What to Expect
The interview is an opportunity for us to get to know you and discuss your reasons for applying to the Step Up to Higher Education programme.
We understand that many applicants have taken different routes into education and may have been away from studying for some time. The interview is designed to be supportive and conversational, allowing you to discuss your goals, previous experiences, and future aspirations.
We want to understand:
- Why you would like to join the Step Up to Higher Education course.
- Your future degree course or career ambitions.
- Any previous qualifications, training, or relevant experience you may have.
- The support you may need to succeed academically.
- Your commitment to returning to study and progressing to higher education.
The interview is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the course and find out whether it is the right pathway for you.
Attending Your Interview
Your interview will take place over the telephone. Therefore, it is important that you provide your preferred mobile or landline telephone number when completing your course application.
Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an invitation from the Admissions Team asking you to select and confirm your interview date.
Each interview is conducted by a member of the Step Up to HE academic team. They will discuss your ambitions and interests more broadly and give you the opportunity to talk about your plans for the future.
Example Interview Questions
To help you prepare, you may wish to consider questions such as:
- Why have you decided to return to education?
- What attracted you to the Step Up to Higher Education course?
- What are your future education or career goals?
- What life experience, skills or professional experience do you have which you feel will help you succeed on the programme?
- What challenges do you think you may face when returning to study, and how will you manage them?
- How do you plan to balance your studies with other commitments such as work or family responsibilities?
- What support do you think will help you achieve your goals?
There are no right or wrong answers. We are interested in understanding your motivation, commitment, and readiness to study at this level.
How to Prepare
Good preparation can help you feel more confident during your interview.
Before your interview, take some time to think about:
Your Goals
Consider what you hope to achieve through completing the course.
For example:
- Progression to university.
- A career change.
- Personal development and your own growth.
- Increasing your confidence and academic skills.
- The ‘why’ around you wanting to do something different and study on an adult-focused course.
Your Experience
Do also think about experiences from work, volunteering, family life, or previous education that demonstrate skills such as:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Organisation
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Resilience
- Commitment
Returning to Study
Reflect on why now is the right time to return to education and how you will support yourself to succeed throughout the programme.
What Makes a Successful Step Up Student?
Successful students are not necessarily those who have studied recently or possess a wide range of qualifications already. They are often those who demonstrate:
- Motivation and commitment.
- A willingness to learn and develop.
- Good attendance and engagement.
- Resilience when facing challenges.
- Effective time management.
- The ability to seek support when needed.
The Step Up to Higher Education course is designed to help you build confidence, develop academic skills, and prepare for university-level study, therefore we are interested in you as a person, both academically but also personally. A number of our successful students have written blogs, which you might find helpful in understanding what has made them successful. These can be read here: https://blogs.staffs.ac.uk/mature-learners
Final Tips
- Be yourself.
- Answer questions honestly.
- Don't worry if you are nervous; this is completely normal.
- Take time to think before answering.
- Ask questions about the course and progression opportunities.
- Remember that the interview is a two-way conversation designed to help determine whether the programme is the right fit for you.
As an academic team, we look forward to hearing about your experiences, ambitions, and plans for the future via the Step Up to HE course at University of Staffordshire.