The pre-CAS credibility interview: real questions and how to pass

Most UK universities run a CAS interview before issuing your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, and UKVI runs its own credibility interview at the visa stage. Whether your school calls it a pre-CAS interview or a credibility interview, the questions are close enough to prepare for directly — course knowledge, funding, and genuine intent to study. Pick your university below, see exactly what’s coming, then practise it out loud with Merra.

Universities

12 universities

BPP UniversityTwo-stage: ACI + Oxford International Arden UniversityAlso tests your spoken English University of SunderlandQuestionnaire + live interview cross-check University of East LondonDocklands & Stratford - document cross-checks University of BedfordshireLuton & Bedford - publishes its own guide University of Hertfordshire25 min from London - publishes credibility guide University of LeicesterResearch-intensive - sharper funding scrutiny Canterbury Christ Church UniversityCanterbury & Medway - course-to-career focus Ulster UniversityBelfast, Derry~Londonderry, London & Birmingham (QAHE)Coventry University13,000+ international students Birmingham City UniversityAI-conducted, timed per question Northumbria UniversityMandatory pre-CAS - must pass for CAS

Pre-CAS / Credibility Interview

16 universities

Aston UniversityVideo interview, then face-to-face if you don't pass · no third attempt Birkbeck, University of LondonCAS Shield interview + a possible follow-up with ISA Brunel University of LondonRecorded CAS Shield video interview · passport on camera De Montfort University (DMU)Credibility assessment for 11 higher-scrutiny nationalities Kingston University LondonPre-CAS interview by deadline — South Asia strongly encouraged London Metropolitan UniversityCompliance interview for 11 nationalities — a conversation, not a test Staffordshire UniversityPre-CAS interview if selected · £4,000 deposit before CAS University of BradfordMandatory pre-CAS interview — 1 hour on Teams/Meet, one attempt University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)Recorded university interview — selected by email after your deposit University of DerbyCAS Shield pre-CAS interview — a mirror of the real UKVI one University of DundeeMandatory pre-CAS assessment · phone or video (Scotland)University of GreenwichPractice UKVI interview with the CAS team — pass before you pay University of KentTheir pre-CAS is a mock of the real UKVI interview University of LincolnInvited nationalities only — incl. Nigeria for Sept 2026 University of WolverhamptonRecorded pre-CAS interview, after your deposit University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)Staff Pre-CAS interview, before you pay a deposit

UKVI Credibility Interview (no university pre-CAS step)

21 universities

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)UKVI credibility interview · Cambridge, Chelmsford & Peterborough Glasgow Caledonian UniversityUKVI interview with an ECO · know exactly why GCU Manchester Metropolitan UniversityUKVI credibility test — prepare a personal statement Middlesex University10–20 min · written down, not recorded · ask for the transcript Nottingham Trent University (NTU)Interview tests genuine interest — know your course and costs Queen Mary University of LondonUKVI interview by video or phone — even possibly at the airport Sheffield Hallam UniversityInterviewed at your biometrics appointment · six topic areas Teesside UniversityMandatory questionnaire on application · UKVI interview to follow The University of ManchesterNo university interview · UKVI video at biometrics, 5–10 min University of BirminghamRussell Group — UKVI video interview on why UK, Birmingham & course University of Chester30–60 min ECO interview · always asked 'anything to add?'University of GlasgowUKVI interview — consistency with your documents is everything University of HuddersfieldUKVI interview at your local visa centre, by video University of HullNo university pre-CAS step — prep the UKVI interview instead University of LeedsRussell Group — no university interview, but UKVI still might University of Northampton£7,000 deposit + immigration-history form before CAS University of PortsmouthUKVI interview after biometrics · be yourself, no script University of RoehamptonShort 5–10 min UKVI phone interview, in English University of SalfordGenuine-interest visa interview · you complete your own CAS form University of SheffieldUKVI interview at biometrics · four topic areas, in English University of Westminster5–10 min video at biometrics · no 2nd CAS after a credibility refusal

One interview stands between you and your CAS

Practise it with Hope, Merra’s AI interviewer — the full pre-CAS format or just the section you’re weakest on.

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Merra is an independent interview practice platform and is not affiliated with the universities listed. Pre-CAS processes vary by university and may change without notice. (49 universities listed)