Top 5 tips for your interview

We know you might find the idea of having a college interview nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t need to be. We are here to make sure you get on the right course and set yourself on the right path for a bright future.

To help keep your nerves at bay we have compiled our top five tips to ensure you have an awesome interview. We have also brought together some frequently asked questions so scroll to the bottom of the page and have a read through of these to make sure you are fully prepared for your interview with Exeter College.

Take the time to read through your invitation email or letter so you know the time and date of your interview, add it to your calendar so you don’t forget.

This is your chance to find out everything you want to know about the courses you may be studying, so take a moment and write some down before your interview so you don’t forget to ask that all important question!

After talking through your course choices with your interviewer, you may decide to change courses and that’s ok! It’s important to get it right so you may wish to consider other options. We offer a wide range of courses from A Levels and T Levels to BTECs and our Apprenticeship provision is award winning.

Our College Advice Team are always available if you have any questions about your course options, the application process or student life. You can email them anytime on cat@exe-coll.ac.uk. Our specialist learning support team are also available to answer questions about support for learners with any additional needs. Visit our website for more information about our travel and financial support schemes, and student welfare support.

Remember you have got this far for a reason, so just relax and try and enjoy the experience (it’s more of an informal chat anyway).

We look forward to talking to you soon. Good luck!

Not sure which course is for you? Have a look through our School Leavers’ Course Guide and our Virtual Exeter College Experience to find out more about our range of courses. Join us for our next Open Event to ask us your questions.

Need to apply? There’s still time and it’s easy, you can do it online.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I apply, will I get an interview at the College?

Yes, we like to meet all students about what they would like to study with us so that we can make sure you have the advice and guidance you need. We are delighted to be able to invite you to an in-person interview at College and look forward to meeting you. You will have a email invite with the time and date of your appointment, and a text reminder in the day or two beforehand.

It’s the day of my interview and I’m not sure if I’m still interested in the course that I have applied for.

We would ask that you still attend your interview, which will be with a specialist subject lecturer from your chosen course. You will be able to talk through the course with your interviewer, and they may even be able to refer you to a different interviewer to talk through alternative course options or refer you for Advice and Guidance.

At my interview, I was offered a different course to the one I initially applied to. Do I need to update my online application to reflect the course I was offered?

There is no need for you to let us know; our Admissions team will be made aware of this and will update your course choices after your interview.

I’m not sure what course I was offered at my interview.

Your offer form contains your course information and is given to you on the night. If you receive your offer form and you are still unsure, give us a call on 01392 400444 and we can confirm which course you were offered.

I have had my interview and been offered a place on a course; however, I think I may want to change my course.

You can update your course choice at any time. If you applied online, you can log into your online application and make the changes on there. If you submitted a paper application, email us on info@exe-coll.ac.uk. If you’re unsure about what course you would like to change to, you can have a chat with our College Advice Team by emailing cat@exe-coll.ac.uk, or call 01392 400600. You may need to attend another interview, and we will send you a new invite if this is the case.

I don’t know where to go for my interview.

Interviews are being held at our main Hele Road site, EX4 4JS. Our friendly and helpful staff will be here to greet you, and will advise you on which building and room your interview is being held in.

Covid Safety.

Only attend if you are well, with no virus symptoms.
Wearing a mask or face covering in our indoor communal areas is optional.

Please do not worry if you can’t make it; we have further interviews throughout the year we can invite you to. If you are unable to attend due to illness or self-isolation please let us know on 01392 400444 or by emailing: MyInterview@exe-coll.ac.uk

What to bring.

It is helpful if you could bring:

a copy of your email/letter or text invite so we can direct you to the right team for your interview.
any evidence of your predicted grades from school (e.g. reports, mock exams etc). Please do not worry if you do not yet have these from school for year 11. We can talk through what you do have and what kinds of grades you are expecting.
if you are applying for an apprenticeship, your National Insurance number
if you have been asked to bring a portfolio of your work (for example for art subjects) we always like to see this. It can be photos.

Can my parent or guardian come with me?

Yes, they are welcome too. If you would prefer to have your interview on your own, we have a cafe open serving free hot drinks if someone is bringing you and wants to wait there. Or there will be waiting rooms in each of the interview areas.
A reminder that there are no public car parking facilities on site and so if you need to park use the public car parks around the city or, where possible, public transport.

What do I do if I have any questions?