When Do Oxbridge Interview Invites Get Sent Out? A Complete Guide

For students applying to Oxford or Cambridge, receiving an interview invitation is a significant milestone in the admissions journey. But when exactly are interview invites sent out? What should you do while waiting? And how can you best prepare to ace your interview?

At MCC Global Education, we specialise in Oxbridge applications, helping students secure their places at the world’s most prestigious universities. This guide will break down when Oxford and Cambridge send interview invitations, what to expect, and how to prepare to maximise your chances of success.

📅 Oxford Interview Invitations: Timeline & Key Dates

Oxford interview invitations are typically sent out between mid-November and early December. However, the exact date varies depending on the subject and college.

📌 Oxford Interview Timeline

• Mid-November – Early December: Most interview invitations are sent out

• Late November – Mid-December: Interviews take place (online for international applicants)

• Mid-January: Final admissions decisions are released

💡 How Will You Be Notified? Oxford colleges usually send invitations via email, so keep an eye on your inbox (and check your spam folder!).

Unlike Cambridge, Oxford groups interviews by subject, meaning certain courses will receive interview invites earlier than others.

🔗 Tip: You can check the official Oxford interview timetable to find out when your subject’s interviews are scheduled.

📅 Cambridge Interview Invitations: Timeline & Key Dates

Cambridge follows a similar timeline to Oxford, typically sending interview invitations between mid-November and early December. However, since Cambridge interviews are organised by college rather than subject, each college has its own timeline.

📌 Cambridge Interview Timeline

• Mid to Late November: Most interview invitations are sent out

• Late November – Mid-December: Interviews take place (online for international applicants)

• Late January: Final offers are released

💡 How Will You Be Notified? Cambridge colleges send interview invites via email, so check your inbox regularly.

Unlike Oxford, where interview dates are subject-based, Cambridge interviews are scheduled by each individual college. This means that if you haven’t received an invitation yet, another college might still be reviewing applications for your subject.

🔗 Tip: If you’re unsure, check the official website of the Cambridge college you applied to for specific interview schedules.

⏳ What to Do While Waiting for Your Oxbridge Interview Invite?

The waiting period can be nerve-wracking, but use this time wisely!

📚 Top Tips to Prepare for Your Oxbridge Interview

✔ Review Your Personal Statement – Expect questions about what you wrote, especially any books, research, or academic interests you mentioned.

✔ Revisit Your Submitted Work (if applicable) – If you were required to submit written work, be prepared to discuss it in-depth.

✔ Practice Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking – Oxbridge interviews are designed to test how you think, not just what you know.

✔ Stay Updated on Your Subject – Read academic articles, books, and recent news related to your course.

✔ Do Mock Interviews – Nothing prepares you better than practice. Simulating an interview under real conditions can help you develop confidence, structure your answers, and improve your ability to think on your feet.

💡 Pro Tip: At MCC Global Education, we offer realistic mock interviews with experienced Oxbridge graduates, tailored to your subject and specific college.

🎤 What Happens in an Oxbridge Interview?

Both Oxford and Cambridge use academic-style interviews that resemble intellectual discussions rather than traditional interviews.

Oxford Interviews

• Emphasise problem-solving and analytical thinking

• Candidates are often given hypothetical scenarios, subject-specific puzzles, or unseen texts

• Tutors want to see how you approach complex questions, rather than focusing solely on correct answers

Example Questions:
✔ For Economics: "If you could change one economic policy in your country, what would it be and why?"
✔ For Medicine: "How would you explain the concept of DNA to someone with no science background?"
✔ For Physics: "If you throw a ball in space, what happens?"

Cambridge Interviews

• Often involve multiple interview rounds, sometimes with different interviewers

• Expect questions that challenge your assumptions, encourage debate, and test your adaptability

• Some courses require additional written assessments or problem-solving exercises during the interview

Example Questions:
✔ For Law: "Should AI have legal rights?"
✔ For Engineering: "How would you design a bridge to withstand an earthquake?"
✔ For History: "Is history written by the winners?"

💡 Pro Tip: There are no ‘right’ answers—interviewers care more about your reasoning process than whether you give a ‘correct’ response.

🎯 How to Prepare for Your Oxbridge Interview with Expert Guidance

At MCC Global Education, we provide specialised Oxbridge interview coaching to help students approach their interviews with confidence.

🔹 Our Oxbridge Interview Preparation Includes:

✔ Tailored Mock Interviews – Simulated interviews with actual Oxbridge graduates
✔ Personalised Feedback – In-depth analysis of your answers and areas for improvement
✔ Subject-Specific Question Drills – Focused on real past questions for your subject
✔ Confidence & Critical Thinking Coaching – Helping you articulate your thoughts clearly under pressure

Our students consistently perform better in their interviews, increasing their chances of securing an Oxbridge offer.

📌 Want to maximise your chances of success?

🚀 Book a FREE consultation today!

📧 Email: admin@mccglobaleducation.com
📱 WhatsApp: +65 81812406
🌐 Visit: www.mccglobaleducation.com