represent progression and does it have a vocational focus? If this is the case, be
prepared to explain this.
• A candidate should explain how the course applied for follows on from their previous
study. They should be able to explain their future career plans, e.g. what job they want to
get and show that the course they want to study is necessary to achieve this.
• The candidate should also be able to explain the value of the qualification to an employer
as well as how the skills and knowledge gained from the course will help them succeed in
their plans.
Q. If the costs of pursuing your course of study are higher in the UK than in your home country,
why have you decided to incur the extra costs involved with studying in the UK?
• Consider the advantages that a degree from the UK might give you and why you and/or
your family are prepared to make this investment.
• As a student make sure to do a realistic assessment of all the costs involved and how you
plan to pay for them? These costs include the course fees and living costs, including
accommodation.
Q: You have previously studied in the UK - why have you chosen to return?
• Reflect on reasons why the new course relates to previous studies and how it might build
on your previous learning.
• Explain about the course you have applied for, and that it is a progression from what you
have studied previously; how it will enhance your previous study in terms of content and
level.
 • In answering these questions, the student should be able to display vast knowledge
regarding the university: why they think studying at CCCU will help him achieve his
long-term plans.
• The student should also talk about why they think studying in the UK is better than
getting a degree in his home country.
• Knowing about some of the university’s accreditations and awards would also help,
as it would speak much of the student’s desire and reasons for studying at the
university.
• Citing some of the university’s differences from other universities in the UK or other
parts of the world would also give an impact to the interviewer.
• Furthermore, the student should also be able to discuss why they have chosen the
program they are applying for and what their plans are after obtaining their degree.
• A genuine student would conduct credible research around their chosen university
and how the course content is better suited to their future goals, compared to other
universities.

Q. What does the student knowledge about the UK academic system and the course
outline associated with the program he is applying for?
• Since the student will be studying in a UK-accredited university, it is important that
they know what kind of study system they will be exposed to.
• It is also imperative that they know about the course outline (list of subjects) of the
program.
• This information can be found on the university’s website. Knowing this would give the
interviewer the impression that the student is deeply involved and serious about their
application.
• A genuine student would know how their chosen course is structured and what course
modules are offered.

Q. What are the student’s long-term professional plans? How does he plan to reach these
goals after his degree? How is studying the program going to help him attain/ reach these
goals?

• The student should be able to talk about their long-term professional plans in detail,
whether it be putting up his own business, working for the government, teaching, etc. In
this discussion, it is essential that the student has a concrete plan of how to carry out
these goals.
• Simply by saying that they want to give back to the people in their community is not good
enough.
• They should talk about how he plans to do this by citing the activities or affiliations he
wants to partake in. If, for example, the student says he hopes to land a managerial
position once he returns home, he should be able to offer credible and specific details of
what type of employment he hopes to obtain.

Q. What are the student’s thoughts on applying for a job while working? Until when
does he plan to stay in the UK?
• In dealing with questions about taking a job while studying, it is consequential that the
student makes it clear that he is going to the UK for the sole purpose of studying and will
immediately come back to his home country after obtaining the degree.
• Establishing this impression will help lessen doubts of the student extending his stay in
the UK.
 Q. How financially capable is the student/ student’s sponsor to pay for all the fees
associated with the study? How much knowledge does the student have regarding all the
costs (tuition, accommodation fees, travel means, maintenance amount required)?
• This is a critical matter to be discussed on the interview. Among all important points, the
student should be able to prove that he has enough money for the entire duration of his
stay in the UK.
• He should be consistent with his statements corroborating his or his sponsor’s financial
situation.
• He should have all pertinent financial documents ready to avoid further scrutiny or
questions regarding his financial capability. Additionally, it is of utter importance that he
is knowledgeable about all the relative costs.
• He can ask his recruiter about the tuition and maintenance fees as well as the required
deposit amount.
• As for the living costs, he can either find this information on the university’s website or
he can do his own research by reading some testimonials online from foreign students
living and studying in the UK.
Q. What is the student’s marital status? Will he be traveling alone to the UK or will he
bring someone along with him?

• This information will help the interviewer/s assess the student’s likeliness of staying
longer in the UK and/or coming back to his home country.
• If he has immediate family members to be left back home, it is safe to assume a higher
percentage of probability with his possible departure from the UK after the degree.
• On the other hand, if the student plans to bring his family along with him, his financial
documents should prove that he is financially capable of paying for all the living expenses
for each person.

Q. You have had a long break in your studies, why are you returning to study now?
• As a candidate you should be able explain your decision in the context of your long-term
career plans.
• The gap should have a justified explanation backed with valid evidence.
• A break in study, needs to be explained as to, why it is you are returning to
education now, and what the break in your studies was for.
• For example, is the course you intend to study a requirement for you to reach the
next stage in your career? Did you take a break in your studies to earn money to
pay for this course‐ if so, is this evidenced in your financial documents?
Q. Did you consider studying any other courses or consider studying at another university either
in the UK or overseas?
• Studying overseas is a big step, candidates should be able to demonstrate that they have
made a serious and informed choice about this step.
• List other institutions considered and say why you chose CCCU above other Institutions.
• If a candidate has researched in the same course in their home country, they should state
this, and explain why the equivalent degree in the UK will be of more beneficial to them.
Q. What was the last course you successfully completed and when did you complete
this?
- This answer must be consistent with the information previously supplied on the application
form.
Q. Where is University located and where will you live in the UK?
- Candidates should be able to say where City is geographically in the UK. It will be good to do
research on the kind of accommodation preferred.
- For example, which Halls of Residence‐ it is important you know where the accommodation is in
relation to the university and the cost of rent per week.
Q. How is the course assessed and how many hours of study a day?
- This answer should illustrate whether the course is a combination of exams, course work or
learning consistent with the website.
Q. How long is your course and what qualification will you receive?
- Candidates should be able to explain the length of the course in years and the qualification they
will gain at the end of it.
Q. Do you know how much your tuition fees and living expenses will be?
- Tuition fee amounts and deposit amount as per course will be mentioned on the website,
accurate numbers should be given when asked.
- The candidate should have some knowledge of the cost of living and an ability to meet that cost
of living without relying on work.
Q. If you intend to work in the UK, do you know how many hours you are allowed to work?
- Candidates should know the rules on working (20 Hours a week part time), they need to be
clear that work is not a priority for them.
- If a student has no plans to work part‐time, they should make this clear.
Q. What facilities are available at CCCU?
- The candidate should be able to talk about the general facilities that interest them as well as
facilities specific to the course they you are applying for.
Q. How did you acquire the necessary funds to meet the course fees and living costs? What job
does your financial sponsor do? What is your family income?
- A candidate’s financial situation will be expected to mean that they do not need to be reliant
upon work to fund their studies in the UK.
- The source of income should be realistic.
- Also, candidates must be able to submit evidence of the source of finances as part of the visa
application process in the later stages.
Q. Do you know what level you course is?
- Level 6 Undergraduate
- Level 7 eg. MSc Course
Q. What job role and salary do you expect after this course?
- A research on the type of jobs available in the market should be done, along with their salary
brackets.
Q. Do you have any relatives or friends in the UK?
- Mention if any family members relatives would be in UK.
- In case if candidates have friends currently studying at CCCU or in touch with CCCU alumni.
Q. Do you understand your responsibilities as a Tier 4 student?
- A research on the type of visa you will be issued should be done.
- Candidate’s must know their limitations upon this visa being granted.
Q. What is your backup plan if you are not able to get through CCCU?
- This Answer should be well researched ad individualist from a candidate considering each
scenario in mind.
Personal Details
- Full name
- Family members (who is your immediate family in your home country)
- Travel dates to the UK
- Hobbies
- Last course studied with Year and qualification
- Any work/ assignments worth mentioning
International Travel Details
- Have a list of complete international travel details in the past from your country of origin
including
• Leisure/ Tourism Travel
• Travel for work
• Travel for studies
• Travel for visiting family / friends
- Will anyone else be travelling with you to the UK, and their duration of stay.
- Has anyone in your immediate family studied in the UK or is studying in the UK or any other
country.
- Did you leave any country and the reason
- Do you have any visa refusals and why
A detailed outline for all the below questions has been given, please refer to pages 1-5 of this
document.
Course Details
- Duration
- Key features
- What got you interested in the course?
- How does your background (for example, what you have studied or known about) relate to this
course?
- What are your future plans after this course?
- What kind of job and industry are you looking at?
- Do you have any companies in mind where you want to work at?
- Do you plan to work in home country or the UK or any other country?
- Do you plan to stay back in the UK to look for jobs? If yes, till when?
- If you were given a job in the UK, will you accept it and stay back?
- Does this course require you to have any prior experience? If yes, what is the relevant
experience you have on the same?
- Why did you choose the UK as the country for your studies?
Campus
- Where is your institute located?
- What are the things you know about the campus?
- Will you be staying on campus or outside?
- How far will the campus be from your place of stay?
- Have you booked the place?
- How much will you be paying as rent?
- When does your rent liability begin at the place you have booked?
- Have you checked on Google Maps if the distance from your place of stay to the campus is
walkable.
- What will be the most optimal mode of travel?
- How comfortable are you with the weather throughout the year?
Finances
- How much is the overall fees for the course?
- How much has already been paid?
- How much will your accommodation and overall expenses amount to every month? - - Who is
paying for your expenses?
- Will you be taking any educational loan?
- Do you plan to work part time? Is that time available with your course?
Medical History
- How is your overall health?
- Have you taken any medical tests recently?
- Have you been tested for COVID, TB and Pneumonia recently?
- Anything that you have been tested positive for in the past? If yes, when were you tested
positive and when did you have the clearance certificate?