Pre-CAS Interview: Ace the Interview with Meridean Overseas

The university conducts a Pre-CAS interview after international students make an initial deposit and before giving students CAS (Confirmation for Acceptance of Studies) letters. As soon as the student sends a request for a CAS letter to the university, a date is given for an interview, known as the UK Pre CAS interview.

CAS interview is also known as a credibility interview. After giving an interview, students are required to upload their documents online on the CAS shield given by the university. A CAS letter is granted by the university when a student is able to crack the interview and correctly uploads full documents.

Through a Pre-CAS interview, the university aims to check whether the student is genuine and if he can justify his SOP and other academic documents. Moreover, the university can also identify students' genuine intention to study in that university and the UK through interviews.

Generally, most UK universities take the Pre-CAS interviews. However, some top-ranked universities like Russell Group universities do not take Pre-CAS interviews since they already have highly competent applicants. Also, note that the pre-CAS interview also prepares Indian students for UK visa interviews, reducing the chance of visa refusal.

Various questions are asked in the Pre-CAS interview; some are related to your course or studies, while others are related to personal details. Some of the frequently asked Pre CAS Interview questions and answers are mentioned below.

Question 1: Give self-introduction.

In self-introduction, students must provide details like their name and current occupation. Sometimes, the administrators may also ask about your previous qualifications.

Question 2: Why do you want to study in the UK?

The answer to this question must include a difference in the education system of your home country and the UK. Students must tell how the quality of education in the UK is better for their future. Additionally, you can include points like

• The UK is home to some of the top universities in the world.

• The universities offer a high standard of education to Indian students.

• Indian students get a great, diverse cultural experience.

• University's practical approach to teaching and other research opportunities.

• UK degrees are highly recognised worldwide.

Question 3: Why did you choose this university?

To answer this question, students must know the key features of the university. They can include the following points of the university:

• University ranking (both UK and world rankings)

• Employability rate

• The student-friendly environment

• Research opportunity

• Infrastructure and other facilities

Question 4: Why did you choose this course?

To answer this question, students must know about all the course details, like course modules, future scope, skills they can gain through that course, etc. Also, mention how your previous education is relevant to the course you are applying for. Moreover, you can also compare similar universities according to chosen course modules.

Question 5: What are your future career plans?

For this question, students have to tell about their plans, like how the chosen course will help them to fulfil their future goals. Additionally, you can add your targeted companies and the job profile you wish to apply for. Also, mention the scope of that career and the average income you'll earn through that job after returning to your home country.

Question 6: Did you consider other study destinations?

Answering this question correctly during your interview demonstrates your ability to make decisions. You may emphasise the distance between the UK and your home country (how close the UK is to your place of origin), explain the time zones, and your course duration compared to other nations you have looked at. Overall, giving the interviewer a well-rounded response will show them that you can think and make conclusions based on your judgment.

Question 7: Tell us about your study gap.

The easiest way to respond to this question is to go over every activity you have taken part in from when you received your previous degree or diploma to when you are considering returning to school.

This covers the range of jobs and positions you worked on. Essentially, the interviewer wants to know what you did with your time outside of school. Thus, be sure to give a thorough account of what you experienced.

Question 8: Where is your university located?

You must know the address of both your housing and the university to respond to this question. It would also be necessary to talk about your intended accommodation (i.e., are you seeking to live on campus or obtain an apartment off campus). You must provide the distance between the university and the flat if you intend to find housing outside of it.

Although it is crucial to reserve accommodation in advance, you should only pay for it once a trusted third party has viewed the flat.

Question 9: What is your expected living expense?

Depending on where your college is located, your estimated living expenses, or cost of living, might vary significantly.

It is estimated that studying in London will cost you 12,006 pounds a year. However, your annual cost of living will be less if your school is located outside of London, i.e. at 9,207 pounds. As a result, when this question is posed, respond by citing the address of your place of residence and school.

Question 10: Will you be travelling with dependents?

You must indicate whether you will be travelling with dependents or not. Your response will be "yes" if you will be travelling with dependents, and you will need to indicate how many dependents—such as your husband or kids—you will be going with.

If you don't have any dependents going with you, the response should be an emphatic no.

Question 11: Have you had any visa refusals?

This is a pre-CAS interview rather than a visa interview, but the institution will be able to learn more about your genuine goals if they ask questions like these.

If you have been denied a visa, kindly inform the interviewer of this, along with the reason for the denial, the nation in which it occurred, and the refusal number (which is included in the letter you were sent). However, just respond "no" if you haven't received visa rejections.

Question 12: Who is sponsoring your studies?

You should describe your relationship with your sponsor if you have one, but if you are self-funded, feel free to discuss it at your UK Pre CAS interview.

To successfully get admission to a UK university, students must prepare well for the Pre-CAS interview. They must be aware that a Pre-CAS interview can make or break their chances of admission into the university of their choice. Here are some tips and tricks to crack the Pre-CAS interview.

• Students must be dressed formally. The dress must be neat and clean.

• Give answers to the point. Avoid going out of the topic.

• Ensure that you provide accurate, honest answers that resemble your documents.

• Students must speak confidently and fluently.

• If you don't understand any question, ask the interviewer politely to repeat the question.

• Students must carry their passports. Also, they must ensure that their passport is valid till the date of their course duration in the UK.

• Ensure you have a stable internet connection; the internet speed should not fluctuate, nor should it be slow.

• Remember to charge your laptop or phone.

• Make sure that you have a noise-free background.

A successful Pre-CAS interview is crucial for securing admission to a UK university. A positive outcome in the Pre-CAS interview directly impacts a student's chance of acceptance. Conversely, an unsuccessful interview can result in a denial of the CAS, regardless of any deposit made. This denial prevents the student from proceeding with their UK Student Visa application. Fortunately, if the student has already paid the required deposit and fails the interview, the university will refund the deposit and withdraw the offer.

If you are going to appear in a Pre-CAS interview, then the above-mentioned questions and the tips for answers explained in the blog can guide you towards succeeding in the interview.

We hope this information regarding the UK Pre CAS interview is insightful and useful. Moreover, the students who wish to fulfil their dream of studying in the UK may contact our expert counsellors at any branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best guidance and support at every admission and visa process step. You can also take free online counselling through our website. For more information or any queries, you can mail us at application02@meridean.org or call us at our toll-free no. 1800-1230-00011.

Q1. Why is the CAS interview conducted?

Ans. A CAS interview is conducted to check whether the student's profile is genuine. It also prepares students for UK visa interviews.

Q2. How long is the Pre-CAS interview?

Ans. The CAS interview is taken online and takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Q3. Is a CAS interview compulsory?

Ans. Generally, most UK universities ask for CAS interviews, while universities with a competitive or strict admission process may skip the CAS interview for international students.

Q4. Are credibility interviews and CAS interviews the same?

Ans. Yes, the CAS interview and credibility interviews are the same.

Q5. What is the next process of a Pre-CAS interview?

Ans. After giving a CAS interview, students have to fill out the CAS shield provided by the university.

Q6. What does pre-CAS mean?

Ans. Pre-CAS means “Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies” letter.

Q7. Is there any interview after a pre-cas interview?

Ans. If you do not pass the pre-CAS interview, you will be invited to a face-to-face interview with the Visa Compliance Credibility Officers. Both interviews are designed to assess your eligibility for a CAS. If you do not succeed, we will be unable to issue a CAS.

Q8. Can you fail a pre-CAS interview?

Ans. If you fail the pre-CAS interview, you will not be eligible to apply for another course this academic year. However, you can reapply in the next academic year with a new application.

Q9. How to clear a pre-CAS interview?

Ans. Tips to Crack UK Pre CAS Interview

• Dress formally in neat and clean attire.

• Provide concise, on-topic answers.

• Ensure your responses are accurate and align with your documents.

• Speak confidently and fluently.

• Charge your laptop or phone beforehand.

• Ensure you have a quiet, distraction-free background.