Prepare for an academic interview

Prepare to discuss the application you actually submitted. The format may differ between a scholarship panel, a doctoral interview and a job interview.

Confirm the format

Check whether the invitation requests a presentation, written exercise or discussion. Record the time zone, platform, duration and contact for access problems. Do not prepare a long presentation if the panel expressly asks for none.

Prepare evidence you can explain

Choose a few examples that show your academic preparation, research decisions, collaboration and response to difficulty. For each, explain the question, your role, what happened and what you learned. Be ready to discuss limitations and alternatives, not only successes.

Practise a conversation

Explain your research interests to someone outside your specialism. Ask them to interrupt with questions. Prepare concise answers about why this programme or group fits your next step. If you do not know an answer, describe how you would investigate it instead of guessing.

Ask useful questions

Clarify supervision, training, funding or work expectations that are not already explained. Afterwards, note any promised follow-up and unanswered questions. An interview is also your chance to judge whether the academic environment supports the work you want to do.

Your checklist

• Format and time zone confirmed
• Submitted application reread
• Examples practised
• Questions for the panel prepared