History and Politics Interview Preparation Guide
Do you know what to expect in your Cambridge and Oxford History and Politics Interviews?
How similar would the interviews be to History and Politics Interviews at other Top Russell Group Universities?
Have you practiced a range of History and Politics Interview Questions?
Cambridge and Oxford interviews can seem daunting and hard to prepare for as you never quite know what to expect. However, they are extremely important: some candidates are successful based on interview performance alone. The same goes for other universities with Top History and Politics programs, such as UCL or Oxford's PPE.
This is an essential History and Politics interview preparation guide, prepared by U2's Cambridge tutors. We walk you through how to prepare to ensure you stand out and increase your chances of success, as well as provide a number of tips on how to present yourself, analyze problems, and effectively communicate during the interview itself. (N.B. this guide will be applicable if you receive an invitation to interview at any of the Top UK Russell Group Universities)
Core components of U2 Tuition's Cambridge History and Politics interview preparation guide:
The first section of our 30-page guide is dedicated to explaining the core topics in the Cambridge History and Politics course, and what a degree in History and Politics looks like, including what to expect in a typical week. We also recommend looking in depth at the Cambridge and Oxford University History and Politics Department Website.
The guide then presents details on how to build evidence of wider subject exploration in your History and Politics personal statement, and during the interview to convey your passion and motivation for the subject. Our Cambridge tutors lead you through key course topics, recommend primary and secondary readings, and provide guidance on utilising available online resources. Each resource recommendation comes with a thinking task. Note: ideally, this process should start at least a few months before your Cambridge History and Politics interview takes place, so you have sufficient time to explore enough resources and material!
How to prepare for personal-statement-based interview questions: your personal statement for History and Politics may be used as a starting point for discussion in at least one of your interviews! For example, if you subscribe to prominent historical or political journals, you may be asked to discuss an article from a recent edition.
What to expect in your academic interviews, including accounts from two successful Cambridge History and Politics candidates. Each account will provide insight into the Cambridge interview process, the topics, and questions they were asked, including a handful of questions related to their personal statements.
Cambridge interview preparation tips and core concepts to understand.
In-depth analysis of past Cambridge History and Politics interview questions: four practice interview questions with discussion points and suggested further readings.
Additional past History and Politics interview questions for university applicants: 40 further questions covering topics such as "Historical Analysis," "Political Theory," "International Relations," "Comparative Politics," and "Historiography." (N.B., all of the above are the most common types of questions asked at Cambridge interviews!)
Final tips for success at Cambridge History and Politics interviews.
Looking for a tutor to further direct your independent preparation?
Having a tutor can provide an invaluable learning opportunity - U2 has a wonderful network of undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate tutors who specialize in History and Politics. They would be delighted to host tutorial sessions, giving you exposure to key areas within the discipline, supporting personal statement writing, critical thinking, admissions tests, and interview preparation. We also offer mock interview days in November/December. Book a free consultation on our Contact Us page for further details on our offerings and to discuss your university application.