Question about History and Politics Oxford Interview

2

Hi all,

Year 12 student studying Maths, History, Economics and French A-Level with aspirations to read History and Politics at Oxford here.

I've been doing some research on the interview process for this course, but I am a little confused (and the online resources are mostly for History alone) - could anyone provide some clarification on how interviews work for joint-honours degrees like History and Politics? I am aware that there are normally two interviews - is this number even higher for HisPol, and how are the interviews structured/divided between the two - I presume they will be separate?

Also, will I be at a disadvantage not having done Politics A-Level? The A-Level requirements only say Politics is helpful (not recommended, let alone required). I still intend to put in a lot of work for super-curriculars and my politics-related EPQ, and am deeply interested in the subject, but I'm just worried that the politics interview will require some prerequisite knowledge that A-Level politics students will have over me.

Please be brutally honest and I apologise for the lengthy post.

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

If they required A-level Politics they would state it was required.

By all accounts the interview isn't testing you on your knowledge of the A-level syllabus (your A-level exams will do that), they want to see how you can approach unfamiliar questions and problems and reason about them, and adjust your argument in view of new evidence as required. Obviously they will want to see you have some engagement with the subject area of politics/political science but that isn't going to necessarily be in terms of some narrow syllabus studied by one country in the world!

As for the number of interviews, why not simply ask the college you're planning to apply to? They would be best placed to advise and they have no reason to conceal this information from you.

Reply 2

xyz1234567

11

Nearly all joint degrees have 1 interview in each subject, so 2 interviews in total. Colleges are all entitled to structure their interviews how they like so I can’t guarantee this will be the case for you, but this is the norm.

Reply 3

Pastypowered

7

My daughter did PPE without philosophy, politics or economics. The A level really doesn't give any advantage

Reply 4

Azure Main

OP

2

Original post

by artful_lounger

If they required A-level Politics they would state it was required.
By all accounts the interview isn't testing you on your knowledge of the A-level syllabus (your A-level exams will do that), they want to see how you can approach unfamiliar questions and problems and reason about them, and adjust your argument in view of new evidence as required. Obviously they will want to see you have some engagement with the subject area of politics/political science but that isn't going to necessarily be in terms of some narrow syllabus studied by one country in the world!
As for the number of interviews, why not simply ask the college you're planning to apply to? They would be best placed to advise and they have no reason to conceal this information from you.

Thank you very much for your advice. When they "test" for this engagement with politics, will it be based on something I've put on my UCAS form and/or submitted written work? I realise there could also be an unseen section (that is to say, not based on anything submitted) but I am curious whether this part of the interview is quite separate to discussing submitted work.

Reply 5

Azure Main

OP

2

Original post

by Pastypowered

My daughter did PPE without philosophy, politics or economics. The A level really doesn't give any advantage

This is very reassuring, thank you.

Reply 6

Azure Main

OP

2

Original post

by xyz1234567

Nearly all joint degrees have 1 interview in each subject, so 2 interviews in total. Colleges are all entitled to structure their interviews how they like so I can’t guarantee this will be the case for you, but this is the norm.

Thanks! I have heard some students being interviewed by two colleges - are such students the winter pool applicants, or does this include those who are being moved between colleges (despite applying to one specifically)? If it's the latter, is it common practice?

Reply 7

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by Azure Main

Thank you very much for your advice. When they "test" for this engagement with politics, will it be based on something I've put on my UCAS form and/or submitted written work? I realise there could also be an unseen section (that is to say, not based on anything submitted) but I am curious whether this part of the interview is quite separate to discussing submitted work.

I don't think it's a formal "test", I anticipate they just want to see you have actually engaged yourself in the subjects you plan to study - e.g. wider reading around the subject and thinking critically about what you've read and the methodologies used in those texts etc. "Show" them you're interested in the subject rather than just "telling" them :smile:

Reply 8

xyz1234567

11

There isn’t such a thing as the winter pool at Oxford. That is a Cambridge thing.

Some candidates are reallocated before interview. If that happens you won’t be interviewed by the college you originally applied to. This is to even up people between colleges so that no one is disadvantaged by having applied to an oversubscribed college.

Other candidates get a second interview after their first one, in which case they are seen by two colleges. Again, it’s to make sure that strong candidates don’t miss out on a place because of the college they apply to. For a joint school subject there may only be 1 or 2 places at a given college so it is particularly important.

Joint school candidates may get offered a place for single honours too.

Reply 9

Pastypowered

7

Politics questions are very broad. My daughter had a politics interview on the day of a general election and her interview ranged from Boris Johnson, political authenticity & the Kardashians. They want to find out how you respond to questioning, how you construct arguments and if you would suit the tutorial system.

Question about History and Politics Oxford Interview

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated