As a Clearing applicant at Swansea University, you may be asked to attend a short interview. All interviews will take place via Zoom, telephone, or in person, with a course lecturer or member of the admissions team, and will take approximately 20 minutes.
Why do I need to have an interview?
Each year, throughout the application cycle, we interview applicants for many of our courses, including Nursing, Healthcare Sciences, Pharmacy and Social Work.
Your interview is a chance for us to see that you not only have the academic qualities required for the course, but that you have a good understanding of your future profession, and that you can confidently discuss topics related to your application.
Don’t panic!
We do not want you to worry about your interview – our academic and admissions staff are friendly and approachable, and will be on hand throughout the interview to support you in any way needed. We have created this short ‘top tips’ guide to let you know what to expect from your interview, and how you can best prepare
1. Be prepared
Before the date of your interview, it’s best to do some research – we would recommend having answers to some of the following questions:
- Why do you want to study this course?
- What makes you a good candidate?
- What do you know about the profession?
- What do you know about current affairs in healthcare?
You may not be asked these questions specifically, but being able to answer these questions will give you a great head start to feeling confident for your interview. You may also wish to write down any questions you may have ahead of time.
2. Demonstrate Relevant Experience
This does not have to be work experience, and could be gained through your day-to-day life, for example as a parent or carer, through volunteering or school projects. Be ready to share any experience that relates to your course or demonstrates key attributes needed for your future profession, such as teamwork, problem solving or communication skills.
3. Practise your communication skills
Communication is key in any interview – our interviews are question and answer-based, so make sure that you can comfortably hold a conversation, listen well, and show your personality to the interviewers.
4. Dress appropriately
Put your best foot forward and dress appropriately. Even if your interview takes place via Zoom, we would still recommend dressing as you would for an in-person interview.
5. Test your tech
If your interview is taking place via Zoom or telephone, we would recommend giving yourself time to set-up your laptop/screen at a quiet and private location. Test your internet or telephone connection, and make sure that you are in a comfortable spot.
And remember to relax and take your time. We know that interviews can be a daunting experience – feel free to ask the interviewer to repeat a question you did not hear, or ask for more information if you do not understand. The interview is our chance to meet you and learn more about your passion for the course!
We wish you the best of luck for your interview. If you have any questions about your interview, or your Clearing application, please get in touch at studyfmhls@swansea.ac.uk.
