Interviewing in: Psychology
Background on subject
Psychology is about understanding the psychological and neural mechanisms relevant to human behaviour, and translating this into evidence based public benefits in mental health, education, industry and policy.
At Cambridge, Psychology can be studied in one of two undergraduate courses: Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS), or Natural Sciences.
At Oxford, Psychology can be studied through either Experimental Psychology or Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics.
For Oxford, there are no specific subject requirements for Experimental Psychology.
For Cambridge, PBS has no specific subject requirements, but Natural Sciences will require two science or maths A-levels.
For Oxford, students are asked to sit the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA).
For Cambridge, PBS doesn’t require an admissions test but for Natural Sciences students have to sit the Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment.
Can I interview in this subject?
You do not have to have studied Psychology at university to give a robust and rigorous practice interview in this subject.
Volunteers from the following subjects, or similar, will also be able to deliver Psychology interviews:
Interview types
There are two different types of practice interviews in Psychology, which you may be asked to deliver.
Interview on 'application material' - asking the students' questions about their personal statement, or an essay they will submit as part of their application
Interview on 'unseen material' - asking the students' questions on an article, study, or research paper they have not seen before, testing how they handle new material
SAMPLE Resources
Below you can access a folder of resources for conducting Psychology interviews:
Interview on application material - you can see a sample personal statement, highlighted with examples of questions which could be asked
Interview on unseen material - you can see examples of articles which have previously been given to students, along with questions
These resources are intended for inspiration - to give you an idea of the level, length and themes of the material we use in our practice interviews. However, should you wish to use this material in the practice interviews you deliver, just let us know so we can make sure returning students haven't seen it before!
Meet one of our VOLUNTEER INTERVIEWERS: ISABEL
Isabel graduated with a BA in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, and went on to do a PHD in Plant Microbiology at the University of Oxford.
She currently works at the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs, as a Policy Advisor in the Forestry Team. Previously she worked at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, specialising in Brexit policy.
Isabel’s advice to students on their interviews is: “Know what drives you to study the subject, and what makes you most passionate within that.”
