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Physics foundation year interview question

Hello,

I have an interview coming up with The University of York for a Physics with foundation year degree.

I read their "interview advice" pdf that they won't be asking technical maths and physics questions during the interview. However, in a recent post on tsr a Uni of York rep said that they will! I probably interpreted it wrong so pls lmk if I did.

:https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5222814

I'm quite unsure now because although I've done A level maths, my knowledge of physics is purely applied and not as technical.

I want to prepare for this interview well so if a rep or someone who has been to an interview for this course and uni pls do reply!

Thank you :smile:

Reply 1

Original post by Ayes7288
Hello,
I have an interview coming up with The University of York for a Physics with foundation year degree.
I read their "interview advice" pdf that they won't be asking technical maths and physics questions during the interview. However, in a recent post on tsr a Uni of York rep said that they will! I probably interpreted it wrong so pls lmk if I did.
:https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5222814
I'm quite unsure now because although I've done A level maths, my knowledge of physics is purely applied and not as technical.
I want to prepare for this interview well so if a rep or someone who has been to an interview for this course and uni pls do reply!
Thank you :smile:

For other courses which don't start with a foundation year, they will ask technical questions, but that's not part of the interview for foundation year applicants.
The interview for you will mostly be about why you want to do the course and 6th form / college etc

Reply 2

Original post by Ayes7288
Hello,
I have an interview coming up with The University of York for a Physics with foundation year degree.
I read their "interview advice" pdf that they won't be asking technical maths and physics questions during the interview. However, in a recent post on tsr a Uni of York rep said that they will! I probably interpreted it wrong so pls lmk if I did.
:https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5222814
I'm quite unsure now because although I've done A level maths, my knowledge of physics is purely applied and not as technical.
I want to prepare for this interview well so if a rep or someone who has been to an interview for this course and uni pls do reply!
Thank you :smile:

Hope it all went well on the day! Any news on an offer?
Original post by Ayes7288
Hello,
I have an interview coming up with The University of York for a Physics with foundation year degree.
I read their "interview advice" pdf that they won't be asking technical maths and physics questions during the interview. However, in a recent post on tsr a Uni of York rep said that they will! I probably interpreted it wrong so pls lmk if I did.
:https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5222814
I'm quite unsure now because although I've done A level maths, my knowledge of physics is purely applied and not as technical.
I want to prepare for this interview well so if a rep or someone who has been to an interview for this course and uni pls do reply!
Thank you :smile:

Hello!

I'm so sorry for our delayed reply, have you had the interview now or would you still like some advice on whether to expect technical questions?

If you have had the interview, I hope it went well! 😄

Reply 4

Original post by Anonymous
Hope it all went well on the day! Any news on an offer?

Nope! Not yet, still waiting for a response.

Reply 5

Original post by University of York
Hello!
I'm so sorry for our delayed reply, have you had the interview now or would you still like some advice on whether to expect technical questions?
If you have had the interview, I hope it went well! 😄

I haven't received a decision so I'd still love some advice on what questions to expect! :smile:
Original post by Ayes7288
I haven't received a decision so I'd still love some advice on what questions to expect! :smile:

Hi there,

I've spoken with our admissions team, and they've explained that you should be able to find all the details about your interview in the “What to expect from your interview” document which is attached to your email interview invite. In that document, there should be a paragraph which says:

Our foundation year is designed to allow individuals from a wide range of backgrounds to have the opportunity to study physics. However, in order to have a good chance of success, basic mathematical skills - or the ability to quickly build them - will be important. You may find it useful to brush up on algebra of the type you may have studied at GCSE. As such, the interview will assess your ability to demonstrate these skills, or pick up new ideas with the help of your interviewer. It is intended to be a process by which we - and you - can find out whether the foundation year is right for you.

As it explains in that paragraph, you should expect some technical questions which will assess your ability to demonstrate basic maths skills. This is so that we can work out if the foundation year physics course is the right one for you.

I can't share any of the exact technical questions from the interview as this will give you, and anyone else reading this post, an unfair advantage going into the interview.

I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions and we'll do our best to answer them.

Best of luck in your interview! - Hannah 😀

Reply 7

Original post by University of York
Hi there,
I've spoken with our admissions team, and they've explained that you should be able to find all the details about your interview in the “What to expect from your interview” document which is attached to your email interview invite. In that document, there should be a paragraph which says:
Our foundation year is designed to allow individuals from a wide range of backgrounds to have the opportunity to study physics. However, in order to have a good chance of success, basic mathematical skills - or the ability to quickly build them - will be important. You may find it useful to brush up on algebra of the type you may have studied at GCSE. As such, the interview will assess your ability to demonstrate these skills, or pick up new ideas with the help of your interviewer. It is intended to be a process by which we - and you - can find out whether the foundation year is right for you.
As it explains in that paragraph, you should expect some technical questions which will assess your ability to demonstrate basic maths skills. This is so that we can work out if the foundation year physics course is the right one for you.
I can't share any of the exact technical questions from the interview as this will give you, and anyone else reading this post, an unfair advantage going into the interview.
I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions and we'll do our best to answer them.
Best of luck in your interview! - Hannah 😀

Has anyone received an offer for this course yet? Or has it been pulled?
Original post by Anonymous
Has anyone received an offer for this course yet? Or has it been pulled?

Hi there.

The Physics (with a foundation year) course has not been withdrawn. We have received a high volume of applications, and we are currently working through these as quickly as possible. The latest you will receive our decision by is the UCAS deadline which is:

14 May 2025 if your application was submitted on time (on or before 29 January 2025)

Or

17 July 2025 if your application was submitted late (after 29 January 2025)


I hope this helps reassure you, but if you have any additional questions do not hesitate to contact our Undergraduate Admissions Team: [email protected]

Let us know if you have any other questions, I hope this helps! - Hannah 😀

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