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 universitiesBPP UniversityTwo-stage: ACI + Oxford InternationalArden UniversityAlso tests your spoken EnglishUniversity of SunderlandQuestionnaire + live interview cross-checkUniversity of East LondonDocklands & Stratford - document cross-checksUniversity of BedfordshireLuton & Bedford - publishes its own guideUniversity of Hertfordshire25 min from London - publishes credibility guideUniversity of LeicesterResearch-intensive - sharper funding scrutinyCanterbury Christ Church UniversityCanterbury & Medway - course-to-career focusUlster UniversityBelfast, Derry~Londonderry, London & Birmingham (QAHE)Coventry University13,000+ international studentsBirmingham City UniversityAI-conducted, timed per questionNorthumbria UniversityMandatory pre-CAS - must pass for CAS
Pre-CAS / Credibility Interview
16 universitiesAston UniversityVideo interview, then face-to-face if you don't pass · no third attemptBirkbeck, University of LondonCAS Shield interview + a possible follow-up with ISABrunel University of LondonRecorded CAS Shield video interview · passport on cameraDe Montfort University (DMU)Credibility assessment for 11 higher-scrutiny nationalitiesKingston University LondonPre-CAS interview by deadline — South Asia strongly encouragedLondon Metropolitan UniversityCompliance interview for 11 nationalities — a conversation, not a testStaffordshire UniversityPre-CAS interview if selected · £4,000 deposit before CASUniversity of BradfordMandatory pre-CAS interview — 1 hour on Teams/Meet, one attemptUniversity of Central Lancashire (UCLan)Recorded university interview — selected by email after your depositUniversity of DerbyCAS Shield pre-CAS interview — a mirror of the real UKVI oneUniversity of DundeeMandatory pre-CAS assessment · phone or video (Scotland)University of GreenwichPractice UKVI interview with the CAS team — pass before you payUniversity of KentTheir pre-CAS is a mock of the real UKVI interviewUniversity of LincolnInvited nationalities only — incl. Nigeria for Sept 2026University of WolverhamptonRecorded pre-CAS interview, after your depositUniversity 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 universitiesAnglia Ruskin University (ARU)UKVI credibility interview · Cambridge, Chelmsford & PeterboroughGlasgow Caledonian UniversityUKVI interview with an ECO · know exactly why GCUManchester Metropolitan UniversityUKVI credibility test — prepare a personal statementMiddlesex University10–20 min · written down, not recorded · ask for the transcriptNottingham Trent University (NTU)Interview tests genuine interest — know your course and costsQueen Mary University of LondonUKVI interview by video or phone — even possibly at the airportSheffield Hallam UniversityInterviewed at your biometrics appointment · six topic areasTeesside UniversityMandatory questionnaire on application · UKVI interview to followThe University of ManchesterNo university interview · UKVI video at biometrics, 5–10 minUniversity of BirminghamRussell Group — UKVI video interview on why UK, Birmingham & courseUniversity of Chester30–60 min ECO interview · always asked 'anything to add?'University of GlasgowUKVI interview — consistency with your documents is everythingUniversity of HuddersfieldUKVI interview at your local visa centre, by videoUniversity of HullNo university pre-CAS step — prep the UKVI interview insteadUniversity of LeedsRussell Group — no university interview, but UKVI still mightUniversity of Northampton£7,000 deposit + immigration-history form before CASUniversity of PortsmouthUKVI interview after biometrics · be yourself, no scriptUniversity of RoehamptonShort 5–10 min UKVI phone interview, in EnglishUniversity of SalfordGenuine-interest visa interview · you complete your own CAS formUniversity of SheffieldUKVI interview at biometrics · four topic areas, in EnglishUniversity 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.
Practise your pre-CAS interviewFree diagnostic + 1 free interview · available until used · no card needed · no subscriptionMerra 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)