Tips for CAS Interview
What is CAS interview UK?
The interview ensures that only genuine students likely to complete their course receive a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK. The credibility interview is an integral part of the university’s decision to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) letter, which you will need to apply for a visa.
Sometimes students applying to extend their visa from inside the UK are also invited for a credibility interview.
The purpose of an interview is to check the genuineness of a student.
During the interview you will be asked questions about:
- your education history at home and in the UK and overseas
- your employment background
- your immigration history in the UK and elsewhere
- the course you are planning to study in the UK
- your reasons for choosing to study at the (Your University Name)
- how you intend to fund your study and living costs in the UK
- how your intended course fits into your career plans for the future
- The university
- Your program
- Why do you want to come to the (Your University Name)
- Why do you want to come to the UK
- How you made your decision, and whether you applied to any other university
- Where do you plan to live
- How you will finance your studies
The interview will be conducted in English and you are expected to be able to communicate without the need for a translator.
- Most students only have one interview. This will be very short over a video link. The Home Office will record the interview and send a summary to the Entry Clearance Officer. They will decide if a second more detailed interview at the Embassy is required.
- A transcript of your interview will be part of the application process and the caseworker will consider your answers when making a decision on your application. You can request a copy of your interview transcript and we suggest all students do this.
- If you have previously studied a course which is at the same level as your new course, you should be ready to explain why you now want to study at the same level as a previous qualification. You should think about how your new course will allow you to develop a deeper knowledge or specialization on top of your previous study and how this will develop and improve your future career plans in your home country.
- The Home Office expects most applicants to be able to show they are genuine students at the first interview. Failure to attend an interview when invited may result in your visa application being refused.
Top Tips
- Be prepared to explain why you want to study in the UK, as opposed to your home county
- Think about why you chose the University of Huddersfield. What other universities did you consider and why did you choose Huddersfield?
- Look at the details of the course you have chosen. Think about what modules you want to select.
- Look at the facilities we have at Huddersfield and be prepared to talk about them
- What do you hope to gain from studying at the University of Huddersfield?
- How will this help you with your future plans?
- How will you pay for this course and why is it worth spending so much money on coming to the University of Huddersfield
- Do not give vague answers, give details when you explain your reasons for coming to the University of Huddersfield
- If you do not understand the question or you cannot hear the question, you MUST say.
Credibility Interviews
You may have to attend a credibility interview with the Home Office staff as part of your Student visa application. The purpose of the interview is to assess if the student is genuine and if they are able to show that they have a clear understanding of what and where they will be studying.
These interviews are conducted in English and during the interview, an assessment is made of the English language ability and therefore you would be expected to answer the questions without the assistance of an interpreter.
The interview will be conducted via Skype and the questions revolve around your intended course, the reason for choosing to study at the university, your previous study, your finances, and your future plans after completing your course in the UK.
Following are some examples of questions that you may be asked during the interview:
Your intention to study
- What is your name and date of birth?
- What is your nationality?
- Why did you choose the University of Huddersfield?
- Did you look at any other universities? If not, why?
- Which course will you study? Why did you choose this course?
- What other courses (if any) did you consider studying?
- Did you apply to study at any other university in the UK?
- How long your course is; what modules you will be studying?
- Why do you choose to study to the UK?
- When will your course start?
- What are your plans after you have completed your course?
Your academic history: If you are going back to education after a long break from studying you should be prepared to explain why you have chosen to return to study and what have you been doing during this gap. How does this course fit in with any previous courses you have completed?
About your finances
- You may be asked who will fund your study and if the money you have shown for your
- application is genuinely available to you
- If you have a loan, you may be asked how you plan to pay this back
- You may be asked if you plan on working while in the UK
- You may be asked about where you are planning to live in the UK and how much it will cost
- You may also be asked about your future salary once you have completed your course in the UK
Your personal circumstances
- Do you have any family or relatives in the UK?
- Have you visited the UK before?
If you are invited to attend an interview, you should try to practice these questions with family and/or friends and make sure your answers are well researched and not vague. During the interview, you should answer all questions in an honest and clear way.
