The University has a responsibility to check that you are a genuine and credible student before issuing you a CAS, and the Home Office will do the same before issuing you a Student visa. You might be required to have a credibility interview as part of your CAS application and/or your visa application.
Credibility checks and University credibility interviews
To be considered a genuine student, we must be satisfied that:
- Your reason for wanting to come to the UK is to study at Essex
- You are prepared to do so
- You are able to answer questions about this in your own words
To be considered a credible student, we must be satisfied that you have the ability and means to successfully complete your proposed study in the UK.
You may be asked to complete a credibility interview on CAS Shield as part of your CAS application. The interview is automated, so you can complete it at a time that suits you. Your recording will then be reviewed and we will notify you of the outcome.
In a credibility interview you will be asked questions that include:
- Your knowledge of the course you have applied for, and of the University of Essex
- Your reasons for choosing the UK and the University of Essex as a study destination
- Your career plans
- Your finances
- You travel and accommodation plans
Identity checks will be carried out, along with a number of fraud detection methods. If someone else appears to be helping you in your interview or is present in your place, you will be considered to not be a genuine or credible student and the University will not issue a CAS to you.
The outcome of the credibility interview will be one of the following:
- You have answered all the questions well, demonstrated an acceptable level of English and present as genuine – the University can proceed with processing your CAS application.
- You have answered the questions, but we want to give you another chance to demonstrate that you are a genuine and credible student – you will be invited to record a second interview.
- Based on your answers the University cannot be satisfied that you can show that you are a genuine and credible student and therefore cannot issue you with a CAS – an unsuccessful decision will be made on your application.
It is important that you record a credibility interview in CAS Shield if you are invited to, or your CAS application will not progress.
If you are not required to record a credibility interview as part of your initial CAS application, we will review all the information and documents you have provided on CAS Shield. Before we can issue your CAS, we may request more information from you through CAS Shield, and this could include a requirement for you to take a credibility interview.
UKVI credibility interviews
Credibility interviews carried out by the University of Essex are separate to a credibility interview with UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), and one does not replace the other. Make sure that you attend any credibility interview you are invited to and prepare thoroughly. The information below is to help you prepare.
UKVI will refuse your visa application if you cannot clearly explain, in your own words, why you want to study the course you have applied for, at the University of Essex, in the UK.
Preparing for a credibility interview
This guidance is to help you to prepare for your credibility interview with the Home Office. The UKVI caseworker will decide if you are a genuine and credible student based on the answers you give.
It is a big decision to study away from home for a year or more and they will expect you to have done extensive research before making your decision. They will also expect you to be able to hold a conversation in English and respond to their questions fully.
Our webpages contain helpful information about your course, the University, and the local area.
Before the interview
Know your course and University
- Be ready to explain why you chose your course and why the University of Essex in the UK.
- Show that you understand the course content, structure, and how it links to your career goals.
Understand your finances
- Be clear about how you are funding your studies and living costs.
- If family or a sponsor is paying, know who they are and how they can afford it.
Research career links
- Be able to describe how the course will benefit you after graduation (in the UK or back home).
Be honest
- Do not memorise a “script” or give rehearsed answers that sound unnatural.
- If you don’t know something, it’s better to say so than to guess.
During the interview
Stay calm and polite
- Take your time to think before answering. Speak clearly and confidently.
- If you are unclear about a question, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
Answer consistently
- Your answers should match the information in your application (CAS, finances, personal statement).
Show genuine motivation
- UKVI is checking that you are not just using the Student visa as a route to work in the UK.
- Make it clear you are focused on your education and future plans.
Be prepared for practical questions
Examples:
- How much are your tuition fees, and how will you pay them?
- Where will you live while studying?
- Why did you choose not to study this course in your home country?
- What jobs could you do after finishing this course?
After the interview
- Reflect on how you answered.
- Stay consistent if asked follow-up questions.
