Answering Common Postgrad Interview Questions

CONTENTS 

• Why do you want to pursue postgraduate studies? 
• What makes you a suitable candidate for the programme? 
• Tell me about yourself? 
• Why this university? 
• What are your career goals? 
• What are the most important developments in this subject? 
• Can you explain any gaps or weaknesses in your academic records? 
• How do you manage your time and handle academic pressure? 

When preparing for your postgraduate interview, anticipating some of the common questions you’ll be asked in advance can help you feel more confident. While there will be course or programme specific questions, there’ll also be the standard postgrad interview questions which you can pre-empt and prepare for.  

While any interview can be daunting, practising the answers to the most common questions in advance will help to ease nerves and ensure you come across well-versed in your field of interest, enabling you to give clear and concise answers.   

To get a head start with your interview prep, here are some of the most common questions and how to answer them. 

Before we start, here are a few quick things you can do beforehand: 

• Research the department and programme thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with the faculty and research areas as well as any staff members whose expertise specifically aligns with your academic interests. 
• Postgraduate courses are all about independent learning, so don’t be afraid to challenge. Being able to communicate ideas and formulate your own opinion is something interviewers will be looking for. 
• Review your application and personal statement to make sure you can elaborate, with clarity, on anything the interviewer may ask in relation to information you have already provided.  
• Go on to the university website to see if they have a page dedicated to interviews and managing questions or even reach out to current students on the same programme to ask them about their experience. The Ambassador Platform is a great tool for connecting current students with prospective students. 

Common Postgrad Questions 

Why do you want to pursue postgraduate studies? 

Passion for the subject is key. Demonstrate your commitment to undertaking a postgrad by doing background research and reading. If you can bring an interesting piece of research, you have found or even wrote; talk about an article you have read recently etc., this could be a nice icebreaker. Are there any modules or certain aspects of the course that really interest you? The interviewer wants to see you are driven, so talk about what excites you most about the course. You can cite journals, podcasts, research papers you have read or experts in the field you follow, who inspire you.  

Talk about your previous studies—undergraduate or master's— referencing any projects or research you have undertaken, highlighting methodology, findings, or any fieldwork experience you may have as well as any presentations or publications you have delivered. Moreover, explain how your previous research experience has prepared you well for your postgrad studies, reflecting your passion for the subject area and how the course aligns strategically with your long-term goals and career aspirations. Explain your motivation for pursuing a postgrad is to expand your knowledge base and to develop specific skills in the field, which you feel this programme will offer. 

You may or may not have professional experience in your chosen field, but your desire to explore and contribute to the academic community is what the interviewer is looking for.  

 What makes you a suitable candidate for the programme?

Emphasise your relevant academic background, research experience, field work or any other relevant achievements. Be sure to draw on parallels between your skills and knowledge and the course requirements, making you an ideal candidate. 

  Tell me about yourself?

This question may sound simple enough, but the interviewer is looking to see beyond your academic skill set and what drives you as an individual. This is your chance to talk about any work experience or relevant extracurricular activities you are involved in or voluntary work you have undertaken. They also want to know about your interests outside of your studies such as hobbies and how you spend your free time. This could be anything from sports to reading, cooking, raising money for a charity close to your heart, spending time with loved ones etc. Hobbies can reflect teamwork, discipline and creativity. Try to link any skills you have developed through extracurricular activities back to the course, using specific examples, which relate to your chosen field of study.  

 Why this university?

This is where background research is essential, as you must be able to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the department and how it is regarded in the academic community. 

Pick out some examples of why you want to study there. This could be the structure of the course, flexible study options, assessment methods, university location, the facilities available, the reputation of the department/university or any ongoing research taking place, emphasising why you wish to be a part of that and contribute to the academic community. Discuss your interests in collaborating with faculty and fellow students. Mention any ideas you have for research projects or initiatives that you feel align with the university’s scholarly objectives, values and culture.  

 What are your career goals?

It’s important to remember with this question that you need to keep your answer relevant to your chosen area of study. How this specific course will help you to achieve your career goals. 

The interviewer wants to see that you’re motivated and that you’ll take the course seriously and that it plays a part in your future. 

Discuss your aspirations and how the course will help you to achieve them. Relate this to industry requirements in your field and the potential career paths you are most interested in pursuing.  

 What are the most important developments in this subject? 

It’s highly likely that your interviewer will ask questions that are relevant to your subject of choice, as they are looking for people who have a genuine interest. This is another chance to demonstrate you’re switched on: are there any recent developments or current trends you can discuss? 

Being able to show you’re not only knowledgeable about the subject but that you also follow the latest developments, will impress the interviewer. And if there’s one area you’re particularly passionate about, don’t be afraid to talk about it—remember your interviewer shares your interest in the field and will welcome the in-depth discussion. Drop a few facts or figures in too. This will show you are up to date with recent developments in the field.  

 Can you explain any gaps or weaknesses in your academic records?

A tricky question, yes, but honesty and transparency count for a lot. Overcoming challenges shows resilience, not weakness. Talk about any challenges you have faced, while emphasising the steps you took to overcome them. If there are gaps in academic studies, be prepared to explain why and turn that period into a positive. How the experience has made you even more determined to succeed—adversity breeds strength! 

 How do you manage your time and handle academic pressure?

Again, honesty and transparency are key. If you do have multiple commitments such as a single parent, primary carer, working part-time etc., you can emphasise your organisational skills, time-management techniques and strategies for handling stress be it: meditation, yoga, chunking your workload and so on. Provide concrete examples where you have managed multiple demands on your time successfully. 

NEXT STEP: Do More Interview Prep