Student route: Your interview

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 by University of Essex staff, who will make the final assessment.

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, and the University will conclude that you are not a genuine or credible student if someone else appears to be helping you in your interview or is present in your place. Your level of English proficiency will also be considered.

The outcome of the credibility interview will be one of the following:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.