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MPhil interview (am i being too hopeful)

Just had my interview for an MPhil (taught) late last week. Was quite nervous but the Course Director really calmed my nerves and said he's also

Anyways, is it standard protocol to let applicants know the rough timeline for acceptance? The Course Director who interviewed me told me that they'd be making a recommendation within the next 2-3 weeks once this round of interviews was done. They also told me that that's not the final acceptance until a formal offer comes from the DC/PAO.

Final bit of irrational optimism: not sure if they're being extra nice but they said 'see you soon' at the end, which is a bit unusual unless that's British custom in interviews lol.

So, am I being delusional by being hopeful or is the course director just super nice, or does it all mean nothing at all?

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Reply 1

oops i meant *he's also been stumped by interview questions before

Reply 2

I have heard others say the wait after interview was about 3 weeks, yeah.

BTW, how come you have an interview for an MPhil so early? When did you submit the application and for what subject area?

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous
I have heard others say the wait after interview was about 3 weeks, yeah.
BTW, how come you have an interview for an MPhil so early? When did you submit the application and for what subject area?

I submitted my application in mid-Oct (a taught MPhil in the engineering dept), got an invite for an interview in early Nov and the interview was a week later.

Reply 4

Original post
by Anonymous
I submitted my application in mid-Oct (a taught MPhil in the engineering dept), got an invite for an interview in early Nov and the interview was a week later.

I submitted my application in mid-October and was interviewed on the 8th of November (a taught MHil in engineering) but the status in my portal still shows under review by department. I am starting to get worried because it's almost been 3 weeks since the interview with no update whatsoever.
Original post
by Anonymous
I submitted my application in mid-October and was interviewed on the 8th of November (a taught MHil in engineering) but the status in my portal still shows under review by department. I am starting to get worried because it's almost been 3 weeks since the interview with no update whatsoever.

That's because they will only make a decision when they have sufficient view of the application cohort quality. They know they are keeping hold of you so far, and at some point it will become clear whether you are going to be above or below the cut off. That might be in a week, or in might be in April.

Reply 6

Original post
by Anonymous
I submitted my application in mid-October and was interviewed on the 8th of November (a taught MHil in engineering) but the status in my portal still shows under review by department. I am starting to get worried because it's almost been 3 weeks since the interview with no update whatsoever.


Could I ask, who interviewed you for the MPhil (Course director or lecturer, etc.)? Also, did your interviewer say anything about when you could expect a reply back? My interviewer said like I said in my original post, so was wondering if yours said something similar.

Reply 7

Original post
by threeportdrift
That's because they will only make a decision when they have sufficient view of the application cohort quality. They know they are keeping hold of you so far, and at some point it will become clear whether you are going to be above or below the cut off. That might be in a week, or in might be in April.

I also applied for funding—could this be the reason for the delay? Based on what you’ve mentioned, it seems the 2–3 week period they indicated might not fully reflect the actual timeline for providing a recommendation. Am I understanding you correctly?

Reply 8

Original post
by Anonymous
Could I ask, who interviewed you for the MPhil (Course director or lecturer, etc.)? Also, did your interviewer say anything about when you could expect a reply back? My interviewer said like I said in my original post, so was wondering if yours said something similar.

I was interviewed by the Course director and a lecturer. What they said was that they will get back to me in 2-3 weeks and went further that if I was nominated for funding, that also has its own timeline.
Original post
by KMlotha265
I also applied for funding—could this be the reason for the delay? Based on what you’ve mentioned, it seems the 2–3 week period they indicated might not fully reflect the actual timeline for providing a recommendation. Am I understanding you correctly?

The entire timelines Cam publish for PG are a work of complete fiction. Every year. For the last 20 years for certain.

Reply 10

Original post
by KMlotha265
I was interviewed by the Course director and a lecturer. What they said was that they will get back to me in 2-3 weeks and went further that if I was nominated for funding, that also has its own timeline.


I think we were both interviewed for the same course! MPhil ESD right? The two interviewers basically said the exact same things to me that they told you, except that it was the Course Director who told me to expect a recommendation in 2-3 weeks, since the other lecturer had to leave for another interview.

How did your interview go btw? What time did you get interviewed (mine was at 9.30 GMT)?

Reply 11

Original post
by auroraxan
I think we were both interviewed for the same course! MPhil ESD right? The two interviewers basically said the exact same things to me that they told you, except that it was the Course Director who told me to expect a recommendation in 2-3 weeks, since the other lecturer had to leave for another interview.
How did your interview go btw? What time did you get interviewed (mine was at 9.30 GMT)?

Yes, MPhil ESD. I was interviewed at 11:30 GMT and the interview took 30 minutes. I was very nervous to be honest. I am not sure if I gave them convincing answers and that is why I just want the results to get done with it.

Reply 12

Original post
by KMlotha265
Yes, MPhil ESD. I was interviewed at 11:30 GMT and the interview took 30 minutes. I was very nervous to be honest. I am not sure if I gave them convincing answers and that is why I just want the results to get done with it.


I feel exactly the same about the interview. Good luck regardless, hopefully you get some favourable news. Otherwise, I’m sure there’s a bright future waiting for you regardless.

Reply 13

Original post
by Anonymous
Just had my interview for an MPhil (taught) late last week. Was quite nervous but the Course Director really calmed my nerves and said he's also
Anyways, is it standard protocol to let applicants know the rough timeline for acceptance? The Course Director who interviewed me told me that they'd be making a recommendation within the next 2-3 weeks once this round of interviews was done. They also told me that that's not the final acceptance until a formal offer comes from the DC/PAO.
Final bit of irrational optimism: not sure if they're being extra nice but they said 'see you soon' at the end, which is a bit unusual unless that's British custom in interviews lol.
So, am I being delusional by being hopeful or is the course director just super nice, or does it all mean nothing at all?

Hey any update on your interview ? have you received any feedback?

Reply 14

Original post
by Anonymous
Hey any update on your interview ? have you received any feedback?


Hi, I literally just got an email that the department will be recommending me for admission! The course administrator told me that I will have to wait for the formal offer from the university.

Reply 15

Original post
by auroraxan
Hi, I literally just got an email that the department will be recommending me for admission! The course administrator told me that I will have to wait for the formal offer from the university.

Congratulations . That is great

Reply 16

Original post
by auroraxan
Hi, I literally just got an email that the department will be recommending me for admission! The course administrator told me that I will have to wait for the formal offer from the university.

Congratulations. As for me, no feedback yet. Has the status in your portal changed?
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 17

Original post
by KMlotha265
Congratulations. As for me, no feedback yet. Has the status in your portal changed?


Nope, it’s still the same. To be fair, I did email the course admin and director twice each to ask for an update, so maybe they just wanted me to stop spamming 😅

Reply 18

Original post
by auroraxan
Nope, it’s still the same. To be fair, I did email the course admin and director twice each to ask for an update, so maybe they just wanted me to stop spamming 😅

Either way that got the Job done💯. I just hope they give me feedback by this week. I want to focus on other things.🤣

Reply 19

Original post
by auroraxan
Hi, I literally just got an email that the department will be recommending me for admission! The course administrator told me that I will have to wait for the formal offer from the university.


Congratulations! May i know which course and what broad topic if you dont mind? :smile:

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