Credibility interviews

Credibility interviews are part of the Student Visa application process.

What is a credibility interview and why do I have to attend?

Credibility interviews are part of the Student Visa application process and are designed to make sure that only genuine students are studying in the UK. Not everyone who applies for a Student Visa will need to do a credibility interview. If you do need to do a credibility interview you will be invited to do so by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) either at the time you make your visa application or shortly afterwards.

During the interview you will be asked questions about your background, immigration history, the studies you are planning to undertake in the UK, why you chose the University of Surrey and the specific course you will be enrolling on, how the course you are studying will help you achieve your career aspirations and how you intend to fund your studies in the UK. You may also be asked to talk about current affairs and events that are linked to your course of study at the University of Surrey.

Will I have to attend an interview?

Not everyone will have to attend an interview, if you do need to attend an interview you will be invited to do so by email. It’s important that you check your email including the junk mail folder on a regular basis after submitting your visa application.

The UKVI have told us that “most applicants” applying from outside the UK will be invited to have a credibility interview either when they attend the appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to formally submit their documents or shortly afterwards.

The UKVI may invite you to have a credibility interview when applying from inside the UK. It’s more likely that you’ll be invited for an interview where the caseworker finds a problem with your application form or your supporting documents.

How and where do the interviews take place?

If you are outside the UK, the interview might take place at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or as a result of social distancing measures you may need to do it at home.

The interview will be conducted in English and therefore your ability to communicate in English will be tested.

The interview can last up to 30 minutes and it will be conducted via video link with a member of the UKVI based in the UK. The report and transcript of the interview will then be sent to the caseworker who will consider it alongside your visa application and other supporting evidence. You can request a copy of your interview transcript and we suggest that all students do this.

If you are invited for an interview in the UK it will be conducted via Skype with a member of the UKVI.

If you fail to attend a credibility interview after being invited then your application will be refused.

What questions will I be asked?

There are no set questions you will be asked, however from previous experience and inline with the purpose of the interview the below are common questions students have received.

Why did you choose the University of Surrey?

Think about why you chose the UK rather than your home country, another English-speaking country or a country which other students of your nationality choose to study. What does the University of Surrey offer that other Universities don’t? Which other Universities did you consider before deciding on Surrey?

The UKVI will expect a genuine student to have thoroughly researched the University of Surrey and other universities in the UK before applying.

Why did you choose this course?

There may be many courses in the same subject area as the one you plan to study at Surrey. What is it specifically about this course which you prefer and which suits you over other course choices? Think about your decision process. Did you apply for other courses - why did you choose Surrey over them?

The UKVI would expect a genuine student to have thoroughly researched their course and other competing courses.

You may also be asked practical questions about your course such as, when will it start? How many hours of a week will you be studying?

The UKVI will expect a genuine student to know the answer to these questions and as such we recommend you read the information specific to your course on the Surrey study website.

You may also be asked questions related to current events and your course.

The UKVI would expect a genuine student to be able to talk about their chosen subject area and any major news stories related to it.

How do your studies compliment your career plans?

Think about what your plans are after you graduate - how will the knowledge and skills you gain from your course at Surrey help you with the type of work you hope to do? Does your course lead to any professional qualifications and are these recognised in your country? Do you know what others graduating from the course went on to do, for example, the types of roles and organisations they work for? What kind of salary can you expect to achieve from the job that you hope to get after graduation?

The UKVI would expect that a genuine student would have defined career goals and a good understanding of the industry that they are hoping to work in.

You have had a long break in your studies, why are you returning to study now?

If you have been out of full-time education for a period of time think about why you are returning now in the context of the questions above, for example, is it because further qualifications are necessary for you to achieve your career goals?

The UKVI would expect a genuine student to have a very clear rationale as to why they are returning to study.

How will you fund your studies?

The purpose of this question is to check that your funds are genuinely available to you for your studies. As part of your application you might have submitted proof of your finances - ensure that you are very clear about the source and availability of these funds, also how you plan to pay for subsequent years' fees if your course is more than a year in duration? If you have official financial sponsorship make sure you are aware of the amounts and exactly what is covered. If you have a loan, how will you afford to pay this back? How much will your accommodation cost and are you clear about the cost of living in the UK?

The average cost of study in the UK for an international student is in the region of ÂŁ25,000 a year. The UKVI would expect that a genuine student will be able to afford this and will be able to give clear answer to where they have sourced the money from.

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