Oxford PPE Interview FAQs

Whether your interview is tomorrow or six months away, we've got your questions answered.

What should I wear for my Oxford interview?

There is no dress code for your interview. You don't need to wear a suit, or even a collared shirt. Once you begin it will be abundantly clear that the tutors are trying to gauge your academic potential, and nothing else. You should wear whatever you feel confident and comfortable in - just don't wear anything overtly disrespectful or distracting.

Where will my interview take place?

Since COVID, all Oxford interviews have taken place online, using Microsoft Teams.

What technology do I need for my interview?

You need a computer with a microphone, speakers, a webcam, and access to Microsoft Teams. You can access Microsoft Teams via a web browser and so do not need to have it installed, and do not need to have a Microsoft account.

What else do I need for my interview?

You should have a pen and some paper for any notes, as well as any supporting materials you may have been given in advance of the interview. You should also keep your personal statement handy, on the off-chance you're asked about it.

How many interviews will I have?

You are going to interview for each of philosophy, politics, and economics. However, some colleges may interview you for more than one subject at once, with multiple tutors sitting in your interview. Additionally, you may be asked to do additional interviews at a second college. As such, it is hard to know exactly how many you will have, but more than one is a pretty sure bet!

I have been asked to interview at another college. What does this mean?

Every college aims to have the same number of interview candidates per place, so that each college's process is equally competitive. As such, if one college has fewer strong applications (generally due to having fewer applications overall), and another has more, applicants to the latter college may be asked to interview at the former instead. Similarly, once you interview, you may be asked to interview again at another college. This is generally because the college felt that they didn't see enough candidates of the standard they were looking for, and so asked for candidates from other colleges to be sent to them for interview as well.

Both of these processes are to ensure that a fair and even standard is applied at every college, and to every student, and you should not at all attempt to read into them as signifying that you are a better or worse candidate.

When will I hear whether or not I have been invited to interview?

Applicants are typically notified in late November, 1-2 weeks before the real thing. You will be notified either way, and so should not take silence as bad news. As interviewees are given such little notice, we strongly advise beginning mock interviews before you hear from the university.

When will I hear whether or not I have received an offer?

Shortlisted candidates will be told whether their application has been successful in mid-January. The decision will be released via UCAS in the morning, and will be followed by direct communication from your college.

What's the best way to prepare for my interview?

The best way to prepare for Oxford interviews is without question through mock interviews. They get you accustomed to the unusual format, whilst training your mind on the types of novel questions that are asked. Further, by doing mock interviews with actual Oxford PPE students and graduates, who have been through the process themselves, you can be challenged on your answers in the same way as in a real Oxford interview, and be given helpful, actionable feedback.

How many mock interviews should I do?

While there's no hard-and-fast rule here, most of our students opt for between four and six. We strongly advise doing at least two, so that you get exposed to the format and gain experience with more than one interviewing style and set of questions. Each interview will be with a different tutor, so the more you do, the more accustomed you become to doing Oxford PPE interviews with an unfamiliar interviewer, making you much better prepared for the real thing. You can book your mock interviews here - we offer a discount for our four- and six-interview packages.

Now you know everything you need to know about Oxford PPE interviews. When you're ready, book mock interviews with our expert tutors and begin preparing!