Credibility Interviews

A UKVI staff member will introduce themselves and conduct the interview. If you have difficulty hearing them, inform them immediately. You will be asked a series of questions about your academic background, chosen programme, and reasons for studying in the UK. The interviewer may not prompt you to elaborate on brief or general answers, so it is essential that you provide comprehensive responses. Questions may also cover your financial situation as well as your circumstances in your home country. 

• Your programme of studies: the interviewer will expect you to have thoroughly researched your programme, so be prepared to discuss your chosen programme in detail and demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment to your studies. Familiarise yourself with similar programmes available in your home country or elsewhere and be ready to articulate why the University of Edinburgh's programme specifically suits your academic and career goals better than alternatives.
• Education history: the interviewer may ask you about your previous studies and how they relate to your chosen programme. If your new programme represents a change in direction, you should clearly explain your reasoning. Similarly, if you have taken a break from education, be ready to explain your return to full-time study.
• Career aspirations: Develop a clear explanation of how this programme will help you achieve your professional aspirations. The interviewer will be looking for evidence that your study plans align with the proposed career development.
• Immigration history: the immigration officer may check your immigration history for the UK and other countries. They will look at the amount of time you have spent in the UK or other countries on previous visas, and for what purpose. If you have received a visa application refusal, or if you have breached the conditions of your visa (for example, by overstaying), you will need to explain why.  
• Finances: your will need to be clear on how you are going to finance your studies and you should demonstrate that you are aware of the cost of living in the UK. If you plan to work part-time, show awareness of the restrictions (maximum 20 hours per week during term time for degree-level courses; 10 hours for pre-sessional or below-degree level courses) and acknowledge that part-time work cannot be your primary funding source.
• English language ability: you must be able to hold a conversation in English to the standard expected at your programme level, without the help of an interpreter.  
• Post study plans:  whether you intend to comply with the terms of Student visa permission, including the requirement to leave the UK when it comes to an end (or, where lawful and appropriate, to apply to switch to another visa route). The relevance of your chosen programme of study to intended post-study plans in the UK or overseas. UKVI will be assessing your personal circumstances (overseas) and if you are likely to make an asylum claim during studies. The risk of making an asylum claim is subjective. However, UKVI assessments are very strict in this respect and the caseworker would need to be satisfied that your main intention is to complete your studies on a student visa.
• Pull factors:  are known to influence a students’ choice of country and institution for a study destination. They can give an indication of an your study motivation for coming to the UK, and whether you seem like a genuine student. Examples include if you chose the UK because of the reputation of our University compared to those of other countries and if the ease of working during or after your study was a deciding factor.