# Credibility interviews

**Source**: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas/applying/interviews
**Parent**: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas/applying

If you are applying for a student visa to study at Sussex, you need to attend a credibility interview.

## Why you’re being interviewed

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) use credibility interviews to ensure that only genuine students are studying in the UK. During the interview, a UKVI staff member will assess if you:

- meet the English language requirements
- are a ‘genuine student’
- can speak English well – if you can’t hear the interviewer clearly, tell them so they know it is a technical problem and not a problem understanding them.

Ask for a copy of your interview transcript.

## What you’ll be asked in your interview

During the interview you will be asked questions about:

- your background
- immigration history
- the studies you are planning to do in the UK
- why you chose the University of Sussex and your course
- how you intend to fund your studies
- how your planned studies fits into your career aspirations.

## How to prepare for your interview

Use our example questions and related links to prepare for your interview. You can also complete our [International advice form](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas/contact) if you need more information.

### Example University of Sussex questions

- What do you know about [the University of Sussex](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about)?
- Where did you find information about Sussex, and how did this influence your decision?
- Who helped you make your decision to study at Sussex?
- Can you find the [University of Sussex on a map](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/directions)?
- [Sussex is a campus university](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/student-life/campus) – what attracts you to the student lifestyle on a campus rather than in a city location?

### Example accommodation questions

- Have you planned your [living arrangements in Sussex](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/accommodation)?
- What type of accommodation will you choose (halls of residence, with family, shared rented, privately rented etc)?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of accommodation?
- How much will your accommodation cost? Think about your monthly budget. Check our [on-campus](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/accommodation/on-campus) and [off-campus](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/accommodation/off-campus) accommodation costs.

### Example travel questions

- How do people travel around Sussex?
- How long will it take to [get to the University of Sussex campus](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/directions)?
- Do you know how much you are likely to [spend travelling to university](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees-and-scholarships/living-costs-budget)?
- Do you know about [student travel discounts](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees-and-scholarships/living-costs-budget)?

### Example finance questions

- How much money will you need to live in Sussex? Where did you find this information? See our [typical living costs](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees-and-scholarships/living-costs-budget).
- How are you funding your studies and living costs (savings (yours, your parents, family business, other family members) education loan, financial sponsor)?
- Are you planning to work part-time while you are studying? Do you know what the restrictions are? [Find out about working restrictions](https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Working/How-many-hours-can-you-work).

### Example course and study questions

- What do you know about the [course you will study at Sussex](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study)?
- How would you tell another person about the value of this course?
- Why did you choose to study in the UK?
- Are their similar courses available in your home country?
- If the costs of studying are higher in the UK than in your home country, why have you decided to pay the costs involved with studying in the UK?

### Example research questions

- What other UK universities could you have chosen? Why didn’t you?
- What factual information do you know about Sussex ([course content](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study), [fees](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/money), [reputation](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/facts/facts-figures), [facilities](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/campus/facilities), [location](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/directions/))? Find out about our [library and academic facilities](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/student-life/studying/academic-facilities), and [what’s on campus](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/student-life/campus).
- Do you know the position of [the University of Sussex in university league tables](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/facts/rankings)?

### Example future plans questions

- What are your future plans after you graduate?
- How will your time at Sussex help you in achieving your goals?
- How do your studies fit into your career plans?

- [Applying **outside** UK for student visa? See more](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas/applying/outside-uk)
- [Applying **inside** UK for student visa? See more](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas/applying/inside-uk)

[See more from Applying for a student visa](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas/applying)