Philosophy, Politics And Economics @ Hertford, Oxford in 2015

Interview format

3x 30 min interviews & 1x 45 min interview

Interview content

Hertford philosophy: at-interview test, discussion of utilitarianism; Hertford economics: game theory; Jesus College interview: game theory, ethical discussion

Best preparation

Practice papers, TSA book

Advice in hindsight

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Final thoughts

Try to talk to current students through programmes like Access Oxbridge; practise for the TSA; arrange practice interviews (if you can).

Remember this advice isn't official. There is no guarantee it will reflect your experience because university applications can change between years. Check the official Cambridge and Oxford websites for more accurate information on this year's application format and the required tests.

Also, someone else's experience may not reflect your own. Most interviews are more like conversations than tests and like, any conversation, they are quite interactive.

Interview Format

Test taken: TSA

Number of interviews: 4

Skype interview: No

Interview spread: 3 across two days, then an additional interview at another college

Length of interviews: 3x 30 minutes at Hertford; 45 minutes at Jesus

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

Hertford: 3 interviews, partly in response to a test we took on the day, especially in the Philosophy interview which discussed and critiqued my answers (logic) and included some discussion of utilitarianism.

Hertford Economics was largely a Game Theory problem with extensions.

I cannot remember Hertford Politics.

The composite interview I had at Jesus College also included Game Theory and also included some ethical discussions/utilitarianism.

How did you prepare?

I used the practice papers and a book called 'Think You Can Think?'.

What advice do you have for future applicants?

Looking back, what advice would you give to your past self?

Try and talk to current students (through programmes like Access Oxbridge) and get personal statement feedback.

Spamming (practising for) the TSA is useful, and practice interviews just to get comfortable talking about your subject in depth - teachers/friends/family are all often keen to help!